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Your Observer | All

Growth in the healthcare and education sectors has helped drive the unemployment rate down, and actually served to buoy the local economy during the recession, according to local metro area data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 18, 2015
INTERACTIVE: Sarasota’s unemployment rate continues to fall

With about 1,600 fewer unemployed residents in November than the same month in 2014, the local jobless rate continues its decline to 4.5%.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 18, 2015
Siesta Key Condominium Council announces lighting contest winners

The annual contest decides the best and brightest of the council's members.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
CEO Richard Fletcher, COO Chris Loftus and Chief Nursing Officer Judy Young judged the entrees. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 18, 2015
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center staff sweeten up hospital café

Twelve departments participated in a gingerbread house contest this week.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 18, 2015
The Rev. Michael Mansperger celebrates 25 years

The Rev. Michael Mansperger celebrated 25 years of service to the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant Dec. 17, at Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
There is light rain and cloudy skies this morning on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 18, 2015
Cold front passes through the area today

Light rain and cloudy skies this morning is part of a cold front passing through that's bringing cooler temperatures to the area.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 18, 2015
Planning Commission moves Whole Foods, Wawa forward

Sarasota county commissioners will decide in January whether to allow developers to remove wetlands to build a commercial center.

  • East County
  • News
Mykayla Graham's first glance at the present room where children were able to take their pick of three gifts to bring home.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 18, 2015
Boys & Girls Club gifts holiday party to students

Children played games, met Santa Claus and picked out presents at the Lee Wetherington branch Boys & Girls Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Runners will start the 3.1 mile run around 7 p.m.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2015
Jingle 5K/Walk hits Lakewood Ranch

More than 2,000 runners are expected to participate.

  • East County
  • News
Jennifer and Rob Rominiecki
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • December 17, 2015
'Lights in Bloom' Preview Party

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens hosted a preview party for the 'Lights in Bloom' display in the gardens on Thursday, Dec. 17.

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 17, 2015
Siesta Key leaders judge Condo Lighting Contest

This year's contest had lights, egg nog, and holiday cheer to spare.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The chorus, grades three through five, performed for the school Thursday morning.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 17, 2015
Bashaw Elementary chorus sing holiday tunes

The chorus performed for the school Thursday morning.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brew Hub, a St. Louis-based craft beer brewing company, is expanding its Lakeland, Fla. brewery with eight new fermentation tanks and two new members: JDub's Brewing Co. from Sarasota and M.I.A. Brewing Co. of Miami.
    By
  • Nick Reichert
  • December 17, 2015
JDub's Brewing Company joins the Brew Hub Collective

JDub's will more than double its annual brewing capacity as well as release two new year-round beers through Brew Hub's expanded Lakeland brewery.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Bee Ridge Road improvement project will temporarily close down some side streets and a lane of traffic. File photo.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 17, 2015
FDOT to launch $17 million Bee Ridge project

The project begins in January and will last two years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Marlee Matlin and, via FaceTime, Camryn Manheim
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • December 17, 2015
Black Tie & Tales

Black Tie & Tales

  • Black Tie
Brianna Duff is frozen while she plays a doll in a toy store.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 17, 2015
Gullett Elementary students visit toy land

The East County school put its own spin on life through a toy's eyes in 'Toys in Storage.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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