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Your Observer | All

Choir members take their places in the risers to form the singing Christmas tree.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Singing Christmas Tree

Hundreds of people filled the First Sarasota Baptist Church Friday, Nov. 30 to kick off the holiday season with the 39th annual singing Christmas tree production. Church members, accompanied by an orchestra, performed on stage, and choir members formed a multistory Christmas tree and sang carols.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Wrapping a public transit bus to look like a trolley costs roughly $6,100, which is ten times less expensive than modifying its frame.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 5, 2012
SCAT considers Siesta 'trolleys'

Sarasota County commissioners will discuss spending $7.4 million for public transportation weeks after an audit exposed fiscal management issues in the department.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
"I want to do it as an adult," Hannah Beatt says."Working on Broadway is my dream. That'd be a huge accomplishment."
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 5, 2012
Marching to the Beatt

Charismatic 12-year-old Hannah Beatt will play Annie in The Players' production of 'Annie.'

  • Arts + Culture
Town Attorney David Persson has sat through more than 3,500 town meetings in the past 22 years.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 5, 2012
Town attorney resigns

David Persson cited a need to rebalance his law practice but plans to represent the Key from the podium in the future.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 5, 2012
Town issues Colony requirements

Town Manager Dave Bullock has put the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association on notice: The town expects further upgrades to the rundown property to make the outward appearance acceptable by Longboat Key standards.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 5, 2012
Town offers fire contract with 3% raise

The town of Longboat Key is offering firefighters a raise, but it is willing to go to impasse concerning the pension issue.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Triton Bend is located near the 2900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive and is adjacent to Neptune Avenue.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 5, 2012
Triton Bend breaks ground on two homes

The homes in the long-awaited new subdivision are the first of 13 planned for the mid-Key development.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 5, 2012
Town to debate burying power lines on the Key

The power could be in Longboaters' hands on whether to bury power lines on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jaleski
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 5, 2012
Challengers arise for 2013 commission seats

Three commission candidates with varied backgrounds will vie for seats on the Longboat Key Town Commission in the March town election.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Persson: Longboat Key town attorney for 22 years
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2012
Our View: All 22 years are what count

Give Longboat Key Town Attorney David Persson credit. He submitted and announced his resignation Monday honorably, with dignity and integrity and as a gentleman. Frankly, we would not have expected otherwise.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Terry Petesch, pictured in 2010, framed many prized possessions, in addition to artwork and photographs. File photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 5, 2012
Petesch framed Longboaters for 27 years

Terry Petesch died last week after an 18-month illness. He was 62.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 491 Meadow Lark Drive features marble floors and overlooks Sarasota Bay. Courtesy photos.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 5, 2012
Former Con Edison chief exec home, neighboring home, listed for $6.7 million

With more than one acre combined and more than 516 feet of waterfront access, the homes at 491 and 492 Meadow Lark Drive make up the largest lot on Bird Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sam Vrinios, a sophomore at Lakewood Ranch High School, started Imagine Customs, which retrofits and customizes Xbox 360 game controllers and is approaching $1 million in sales, two years ago. Photo by Mark Wemple.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 5, 2012
Teen entrepreneur draws national attention

Two years ago, 15-year-old Sam Vrinios started a custom game controller business in his garage. Now, he is on television.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 5, 2012
Light's green for new facility

Lakewood Ranch officials have closed on the property and financing for the maintenance facility project.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Good Samaritan on the way

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
Jeremy Gandon tees off on the first hole of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. The 29-year-old Frenchman carded six under par in the third round.
  • April 4, 2026
Race tightens in third round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
2
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding welcomes guest speaker Longboat Police Chief Russ Mager to update members about his approach to leadership since he assumed the role last autumn at the April 2 meeting.
  • April 4, 2026
Longboat police chief talks digital security with Kiwanians
3
Lakewood Ranch's Jerry and Marilyn Schneider, who have been married for 63 years, enjoy the live music at Music on Main April 3.
  • April 4, 2026
Dancers show off their moves at Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch
4
St. Regis at Longboat Key is a gulf-facing resort and condo development on the barrier island of Longboat Key. The Unicorp-developed property opened in 2024 at the former site of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
  • April 4, 2026
St. Regis on track to receive permanent certificate of occupancy, eyes tennis courts
5
The Fruitville Townhomes site plan to replace the vacant former Sarasota Lanes bowling center.
  • April 4, 2026
Fruitville bowling alley submits plans to redevelop into 4-story townhomes

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