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Your Observer

    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 7, 2021
Spirits rise at ODA

The Out-of-Door Academy celebrates school spirit through a day of competitions.

  • East County
  • News
The popularity of the Siesta Key Breeze service was one factor that motivated the City Commission’s interest in an open-air trolley, rather than a bus. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 6, 2021
City favors open-air trolley for islands transit

The City Commission is interested in spending additional money to expand a transportation service between downtown and Lido Key, though it’s unclear how the route may be funded.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 6, 2021
Public Works, public service

Town employee saves dog from Bayfront Park fall.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Father Edward Pick. File photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 6, 2021
St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church founder, gentle giant Father Edward Pick, dies

Pick leaves behind a looming legacy at the Longboat Key church, one that is remembered fondly by congregants.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Architect Dan Lear developed concept images showcasing what three- and four-story structures on St. Armands Circle could look like. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 6, 2021
St. Armands group advances pursuit of hotel zoning

The St. Armands Business Improvement District is working with Sarasota city staff and other stakeholders on options for changing the building regulations on the Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 5, 2021
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key hears from Gold, Linkogle

Members learn more about underground project, new commissioner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key town commissioners heard from Michael Warnstedt during a Meet and Greet event on Monday morning.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 5, 2021
Longboat Key appoints three new P&Z Board members

Paul Hylbert and Margaret Nuzzo are set to hold three-year terms while Michael Warnstedt is set to hold a one-year term.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Pilston. Photo courtesy of Save Our Seabirds.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 5, 2021
Save Our Seabirds hires first-ever vet

The organization is hosting a virtual fundraiser event to reintroduce people to the facility.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
About 69.4% of the survey respondents chose there overall quality of life in Longboat Key as “excellent.”
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 5, 2021
Survey finds high quality of life in Longboat Key

Nearly 99% of the survey respondents described the quality of life in Longboat Key as either “excellent” or “good.”

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 5, 2021
Town leaders move ahead with environmental projects

The town of Longboat Key considered several environmental projects to satisfy the FDEP consent order following the June 2020 sewage spill.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kelli Smith is due to start on May 3 as the police chief of Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • April 5, 2021
Longboat Key to begin search for new police chief

Current Longboat Key Police Chief Kelli Smith's resignation is effective as of April 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
King Michael picked a basket laden with toy cars.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 5, 2021
Longboat Key hunts for normalcy on Easter

People attended services in person this year and saw family, a huge difference from 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Marilyn and Jim May have committed this year to adding more Easter decorations to their mailbox.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 5, 2021
Neighborhood celebrates Easter with decorative mailboxes

The Cottages of Rivendell has started sprucing up their mailboxes for each Easter.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The larger of the two homes at 7340 Point of Rocks was built in 1936. It has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 4,268 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 4, 2021
Point of Rocks Road property sells for $3.8 million

Residential real estate transaction for March 22-26.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The home at 111 N. Warbler Lane was built in 1976 . It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,251 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 4, 2021
Bird Key home sells for $3.5 million

Residential real estate transactions for March 22-26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
No Toreador Crimson carpet for GMD.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 4, 2021
April Fool's strikes again in the Observer

Wacky sources, paper-thin premises, ludicrously misshapen story angles add up to our annual festival of foolishness.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 3, 2021
Families search for eggs at annual Siesta Key Easter Egg Hunt

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce-hosted event had hundreds of children hunting for eggs April 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 3, 2021
Sarasota Ministerial Association takes supporters on Good Friday pilgrimage

Church leaders and followers walked the 14 stations of the cross April 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 3, 2021
Whitney Plaza owner seeks residential density referendum

10 units proposed in letter to mayor seeking special election.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • April 2, 2021
You Observed: Rotary Club of Longboat Key hosts Walk for Water

The club put together a walk to raise money for a community in Peru.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 2, 2021
Booker student documentary to air on Tampa area PBS channel

"Into the Storm" highlights the desegregation of Sarasota County schools as it follows the 1966-67 Booker Tornadoes basketball team.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • April 2, 2021
Father Edward G. Pick

Father Edward G. Pick, founder and Pastor of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Church on Longboat Key, died March 27, 2021, at the age of 86.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Bill Waddill leads the tour.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • April 1, 2021
DreamLarge hosts 2021 BLVD Bike Rides event

Locals biked across town on March 27.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: Haiku for SRQ contest aims to eliminate graffiti

If the haiku contest goes well, city leaders say a limerick contest could follow.

  • April Fools
David Mahler, the head of school at the Out-of-Door Academy, will resign after 17 years with the school. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 1, 2021
ODA head of school, who oversees Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota campuses, resigns

David Mahler, the head of school at the Out-of-Door-Academy, announces resignation.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: April 1

Patricia Muller captured this sunset on northern Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Scott Hopes was appointed Manatee County Administrator on an interim basis Thursday. He will remain on the Manatee County School Board until a replacement is found.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • April 1, 2021
Manatee County Commissioners appoint Hopes as interim administrator

Scott Hopes will remain on the Manatee County School Board until a replacement is found

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2021
East County weather page photo: April 1

Gordon Silver captures this bald eagle with a fresh catch along White Eagle Boulevard.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: April 1

Bruce Silverman captured this butterfly out in the garden in Spanish Point.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
In order to further engage officials on the possibility of remaining in the city, the Sarasota Orchestra is asking the City Commission to make a policy determination that it is permissible to construct a venue at Payne Park.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 1, 2021
Orchestra holds firm on Payne Park request

Despite community optimism about finding a workable compromise, the Sarasota Orchestra stands by its belief that it needs to use land in Payne Park to remain in the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Drake, who is 5 years old, has collected nearly a dozen rocks during his rock hunt at Kids R Kids Learning Academy.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS — No eggs? Simply rock on in Lakewood Ranch

APRIL FOOLS — Lakewood Ranch moms hosts rock hunt to replace cancelled egg hunt events.

  • April Fools
Could aging rocker Robert Plant end up with another kind of Stairway to Heaven?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS — Rocker rendezvous about to take place in the Lake Club of Lakewood Ranch

APRIL FOOLS — Stairway to Heaven Assisted Living Facility could bring together amazing musicians in Lakewood Ranch.

  • April Fools
Landen Mavrikas hit the waves with his skimboard. Harry Sayer
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 1, 2021
Spring break puts area businesses back on track

Local officials and business owners say tourism is back on track with some reporting their most successful season yet.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
  • By Vittorio Nastasi and Adrian Moore
  • April 1, 2021
Telehealth reform will expand health care access after COVID-19

Although the arrival of a vaccine promises to bring an end to the pandemic, increased use of telehealth is likely here to stay.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Commissioners hope to address the three main complaints of short-term rentals: noise, garbage and parking.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • April 1, 2021
Commissioners hope to tweak short term rental rules

Commissioners aim to update its 2011 ordinance to better fit the current short term rental climate.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 1, 2021
APRIL FOOLS: Subscription parking service comes to town

Fee-based system allows free reign to leave vehicles where ever driver wants.

  • April Fools
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Benderson Development is wrapping up its latest phase of construction at the business and industrial park off Toledo Blade Boulevard.
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