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Your Observer

City staff identified nearly $300 million in utility infrastructure improvements  during a recent master planning process.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 19, 2019
Sarasota leaders approve utility rate increases

The Sarasota City Commission authorized a decade of higher water and sewer fees. The board also approved new Rosemary District zoning and the closure of a portion of School Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 19, 2019
What's up underground?

New website for the project

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Paul Fern poses for a photo with his K-9, Eros, and Sheriff Tom Knight on his last day of duty in 2018. Photo Courtesy Sarasota County Sheriff's Office
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 19, 2019
Retired deputy files for Sarasota County Sheriff candidacy

Paul Fern retired from the Sarasota County Sheriff's office in 2018.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home opener will be held Feb. 23 at Ed Smith Stadium against the Boston Red Sox. Photo courtesy Baltimore Orioles.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 19, 2019
Orioles release 2020 spring training schedule

The home opener will be held Feb. 23 at Ed Smith Stadium against the Boston Red Sox.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Among the facets of local police work on the agenda for the Sarasota PD's Citizens Academy: the marine unit.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 19, 2019
Sarasota PD looks for Citizens Academy applicants

Behind the scenes look at police work kicks off in September.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 10 Sarasota County libraries will resume normal business hours on Aug. 24.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 19, 2019
Sarasota County libraries will close for training on Friday

The 10 library staffs will undergo a full-day training session.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 19, 2019
Longboat Key's Serenissima back on the market after temporary absence

At its current listing price, the mansion would be the largest such sale in the history of Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 19, 2019
Longboat's Christ Church fish fry feeds friends

Members of the congregation came together to socialize and eat

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The town tweeted a photo of the dog.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 19, 2019
Runaway Ruben

Lost dog found his way home

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 18, 2019
Temple Emanu-el holds Welcome Back Shabbat

The temple held its annual event to welcome families back after summer vacation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Stevie Freeman Montes, city of Sarasota sustainability manager, and Caleb Jameson
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 16, 2019
Teen's Sarasota beach project thinks inside the box

Caleb Jameson has been creating Turtle Safe Toy Boxes for just over a year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A black skimmer, one of the birds Audubon helps to protect, is showcased on the cake.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • August 16, 2019
Audubon Florida celebrates birds lovers of Sarasota

After a season of stewardship the nonprofit celebrated its volunteers on Aug. 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County will make sandbags available at its public works office. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 16, 2019
Heavy rain prompts flood warning in Manatee County

Manatee County officials say drivers should be wary while flooding conditions exist.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 16, 2019
Scallop search dives in again

After last year's canceled event, the Sarasota Bay Watch looks forward to the 2019 rendition.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney has preseason football game canceled because of rain.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 16, 2019
Three Sarasota preseason football games canceled because of rain

Cardinal Mooney High has its preseason football game canceled because of rain, but Riverview, Sarasota and Booker are still scheduled to play.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Van Wezel canceled the second-to-last Friday Fest of the year because of the rain.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 16, 2019
Rainy weather causes closures, cancellations in Sarasota

Friday Fest at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is canceled, and Bobby Jones Golf Club is closed for the day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
East County preseason football games canceled because of excessive rain.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 16, 2019
East County preseason football games canceled because of excessive rain

East County preseason football games for Braden River High, Lakewood Ranch High and The Out-of-Door Academy were canceled because of excessive rain

  • East County
  • Sports
In front row are centenarians Madeline Rosenberg, Eleanor Rosenblum, Dr. Helen Fagin, Ruth Bell, Sylvan Tanner, Fran Guberman and Edna Steinglass. In the back row are Jack Rosenblum, Herb Lenk and Joe Newman.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 15, 2019
Ten centuries of wisdom at Aviva in Sarasota

Sarasota'a Aviva honors its 10 residents who have lived more than a century with special event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rosemary District residents have pushed for more thoughtful planning after the city authorized the construction of more than 1,500 residential units in the area.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 15, 2019
Commission to discuss Rosemary District zoning

City staff is optimistic an overlay district can improve the quality of growth in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • August 15, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Slow your roll, boaters

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Florida Highway Patrol deputies responded to the accident at 6:22 a.m.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 15, 2019
Child struck by driver in eastern Manatee County

Child struck by driver in eastern Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
People evacuated from the building said an alarm went off after a loud lightning strike.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 15, 2019
Main Street building evacuated after lightning strike

Lightning struck the Sarasota City Center at 1819 Main St. during an afternoon storm.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Melissa Leduc
  • August 15, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: August 15

Michael Cohen captured this moment while on Lido Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 15, 2019
East County weather page photo: August 15

This great blue heron was photographed by Pamela Williams catching a snake for dinner in the Hazeltine subdivision of Country Club East.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 15, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 15

Cindy Bucklen captured this sunrise over Sarasota Bay at Sutton Place.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The complex will feature a new synthetic turf and regulation track. Photo courtsey
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 15, 2019
Cardinal Mooney undergoes $3 million renovation

The renovation includes a new athletic complex and updated classrooms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jim Becherer and Lucia Barrett began Save Our Y at the Evalyn Sadlier Jones Branch.  Brynn Mechem
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 15, 2019
Organizations still working to save Sarasota YMCA

Two groups have started petitions and created business proposals to save the Frank G. Berlin and Evalyn Sadlier Jones branches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Renee Di Pilato is excited to step into her new role as Sarasota County's Libraries and Historical Resources Director. Photo Courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • August 15, 2019
Conversation with: Renee Di Pilato

The new Libraries and Historical Resources Director is excited to learn about Sarasota County libraries and implement new techniques.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The $106,000 grant bolsters Sarasota Bay Watch's clam restoration efforts. File photos.
    By
  • Sten Spinella
  • August 15, 2019
Sarasota Bay Watch garners its most lucrative grant

The $106,000 will support the group's clam restoration work.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cardinal Mooney senior quarterback Ryan Bolduc is expected to carry the offensive load in 2019.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 15, 2019
Cardinal Mooney High football season preview

Experienced Cardinal Mooney High Cougars football players hope their talent can stay upright in 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Baraka Atkins is taking over as head coach at Booker High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 15, 2019
Booker High football season preview

Family ties remain strong with the Booker High Tornadoes football team's new regime and Baraka Atkins.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Ryan Bolduc.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 15, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Ryan Bolduc

Cardinal Mooney High quarterback Ryan Bolduc talks injury recovery and going to collegiate camps at Appalachian State and Davidson College.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Apollo Lirio fits former Riverview High offensive lineman Kye Dixon, who will play  for Jacksonville in the fall, for a custom mouthguard.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 15, 2019
Sarasota dentist's mouthguard solution brings smiles to customers

Sarasota dentist Apollo Lirio's mouthguard solution brings smiles to customers, including Riverview High football players.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lizzette Canyard posed with her granddaughter Imani Velazquez at Unconditional Surrender on Friday, Aug. 9.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 15, 2019
Unconditional Surrender undergoes renovations

Public art experts came to Sarasota to restore the statue ahead of the anniversary of the end of World War II.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Corinne Tucker and Cate McLean are coordinating a group of young professionals focused on the future of transportation in the region.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 15, 2019
Young professional group focuses on future of transit

A coalition led by millennials is working to define what transportation will look like in Sarasota in 2045.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 15, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 8.15.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
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Latest News

1
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
2
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
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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