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Your Observer

Ahead of budget workshops later this month, some city officials have said they want to prepare for the worst-case scenario economically because of the uncertainty associated with COVID-19.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 14, 2020
City budget attempts to forecast an unclear future

Although the city is preparing to reduce spending and generate less revenue because of COVID-19, staff’s budget proposal attempts to stave off personnel cuts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 13, 2020
Sarasota Chamber of Commerce launches small business initiative

The "SouRQ" initiative looks to help small retail and restaurant businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The memorial at State Road 64 and Pope Road was moved to begin construction of a roundabout.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 13, 2020
Fortitude prevails after Lakewood Ranch tragedy

Road work to build a roundabout begins at the site of fatal Lakewood Ranch accident.

  • East County
  • Opinion
County Administrator Jonathan Lewis said the county is pausing some positions to help save money.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 13, 2020
County officials project millions in general fund losses due to COVID-19

Sarasota County leaders have proposed a budget of $323 million and a millage rate of 3.46 for fiscal year 2021.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The town of Longboat Key is continuing sampling and testing of Sarasota Bay waters.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 13, 2020
Longboat Key seeks to advance new sewage pipe project

Town Manager Tom Harmer wrote that the town’s Public Works Department believes the 25.8 million gallon discharge is a “high estimate.”

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    A time to celebrate |
  • July 13, 2020
Burke-McGuire Engagement

Cindy Burke and Jason McGuire, who live on Siesta Key, happily announce their engagement.

  • Siesta Key
  • Celebrations
    In Memoriam |
  • July 13, 2020
Carol Winkel

Carol Winkel passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at home on July 4, 2020. She was 94 years young.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Karen and Duane Compton are getting used to the Florida summer.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 13, 2020
The season that never ended

Travel became tricky as season was ending on Longboat Key, so a new demographic appeared: The summer snowbird.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Suzy Brenner
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 13, 2020
Paradise Center gains partnerships, inches toward opening

The island's medical center is on schedule to open in September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 13, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: A pyrotechnic preview

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The town of Longboat Key's public beach parking is expected to remain closed until at least July 27.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 13, 2020
Longboat Key to keep public beach parking closed

Town Manager Tom Harmer is set to re-evaluate his executive order by July 27.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 13, 2020
Cygnet scare

The baby swan has had recent medical issues.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bill Wartinbee
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 13, 2020
It didn't grow on him

Bill Wartinbee tried the quarantine beard, but it never stuck.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The town of Longboat Key has posted several of these "wear a mask" signs throughout the island. Photo courtesy of Nat Kaemmerer.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 10, 2020
Longboat mask policy reveals enforcement challenges

The Longboat Key Police Department has received a calls about violations to the town's mandatory mask policy.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Blue Heirloom volunteer Martin Sperber stands next to the Elvis statue that stands outside of the thrift store at 5650 Swift Road in Sarasota, Florida.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 10, 2020
All shook up about COVID, Elvis statue dons a mask

The statue is located outside of the Blue Heirloom in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unit 532 at 544 Beach Road was built in 198 with three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,611 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 10, 2020
Beach Road condominium sells for $1.5 million

Residential real estate transactions for June 29-July 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Longboat Key's new online mapping tool debuted this week. It allows users to see how a property is zoned.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 10, 2020
Longboat Key launches new online zoning map

Senior planner Maika Arnold worked for several months to create the interactive map.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unit B at 363 Benjamin Franklin Drive was built in 2010 with four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 10, 2020
Palazzi Al Mare condo sells for $3.5 million

Residential real estate transactions for June 29 and July 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The device was discovered this morning near a trash can. (From Sarasota PD video)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 10, 2020
Lido Beach reopens following removal of device

Sarasota Police call in experts from MacDill AFB following the discovery this morning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, shares the recommendation to offer e-learning, a hybrid schedule for middle and high school students or have students return five days per week.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 9, 2020
School District of Manatee County adjusts reopening recommendation

Students will have the option to return to school full time, participate in a hybrid schedule for middle and high school or continue e-learning.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key firefighters put out a fire on July 4 at the Portobello condominium at 3235 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Photo courtesy of Dean Congbalay.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 9, 2020
Longboat Key resident thanks firefighters for putting out Fourth of July dumpster fire

Dean Congbalay sent an email to Fire Chief Paul Dezzi to thank him for firefighters' quick action.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 9, 2020
Children 'act up' at summer camp in Lakewood Ranch

The Players Centre for Performing Arts offers Players in the Park summer camp in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 9, 2020
Sarasota officials break ground on Legacy Trail extension

When completed, the extension will connect North Port to Sarasota with a 30-mile bike trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: July 9

Gordon Silver took this image of pelicans at Centenial Park in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 9

Jennifer Samson captured these incoming storm clouds off Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2020
East County weather page photo: July 9

Lisa Deutsch captured this mother limpkin taking her babies out for a swim on Lake Uihlein.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • July 9, 2020
Gulf of Mexico Drive home sets sales record . . . by $1

The home fronting the Gulf of Mexico sold for $13,000,001.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Observer is promoting transparency in journalism with "The Convo."
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 9, 2020
New podcast wants listeners to feel like part of the newsroom

The Observer is promoting transparency in journalism with 'The Convo.'

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bradenton Lynx shortstop Devyn Flaherty, a Riverview grad, smiles while completing a home run trot.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 9, 2020
Sarasota-area college softballers participate in the local Florida Gulf Coast League

The league is the first of its kind for college softball players.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    In Memoriam |
  • July 9, 2020
Gary Drew

With saddened hearts we announce the passing of our wonderful father and husband, Gary Drew, 81, who passed away on his 58th wedding anniversary on June 30, 2020 in Sarasota, FL.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    A time to celebrate |
  • July 9, 2020
Harry Anand

Honorable Harry, Happy 60th Birthday.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
DID board members have signaled an interest in pursuing additional capital improvement projects after the tree lighting is installed.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 9, 2020
City approves downtown tree lights

Despite some questions about the choice to prioritize the project, the Downtown Improvement District is moving forward with plans to install additional permanent lighting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Latressa Preston, the city's new Police Complaint Committee chairperson, said she felt passionately about finding a way to help serve the community.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 9, 2020
Newtown residents to lead police boards

In the wake of recent protests over policing, city leaders said diversity is a priority for two citizen oversight bodies.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 7.9.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Josh Falcon wears the Epic microphone.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • July 8, 2020
Rotary Club of Longboat Key obtains equipment for first responders

The fire and police departments have received safety and surveillance equipment from the club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • July 8, 2020
Sarasota County School board gears up to name new superintendent

Superintendent finalists enter last phase of selection process, culminating July 14 with school board decision.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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Reclaimed water systems run separately from drinking-water systems.
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Roadway cameras help identify park-damaging suspect
  • June 24, 2026
Roadway cameras help identify park-damaging suspect
3
This house in Plantation Oaks is advertised on several booking platforms as sleeping up to 32 guests.
  • June 24, 2026
Manatee County commissioners consider regulating vacation rentals
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Mia Busser's recruitment opened June 15 following the USA Gymnastics Women's Development Program National Championships. There, she placed fourth in the all-around, second on floor and fourth on vault.
  • June 24, 2026
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A visitor to Sarasota Art Museum takes a photo of David Hockney's "Inside It Opens Up As Well," which collector Stanton Storer loaned to the museum for "Something Borrowed, Something New."
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