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Your Observer | All

Six-year-old Sam Robbins smiles for a free hot dog.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Party for the Park

The Freedom Elementary staff made some changes to their annual event - switching the name and location this year. What will now be called Party for the Park took place Dec. 18 at the school's campus, where students and their families came together for free food, toys, books and a good time.

  • East County
  • News
No one was injured in the incident.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 19, 2013
Trash bin at Lakewood Ranch park destroyed by fire

Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies and the East Manatee Fire Department responded to a smoldering trash bin at Greenbrook Adventure Park.

  • East County
  • News
Libraries, the Sarasota County History Center, recreation centers, Arlington Pool, Payne Park and Knights Trail Park will be closed on Dec. 24, and Dec. 25.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 19, 2013
County offices to close for holidays

Sarasota County offices will be closed, and Sarasota County Area Transit will cease operations for part of next week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Teagan Allen, 11.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Sailor Circus Holiday Spectacular 2013

Sailor Circus presents its 2013 Holiday Spectacular "It's A Wonderful Life" from Dec. 27 through Dec. 30 at the Sailor Circus Arena.

  • Arts + Culture
Co-captain Marina Masterson led the Lakewood Ranch varsity cheerleading squad out onto the floor.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Cheerfest Competition

Braden River High School hosted its annual Cheerfest Competition Dec. 14. Six area high schools participated in this competition, which featured JV, small and large varsity and dance team categories.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2013
IMG selected to host NCAA track championships

The NCAA recently awarded IMG Academy as the host venue for the NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the 2016-17 seasons.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Scrappers defeated the Timber Rattlers 8-3 to win the Rookie division title.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2013
Manatee Cal Ripken Scrappers win championship

The Scrappers won the Rookie Division Championship during Manatee Cal Ripken Baseball's Championship Saturday Dec. 7.

  • East County
  • Sports
Capt. Drew Peterson with his brother, Nolan
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Family reunion

Sarasota Observer news editor and native Sarasotan Nolan Peterson was reunited with his brother Air Force Capt. Drew Peterson Dec. 1, at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Lights in Bloom

Selby Gardens' Lights in Bloom will officially open to the public Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
Submissions

Send in your favorite holiday moments to be included in our Jan. 9 issue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Conway. A crowd gathered at Five Points Park Thursday to witness a demonstration of a proposed tree-lighting system.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 19, 2013
Five Points Park lighting fails to dazzle

A demonstration of a proposed tree-lighting system for Five Points Park didn't sit favorably with attendees, but newly installed lights along Main Street emerged as an attractive option.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy photo. Jay Berman with Phil King
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 19, 2013
Glasser/Schoenbaum Center selects executive director

The center announced Jay Berman will succeed Phil King as the organization's next executive director. Berman will start his new role the first of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 19, 2013
Form-based code takes trial run

Tasked with writing a form-based zoning code for the city, the Urban Design Studio team has proposed six catalyst areas to serve as early adopters of the new code.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2013
News Briefs

Car crashes into Biter's Main Street storefront; Waechter accepts plea deal; city announces holiday hours

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gulf Gate Library
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 19, 2013
Three public projects remain on track

Sarasota County and the Sarasota County School District continue work on major construction projects.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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