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Your Observer

    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 4, 2016
Lazy Lobster hosts Networking @ Noon

Chamber members spent the afternoon enjoying lunch and networking.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School student Paige Merriman during her performance. Merriman won 2015 Rock for a Cause competition and took home a check for $1,500.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • August 4, 2016
Rock for a Cause seeks band submissions

The 3rd annual Rock for a Cause is looking for local bands and music acts for the Nov. 12 event

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Quizmaster Jim Casey uses smartphones and electronic notebooks during his contests.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 4, 2016
Fundraiser's goal not trivial

Local 'quizmaster' hopes to set world record, feed hungry children.

  • East County
  • News
Dennis Nessel captured this shot of Sarasota Bay from O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2016
Sarasota weather page photo: August 4

Dennis Nessel captured this shot of Sarasota Bay from O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rosenda Calloway drops off $30 worth of groceries from Publix and receives a $5 off coupon to Goodwill stores from Morghan Sanders, of 92.1 CTQ.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 4, 2016
Goodwill promotes Food Bank needs

Drop off donations today at the Ranch Lake Plaza Goodwill.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pamela Williams captured this evening reflection at Lakewood Ranch Country Club East.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2016
East County weather page photo: August 4

Pamela Williams captured this evening reflection at Lakewood Ranch Country Club East.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 4, 2016
Mast takes fundraising lead in School Board race

Prominent local GOP political donor Gary Kompothecras is among Sarasota County School Board candidate Teresa Mast’s newest financial backers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sergio Albuquerque captured this shot of his friend, Miguel, fishing in chest-high water off Longboat Key at Cedars West condos.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2016
Longboat Key weather page photo: August 4

Sergio Albuquerque captured this shot of his friend, Miguel, fishing in chest-high water off Longboat Key at Cedars West condos.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 4, 2016
Tangerine Bay Club condominium sells for $880,000

The condominium has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,378 feet of living area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 4, 2016
Mar Vista kicks off $2 million expansion

The iconic Longboat Key restaurant will remain open during construction.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 4, 2016
Cops Corner 8.4.2016

Comical crime reports from the area.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 4, 2016
Side of Ranch

Palm Aire resident succumbs to animal instinct

  • East County
  • News
Cafe Baci gets witty with marquee.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • August 4, 2016
And that's what it's all about

Cafe Baci has fun with marquee phrases.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Yukon stretches his paw to Alyssa Murrell as she prepares to read to him.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • August 4, 2016
Lend me your floppy ears

Children and dogs partner to build reading confidence before the start of the school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
From the weathered signage to the nearly-empty interior, the former GWIZ property is suffering from a lack of maintenance.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 4, 2016
City researches potential demolition of GWIZ building

With maintenance costs mounting, will the city repair or get rid of an iconic bayfront property?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nate Jacobs stands in the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s main theater, which is slated to get permanent seating with a larger capacity following renovations.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 4, 2016
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe plans expansion

Three years after buying a property near downtown Sarasota, the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is turning its campus into a home.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2016
Cops Corner: Sarasota 08.04.16

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Even as it challenges the city's decision, the Woman's Exchange is also considering moving out of its Orange Avenue home altogether.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 4, 2016
Woman's Exchange appeals city ruling on expansion

In April, the City Commission denied the proposed expansion of the Woman's Exchange. Now, the nonprofit shop is asking a court to overturn the city's decision.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 4, 2016
Siesta Key home sells for $2.3 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between July 18 and July 22.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The Siesta Key Village gazebo is a popular spot for visitors to enjoy a respite between dinner or shopping, but some business owners fear a homeless presence in the gazebo may deter visitors.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • August 4, 2016
Siesta Key businesses grapple with homeless presence

As city and county officials contend with homelessness, business owners believe the issue is becoming more pronounced on the Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jono Miller speaks at a public forum on an ordinance that would allow for backyard chicken keeping Tuesday, June 2 in Sarasota, Florida.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • August 4, 2016
County incubates new chicken regulations

As Sarasota County considers an ordinance that would allow residents to keep backyard chickens, supporters of the change hope the new rules will protect the animals from neighborhood squawks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jaimee Baker won a trophy for catching the most fish, a total of 21 during the Kids Klub Fishing Tournament of the Sarasota Slam.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • August 4, 2016
Sarasota Calendar 8.4.16

Sarasota and Siesta Key events for the week of Aug. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 4, 2016
‘No’ on Amendment 4

Property-tax breaks for solar-energy devices sounds and reads like an environmental Apple Pie issue. But with every new law, there are always winners and losers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • August 4, 2016
Keep on Truckin’

Sarasota's long disputed food truck ordinance is set to appear before the Planning Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Newtown Grocery store story circa 1960s. Courtesy of Sarasota County Historical Resources.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • August 4, 2016
Newtown's narative draws international attention

Weeks after Vickie Oldham and her team of researchers published their comprehensive study of Newtown's history, a Ph.D. candidate hopes to shine an international spotlight on the history on Sarasota's African-American heritage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • August 4, 2016
PHOTO GALLERY: Inside the former GWIZ building

Officially vacant for nearly three years, the bayfront property is in need of serious repairs, city staff says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota running back JaQuan Johnson and his Sailors teammates will participate in the 1st annual Pre-Season Sarasota County High School Football Team Showcase, at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 10., at the Robert Taylor Complex.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 4, 2016
That's the ticket ...

Check out this week's top Sarasota area sporting events.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
After spending the summer on the beach, Maddie McNally and Sophia Hebda are preparing to head back indoors to lead the Cardinal Mooney volleyball team this fall.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 4, 2016
Making the transition

After spending the summer playing beach volleyball, a pair of Cardinal Mooney standouts returned to the indoor court Aug. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2016
Alliance helps stock food bank shelves

Meals on Wheels PLUS showcases day center at networking event.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2016
Longboat Key Letters to the Editor

Referendum contains misleading language; Commission should address sand trucking for long haul

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
New Pass Grill’s bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on a croissant. It is $4.19, and the croissant is an additional 50 cents.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • August 3, 2016
Breakfasts of champions

It’s the most important meal of the day, and Longboat Key isn’t short of breakfast and brunch offerings. Check out the five brunch restaurants on (or almost on) Longboat.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
William "Bill" Colton
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 3, 2016
Legion of Honor Medal salutes Colton's service

The medal is given out by the French Government to those who have helped the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
On August 30, voters will decide if a referendum for rezoning 2.6 acres of land bordering Gulf of Mexico Drive will pass.
  • By Michael Drake
  • August 3, 2016
MY VIEW : ‘No’ on Floridays let’s us rethink what’s best

If you read the town’s tourism ordinance and mission statement, you would see the Floridays hotel would not measure up to expectations.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Courtesy photo. "The Last Mile" by David Baldacci
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • August 3, 2016
Longboat Key Library stocks up on best-sellers

The library will continue to order popular books throughout the summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cheryl Brady poses in front of her ambulance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 3, 2016
When life's Ruff, animal ambulance answers call

Creekwood resident forges new territory with Vet Care Express Animal Ambulance

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2016
Truck cited for Ringling Bridge stoppage

For the third time in the last two weeks, a truck forced the closure of westbound lanes of the major thoroughfare this morning.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
The Tingley Library in Bradenton Beach, pictured in October 2025, is in need of repairs estimated at $230,000.
  • April 7, 2026
Tingley Library makes plea to community
2
A rendering of the Mira Mar building set against the backdrop of Mira Mar Residences, the project that will provide revenue to fund the $25 million to $30 million restoration of the historic structure.
  • April 7, 2026
Construction permit issued for downtown Sarasota historic restoration project
3
From left to right, Maya Carpentiere, Amanda Gonzalez, Christiana Allison, Grayson Buchanan, Sheila Wallis and Ryan Duga star in Florida Studio Theatre's children's production, "The Pirate Ship and the Sea Monster and Other Winning Plays."
  • April 7, 2026
Three Sarasota theaters jump on the trolley
4
Florida Statute 1001.42(4)(f)2 will require high schools, including Braden River High (pictured) and Lakewood Ranch High, to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. unless the district submits paperwork and gets accepted to keep the current start times.
  • April 7, 2026
Manatee County School District might fight starting time mandate
5
The Broadway revival of Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall April 10-11.
  • April 7, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for April 9-15

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