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Your Observer

Event committee members Pat McGettigan, Lyn Haycock, Garden Club President Susan Phillips, Patty Sileo, Nancy McLean and Debbie Marino
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 24, 2020
Longboat Key's Garden Club plants the seeds for a successful show

The 9th annual Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show is Jan. 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 24, 2020
Gene Witt kindergartners celebrate 100th day of school

Gene Witt Elementary kindergartners celebrate 100th day of school

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 24, 2020
Christ Church potluck dinner features Jeremy Silverman

The Longboat Key church's organist delighted guests at a dinner and concert.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dani Butler, a member of Hope Assemblies, tells the girls at Braden River Middle School they have a voice and should be empowered to use it after sharing her story of how she got out of a bad relationship.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 24, 2020
Love can't hurt in East County

Braden River Middle School students are challenged to carry the love on campus.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Bill Poulton was named to the Florida Citrus Commission in February.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 23, 2020
Lakewood Ranch man juiced about new role with Florida Citrus Commission

Tropicana's Bill Poulton receives honor from Governor.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • January 23, 2020
Bottoms up for Mote

We'll drink to ending red tide.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 23, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Location, location . . . communication?

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The homeowners removed the ropes that were blocking off the area, leaving stakes and rocks.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 23, 2020
Sarasota County says Siesta house barricade is unauthorized, homeowners remove ropes

Sarasota County officials sent a letter to the homeowners asking them to remove the barricade.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 23, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: January 23

John Caviglia photographed the sunrise over Moorings Marina on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 23, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: January 23

Ann Klemeyer captured an image of this wood stork in Sarasota’s Red Bug Slough.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 23, 2020
East County weather page photo: January 23

Richard Bottorff captured a moment between a limpkin and an alligator in Rye Wilderness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Demolition of the Siesta Key Water Reclamation Facility is set to begin in June.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 23, 2020
Siesta Key to soon see work on two major projects

Sarasota County will begin the demolition of the Siesta Key Water Reclamation facility and begin replacing a water pipeline near Midnight Pass Road.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
When grease gets into the county’s wastewater collection system it can cause blockages and clogs. Photo Courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • January 23, 2020
Change in Sarasota County grease regulations leave business owners concerned

A change in the county's fats, oils and grease regulations leave business owners with additional annual expenses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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
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Latest News

1
Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, in Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sushi restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District
2
Helga Williams
  • April 9, 2026
Helga Williams
3
Thomas H Wentz
  • April 9, 2026
Thomas H Wentz
4
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
5
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

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