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Your Observer

Although spring break used to bring a great influx in population, local business owners say the key has gotten more popular so population remains steady throughout the spring and into the summer.
  • By Brynn Mechem and David Conway, Observer staff
  • February 27, 2020
As Siesta notoriety grows, so does 'spring break season'

Business owners say there isn't as noticeable of a difference between spring break and summer population as there was 10 years ago.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: February 27

Patricia Muller captured this anhinga enjoying the morning light of the north end of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Several homes on Treasure Boat Way are listed on Airbnb for about $100 a night.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 27, 2020
As county collects Airbnb tax, some question need for vacation rentals

The county collected $1.8 million from the vacation rental site, but some Siesta Key residents would like to see the end of the rentals in residential areas.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • February 27, 2020
Dorothy Barichak, RN

On Thursday, February 20, 2020 the world said goodbye to one of its finest caregivers, Dorothy M. Barichak, RN.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: February 27

Stephen Jordan captured these amazing sunset colors over the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2020
East County weather page photo: February 27

Pamela Williams photographed this double-crested cormorant in a pond by Player’s Drive in Country Club East.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Fire units are on the scene of a reported fire at 5311 Gulf of Mexico Drive. (Town of Longboat Key photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 27, 2020
Morning fire on Longboat spreads into attic

First responders were called to 5311 Gulf of Mexico Drive around 9:30 a.m.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini signed items for fans before the Boston game.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 27, 2020
Prose and Kohn: "O," it's magic

The Orioles celebrate 10 years at Ed Smith Stadium.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Chris Goglia of the St. Armands Residents Association speaks during a panel on short-term rentals at a Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations meeting on Friday, Feb. 21.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 27, 2020
St. Armands remains focused on ‘hotel houses’

The city is still reviewing its options for regulating rental properties, an exercise that could soon be affected by new state laws.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Palm Avenue merchants paid to install seasonal tree lights on the street late last year, but the city must approve a plan to allow for permanent lighting on certain downtown streets.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 27, 2020
Palm Avenue merchants push for tree lights

On Monday, the city will consider allowing the installation of year-round tree lighting in portions of downtown and St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 2.27.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Perhaps the crux of the whole issue: The turn lanes onto Tamiami Trail from Gulfstream.
  • By Nat Kaemmerer and Eric Garwood
  • February 27, 2020
Tales of two Trails: We dive into Sarasota's seasonal traffic

Just how bad is it out there? We try to get to the airport through rush hour in two different directions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 27, 2020
Longboat residents learn more about town's beach efforts

Ballot issue for upcoming renourishment projects before voters on March 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 26, 2020
Longboat's golfing women team up to beat breast cancer

The golf associations held a tournament to raise money for Breast Health Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The new structure's first floor will be 12 feet above sea level. It will include two bedrooms and two bathrooms for the manager on the second level. The first level will offer offices, another bathroom, meeting space and a mailroom
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 26, 2020
Longboat board signs off on Aria addition

Condo association in litigation over condition of 1930s era villa.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A magnificent sunset over the Gulf one evening from Siesta Key | Stephen Jordan
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • February 26, 2020
2019: Weather Photo Contest Submissions

2019: Weather Photo Contest Submissions

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key residents attend the final class of the Citizens Academy of Government program at the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department on Feb. 19.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 26, 2020
Citizens Academy pulls back curtain on local government

The weekly seven-part course provided access to several departments of Longboat town government and the people who work for it.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jon Thaxton suggested the city could use a tiered incentive system to reward developers who provide the most beneficial housing projects for the community.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 26, 2020
City leaders offer differing housing perspectives

As city staff works to advance policy changes, commissioners shared their affordable housing priorities at a workshop Monday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Easter Island, Hanga Roa | Gérard Rivollier-Brahms
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • February 26, 2020
2019: It's Read Everywhere Submissions

2019: It's Read Everywhere Submissions

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Toby Jaffee is a sophomore at Booker High School.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 26, 2020
The power of flowers

Booker High School sophomore Toby Jaffee, 16, passed out 91 carnations on Valentine's Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Julie Bianchi, the head of the middle school, talks about the garden feature and virtual reality studio in the new building.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 26, 2020
Out-of-Door Academy building for a better future in Lakewood Ranch

Out-of-Door Academy expands middle school with new facility and quad

  • East County
  • News
Barry Napshin retired from Alta Vista 25 years ago.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 26, 2020
Teachers throw 90th birthday surprise party for former Alta Vista principal

Barry Napshin turns 90 on Feb. 28.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County commissioners meet at the county administration building downtown. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 26, 2020
Right-of-way acquisition could be a county priority in Manatee County

County executives, commissioners believe land for road projects needs to be purchased sooner.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota civil engineer Steve Suau told attendees of the Feb. 18 LWR Talks event Lakewood Ranch is about two weeks away from starting construction on a pilot program meant to improve water quality.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 26, 2020
Lakewood Ranch filtration project set to begin

Engineer says SMR will break ground in March on the water filtration pilot study.

  • East County
  • News
Terry Wilson, a Waterlefe resident, paints stripes on her sheepshead fish. "I was shocked when I found out we were painting with a real fish," Wilson says. "It sounds like fun."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 26, 2020
Painting on a grand scale in East County

Waterlefe residents learn how to paint with a fish

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Dick Amesbury said events like the expo have helped him keep up to date on Parkinson's developments, as well as products to assist with life changes.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 26, 2020
Learning to live with Parkinson's in Lakewood Ranch

Seminars, workshops keep local man on course despite Parkinson's disease.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Saunders, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Ted Lindenberg, director of the Books for Kids program, celebrate the program's success.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 26, 2020
A success story in Manatee County

Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch celebrates growth of Books for Kids program

  • East County
  • News
Braden River junior O'Mariah Gordon cuts down the nets after defeating Fort Myers High in the regional finals Feb. 21.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 26, 2020
Braden River star tries to balance her life outside of basketball

O'Mariah Gordon, a top-30 recruit nationally, uses work and family to keep her mind off the on-court pressure.

  • East County
  • Sports
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan nominated 10 Sarasota students to U.S. Service Academies on Feb. 25.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • February 26, 2020
Buchanan submits 22 service academy nominations

Each year, members of Congress nominate seniors for admission to U.S. Service Academies.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Summerfield resident Betsy Hall walks from her home to Greenbrook Adventure Park daily and said safety has become a problem. She said the district's plan to create separate pathways for walkers and vehicles will improve safety.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 26, 2020
Improved path for community park in Lakewood Ranch

CDD 4 plans safety improvements at Greenbrook Adventure Park in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Tiffany Yu wears a dress by Debbie Dannheisser Threads while Debbie Dannheisser shows a painting by her late daughter Nichole. She incorporates Nichole's artistry into her fashions.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 26, 2020
Spring Sensations hits fashion runway in Sarasota

Sisterhood for Good lights up the fashion runway with its annual fundraiser in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 26, 2020
He should be fired

FDOT is not the one to blame for the traffic backups on the Ringling Causeway. The city is. It controls the timing of the projects.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Zachariah Fike (center), a major in the Vermont National Guard, has returned more than 800 medals of valor to families of the soldiers.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 25, 2020
Lakewood Ranch event delivers lost medals of valor back to families

Purple Hearts Reunited returns medals of valor during Lakewood Ranch event.

  • East County
  • News
The ordinance would allow occupied RVs to be attached to single family residences from occupied RV would only be allowed from December 1 through March 31.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • February 25, 2020
Commission approves RV ordinance to Pinecraft overlay

On a trial period, the Sarasota County Commission approved an oridnance that would allow residents to use RVs as accessory units to single family residences.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hunter's 7th birthday
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • February 25, 2020
Happy birthday, Hunter!

Hunter the service dog turned 7 last week.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Faucets can waste water, but the home toilet is the top residential water user.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • February 25, 2020
Longboat hosts free classes on sustainability

The workshop, which focuses on practical tips to save energy and improve local water quality, will be offered twice.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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