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Your Observer

As the county funds more large scale projects, less funds are being allocated to tourism promotion.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 23, 2020
Tourist Development Council expects slower gains

Because money is being diverted to pay for capital projects, there is less available money to market Sarasota County

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 23, 2020
Sarasota school Board discusses safety funds, rental policies

The district has about $2 million left to address safety at district campuses.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Mitsi Corcoran is being paid $207,000 a year as acting superintendent.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 23, 2020
Superintendent search firms narrowed to two

The school board will hear presentations from Florida School Boards Association and Ray & Associates, Inc. at its Feb. 4 meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sailors junior Annette Zamsky watches her shot go over the head of a Palmetto goalkeeper.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 23, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Riding the (frozen) waves

Sailors girls soccer fights through cold to prove their mettle.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Matteo Catena, here leaping for a shot against Lakewood Ranch, is a senior captain on the Rams.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 23, 2020
Rams basketball is learning to finish games

Riverview has won nine straight games.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
John Long, managing member of Equity Villa Fund LLC, agreed to pay the town $3,640 and court costs to settle a lawsuit that sought to force the property owner of the home on Schooner Lane to cease and desist.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 23, 2020
Town lobbies against state legislation on short-term rentals

Bills focus on constitutional rights of property owners; mayor's letter notes possibility of 'mini-hotels.'

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 23, 2020
Another tee shot goes 'OB'

Taxpayers are expected to subsidize the Bobby Jones Golf Club in the current fiscal year.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Bath and Racquet Club owners hope to redevelop the property as a residential community built around the existing fitness facility.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 23, 2020
Bath & Racquet Club plans headed to City Commission

A proposal to redevelop the property near U.S. 41 has drawn opposition from residents and the city’s Planning Board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Online listings on vacation rental sites for homes such as this Lido Key property advertise the ability to sleep more than 20 people.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 23, 2020
Residents push for action on ‘hotel houses’

The city will investigate its legal authority to regulate and manage short-term rental properties built to house large groups in residential neighborhoods.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city will work to preserve the nearby butterfly garden when it demolishes the pavilion at Gillespie Park.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 23, 2020
Gillespie Park pavilion slated for demolition

The city has the neighborhood's support as it plans to remove a shade structure from the park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The DID developed a conceptual design for the gateway sign, but the city wasn't interested in pursuing the project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 23, 2020
City rejects downtown gateway sign proposal

Uninterested in a plan favored by a downtown group, officials want to explore alternative placemaking solutions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 23, 2020
The pressure is on, Mote

With the Sarasota County Commission agreeing to front $20 million to Mote Marine for its aquarium from bed taxes, the bigger challenge is yet to come: proving its vision is real.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 23, 2020
Who should rule vacation rentals?

Local governments across Florida struggle to deal with regulating vacation rentals.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 23, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 1.23.20

Enjoy this weeks edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 22, 2020
Showcase of talent at Braden River High School

Showcase of talent at Braden River High School

  • East County
  • News
The registration deadline for those who wish to vote in the 2020 presidential preference primary is Feb. 18.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 22, 2020
Voter registration deadline nearing for primary election

Those who wish to register or update their party affiliation should do so by Feb. 18.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • January 22, 2020
A good Sunday read

Selby Library's Sunday hours return on Jan. 26.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
La Norma chef Davide Nanni crafts a dish, as he said he always does, with painstaking precision. (Photo courtesy of Davide Nanni)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 22, 2020
New La Norma chef brings authentic flair from Italy itself

Davide Nanni has 31,000 Facebook followers and experience in Rome and London. Now he is bringing his unique style to Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A board highlighting planned repairs for the New Pass Bridge lay in the chambers of Longboat Key Town Hall at an open house hosted by transportation officials Thursday evening.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • January 22, 2020
Longboat residents' concerns quelled at New Pass Bridge forum

When work starts in June, the bridge that connects Longboat Key and St. Armands Key will have no lane closures outside the hours of 3 a.m. to 5 a.m.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Volunteers (back) Sue Montgomery and Kellie Acosta enjoy the camp with young adult campers (front) Kendry Lamar, Ryan Bond, Rachel Swim, Bailey Jackson and Cori Danforth. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 22, 2020
Wandall Foundation seeks some buddies

The Mark Wandall Foundation and Comfort Zone Camp seek volunteers for bereavement camps.

  • East County
  • News
Faith Bench, a math teacher at Braden River Middle School, reviews a math problem with her class.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 22, 2020
East County educator's teaching style leads to honor

Braden River Middle educator's unique teaching style leads to 'Educator of the Year' nomination

  • East County
  • News
Braxton McClelland, a fifth grader at Robert E. Willis Elementary School, shows the book he's reading to Lenny Gutmann, the guardian at the school, after school has been dismissed.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 22, 2020
Guardians remain a less expensive choice in Manatee County

Guardians remain a less expensive choice in Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High senior Nathan Bennett moved to the area before his sophomore season and brought a wealth of hockey knowledge from Minnesota. Photo courtesy Nathan Bennett.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 22, 2020
A Minnesotan keeps hockey dreams alive in Lakewood Ranch

Nathan Bennett leads the Manatee Admirals in points.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Publix location on Market Street was the first to open in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 22, 2020
Plan suggests Publix expansion in Lakewood Ranch

Plan suggests Publix expansion in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Tatum Temple stands under the arch at Springer Mountain in Fannin County, Ga., which marks the start of the Appalachian Trail. Photo courtesy Tatum Temple.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 22, 2020
Prose and Kohn: On the Trail

LRHS teacher followed wild calling for six months.

  • East County
  • Sports
Alexandra, Scott, Angela and Samantha DeVine are excited A&S Paint Studio is finally open. Angela DeVine named the studio in honor of her daughters. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 22, 2020
Stress free art comes to Lakewood Ranch

A&S Painting Studio opens in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
GreyHawk Landing's Jack Ranalli does not support the development application. He and more than 100 other residents came to oppose the project at the Jan. 16 Manatee County Planning Commission meeting.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 22, 2020
Car lot plan advances in Manatee County

County planning board approves auto sales as a potential use for a parcel near GreyHawk Landing.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Dick Vitale has been chosen to receive the NCAA President's Gerald R. Ford Award.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 22, 2020
NCAA honors Lakewood Ranch's Dick Vitale

Dick Vitale of Lakewood Ranch presented the NCAA's Gerald R. Ford Award

  • East County
  • News
Valeria Pankey.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 22, 2020
East County Athlete of the Week: Valeria Pankey

The Lakewood Ranch girls soccer player talks being left-footed and wanting to travel back in time.

  • East County
  • Sports
Habitat for Humanity Sarasota crew leader Mike Besselman helps Lake Club's Paul Lang cut an insulated concrete form to the right size.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 22, 2020
The Lake Club residents nail compassion

Lake Club volunteers put stock into Habitat for Humanity's effort in Sarasota County.

  • East County
  • News
Ginger Matuszewski and Ava Thompsen hope to expand their offerings of pet treats at this year's Kids Biz Fair.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 22, 2020
Manatee County libraries promote the business of learning

Manatee County libraries promote the business of learning

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 22, 2020
How to make Longboat's Gulf of Mexico Drive safer

Keep the transports out of the middle of GMD, let lights shine on the road, and buy GMD from the state.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • January 21, 2020
'Peace, justice, freedom and equality': Sarasota celebrates MLK Day

Sarasota remember Martin Luther King Jr. with celebrations and a nod to his dream.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Francis Shea, who died Jan. 17, founded the Irish Celtic Festival in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 21, 2020
Lakewood Ranch's Irish Celtic Festival founder dies

Lakewood Ranch's Frank Shea, beloved for his volunteer work, dies.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 21, 2020
Longboat Key Chamber starts the new year with annual awards

To move forward, the Chamber first looked back at their successes over 2019.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • January 21, 2020
Temple Emanu-el hosts interfaith service

Temple Emanu-El and Light of the World International Church celebrated Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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