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Your Observer

    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • May 4, 2018
'Travel + Leisure' recommends Sarasota as Memorial Day destination

Sarasota for Memorial Day? At least one expert recommended it on the Today show.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • May 4, 2018
The right lights for summer nights

Longboat Key turtle rules require appropriate lights for summer nights, including amber lights for outdoor lighting and window tints to block light from indoor fixtures.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • May 4, 2018
Ziegler seeking re-election to Sarasota County School Board

Former teacher Nick Guy is challenging her for the seat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior Harry Barthelemy takes the leap during the 4A boys long jump.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 4, 2018
Track and field championships: Day one

Multiple area athletes qualify high for tomorrow's finals.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • May 4, 2018
Visit Sarasota County honors the faces of tourism

Members of the local tourism industry and Visit Sarasota County celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This hurricane season, residents can get a free ride from the county to evacuation centers if they need one.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • May 4, 2018
Sarasota County announces hurricane evacuation transport plan

There will be seven places in Sarasota and Longboat Key to hitch a ride from the county if you can't get to an evacuation center on your own in the event of a hurricane.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Terry Courter is the new pastor at Living Lord Lutheran Church in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 4, 2018
Lakewood Ranch pastor no longer fights the call

Living Lord Lutheran has a new pastor in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Dukor celebrated three years with his new set of lungs on Apr. 28. April is National Donate Life Month. Courtesy photos
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • May 3, 2018
Lakewood Ranch man celebrates with every breath he takes

Lung transplant three years ago gives 70-year-old a second wind.

  • East County
  • News
Rod Rawlings opens the show as Mark Twain.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 3, 2018
"Huck Finn" opens at James L. Patton Park in Lakewood Ranch

Seats available for final two shows Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 3, 2018
Longboat Key chamber rings in 60th anniversary

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce members and guests gathered at Cannons Marina May 3 for a 60th anniversary celebration.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
An overturned truck Thursday morning has closed a northbound ramp to Interstate 75 at University Parkway.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 3, 2018
Overturned truck closes ramp to I-75 at University Parkway

FHP on the scene cleaning up northbound ramp.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 3, 2018
Gold bars? Not really

Cops corner

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    In Memoriam |
  • May 3, 2018
Mary Priscilla “Patty” Bowes

Patty Bowes, age 80, of Dunwoody, Georgia, passed away peacefully April 30, 2018.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 3, 2018
Cops Corner: All is well, no emergency here

Police reports from around Longboat Key

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Ryan Katchen and Caleb Ward jump and hug after Katchen scored for Cardinal Mooney against Gulf Coast.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 3, 2018
Cardinal Mooney boys lacrosse team makes history

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Josh Smithers watches over his Riverview High team at spring practice.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 3, 2018
Spring football practice is helpful for both old and new regimes

Spring games for area teams start next week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Burt Herman and Guy Eby during a book signing of Herman's book at Ormond Beach.
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • May 3, 2018
Sarasota resident Burt Herman publishes book about pilot who saved his life

A near death encounter and a meeting with his hero inspired Burt Herman to write a book about the incident that saved hundreds of lives.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mac Mitchell.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 3, 2018
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Mac Mitchell

The Sarasota High sophomore talks being coachable and the best advice he's received.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sandy Tessler, Karen Andrews, Heather Kabobel, Teresa Larson, Kathy Nichol, Marianne Eriksson and Meg Krakowiak gathered to celebrate Dora in April.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 3, 2018
Neighbors, merchants bid farewell to Palm Avenue dog

An April party celebrated the life of Dora, whose cheery disposition has endeared her to many.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Bay Sarasota and Sasaki are using the above concept plan — “Bridge the Divide” — as a starting point in developing a master plan for the city-owned land, but the proposal will be adjusted to reflect public input.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 3, 2018
Bayfront group refines concept plans

A singular vision for redeveloping the bayfront near downtown is coming into focus.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • May 3, 2018
Why  Florida’s  Medical  Marijuana  Program  Is  Failing

Here’s a solution to fix implementation woes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A Harbor Acres home at 1344 Harbor Drive recently sold for $3,275,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 3, 2018
Harbor Acres home sells for $3,275,000

Residential real estate transactions for April 16-20.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
This home in John Ringling Estates at 23 S. Polk Drive recently sold for $2.3 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 3, 2018
John Ringling Estates home sells for $2.3 million

Residential real estate transactions for April 16-20.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The city will discuss short-term solutions for barrier islands traffic at a Monday meeting.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 3, 2018
City to discuss barrier island traffic solutions

As officials examine short-term solutions for improving congestion, the city is exploring the possibility of reconfiguring the John Ringling Causeway.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ron Soto wants the Downtown Improvement District to move swiftly on a new marketing campaign.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 3, 2018
Downtown leaders debate advertising strategy

The Downtown Improvement District is divided on whether to commit funds to a merchant-led promotional campaign.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 3, 2018
Cops Corner: Sarasota 5.3.18

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
River Strand's Norine Viviani, Linda Carifo, Eloise Eckler and Chris Broomfield put the event together.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 2, 2018
River Strand shows its style with fashion show

Foxy ladies of River Strand walk the runway as models.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • May 2, 2018
2018 Giving Challenge raises $11.7 million

More gifts were given this year than any before.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The waste-transfer facility near the Celery Fields will be a place to drop off discarded wood, yard, construction and demolition debris to be taken to other locations for disposal.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • May 2, 2018
Waste-transfer facility in works near Celery Fields

Developer moves ahead with approved plan while neighbors work on two adjacent sites.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 16311 Clearlake Ave. recently sold for $1.64 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 2, 2018
Lake Club home tops local sales at $1.64 million

Residential real estate transactions for April 16-20.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Longboat Key Mayor George Spoll
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 2, 2018
Accountability thing

Mayor Spoll should ask his colleagues to set priorities. Taxpayers want to know.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 2, 2018
School boards, sheriffs are doing a disservice to local taxpayers

Why can't the in leadership the counties and school boards work together to do the right thing?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Board chair Bridget Ziegler has expressed reservations at the timeline to hire the initial 30 members of the school district's planned police force.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • May 2, 2018
Teacher's arrest adds to board's concerns over hiring timeline for police

After hiring a teacher with a missed red flag on his file, some Sarasota County School Board members are hesitant to hire half a police force before August.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 2, 2018
Rising seas, sea walls and perspective

It's better to address 50-year-old sea walls now rather than later.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Jamison Urch, Chief Paul Dezzi and Chase Bullock
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • May 2, 2018
Longboat Key firefighters earn their badges

On May 2, two firefighters were pinned with their badges following a year of extensive training.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Amanda Gillick, a junior, drew the rough sketch for the Surfers for Autism and wants to continue with art after high school.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • May 2, 2018
Braden River High students have their designs down to a T

Braden River High artists raise money for charity with their designs.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

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Helga Williams
  • April 9, 2026
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2
Thomas H Wentz
  • April 9, 2026
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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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