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Your Observer

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 12, 2020
Make a law and voila!

Sarasota city commissioners once again defied logic. While supporting the smart move to allow residential uses in commercial zones, they spoiled the idea with counterproductive regulations.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
John Sims
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 12, 2020
Happy Pi Day!

Sarasota will be home to several Pi Day events on March 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kerry Kirschner, former Sarasota mayor and executive director of The Argus Foundation, died March 4.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 12, 2020
The back of his boxing robe would have said ‘Sarasota’s Champion’

Kerry Kirschner died March 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Manatee County Public Safety Director Jacob Saur says the new system should help residents get the information they seek faster.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 12, 2020
Manatee County launches 311 call center

New system intended to improve customer experience in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Senior midfielder Justin Clark looks for an open teammate.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 12, 2020
Rams lacrosse learns from tough OT loss

Riverview has a young but talented squad, its coach said.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Coronavirus causes the COVID-19 disease.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 12, 2020
Guide to cancellations

Coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease has caused several Sarasota events to be canceled or postponed.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
DeSoto Hotel (right), Courtesy of Manatee County Historical Resources
    By
  • Columnist .
  • March 12, 2020
Gillespie Day

March 10 celebrates Sarasota's golf-loving first mayor.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Faith Gill, 13, and Taytum French, 13
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 12, 2020
'Learning by doing': Science center hosts annual car race

The fifth annual Suncoast Science Center RC Custom Car Open took place on March 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Garden Club hosts Gardens in Paradise foe the seventh year.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 12, 2020
See Sarasota's tropical side at Gardens in Paradise

The Sarasota Garden Club will host its seventh annual Gardens in Paradise tour on March 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Traffic now flows northbound along U.S. 41 at Fruitville Road without a traffic signal as work on the roundabout continues.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 12, 2020
FDOT reports improvement following U.S. 41 traffic changes

As construction continues on a roundabout at Fruitville Road, Longboat Key leaders remain concerned about plans for a Gulfstream Avenue project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city is in the midst of renovating the Lido Beach pavilion, but restroom improvements are set to be the last phase of the project.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 12, 2020
Lido residents remain concerned about pavilion restrooms

As the city of Sarasota works through an issue with its maintenance contractor, a pavilion improvement project will continue through December.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chief Transportation Planner Colleen McGue discusses the Sarasota in Motion master plan with resident Patrick Gannon at a workshop Tuesday, March 10.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 12, 2020
City transportation plan emphasizes biking, walking, public transit

Sarasota planning officials believe projects focused on alternate modes of travel will create a better balance on city streets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 12, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 3.12.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 11, 2020
Beachplace holds golf tournament, raises funds for Save Our Seabirds

The post-tournament auction and raffle acted as a fundraiser for the first time, with all proceeds going to Save Our Seabirds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Former Longboat Key Mayor Jim Brown speaks during Wednesday's forum.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • March 11, 2020
Longboat Key leaders seek feedback, funding for proposed town center

Longboat Key's proposed Arts, Culture and Education Center in cooperation with Ringling College would have cost about $11.32 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Photo courtesy of Rev. Dave Marshall
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 11, 2020
Champions!

A YMCA team sponsored by All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church recently completed an undefeated season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • March 11, 2020
Pros at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center battle it out

The annual doubles exhibition served as a fundraiser for the center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Parking at Chart House.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 11, 2020
Longboat plan would change calculations for new restaurant parking

Restaurant parking proposal keeps staff and waiting customers in mind.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jay Romine, now the director of the MTC Law Enforcement Academy, is headed to the Florida Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 11, 2020
Law Enforcement Officers' Hall of Fame inducts Bradenton man

Mill Creek's Jay Romine will be honored for his 41-year career in law enforcement in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 11, 2020
Town Hall storm upgrades planned with FEMA assistance

Federal dollars will pay for about three-quarters of the project to replace roof, add hurricane shutters and install new generator.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 11, 2020
Beach borrowing on the Longboat Key ballot

Election Day is March 17, but early voting will be available through Saturday at five sites nearby to Longboat residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Laila Ward, an eighth grader, and Mason Engelsberg show off the trophy they received for placing first in Challenging Technology Issues during the Technology Student Association state competition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 11, 2020
Big effort for Mona Jain TSA in debut

Mona Jain's TSA club surpasses expectations in first year

  • East County
  • News
Congressman Vern Buchanan met with officials of Blake Medical Center March 9 to discuss containment of coronavirus and other concerns related to the illness. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 11, 2020
Concern about coronavirus spreads in Lakewood Ranch area

Some organizations cancel events in fear the illness will spread in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

  • East County
  • News
Dragos Alexandru participated in the 1980 Olympics with Romania and will volunteer at the upcoming U.S. Rowing Olympic Team Trials at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 11, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Take it from him

Sarasota rowing coach knows what Olympic berth takes

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Windsong Acres residents Arlan Cummings and Howard Duff say widening Upper Manatee River Road would help with congestion, but they are still worried about safe access to their neighborhood.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 11, 2020
Manatee County may add road projects to plan

Manatee County identifies Upper Manatee River Road widening as a pressing issue.

  • East County
  • News
Peter and Allyson Christinzio work with five coder coaches to teach children ages 7 to 18 how to code at theCoderSchool of Sarasota, which opened in November.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 11, 2020
Coding school opens in Lakewood Ranch

New coding school opens in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Leigh Holt, strategic planning manager for the Sarasota Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization, addresses attendees of the Feb. 24 TransForum workshop that unveiled the MPO's long range plan. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 11, 2020
MPO seeks input on regional transportation plan for Sarasota and Manatee counties

Planning organization wants public comment on its long-range transportation vision for Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • East County
  • News
Tess Lippincott and Matthew Goldberg work together to adjust the setting of their robot and add attachments to complete a mission.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 11, 2020
World of opportunities for East County competitors

World of opportunities for Lakewood Ranch FIRST Lego League team

  • East County
  • News
Deb Hanson, Rebecca Barancik, Amar Hall, Lisa Hise, Wendy Roseth and Steve Barancik
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • March 11, 2020
Community celebrates lives of the Baranciks

Charles and Margery Barancik were honored with a remembrance ceremony at Asolo Repertory Theatre.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County Administrator Cheri Coryea said conference space above the future Lakewood Ranch library could eventually be turned into a second level for the library. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 11, 2020
Manatee County talks new level at library in Lakewood Ranch

Could a future library also service meeting space needs in Manatee County?

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 11, 2020
A necessary investment

Longboaters have accepted that a price of paradise is maintaining the Key’s No. 1 asset: the beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 11, 2020
Role models for their successors

BJ Bishop and Sherry Dominick begin their terms on Town Commission as Irwin Pastor and Randy Clair exit.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • March 10, 2020
Teen Court of Sarasota awards student scholarships at annual dinner

The annual event took place on March 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 10, 2020
All STEAMed up at McNeal Elementary

Families enjoy Earth and Space STEAM Night at McNeal Elementary

  • East County
  • News
A new development is planned for the current Crescent Towers Apartments.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • March 10, 2020
New development may replace Siesta's Crescent Towers

As the key's popularity grows, land sales and new development become more popular.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department EMS liaison/public information officer Tina Adams wipes her desk Monday morning at the Longboat Key north fire station.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • March 10, 2020
Longboat takes precautions to protect against coronavirus

Organizations and citizens alike are exercising caution, but everyday life has otherwise continued as normal.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Helga Williams
  • April 9, 2026
Helga Williams
2
Thomas H Wentz
  • April 9, 2026
Thomas H Wentz
3
Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
  • April 9, 2026
Restaurant collab supports Longboat Key Turtle Watch
4
Work proceeds on the fields at 17th Street Park in northeastern Sarasota County. Completion is expected late this year
  • April 9, 2026
Multistate softball tournament coming to 17th Street Park
5
The expansion of McCown Towers would surround the parking structure that would include 160 public parking spaces owned by the city.
  • April 9, 2026
Senior public housing expansion remains $4 million short

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