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Your Observer

    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • July 12, 2016
Mote fights invasive lionfish

Six teams of 19 divers caught 429 invasive lionfish from the Gulf of Mexico during the third annual Sarasota Lionfish Derby from July 8 to 10.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 12, 2016
Sarasota County School Board race attracts major campaign dollars

While one of two seats on the board has been decided, candidates in the other race have raised more than $30,000 each.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association has chosen Unicorp National Development to build condos and a hotel at the shuttered property.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 11, 2016
Colony moves closer to redevelopment

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association has chosen Unicorp National Development as its representative in planning a hotel  and condos at the shuttered property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Fire on Pine Island started by lightning strike.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2016
Lightning strike starts fire on Pine Island

Planned burn won't be necessary now that nature has taken its place.

  • East County
  • News
Bradenton's Marlie Haynes, 2, and mom, Monique Mitchell, enjoy some pirates' company.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2016
Anna Maria Island Privateers sail into Braden River Library

A packed ship of children enjoy stories read by pirates.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • July 8, 2016
Sarasota County schools receive top marks

Sarasota county schools ranked among state’s best according Florida Department of Education’s school accountability report.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Susan Chapman has maintained her belief that she did not violate any laws by attending a meeting with constituents in 2013.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 8, 2016
No Sunshine violations in Chapman case, judge rules

After a prolonged legal battle, a judge has concluded that Commissioner Susan Chapman did not violate the state Sunshine law in 2013.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School's grade went from an A to a B.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 8, 2016
East County school grades drop

Lower-performing schools in Manatee, however, saw improvement

  • East County
  • Schools
Warning signs alert beach-goers of nest locations
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 8, 2016
Turtle nests hit record-breaking numbers

The first nests of the season are also beginning to hatch

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courteys Photo. Library Foundation for Sarasota County Executive Director Suzanne Seiter
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2016
Library Foundation for Sarasota County appoints executive director

Suzanne Seiter named first executive director for Library Foundation for Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Angel Fournier Rodriguez, who was the silver medalist at the 2013 World Championships in single sculls, prepares at Benderson Park for his third Olympic Games.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 8, 2016
Cuban rowers train for Olympics at Benderson Park

Heat, humidity makes Sarasota perfect location for rowing

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 8, 2016
Contractor dies after Longboat Key accident

A 50-year-old construction worker fell three stories from the Beachwalk condominiums Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 7, 2016
YMCA seeks 'Star War' thrills

More than 200 campers attended summer camp last week.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pat Anderson captured this shot of a sunset over Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2016
Sarasota weather page photo: July 7

Pat Anderson captured this shot of a sunset over Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bin Ziegler captured this shot before a thunderstorm rolled over the Mall at University Town Center.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2016
East County weather page photo: July 7

Bin Ziegler captured this shot before a thunderstorm rolled over the Mall at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Paul Meese captured this shot of a sunset from Longboat Key Towers.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2016
Longboat Key weather page photo: July 7

Paul Meese captured this shot of a sunset from Longboat Key Towers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2016
Congratulations to this month's winners of our photo contest!

Niki Muller, Jeannie Sparks and Neil Oldham have won the Observer's photo contest for June.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2016
Affordable housing myths

Wages don’t tell the whole story about barriers to housing.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 7, 2016
City approves Cask and Ale plans

After a show of support from younger residents, the city has approved plans for a Main Street bar. Now, can nightlife businesses and downtown residents peacefully coexist?

  • Sarasota
  • News
File photo. Mark and Annette Gabrick groove to "What is hip?" during a Friday Fest in September.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 7, 2016
Sarasota Calendar 7.7.16

Sarasota and Siesta Key events for the week of July 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sho Fu Bonsai Society of Sarasota members Kay Koriath and Janet Lovesky.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 7, 2016
Sho Fu Society: We can 'Bonsai' that

The Sho Fu Bonsai Society of Sarasota masters the ancient art form, and so can you.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The simmering tension between the city and Siesta Key residents could come to a head if and when the Florida Department of Environmental Protection issues a permit for a Lido renourishment project.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • July 7, 2016
Big Pass plans set stage for legal battle

As a Siesta Key group ramps up its preparation for a lawsuit, Lido Key residents are urging the city to get ready for a potential showdown.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The DID hopes to finish installing the flower baskets within the next two months.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 7, 2016
Flower baskets set for downtown debut

After two years of planning, the Downtown Improvement District is investing nearly $200,000 to install flower baskets on light poles in the heart of the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City Manager Tom Barwin says he's giving consideration to the best way to evaluate city employees.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 7, 2016
City officials reflect on performance evaluations

A public dispute surrounding the city auditor and clerk was the most high-profile part of the commission's review of charter officials — but what did the city’s leaders learn in the process?

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 7, 2016
The Residences unit sells for $1.4 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between June 20 and June 24.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2016
Cops Corner: Sarasota 07.07.16

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Former Sarasota Crew rowers Maddux Castle, far left, and Ben Delaney, third from left, traveled to England with their George Washington University teammates to compete in the Henley Royal Regatta for the first time in the program's history. (courtesy)
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 7, 2016
Historic bucket race

Former Sarasota Crew rowers compete in prestigious Henley Royal Regatta, on the River Thames, in Henley-on-Thames, England.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota Sharks swimmer Austin Katz finished fifth in the 200-meter backstroke at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials July 1.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 7, 2016
Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

Sarasota's Austin Katz looks to 2020

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Out-of-Door Academy basketball coach and former NBA player Marcus Liberty will host his basketball camp July 11-15
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 7, 2016
That's the ticket ...

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

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Mote Scientific Foundation had offered the town of Longboat Key more than 2 acres of vacant property on Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 6, 2016
Longboat Key Town Commission rejects land offer

The Mote Scientific Foundation had offered the town of Longboat Key more than 2 acres of vacant property on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The 20-acre water park is proposed for the northeast corner of Tom Bennett Park.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 6, 2016
Water park proposal now public record

A request to redact documents was denied.

  • East County
  • News
Bradenton's Steve Shenbaum, shown teaching a seminar, is bringing his game on Nation to Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance members.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 6, 2016
It's 'game on' as Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance looks to the future

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 6, 2016
How much will you pay for neighborhood undergrounding?

Longboat Key property owners could pay between $500 and $98,000 over the next 30 years to pay for the town’s neighborhood undergrounding project. Find out how much you will owe.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Dean Christensen looks over a patient chart while walking through Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's emergency room.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 6, 2016
Expansion could make medical competitors sore

East County providers say a free-standing emergency room could drive up healthcare costs.

  • East County
  • News
Designer/owner Filipe Piumbini and company vice president Amy Bott have opened SRQuality Kitchens and Baths at San Marco Plaza.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 6, 2016
SRQuality Kitchen and Baths opens in Lakewood Ranch

Designer sinks his teeth into new business

  • East County
  • News
Braden River's Gina Simone, front, stops mid-hike for a snack break with Manatee's Nadia Molina, left behind. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 6, 2016
Cadets hike trail to leadership

JROTC cadets bear down during Appalachian Trail hike.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
The cast of Asolo Rep's "Fiddler on the Roof" poses with instruments.
  • April 7, 2026
Asolo Rep's production of 'Fiddler on the Roof' plays a timeless tune

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