Surely we jest!

After 11 years of our sister paper, The Longboat Observer, publishing its annual April Fools’ issue, The Sarasota Observer decided it was time to get in on the action.

In case you haven’t figured out by now, the stories on pages 1-4 are not true. No, the town’s bayfront-connectivity plan will not include a figure eight of roundabouts or an additional 11 roundabouts, and, no, the “Unconditional Surrender” statue is not moving to St. Armands Circle.

Sarasota has not been renamed to “Googlesota” and the trolley will remain at its current speed. And last, but not least, the police department will remain under the leadership of Police Chief Peter Abbott.

To read our April Fools' content, click on the headlines below:

Bayfront roundabouts to number 17 in total
Circle embraces historic statue
Sarasota now officially ‘Googlesota’
High-speed streetcar coming to Main Street
Police panel takes over department
Sarasota at a loss for more words
Consultant-hiring consultant hired
Where the sidewalk ends
Former mayors take matter into their own hands
Art Whisperer’s job goes to the dogs

The goal of these stories is to make you laugh, and we hope you were able to find the humor in this holiday.

Happy reading!