https://www.yourobserver.com/news/latest/all/www.yourobserver.com stories: Newsen-usMon, 15 Sep 2025 13:18:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/braden-river-student-arrested-threats-gun-violence/A 14-year-old allegedly posted on Snapchat stating he was going to shoot people at Braden River High School. Madison BierlMon, 15 Sep 2025 13:18:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/braden-river-student-arrested-threats-gun-violence/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/mote-sea-opens-early-october/Members get first views on Oct. 6-7 and public on Oct. 8 at its aquarium located near University and I-75 in Sarasota County. Eric GarwoodMon, 15 Sep 2025 11:40:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/mote-sea-opens-early-october/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/sarasota-couple-child-neglect-charges/Found day drinking outside and testing positive for narcotics, SPD and state investigators arrest couple after finding a child locked in a room. 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/longboat-mayor-town-without-property-taxes/DeSantis has spoken on the possibility of eliminating property taxes altogether. But local leaders worry about how they would pay for police and fire without their largest revenue stream. S.T. CardinalMon, 15 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/longboat-mayor-town-without-property-taxes/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/sarasota-park-recovery-update-website/Sarasota's new website allows residents to track the progress of storm damage repairs at 14 coastal parks and assets. Observer StaffMon, 15 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/sarasota-park-recovery-update-website/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/14/family-legacy-columbia-restaurant-next-generation/Casey Gonzmart Sr. is passing the torch to family members as he steps down as chairman of the board of the 1905 Family of Restaurants. Dana KampaSun, 14 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/14/family-legacy-columbia-restaurant-next-generation/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/lakewood-ranch-search-finds-no-armed-person/A suspicious person report south of University Parkway prompts deputy response. Observer StaffSat, 13 Sep 2025 14:35:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/lakewood-ranch-search-finds-no-armed-person/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/lido-key-among-top-fall-destinations/With online searches more the tripling the year prior, vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo rates the Sarasota barrier island sixth in trending growth. Andrew WarfieldSat, 13 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/lido-key-among-top-fall-destinations/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/manatee-cuts-millage-reserves-rise/Following three hurricanes in 2024, Manatee County has nearly $1 billion set aside for reserves in fiscal year 2026. Lesley DwyerSat, 13 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/manatee-cuts-millage-reserves-rise/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/wikinson-elementary-closure-broader-plan/By November, the Sarasota School Board could decide on closing the school and moving central office there. Eric GarwoodSat, 13 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/wikinson-elementary-closure-broader-plan/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/jim-whitman-death-longboat-void-song/“Dr. Jim” was a longtime presence on Longboat Key known for his community involvement and on-pitch vocals. S.T. CardinalSat, 13 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/jim-whitman-death-longboat-void-song/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/manatee-sarasota-cocaine-trafficking-arrest/Raids at locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties resulted in seized cocaine and the arrest of a Bradenton man. Eric GarwoodFri, 12 Sep 2025 13:50:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/manatee-sarasota-cocaine-trafficking-arrest/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/county-budget-first-approval-short-unanimous/Sarasota County Commissioner Tom Knight voted against approval of the fiscal year 2026 budget over capital spending objections. Andrew WarfieldFri, 12 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/county-budget-first-approval-short-unanimous/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/free-permits-longboat-extend/Going against staff recommendation, town commissioners said they plan to introduce a resolution that will keep the permit fee waiver for hurricane-related repairs through December. S.T. CardinalFri, 12 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/free-permits-longboat-extend/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/manatee-school-board-superintendent-contract/Laurie Breslin also has incentives in her contract, a point of contention with two school board members. Madison BierlFri, 12 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/manatee-school-board-superintendent-contract/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/charlie-kirk-rumble-longboat-key/Chris Pavlovski, the chairman and CEO of the YouTube competitor popular in the right-wing political sphere, said he and Kirk decided to relocate the company to Longboat Key. S.T. CardinalFri, 12 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/charlie-kirk-rumble-longboat-key/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/11/search-firm-named-sarasota-city-manager/"Hungry and scrappy" Sumter Local Government Consulting will lead the search to fill the 11-month vacant position. Andrew WarfieldThu, 11 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/11/search-firm-named-sarasota-city-manager/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/11/sarasota-county-keep-midnight-pass-open/Fairly stable for its first 11 months, the waterway to the Gulf is critical for Sarasota County, commissioners say as they begin formulating short- and long-term policy to protect it. Eric GarwoodThu, 11 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/11/sarasota-county-keep-midnight-pass-open/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/10/years-protection-east-manatee-fire-rescue/East Manatee Fire Rescue keeps climbing another rung with the community. Jay HeaterWed, 10 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/10/years-protection-east-manatee-fire-rescue/https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/10/hermitage-hurricane-damage-sarasota-county/As negotiations to sell the Manasota Beach property continue on a parallel track, Sarasota county commissioners are told the complete Hermitage Artist Retreat campus restoration timeline is still unclear. Andrew WarfieldWed, 10 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/10/hermitage-hurricane-damage-sarasota-county/