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Your Observer

Brian Wigelsworth, founder of the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition, created a award sculpture for Siesta's newest accomplishment.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • February 18, 2015
Siesta Beach: No. 1 Again!

Based on positive user reviews and ratings, Siesta Key Beach ranked first of 25 beaches in the U.S for TripAdvisor award.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cooper
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 18, 2015
Candidates emerge for Planning Board vacancy

While Sarasota County prepares to revamp its comprehensive plan and the economy rebounds, five candidates have emerged for the advisory board that will play a key role in the update and the county's future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Map by Nicole Thompson
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 18, 2015
Room for growth?

A 200-room Marriott is the third hotel proposed for a four-block stretch of U.S. 41. With residents already concerned about traffic, what does the future of the corridor look like?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Alpert
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 18, 2015
YOUR CANDIDATES: District Two

In advance of the March 10 City Commission election, the Sarasota Observer is profiling the six candidates vying for the open District 2 and 3 seats. This week, we talked with District 2 candidates.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ellie and Frank Gooch attended the Anniversary Mass Feb. 7. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • February 18, 2015
Renewed promise

For one couple, the foundation for marriage includes love, laughter and unselfishness.

  • Sarasota
  • News
SMA assistant coach Kevin Jakub demonstrates a technique on Robert Herrera. Photos by Jason Clary
  • By Jason Clary
  • February 18, 2015
Pinning down their future

SMA will send three juniors to national competition in Iowa.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 18, 2015
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 18, 2015
Sidelines

McMahon verbally commits to Louisville; Players, coaches rack up honors

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 18, 2015
What's happening: Week of Feb. 19, 2015

Siesta Key property target of Craigslist scam

  • Sarasota
  • News
The trauma center will be included in the hospital's mission services — essential services the hospital provides to patients regardless of whether they have medical insurance. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • February 18, 2015
SMH board approves level two trauma center

The Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board of Directors took the next step toward establishing the county's only trauma center Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 18, 2015
Our View: Traffic troubles

The picture is vividly obvious. Everyone can see the future: Traffic at Gulfstream and U.S. 41 and Fruitville and 41 is destined for gridlock. The imperative is convincing. Longboat, Sarasota and state officials must show what taxpayers expect: leadership.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
One of many civically engaged Laurel Park residents, Kate Lowman, the former neighborhood association president, discusses the dynamics of the area — and some major issues. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 18, 2015
Q+A with Kate Lowman

At Tuesday's meeting of the Laurel Park Neighborhood Association, one discussion topic dwarfed the rest: the expansion of the Woman's Exchange, the first project going through the Laurel Park Overlay District review process.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Most treasure hunters recommended you kept quiet if you foun a coin, because someone might rob you — or spoil your hunting grounds.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • February 18, 2015
This week in history

A glimpse of the way things were from the Pelican Press archives.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 18, 2015
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Ida Cuthbertson writes down her ideas for public transportation at the Feb. 11 meeting. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • February 18, 2015
County launches Comp Plan update process

Residents are wary of the county's methods for public input during the comprehensive plan overhaul.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This home at 1620 South Drive in Cherokee Park has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,172 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.2 million. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 18, 2015
Siesta Drive home sells for $2,279,900

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

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Rob Christy submitted this sunset photo, taken at the Venice pier.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 18, 2015
Weather: Sarasota

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather or nature-related photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover, to be announced in October.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 18, 2015
Come At Me, Sarasota: Aaron Jaco of Uppercut Boxing

Come At Me, Sarasota: Aaron Jaco of Uppercut Boxing

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sheriff Tom Knight said the department needs more deputies to monitor activity east of I-75 as the area continues to grow.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • February 17, 2015
Knight rolls out Sheriff's Office needs

The Sheriff's Office is experiencing everything from water damage to cramped quarters at a number of its facilities, and is asking the Sarasota County commissioners to start focusing on improvements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sara Masciopinto and Jerry Kilanoski catch up.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 17, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Palm-Aire Artist Reception

The Art Association of Palm-Aire Country Club welcomed members to an artist reception Feb. 17 to kick off the association's annual art show, which runs through Feb. 22.

  • East County
  • News
Police and firefighters were at the crash scenes in the 4400 and 4600 blocks of Gulf of Mexico Drive this afternoon.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 17, 2015
Police officer, fire chief involved in separate crashes

Police Officer Dennis Silverio sustained minor injuries. Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi and two other drivers were not injured.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Melissa Surane, the Florida representative for TripAdvisor, presented the award this morning at Siesta Key Pavilion.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • February 17, 2015
Siesta Key wins No. 1 beach award

Based on user reviews and ratings, Siesta Key Beach won TripAdvisor's 2015 Travelers' Choice Award for the best U.S. beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2015
Paw party

To celebrate the first birthday of Sydney Anderson, her parents, Ben and Casey Anderson, put a little bark in her birthday bash Feb. 8.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2015
Obituary: Nora Mae Dillon Murphy

Nora Mae Dillon Murphy, 78, of Venice and formerly of Longboat Key, died Feb. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2015
Obituary: Matilda Bicknell Fontaine

Matilda Bicknell Fontaine, 100, of Plymouth Harbor and formerly of Longboat Key, died Jan. 31.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2015
Obituary: James Richard Allen

James Richard Allen, 79, of Longboat Key and formerly of Pittsburgh, died Feb. 10.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2015
Lovebirds: 75 years fly

Charles 'Buzz' and Jane Walker celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day with 40 family members and friends at Moore's Stonecrab Restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Moore's Stonecrab Restaurant co-owner Alan Moore and other partners will file a site plan soon for a new restaurant. Rendering courtesy of the town of Longboat Key
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 17, 2015
Moore's nets P&Z support

Co-owner Alan Moore is two steps closer to rebuilding his family's historic restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Cedars Tennis Resort is an example of a community that already has underground utilities. Commissioners are struggling with how much owners at properties with buried utilities should pay. File photo
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 17, 2015
Commission delays flipping undergrounding switch

There's no undergrounding decision yet, but there's still time to surge ahead to a November vote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
New Pass Bridge openings occur up to three times an hour during peak traffic hours. File photo
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 17, 2015
Gridlock

There's a good chance you're reading this while stuck in traffic. When it comes to congestion, there's no easy way out of this jam.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2015
News Briefs

Mote, Jacksonville University partner; Town Center committee to meet; Wanted: Code Board volunteers; ULI study of AMI begins next week

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Runners approach Gulfstream Avenue from the John Ringling Bridge during the Sarasota Music Half Marathon. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 17, 2015
Music Half Marathon hits sour note for some

The inaugural event was a hit with runners, but some city leaders and businesses feel it was off-track.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 17, 2015
Challengers make waves for dredging project

The town faces objections to its plans to dredge Longboat Pass and New Pass from two familiar opponents.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sean Thompson and other Longboat Key kids got to ride a Longboat Key Police Department all-terrain vehicle in 1998, at Bayfront Park Recreation Center's summer camp. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 17, 2015
Rotary Club seeks kids for new monthly club

If you're a Longboater between the ages of 6 and 12, you're invited to get to know your fellow Longboat Key kids.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Meals on Wheels PLUS CEO Maribeth Phillips hopes the new center will raise awareness about the organization. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 17, 2015
Adult day center opens in East County

Meals on Wheels PLUS hopes the new location also will raise awareness about the nonprofit and its other programs.

  • East County
  • News
The restaurant makes a variety of seasonal soups fresh daily.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 17, 2015
Say 'grilled cheese!'

Tom + Chee, a Cincinnati-based chain, plans to introduce East County to its comfort food.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
2
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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