Observe This: Today's Top Stories

Laurel Park residents divided

→ Some Laurel Park residents want more input on nearby future development, while others believe the extra input would deter future development.

The downtown historic Laurel Park neighborhood is in the midst of an ongoing dispute over future development just outside its boundaries.

The community of more than 270 homes and small businesses that sits in the heart of downtown is wrestling both with how the community should be preserved moving forward and whether it should be more involved in the planning of future developments that sit across the street from its boundaries.

At the Sarasota City Commission’s March 5 regular meeting, ... [click here to read on!]

City debates real-estate parcels

→ A total of 214 city-owned parcels are being scrutinized by city staff in an attempt to see what properties should be put on the market or consolidated during tough economic times.

The Sarasota City Commission is weighing the pros and cons of putting some of the city’s real estate up for sale to gain access to some more money in the face of tough budget constraints.

At its March 19 regular meeting, commissioners told city staff it’s willing to sell some city-owned parcels and get them back on the tax rolls in order to generate more cash flow, but only if it makes prudent business sense.

City purchasing manager Mary Tucker was given direction to ... [click here to read on!]

Siesta Key's Spring Breakdown

→ After Siesta Key Beach and the area have received numerous accolades this past year, spring break numbers show an increase in activity.

The spring break season is always a busy time for Siesta Key, but since Dr. Stephen Leatherman ranked the quartz-sand beach at the top of his list of the best beaches in the country, many people on the Key are reporting an even busier season than usual.

It’s been a great year for Sarasota County in terms of publicity. Not only did Siesta Key Beach earn national recognition, but Livability.com also named Sarasota No. 1 on its list of top-10 spring-break destinations for families, and Siesta Key has been seeing the effects.

Executive director of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, Kevin Cooper, estimates that ... [click here to read on!]