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Your Observer

Michelle Bianchi-Pingel of The Players Center for Performing Arts, and Carli Kasten, daughter of LWRBA director Heather Kasten, show off a pair of pink Mossberg 20 gauge shotguns.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 9, 2017
Lakewood Ranch business types take shot at connection

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
The biggest concern most city governments have about permitting dispensaries is crime. But even so, there is a lot of evidence that dispensaries are not magnets for crime.
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • March 9, 2017
City rules for medical marijuana dispensaries

Legal dispensaries move millions of dollars of local, black-market marijuana sales to people with severe medical conditions into legal, taxpaying, job-creating businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Longboat Key Mayor Terry Gans
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2017
Mayor Gans makes the case: Do no harm

Here's what he said to the Sarasota City Commission.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2017
Letters to the editor

Letters to the editor

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Baltimore Orioles infielder Robert Andino signs autographs for fans.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 9, 2017
Orioles' Youth Baseball Day an example to be followed

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Jaasiel Torres falls after completing his 6 foot, 11 and a half inch jump at Berkeley Prep. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 9, 2017
Sailors junior high jumper sets best mark in U.S. for current season

He successfully leaped 6 feet, 11 and a half inches in the air, and he's not done yet.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The closures will impact Gulfstream and Cocoanut avenues.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 9, 2017
City prepares to replace downtown sewer main

A wastewater project will lead to street closures this summer in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Juan Florensa plans to retire as the Longboat Key public works director next year.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • March 9, 2017
Longboat Key seeks a new public works director

Public Works Director Juan Florensa plans to retire next year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Partisan politics could still influence the nonpartisan city election.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 9, 2017
Partisan influence looms in commission race

The Republican and Democratic parties haven't played a major role in the City Commission election, but both groups could still influence the nonpartisan contest.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Beneva-Fruitville traffic is a source of concern for residents in the surrounding area.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 9, 2017
East Sarasota residents grapple with growth

A property owner hopes to develop a residential project near Beneva and Fruitville Roads, which has residents worried about what the final product will look like.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Paul Thorpe and Tre Michel are searching for funding to reinvigorate the We Are Downtown promotional campaign, but the DID doesn’t want to be the sole investor.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 9, 2017
Downtown leaders plot marketing campaign

As a traditional marketing campaign seeks more funding, the Downtown Improvement District is considering embracing new technology.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Plastic foam is falling from the The DeSota construction site, neighboring businesses say.
    By
  • David Conway
  • March 9, 2017
Construction debris raises concerns downtown

Residents and businesses are complaining about material falling off of another downtown project — a recurring problem the city is pushing to address.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lexi Johns.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 9, 2017
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: 03.09.17

Sarasota Athlete of the Week: 03.09.17

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Alex Turner.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 9, 2017
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 03.09.17

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 03.09.17

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Enjoy this week' s edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2017
Cops Corner: Sarasota 3.9.17

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota sports roundup: 03.09.17
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 9, 2017
Sarasota sports roundup: 03.09.17

Sarasota sports roundup: 03.09.17

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
East County sports roundup: 03.09.17
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 9, 2017
East County sports roundup: 03.09.17

East County sports roundup: 03.09.17

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • March 8, 2017
Library Foundation celebrates successful fundraiser

In mid-November the Library Foundation for Sarasota County was $140,000 of raising $450,000 by Dec. 31, but its patrons came through in just a nick of time.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 8, 2017
All Angels and Dream Weaver team up for fun and fashion

Proceeds from the annual fashion show will go to Family Promise of Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota sports roundup: 03.08.17
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 8, 2017
Sarasota sports roundup: 03.08.17

Sarasota sports roundup: 03.08.17

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Braden River Elementary school students and parents wave signs in support of fourth grade teacher Nicholas Leduc, who was named the Manatee County School District’s Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • March 8, 2017
Instructor is man of wonder

Teacher allows his students to be more independent.

  • East County
  • News
East County sports roundup: 03.08.17
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 8, 2017
East County sports roundup: 03.08.17

East County sports roundup: 03.08.17

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • March 8, 2017
St. Thomas More hosts annual fashion show

Members of the St. Thomas More Catholic Church woman's club gathered at Michael's On East for an afternoon of fellowship and fashion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker is set to retire at the end of the year. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 8, 2017
Search for county administrator begins

Commissioners stuck to their decision to hire an executive search firm.

  • East County
  • News
Former NFL star Steve Christie and Irish Celtic Festival Director Frank Shea stand in front of Kelly Christie' s Pop Up Pub.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 8, 2017
Pumped for Irish Celtic Festival in Lakewood Ranch

Former NFL placekicker and his wife will promote their 'Wandering Pub.'

  • East County
  • News
Amanda Chandler finishes painting the interior of the closet in the 5-year-old Stephen "Younger" Parker' s room. He got to pick one color in his bedroom and picked orange.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 8, 2017
Love under construction

Friends finish home for injured friend.

  • East County
  • News
Waterlefe residents Bill Gratsch and Ken Bumgarner stand near Waterlefe' s back entrance, where Upper Manatee River Road eventually will connect with the Fort Hamer Bridge.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 8, 2017
Detour around Waterlefe entrance takes positive turn

With roadway improvements 95% done, Waterlefe residents have something to celebrate.

  • East County
  • News
Ed and Eric Rosenthal said working together can be challenging, but for the most part they pull in the same direction when it comes to their company.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 8, 2017
Florikan and its founder journey to Space Technology Hall of Fame

Founder Ed Rosenthal is also being inducted as an individual.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The participants were chosen from various branches of the Israel Tennis Centers to represent the foundation. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 8, 2017
Israel Tennis Centers aces mission for kids

The foundation will host an exhibition at the Longboat Key Club on March 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 8, 2017
Longboat Key Obituaries

Helen Daly, Barbara Mann, Thomas McKenna, Dorothy McMullen and Jacqueline Tursso died.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Christian Sharbono and Chance Sharbono, who finished in second place at 138 pounds in Class 2A. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 8, 2017
Big wrestling efforts fall just short for locals

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • East County
  • Sports
Damien Gordon rises for a shot.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 8, 2017
Lakewood Ranch basketball tasked with redeveloping chemistry

After their historic senior class departs, it will be up to three returnees to get the Mustangs back to the final four.

  • East County
  • Sports
Enjoy this week’s edition of Cops Corner on Longboat Key!
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • March 8, 2017
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 3.8.2017

Enjoy this week’s edition of Cops Corner!

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 8, 2017
The Rev. Bill Friederich sworn in

He was elected by the congregation in January to take over as the full-time minister of Longboat Island Chapel.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photo by Anna Brugmann
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • March 8, 2017
Race of the mascots

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium hosted its mascot race on Siesta Key Beach on March 8.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photo courtesy of Jon F. Swift Construction
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • March 8, 2017
Bayfront Park pickleball and tennis courts open to public

The courts officially opened on March 7.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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