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Your Observer

Tyler Russin.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 29, 2018
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Tyler Russin

The Riverview High outfielder talks yachts and hitting.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A waterslide off the top floor of the new Mote Marine aquarium should raise millions for the aquarium and the park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 29, 2018
APRIL FOOLS: Down a slippery slope at Benderson Park

Water slide about to become a main attraction at new Mote Marine aquarium.

  • April Fools
The Drones on Patrol Effort could be sending a drone camera against your window starting in June.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 29, 2018
APRIL FOOLS: Fly-by-night security in East County

Drone security gets test flight in June.

  • April Fools
The new canal system in Lakewood Ranch should be finished by 2022.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 29, 2018
APRIL FOOLS: New canal system an eerie sight in Lakewood Ranch

Plans unveiled to build a $340 million canal system connecting Lakewood Ranch by water.

  • April Fools
Two properties on Siesta Key, 4049 Shell Road and 4047 Higel Ave., recently sold for $3.25 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 29, 2018
Siesta Key properties sell for a combined $3.25 million

Residential real estate transactions for March 12-16.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
  • By Adrian Moore and Spence Purnell | Contributors
  • March 29, 2018
Florida says no to power

Voters should demand the state open its electricity market to competition.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Tahiti Park residents are worried about damage to the neighborhood tree canopy, but the city’s Tree Advisory Committee doesn’t know if issues there apply to the rest of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 29, 2018
Tree committee dissects canopy road proposal

An advisory board is trying to balance protection for tree-lined streets with a desire to give more flexibility to private property owners.

  • Sarasota
  • News
More than half of the units at Arbor Village, depicted in the above drawing, will go to homeless individuals with disabling conditions. The developer says the complex will function like a normal apartment property.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 29, 2018
Fruitville housing project stirs controversy

A developer wants to provide housing for homeless individuals along Fruitville Road, but neighbors harbor concerns about the apartment complex.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital plans to add a new cancer center, right, to its campus by 2020.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 29, 2018
Sarasota Memorial Hospital navigates expansion plans

A new oncology center is the latest in an ongoing series of improvements at the hospital's midtown campus.

  • Sarasota
  • News
John League, left, discusses the proposed Legacy Trail extension on Saturday at Payne Park.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 29, 2018
City examines Legacy Trail connection options

As the county explores a possible Legacy Trail extension, the city is exploring the ways it could capitalized on the popular bicycle and pedestrian route.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A group of planners is floating some major changes to the bayfront land around the Van Wezel as an effort to better gauge community desires.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 29, 2018
Bayfront planners share preliminary site concepts

The Bay Sarasota has three early outlines for redeveloping city-owned bayfront land that include ambitious ideas — including a new building for the Van Wezel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2018
Cops Corner: Sarasota 3.29.18

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The new mall is coming before next season, builders hope — although they say it's hard to say for sure.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 29, 2018
APRIL FOOLS: New mall coming to City Island

After losing the new Mote aquarium to Nathan Benderson Park, the city hopes a shopping center can keep attracting visitors to the barrier islands.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 29, 2018
APRIL FOOLS: Group pushes to clothe David on city logo

Citizens for Public Decency demand sparks city contest to suggest ways to cover up classic image.

  • April Fools
Sophie Schulz and Julia Manino belt out a song at "A Night with the Stars" at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 28, 2018
Stars shine at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch

First talent show provides plenty of thrills.

  • East County
  • News
Otters play in the Braden River, near Jiggs Landing. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 28, 2018
'Crazy' otter might have bit off too much

Florida Fish & Wildlife believe alligator attack doomed otter.

  • East County
  • News
Superintendent Diana Greene, school board member Charlie Kennedy and Brady Chapman celebrate the tax referendum after it passed.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 28, 2018
Should Lakewood Ranch taxpayers expect higher grades?

Higher teacher salaries, longer school day expected to improve school performance.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • March 28, 2018
APRIL FOOLS: Shh! tells Shout to Stop!

A third grassroots organization has stepped forward to fight for its agenda — in an inside voice.

  • April Fools
The home at 125 N. Warbler Lane sold for $3,965,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,865 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 28, 2018
Warbler Lane home on Bird Key sells for $3,965,000

Residential real estate transactions for March 12-16.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The home in Riverdale at 4009 Fifth Ave. N.E. recently sold for $680,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 28, 2018
Riverdale home tops local sales at $680,000

Residential real estate transactions for March 12-16.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Ken Schneider, Ed Zunz, Irwin Pastor and Randy Clair take the oath of office Monday at Town Hall.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 28, 2018
Who will be new leaders?

Longboat Key’s election results followed tradition. But there was an underlying message in the results of the Zunz-Langley race: a desire for a next generation to get involved.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Kimberly and Glenn Gordon have opened their first Clean Juice franchise in East County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 28, 2018
Clean Juice UTC squeezes into East County market

Lakewood Ranch couple open faith-based franchise.

  • East County
  • Business
Imagine School student Dominick Bauer has become the ninth generation in his circus family to perform.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 28, 2018
Sarasota 10-year-old juggles priorities in Lakewood Ranch

Education, circus legacy are center stage for Imagine School of Lakewood Ranch student.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch ER Medical Director Frank Biondolillo, Director of ER Main Campus and Lakewood Ranch Martina Giquinto and Doctors Hospital CEO Robert Meade are ready for the opening.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 28, 2018
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota Emergency Room in Lakewood Ranch opens

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 28, 2018
Angry waitress on the menu

Cops Corner for Lakewood Ranch, East County

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Toll revenue would help county leaders finance other projects.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • March 28, 2018
APRIL FOOLS: Toll plan rolls along for popular bike trail

Legacy riders will pay up in proposal to free up more county money for other projects.

  • April Fools
Irwin Pastor, left, Randy Clair, Ed Zunz, Jim Brown, George Spoll, Jack Daly and Ken Schneier
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • March 28, 2018
Challenges ahead of the Longboat Commission

Now that Longboat Key has decided who should make decisions in town, its time for those chosen to get to work.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 28, 2018
APRIL FOOLS: Coming arts and culture center books Hamilton

The American musical based on the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton will have a three-week run on Longboat Key.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 28, 2018
APRIL FOOLS: Reverse-toll weekend puts financial bridge burden on boaters

Little-known state provision passes without boaters noticing.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 28, 2018
APRIL FOOLS: Swans and geese get their own GMD crosswalk

Winter visitor donates more than $7,000 to keep his feathered friends safe on the road.

  • April Fools
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 28, 2018
APRIL FOOL: Developer, town work together on rec-center redo

Multi-purpose room could host art class, boat show.

  • April Fools
Senior Kailey Christian is greeted at the plate by her Mustangs teammates following her home run against Sarasota High. Photo by Kayleigh Omang.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 28, 2018
Top-ranked Lakewood Ranch softball team shines under the (disco) lights

The Mustangs are primed for another deep playoff run.

  • East County
  • Sports
Members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance who came to the spring training event.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 28, 2018
A grand slam for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
Longboat Key Turtle Watch members and friends gathered to celebrate Freda Perrotta over the weekend. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 28, 2018
Turtle thanks

The Longboat Key Turtle Watch honored longtime member Freda Perrotta with a lifetime membership.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
SOAR participant Gianni "Julian" Torres, 24, walks on a treadmill during a one-hour fitness time at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA. He attends SOAR in Parrish and in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 28, 2018
New Lakewood Ranch YMCA program soars

Manatee YMCA offers program for adults with special needs.

  • East County
  • News
Lake Manatee State Park Manager Joshua Herman says proposed park improvements would enhance guests experience, but funding is limited.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 28, 2018
New state park plan in place in Manatee

More than $5 million in improvements envisioned for Lake Manatee State Park.

  • East County
  • News
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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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