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Your Observer

Previous red tide effects washed these fish on to shore. File photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 9, 2018
Red tide organism count elevated in Southwest Florida

Mote Marine Laboratory and other wildlife agencies continue to monitor the levels.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • March 9, 2018
Bathroom fire at Sarasota High School prompts evacuation

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire, which was put out before emergency officials reached the scene.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pilots prepare a hot air balloon for take off on March 9. The Sarasota Balloon Festival takes place this weekend. Photo taken by Katie Johns.
  • By Katie Johns and Niki Kottmann
  • March 9, 2018
Sarasota Ballon Festival pilots take early morning flight

Two Observer reporters get a front-row seat in a hot air balloon basket.

  • East County
  • News
Three students were hospitalized with minor injuries because of the crash. Photo courtesy Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 9, 2018
Officials investigate crash involving school bus

A four-vehicle crash near U.S. 301 and 17th Street sent three children to the hospital. Police are investigating one driver for a possible DUI.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • March 9, 2018
Dr. Robert Sherley Howell

Dr. Robert Sherley Howell died at his home in Lexington, KY on March 7, 2018.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 8, 2018
Southeastern Guide Dogs supporters dine in dark

The event was held March 8 in the Harbourside Ballroom of the Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • March 8, 2018
Joe Gruters announces bid for state senate

Gruters' announcement was accompanied with a list of 50 local elected officials who support his candidacy.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Managing an aging Bobby Jones facility and continuing to draw golfers has proven challenging, city staff said.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 8, 2018
Bobby Jones Golf Club's financial woes continue

The municipal golf course could need another $400,000 subsidy before the end of the fiscal year — and a $1 million subsidy next year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pamela Gavette, right, with her family.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • March 8, 2018
Newcomer, incumbents file intent to run for Sarasota County School Board

A substitute teacher from Venice will challenge Jane Goodwin for her seat in this year's election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 8, 2018
Street sign's grammar draws quick criticism (or criticism quickly?)

Neighborhood wordsmith makes clear an opinion on Drive Slow sign.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key ballot deadline is 7 p.m., March 20.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • March 8, 2018
Ready, set, vote on Longboat Key

What you need to know before heading to the ballot box March 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Seniors Caleb Ward and Matthew McDonnell captain the Cardinal Mooney boys lacrosse team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 8, 2018
Cardinal Mooney boys lacrosse is ready to take 'the leap'

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The district is looking into ways to offer more protection at schools.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • March 8, 2018
Details needed to make school safety plans reality

Sheriff Tom Knight wants the school district to hire retired law enforcement officers to protect schools against active assailants. But the School Board has a lot of questions about how to make that actually happen.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 8, 2018
The price to earn an ‘A’

Sarasota’s school tax vote is a ‘renewal ritual.’ But for the new school tax to pass in Manatee, voters need to see a dramatic change. Two of its board members should resign.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Commissioners decided parking will be prohibited on the north side of Old Stickney Point Road.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • March 8, 2018
County blocks parking on part of Old Stickney Point Road

Safety issues outweighed the three spots being debated for the commission, but a proposed lot could provide more parking nearby.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • March 8, 2018
School district paid thousands to investigate complaints against administrators

The Sarasota County School Board paid an outside law firm $20,290 to investigate complaints made against Superintendent Todd Bowden and Booker High Principal Rachel Shelley.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Barrett.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 8, 2018
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: David Barrett

The Sarasota High pitcher talks getting focused and Fortnite.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A condominium in 222 Beach Road tops all transactions in this week’s real estate, selling for $2.6 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 8, 2018
Beach Road condo sells for $2.6 million

Residential real estate transactions for Feb. 19-23.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The i-Ride operators will continue to monitor the amount of activity and adjust the hours of service going forward.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 8, 2018
Downtown circulator adjusts operations

After initially cutting back its hours of operation, the i-Ride Sarasota service is adjusting to additional resident feedback.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents worry the 624 Palm project — and other future developments — are being constructed too close to neighboring properties.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 8, 2018
Downtown residents campaign for building setbacks

As the city ponders new zoning regulations, downtown residents want more space between them and new construction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 8, 2018
Cops Corner: Sarasota 3.8.18

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Carrie Ling with her family from left to right: Lawson Ling, Landen Ling, George Ling and Libby Ann Ling with their signs of support.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • March 7, 2018
Braden River Elementary teacher misses top award

King Middle School teacher wins Educator of the Year for Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 7, 2018
Booker High boys basketball drops heartbreaker in final four

The Tornadoes pushed the defending champs to the brink in a 62-61 loss.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
City staff discouraged the Downtown Improvement District from moving forward with plans for a gateway sign arching over Main Street near U.S. 41.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 7, 2018
Downtown group discusses wayfinding

City officials believe they’re making progress on a longstanding request for directional signs, but it’s still unclear what the final product will look like.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Shane Donglasan
  • March 7, 2018
Learning and growing together with Children First and Hershorin Schiff Community Day School

Kindergartners from Hershorin Schiff Community Day School read, play, and plant with Children First preschoolers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sue Kerr shows off a totem project featuring dogs.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 7, 2018
Art's on fire in Lakewood Ranch

Waterlefe resident's ceramics art on display during Spring Arts Show at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • News
Days before his Sarasota Balloon Festival runs from March 8-11, promoter Ricky Garvie supervises as the carnival attractions arrive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 7, 2018
New balloon festival takes off in Lakewood Ranch

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
Randy Volkart, the chairman of the New Facility Committee, said the new lodge will be open any day.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 7, 2018
New Lakewood Ranch/Sarasota Elks Lodge set to open

Final permits expected within the next week.

  • East County
  • News
Tina Kelly and Dina Lundberg.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 7, 2018
The best Things in life

Your Town

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Bird Key home at 119 N. Warbler Lane leads all sales for Feb. 19023m selling for $3,825,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 7, 2018
Warbler Lane home sells for $3,825,000

Residential real estate transactions for Feb. 19-23.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The home at 16406 Daysailor Trail recently sold for $1.41 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 7, 2018
Lake Club home tops sales at $1.41 million

Residential real estate transactions for Feb. 19-23.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 7, 2018
Hopes, Miner should go

Manatee schools need the proposed 1-mill tax if they are to get on a path of consistently rising success. But voters also need a sign that the board can be trusted.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Commission candidates John Weber, Ken Schneier, Irwin Pastor, Ed Zunz and Randy Langley answered questions March 1 at a forum hosted by the Longboat Observer.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 7, 2018
We recommend …

With weighty issues ahead, Longboat voters have challenge in upcoming election.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • March 7, 2018
Betty Weinstein

Betty Weinstein, 106, of Sarasota, Florida, formally of Michigan, died February 26, 2018.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 7, 2018
ESPN host thrilled to be honored at upcoming Dick Vitale Gala

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brighton Osborne, Jessica Jackson, Amy Van Ryn and Keile O'Dell, all East County residents, helped the Bradenton Christian girls basketball team reach the final four.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 7, 2018
Local players help Bradenton Christian girls basketball reach state semifinals

The Panthers fell in the final four, but recognize that this was a special season.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest News

1
Helga Williams
  • April 9, 2026
Helga Williams
2
Thomas H Wentz
  • April 9, 2026
Thomas H Wentz
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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