Your Observer

Josh Siegel
February 21, 2014

Sam Woolf makes 'American Idol' Top 13

The nation voted Braden River High School student Sam Woolf into the Top 13 of 'American Idol' Thursday night.

East County
News

Pam Eubanks
February 21, 2014

Students explore career options

Lakewood Ranch High School hosted a career fair today.

East County
News

Nolan Peterson
February 21, 2014

County names assistant county administrator

Steven Botelho, Sarasota County's chief financial management officer, will step into the county's No. 2 position Monday.

Sarasota
News

Harriet Sokmensuer
February 21, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: 2014 Senior Games

Sarasota residents competed in the 25th annual Gulf Coast Senior Games' Singles Pickleball tournament Friday, Feb. 21. This year marked the first time the games have been held at Arlington Park. The games will continue until Sunday, Feb. 23.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
February 21, 2014

Wireless group makes recommendation

A group of Longboat Key residents formed to provide a recommendation on improved cellular communication for the island.

Longboat Key
News

Nolan Peterson
February 21, 2014

County releases 2013 annual report

The 52-page document provides a comprehensive summary of the county's activities and accomplishments last year.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Alex Mahadevan
February 21, 2014

Planning Commission OKs rezone for Eide library

The Sarasota County Planning Commission yesterday unanimously approved the rezone of 58 acres of bayfront property slated to board scholars studying one of the largest collections of Chinese literature in the world.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Black Tie Staff
February 20, 2014

2014 Statesman of the Year honoring U.S. Senator Ted Cruz

Black Tie

Kelsey Grau
February 20, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Dinner for Artists

On Thursday, Nancy and Adrian Smith hosted a dinner for artists at their home on the Gulf. The party celebrated Master Painter David Leffel's annual Renaissance workshop at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts.

Longboat Key
News

Jen Blanco
February 20, 2014

Lady Sailors fall in state semifinal

The Sarasota High girls basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 47-36 loss to Harmony in the FHSAA Class 7A state semifinals Feb. 20, at the Lakeland Center.

Sarasota
News

Kelsey Grau
February 20, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Reception for Lifetime Library Members

On Thursday, lifetime members of the Longboat Library gathered at the home of Eileen Hassel for a reception in their honor. The library, which is staffed and operated entirely by volunteers, is a non-profit organization supported by memberships.

Longboat Key
News

Jen Blanco
February 20, 2014

Sarasota Christian falls in title game

The Sarasota Christian girls basketball team fell to Grandview Prep 45-32 in the FHSAA Class 2A state championship Feb. 20, at the Lakeland Center.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Josh Siegel
February 20, 2014

LWR CDDs approve 2013 audit reports

Auditors deemed the Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts to be in good financial health and praised internal controls.

East County
News

Harriet Sokmensuer
February 20, 2014

PHOTO GALLERY: Ashton Elementary's Morning at the Museum

Ashton Elementary held its inaugural Morning at the Museum Thursday, Feb. 20. First and second grade students dressed up as famous historical figures and their personal heroes. Families and students were able to interact with the legends such as Queen Elizabeth, Paul Revere and Bill Gates.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
February 20, 2014

Colony hearing rescheduled

A hearing scheduled to make rulings on a Colony Beach & Tennis Resort settlement has been moved to Wednesday, Feb. 26.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
February 20, 2014

Dora Walters speaks to Historical Society tonight

Dora Walters, retired senior editor of the Longboat Observer, will speak at 7 p.m. tonight.

Longboat Key
News

David Conway
February 20, 2014

Sarasota police investigating suspicious death

The Sarasota Police Department is investigating a suspicious death this morning after finding a body behind a building in the 1800 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

Sarasota
News

Harriet Sokmensuer
February 20, 2014

Goodwill Offering Free Yoga Classes to Veterans

The first session starts today, Thursday, Feb. 20, at 3:30 p.m. The classes are part of the non-profit's national program, Warriors at Ease, which has been developed in collaboration with the United States Department of Defense.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Alex Mahadevan
February 20, 2014

County to begin budget process

Sarasota County commissioners will hold a workshop Friday, during which Tom Harmer will begin preparing his first budget as county administrator.

Sarasota
News

Nolan Peterson
February 20, 2014

Sarasota doctor named 'Public Health Hero'

Dr. Mark J. Magenheim, MD, served as the Sarasota County Health Department's director and medical director for more than a decade.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Amanda Sebastiano
February 20, 2014

UPDATE: Sam Woolf survives another day on 'American Idol'

East County's Sam Woolf made it through to be one of the top 10 men in the 13th season of "American Idol."

East County
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
February 20, 2014

Lady Blazers, Lady Sailors ready for state

The Sarasota Christian and Sarasota High girls basketball teams will compete in the Class 2A state championship and Class 7A state semifinals, respectively, today at the Lakeland Center.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 20, 2014

Dancing duos

Temple Emanu-El held its annual Daddy-Daughter Dance Feb. 9.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 20, 2014

Souper Stars

Pine Shores Presbyterian Church came first in Florida and second in the nation in this year's Souper Bowl of Caring.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
February 20, 2014

Host families needed for students

STEP of Sarasota is looking for families to host students from Spain this summer.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nolan Peterson
February 20, 2014

Noise ordinance strikes a chord

After noise complaints continue at a couple county restaurants, County commissioners consider changing the noise ordinance, a move that some business owners call unfair.

Sarasota
News

David Conway
February 20, 2014

Businesses weigh in on SCAT relocation

More prominent downtown figures have stepped forward to ask the county to consider moving the city's SCAT bus transfer station, but not everybody is on board with the proposal.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Nolan Peterson
February 20, 2014

Cost savings permit Siesta beach renovation options

Unused funds may allow the Siesta Beach renovations project to include dune walkovers, a new west pavilion and 10 pole shelters without increasing the project's overall cost.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
February 20, 2014

News Briefs

County, city approve homeless spending; FDOT tweaks Stickney Point Traffic rules; Stabbing occurs Friday at Selby Public Library; Gulf Goast Senior Games kicks off 25th annual event; Fit2Run coming to Five Points areas off Main Street

Sarasota
News

Harriet Sokmensuer
February 20, 2014

Selby cultivates interest in Plant and Garden Festival

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will host the 39th annual Plant and Garden Festival Saturday, Feb. 22 through Sunday, Feb. 23.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
February 20, 2014

Golden grappler

Sarasota High senior Tobias Baker won the 220-pound weight class at the Class 2A Wrestling Championships Feb. 14 and Feb. 15.

Sarasota
Neighbors

David Conway
February 20, 2014

Laurel Park begins focusing on new code

Laurel Park residents, attached to the zoning regulations they have spent years building, are hesitant to embrace the city's forthcoming form-based code.