https://www.yourobserver.com/news/sarasota/news/www.yourobserver.com stories: Newsen-usMon, 15 Sep 2025 11:40:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/mote-sea-opens-early-october/Eric GarwoodMon, 15 Sep 2025 11:40:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/mote-sea-opens-early-october/Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is opening its SEA site in early October.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/sarasota-couple-child-neglect-charges/Observer StaffMon, 15 Sep 2025 10:39:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/sarasota-couple-child-neglect-charges/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/sarasota-park-recovery-update-website/Observer StaffMon, 15 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/sarasota-park-recovery-update-website/The damage to Whitaker Gateway Park from hurricanes Helene and Milton is estimated at $1.5 million.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/14/family-legacy-columbia-restaurant-next-generation/Dana KampaSun, 14 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/14/family-legacy-columbia-restaurant-next-generation/The Columbia Restaurant’s fourth-generation owner Casey Gonzmart Sr., believes that passion and fun are essential in running a restaurant empire.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/lido-key-among-top-fall-destinations/Andrew WarfieldSat, 13 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/lido-key-among-top-fall-destinations/Lido Key is among the highest trending fall vacation rental in the country, according to vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/wikinson-elementary-closure-broader-plan/Eric GarwoodSat, 13 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/wikinson-elementary-closure-broader-plan/Wilkinson Elementary operates at about 50% capacity, prompting school officials to consider closing it and sending students to three other under-capacity schools.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/manatee-sarasota-cocaine-trafficking-arrest/Eric GarwoodFri, 12 Sep 2025 13:50:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/manatee-sarasota-cocaine-trafficking-arrest/Nearly 300 grams of cocaine, or about 10.5 ounces, was seized from a home in Sarasota, authorities said.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/county-budget-first-approval-short-unanimous/Andrew WarfieldFri, 12 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/county-budget-first-approval-short-unanimous/Sarasota County Commissioner Tom Knight was the lone dissenting vote in first vote approval of the county's fiscal year 2026 budget.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/11/search-firm-named-sarasota-city-manager/Andrew WarfieldThu, 11 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/11/search-firm-named-sarasota-city-manager/Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert said she was "blown away" by executive search firm Sumter Local Government Consulting during a virtual interview with founder and president Warren Hutmacher.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/11/sarasota-county-keep-midnight-pass-open/Eric GarwoodThu, 11 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/11/sarasota-county-keep-midnight-pass-open/The public gathers at the entrance to Midnight Pass on Oct. 26, 2024, as boats make their way through the opening.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/10/hermitage-hurricane-damage-sarasota-county/Andrew WarfieldWed, 10 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/10/hermitage-hurricane-damage-sarasota-county/Storm damage repairs at Hermitage Artist Retreat could be as long as a year away according to Sarasota County staff.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/09/close-lanes-north-tamiami-trail/Observer StaffTue, 09 Sep 2025 16:40:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/09/close-lanes-north-tamiami-trail/Lane closures on North Tamiami Trail for water main construction will begin Sept. 15.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/09/sarasota-no-stormwater-rate-hikes/Eric GarwoodTue, 09 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/09/sarasota-no-stormwater-rate-hikes/Flooding in Pinecraft during 2024's Hurricane Debby prompted an emergency response.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/08/panel-focus-new-performing-arts-center/Andrew WarfieldMon, 08 Sep 2025 08:30:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/08/panel-focus-new-performing-arts-center/From left, Drayton Saunders, Marty Hylton, Mollie Cardamone and Dave Bullock comprised the panel for the Sept. 4 Tiger Bay Club meeting.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/07/tennis-center-sculpture-proposals/Observer StaffSun, 07 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/07/tennis-center-sculpture-proposals/Artists are invited to submit sculpture proposals for the courtyard at Payne Park Tennis Center.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/06/school-avenue-extension-trail-project-snag/Andrew WarfieldSat, 06 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/06/school-avenue-extension-trail-project-snag/The current portion of School Avenue greenway was completed in November 2007.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/05/tourism-bureau-silver-flagler-award/Observer StaffFri, 05 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/05/tourism-bureau-silver-flagler-award/VSC President and CEO Erin Duggan, Director of Community Relationship and Partnership Hunter Carpenter, Marketing Manager Jess Bertolini, and Vice President of Finance and Administration Andrea Hunt with the Silver Flagler Award.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/05/sarasota-gambling-bust/Elizabeth KingFri, 05 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/05/sarasota-gambling-bust/State agents seized 117 slot machines at Magic Arcade on Swift Road, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/04/sarasota-man-arrested-lido-beach/Observer StaffThu, 04 Sep 2025 16:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/04/sarasota-man-arrested-lido-beach/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/04/sarasota-transfer-hurricane-recovery-fund/Andrew WarfieldThu, 04 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/04/sarasota-transfer-hurricane-recovery-fund/Among the storm damage to city property is the Sarasota Bay shoreline at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.