https://www.yourobserver.com/news/latest/all/www.yourobserver.com stories: Newsen-usTue, 16 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/16/sarasota-contractor-hurricane-paving-repairs/Andrew WarfieldTue, 16 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/16/sarasota-contractor-hurricane-paving-repairs/The damage to Bayfront Park from hurricanes Helene and Milton is estimated at $1.15 million.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/16/manatee-considers-designer-drug-ban/Lesley DwyerTue, 16 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/16/manatee-considers-designer-drug-ban/Kratom products are displayed in a case at Wild Smoke Shop off of State Road 64. Kratom can be bought in a variety of forms from powders to drinks.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/16/longboat-parkway-almost-name-main-road/S.T. CardinalTue, 16 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/16/longboat-parkway-almost-name-main-road/A street sign marking the 6000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive owned by the town will remain for now as discussions on whether to rename the main thoroughfare are underwayhttps://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/braden-river-student-arrested-threats-gun-violence/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/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/longboat-mayor-town-without-property-taxes/S.T. CardinalMon, 15 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/15/longboat-mayor-town-without-property-taxes/A proposal that could eliminate property taxes in the state of Florida, would damage the funding of Longboat Key police and fire departments.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/lakewood-ranch-search-finds-no-armed-person/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/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/manatee-cuts-millage-reserves-rise/Lesley DwyerSat, 13 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/manatee-cuts-millage-reserves-rise/Commissioner Jason Bearden wants money released from Manatee County's reserves that are nearing $1 billion.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/wilkinson-elementary-closure-broader-plan/Eric GarwoodSat, 13 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/wilkinson-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/13/jim-whitman-death-longboat-void-song/S.T. CardinalSat, 13 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/13/jim-whitman-death-longboat-void-song/Jim Whitman performs at the 2022 Kiwanis Lawn Party. The 20-year Longboat Key resident who often shared his musical talents on the Key died Sunday.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/12/free-permits-longboat-extend/S.T. CardinalFri, 12 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/free-permits-longboat-extend/A partially destroyed home in the Twin Shores community on Longboat Key after Hurricane Milton.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/manatee-school-board-superintendent-contract/Madison BierlFri, 12 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/manatee-school-board-superintendent-contract/Laurie Breslin was officially sworn in as the superintendent for the School District of Manatee County on Sept. 9.https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/charlie-kirk-rumble-longboat-key/S.T. CardinalFri, 12 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/sep/12/charlie-kirk-rumble-longboat-key/Charlie Kirk (left) and Chris Pavlovski share the stage at a Turning Point USA event. Pavloski, chairman and CEO of the video platform Rumble, said Kirk was an early investor in Rumble and played a large part in bringing Rumble's headquarters to Longboat Key. "He brought free speech to Longboat Key and made it the free speech capital of the world," Pavlovski said.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.