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Your Observer

John Moran believes this six-person electric vehicle could serve as the foundation for a downtown transportation service.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 21, 2016
Downtown circulator route gains momentum

Five years into his quest to establish a downtown transportation service, John Moran believes he’s found the ideal vehicle. Now, he’s working to gather support for the concept.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Arts Alliance Executive Director Jim Shirley and Communications Manager Rachel Denton apply finishing touches to artist Robert Demperio's piano, "A Classical Response to Experimental Composition."
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 21, 2016
Sarasota Keys pianos return for sidewalk encore

The project, organized by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, begins its third season Thursday — a tradition that leaders hope to keep alive for a long time.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Parking Manager Mark Lyons believes the city should consider a paid parking system for premium spots, like those on Main Street. The city has not substantively discussed full-time paid parking downtown since 2013.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 21, 2016
City's lack of comprehensive parking strategy draws questions

In 2014, Sarasota’s parking manager was prepared for a serious conversation about the need for paid parking — so why have officials continued to delay that discussion?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 21, 2016
Cops Corner: Sarasota 01.21.16

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Niki Best, Rufino Tegio and Brandon Stockfis look for items to salvage for Nancy Defino, who owns the demolished home.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • January 21, 2016
‘The big boom’

A tornado cut a path across Siesta and the part of the mainland Sunday morning, and caused extensive damage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 21, 2016
Rev ’em up; let ’em roll

Don’t let the naysayers chase Thunder by the Bay out of downtown. The festival’s departure would be a loss for the entire community.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Cardinal Mooney forward Alex Turner finished the regular season with 36 goals.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 21, 2016
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 01.21.16

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 01.21.16

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney's Emily Brusco tallied an assist in the Class 2A-District 11 championship Jan. 14.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 21, 2016
Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

Cardinal Mooney girls soccer returns home a champion

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota resident Susan Beane and Stoneybrook tennis professional Andrew Sirota couldn't stop smiling during their warmup.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 21, 2016
A party on the tennis court

Cardio Tennis is a high intensity fitness regimen centered around social interaction.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 20, 2016
Seaplace dances the night away

Seaplace residents gathered at the condominium’s “Dance the Night Away” party Jan. 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Final discussion and approval of the referendum will likely come in April at the earliest.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 20, 2016
City Commission approves referendum on election day move

In November, voters could be asked to decide whether city elections should be moved from spring to the fall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Vacationer Nancy Hack had a pleasant surprise when she ran into the Naked Cowboy on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 20, 2016
Naked Cowboy makes brief St. Armands appearance

The Times Square icon, the Naked Cowboy makes shoppers on St. Armands Circle blush.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A former student of ODA's lower school in Siesta Key, Rosen Hill is now a concert soloist who has appeared in a range of Broadway shows.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 20, 2016
Rosena Hill performs at ODA

A former student of the Out-of-Door Academy, the concert soloist performed for high schoolers at the East County campus.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 20, 2016
Two-alarm fire under control at north Sarasota warehouse

The Sarasota County Fire Department extinguished a blaze at a warehouse on Leonard Reid Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 20, 2016
A show of backbone

It was a creative idea to help reduce underground utility assessments for those who will pay the most. But what you give to one meant increasing costs for others.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 20, 2016
McNeal Elementary ESOL program helps students learn English

From Hungarian to Portuguese, Kelly Smart helps students of all languages succeed.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kolbie Ward scored 31 points for ODA in its victory against Sarasota Christian Jan. 19.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 20, 2016
Thunder holds off Blazers

The ODA boys basketball team beat Sarasota Christian Jan. 19.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch junior defender Tyler Puhalovich attempts to push the ball past Sarasota's Kerrington Anders.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 20, 2016
Mustangs advance to final

The Lakewood Ranch boys soccer team beat Sarasota 4-1 Jan. 19.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Longboat Key Town Commission is committed to holding a referendum on March 15 to ask voters to issue bonds for a $23.85 million neighborhood project to bury power lines island-wide.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 20, 2016
Neighborhood undergrounding project is down to the wire

Town Manager Dave Bullock and staff will continue to vet neighborhood undergrounding project concerns until Feb. 15, leaving just one month for public education before the March 15 ballot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kurt Schultheis Sleepy Lagoon residents survey the area Jan. 17, after feeling the storms early that morning.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 20, 2016
Tornado spares 'Lucky Longboat'

Tornadoes swept through Sarasota and Manatee counties, leaving Longboat on high alert but without major damage.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Braden River second baseman Brian Dillingham, pictured with assistant coach Matt Bowling and head coach Craig Page, signed with the State College of Florida Jan. 15.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 20, 2016
Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

Summerfield resident goes long way to offer incentive

  • East County
  • Sports
Jared Vargas plays letter bingo during his ESOL lab.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 20, 2016
Different road to education

McNeal Elementary helps to clear obstacles for migrant students.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 20, 2016
Cops Corner 1.21.2016

Crime reports from around the area.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 20, 2016
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 1.21.16

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The Pilates “scissors” exercise, from the front: Ginny Walder, Joan Elder and, legs only, Sharon Burde, Genie Sundquist and Peggy Keefe.
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • January 20, 2016
Fitness 2016: An abundance of options and LBK’s first yoga studio

The new year brings new fitness opportunities to Longboat Key fitness enthusiasts.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Longbeach Village’s first three captured peacocks look out from their holding cell: a cage in a truck that’s bound for a refuge center in eastern Manatee County. They’ll spend 90 days at the refuge center before they’re permanently relocated.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 20, 2016
Jailbirds: Peacock removal begins in the Village

These three suspects are behind bars and are no longer considered a flight risk. But how many of their bird brethren still roam the streets of the Village?

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 20, 2016
Briefs: Longboat Key 1.21.16

Town to investigate Emerald Harbor Drive issues; Beach project receives reimbursement; Firefighters offer free CPR training course

  • Longboat Key
  • News
North end Longboat Key resident Gianna Sparks, 13, gets on the bus every school day at the intersection of Broadway and Gulf of Mexico Drvie for a 30-minute ride to King Middle School in northwest Bradenton.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 20, 2016
The $33.07 million lesson

With just 86 students enrolled in Sarasota and Manatee county schools, Longboat Key taxpayers pay a hefty bill for education.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
(CONTRIBUTED) Caroline Odell playing flute for the marching band in Peach Bowl competition.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 20, 2016
Lakewood Ranch High bands enjoy winning streak

Among its lengthy list of accomplishments in 2015, the LRHS band is invited to play at the Presidential Inauguration in 2017.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Anneliese Pruim, Elliot Santaella and Phoebe Bond-Abraham learn about the spine.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 20, 2016
Nolan Middle students prepare for HOSA competition

Students hope to advance to nationals — an opportunity never before offered to middle schoolers.

  • East County
  • News
Volunteers of American Red Cross of Southwest Florida, which serves Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Manatee and Sarasota counties, banned together for disaster relief after a tornado hit last weekend.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 20, 2016
Your Town

East County volunteers with American Red Cross ban together after tornado hit Siesta Key; Lakewood Ranch High students craft bucket lists

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Vik Muniz
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 20, 2016
LBKCA plots new film series

The Longboat Key Center for the Arts will host a film series beginning Jan. 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 20, 2016
Your Calendar

Check out upcoming events on Longboat Key and surrounding areas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 20, 2016
Longboat Key kettle is a top earner again

The Longboat Key Salvation Army kettle received $11,288.99 in 2015.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Betty Johnson with her new Jaguar XJL
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 20, 2016
Betty Johnson gets a new set of wheels

Longboat Key resident Betty Johnson, 90, purchased her fourth Jaguar recently from Wilde Jaguar of Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 20, 2016
OBITUARY | Robert Thomas

Robert Barry Thomas, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key, died Dec. 23.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
2
Artist JC Wayne hangs the ninth and final piece in her series "Atomic Universe," the latest installation at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. The display will be up throughout the holiday season.
  • December 19, 2025
Artist delves into ideas of existence at Longboat exhibition
3
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
4
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
5
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables

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