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Your Observer

Sleepy Lagoon resident Rosemary Dilgard wants the town to urge FDOT to reconsider a crosswalk location on Gulf of Mexico Drive at Wake Island Road.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 17, 2015
Town, residents want more crosswalks

Longboat Key residents want crosswalks on Gulf of Mexico Drive where the Florida Department of Transportation doesn't believe they are needed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
(Courtesy of Cliff Roles) Ringling College of Art and Design President Larry Thompson uses an excavator to kick off construction of the new library.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • April 17, 2015
Work starts on new Ringling College library

Ringling College of Art and Design President Larry Thompson this morning donned a hardhat, strapped into an excavator and kicked off demolition of the site where the school’s new $16 million will sit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Town Manager Dave Bullock was a speaker at last year's North End Property Owners Coalition forum.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 17, 2015
North end coalition hosts north end forum next week

The North End Coalition of Property Owners is hosting a public forum 7 p.m. April 22 at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 17, 2015
Gators chomping with fun

Gullett Elementary School students today participated in the annual Chompy's Walk-a-thon fundraiser.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Stacy White served on the Lakewood Ranch CDD 4 board for four years.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 17, 2015
Ranch CDD seeks to fill vacancy

Supervisors on the Lakewood Ranch CDD 4 board seek applications to fill a seat vacated by Stacy White.

  • East County
  • News
Rep. Doug Holder, Frank Patti and Bill Aubuchon
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 17, 2015
Sarasota Republican Club hosts Buchanan

The Sarasota Republican Club hosted the monthly dinner meeting featuring guest speaker Rep. Vern Buchanan on Thursday evening at Marina Jack's Restaurant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County students may return to school six days later than they started last year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 17, 2015
UPDATE: School district considers new 2015-2016 calendar

After much community feedback, Manatee County students may return to school on Aug. 24, rather than Aug. 10

  • East County
  • News
The Siesta Market will close May 31.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 17, 2015
Morton's Gourmet Market to fill Siesta Market spot

Todd Morton says the new store will open this summer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 17, 2015
Sarasota Open swings into Ranch

The Sarasota Open runs through April 19, at the Lakewood Ranch Tennis Center.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 16, 2015
Chamber of Commerce Hob Nobs

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce members networked with each other and local elected officials at the chamber’s Hob Nob event on April 16.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 16, 2015
Longboat Harbour gets cheesy

Pizza filled the tables and the stomachs of Longboat Harbour residents at the community’s annual pizza party on April 16.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gary Newcomer relaxes with his Observer overlooking Cooks Bay in Moorea, French Polynesia.
  • By Nancy Schwartz
  • April 16, 2015
Take the Observer with you on your travels!

Upload your "It's Read Everywhere" photos!

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2015
Cop Corner: East County 4.16.2015

Cop Corner: East County 4.16.2015

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2015
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 4.16.2015

Cops Corner: Longboat Key 4.16.2015

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2015
Cops Corner: Sarasota 4.16.2015

Cops Corner: Sarasota 4.16.2015

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Three weeks ago, Goodwill backed out of a contract to purchase the former gas station property that’s been vacant since 2007.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 16, 2015
Goodwill still searching for Key location

Goodwill Manasota Inc. is considering a Longboat Key drop-off location on Longboat Key and seeks a zoning determination by the Planning, Zoning and Building Department.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Students will start school eight days earlier than they did last year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 16, 2015
School district settles on calendar

Under the tentative 2015-2016 Manatee County schools' calendar, students will start classes Aug. 10 and finish May 25.

  • East County
  • News
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to pull sand from a channel in Big Pass to aid Lido Key’s beaches. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 16, 2015
Siesta groups voice concern with Army Corps redesign

The Corps states its plan for dredging Big Pass would have ‘no appreciable difference’ on Siesta Key, but Siesta organizations remain unconvinced.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Point of Rocks is known for its coral rock bed and snorkeling opportunities. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 16, 2015
Siesta resident says sand loss is a point of concern

Salvatore Russo, a part-time resident who lives near beach access 13 on Siesta Key, is concerned with the rate of erosion at the southernmost spit of sand connected to the public beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Steve Olmstead, Sarasota County’s ethics and compliance officer, said one of the most common question county employees ask him is about holiday gift baskets from vendors and customers. County policy says it is permitted to accept them — as long as they ar
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 16, 2015
Q+A with Steve Olmstead

Steve Olmstead has worked for Sarasota County for 14 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations and the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations hosted Monday’s City Commission candidate forum. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 16, 2015
Tensions rise in commission campaign

With less than a month to go before the May 12 City Commission runoff election, the races are getting heated.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents stick a green dot in categories to display their preferences for Sarasota County park uses. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 16, 2015
Community interests rally at parks meetings

Sarasota County gathered public input for its master parks plan through three meetings last week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
All along Main Street, signs beckon visitors to businesses. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 16, 2015
City signs: mixed messages

After tightening restrictions on private signage, the city wants to make an exception for commercial signs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sunset-watchers gather on Turtle Beach.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 16, 2015
Three projects tax beach renourishment funds

Tourist development taxes help the county pay for projects, but the funds could run short.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo by David Conway
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2015
News briefs

Dairy Queen planned for U.S. 301; Judge slashes Culverhouse award in Benderson lawsuit

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jacob Brodman credits his self-taught tailor skills for his survival at Auschwitz. He upholstered this loveseat in his Sarasota home. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 16, 2015
A Survivor’s Story

Jacob Brodman, Holocaust survivor, hasn’t forgotten 70 years later.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 16, 2015
Homeless plan focuses on housing

City Manager Tom Barwin has unveiled a strategy for addressing homelessness — but does he have the backing of key players?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tahiti Park Neighborhood Association President Jennifer Ahearn-Koch is worried about the impact a new Starbucks might have on the residential streets of the neighborhood. She was happy to discover that the developer shares her concerns — and was open to w
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 16, 2015
North Trail Coffee Talks

Tahiti Park residents are concerned about a planned Starbucks along U.S. 41, but they believe their worries won’t go unacknowledged.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In 2005, Isaac Group Holdings released this rendering depicting phase two of its Pineapple Square project. It now wants to sell its land and entitlements for the area to another developer. File rendering
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2015
Pineapple Square Developer taking bids for sale

Move could jumpstart $200 million downtown retail and condo deal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jade Rhodes leads Auburn with 17 home runs so far this season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 16, 2015
Power hitter

Former Sarasota High infielder Jade Rhodes has helped blast the Auburn University softball team to a No. 3 national ranking.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 16, 2015
High 5

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Stanley Pelletz and Family Promise of Sarasota Director Wendy Fitton. Photos courtesy of Family Promise of Sarasota
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 16, 2015
One family’s promise

The Pelletz family remains committed to helping Family Promise of Sarasota with its mission of aiding low-income families.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2015
OUR VIEW | The city with no vision

Blinded by rules and standards, city leaders miss the long-term value of Ringling College.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Richard and Alison Light, and their daughter, Chloe Jane, donated the Little Free Library to their community. Photos by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 16, 2015
Palm Island: the heart of Siesta Key

A neighborhood of 150 homes in the middle of the island boasts friendly neighbors and a rich history.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 7902 Sanderling Road sold for $5.5 million. It has four bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths and 8,395 square feet of living area. Courtesy photo of Michael Saunders and Co.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 16, 2015
Siesta Properties home sells for $5.5 million

A home in Siesta Properties tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2015
Letters to the editor

Snowbird bullied on the beach

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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Latest News

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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
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Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
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East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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