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Your Observer | All

Sonja and John Ellis, Goldie and Tuki Nanos
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Seaplace Holiday Party

To any other state, it would seem like Christmas in July, but Seaplace's holiday party was Dec. 14. The sunset cast an orange glow through the warm air. Christmas trees sat beside menorahs, red and green plates were filled with appetizers and people were cheery with holiday spirit.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This statue makes its home near the intersection of Osprey Avenue and Orange Avenue.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Spirited statue

This statue seems to get a makeover every time a holiday approaches. Right now, he's dressed in Santa attire. Wonder what's inside that red sack?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nicole Double (left) from All Faiths Food Bank accepts a check from Capt. Jon Goetluck and members of the Property Section. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 16, 2011
Sheriff's Office presents multiple donations

Donations included a check for $6,700 from seized or recovered cash that went unclaimed, to All Faiths Food Bank.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2011
SCORES: Lakewood tops Venice in soccer

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team defeated Venice 3-1 Dec. 15.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rashad Lee Steen, 20, was arrested on Dec. 13 with the same charges and police are looking for other suspects in the continuing investigation.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 16, 2011
Second suspect arrested for Newtown shooting

Bobby U. Sharpe, 22, of Ellenton is the second suspect to be arrested for Newtown shootings last Sunday that injured three people.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Incredible Reindeer, played by William Terrell, Cameron Boyer, John Smith and Connor Shilling, helped save Christmas.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Gene Witt Elementary Christmas Musical

First-grade students at Gene Witt Elementary School showed off their talents during the school's musical production of The Incredible Reindeer Dec. 15-16. The musical told the story of how the Incredible Reindeer saved Christmas after foggy weather, Rudolph's cold and an asteroid nearly kept Santa Claus from taking flight. The Gene Witt 'Orff' estra entertained students and guests before the start of the show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bev and Bill Plummer, Randy and Elliot Keyne and Janie and Don Griffin
  • By Katy Arrillaga
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball

Members of the University Park Women's Club enjoyed their seventh annual Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball Dec. 10. This year's event was themed "Fire and Ice." Proceeds from the event benefited The Food Bank of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
The finalists will be honored and the Educator of the Year will be announced Feb. 29.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 16, 2011
Local educators named finalists for Edvantage Education Awards

Representatives of three East County schools have been nominated for a special award from the Manatee County School District.

  • East County
  • News
The Manatee County is now hiring to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. Stock image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 16, 2011
County accepting applications for Planning Commission

One four-year term on the Manatee County Planning Commission needs to be filled. Applications now are being accepted.

  • East County
  • News
iStock photo. The Half Shell Oyster House of Sarasota opens officially at 1991 Main Street on Jan. 10.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 16, 2011
New downtown oyster restaurant opens next month

The Half Shell Oyster House opens next month on the corner of Main Street and Links Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh had reported Dec. 14 that Randall H. Reid had signed the contract and mailed it back to Sarasota County.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
Reid's employment with county becomes official

About 4 p.m. Dec. 15, Sarasota County Commission Chairwoman Nora Patterson signed the contract with new County Administrator Randall H. Reid, officially making him the successor to former County Administrator Jim Ley.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bayside Community Church's band performed at this year's Rock Out for a Cause.
  • By Johana De la Cruz
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Rock Out for a Cause

Fundraising went to 11 as Lakewood Ranch High School's Key Club hosted Rock Out for a Cause Dec. 9 at Bayside Community Church. The concert benefited several non-profit organizations, including Taking Back Lives and Eliminate.

  • East County
  • Schools
This work involves the closure of Orange Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets. A detour will be in place during construction.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 15, 2011
Orange Avenue sewer mainline repairs scheduled tonight

The City of Sarasota Utilities Department is scheduled to repair the existing sanitary sewer mainline on Orange Avenue between 15th Street and 16th Street, on Thursday, December 15, 2011, at 10:00 PM. This project is expected to take approximately 8 hours to complete.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Victor Fernandez teaches music at Booker Middle School.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 15, 2011
VIDEO: Victor Fernandez honored as teacher of the year finalist

The Sarasota County School Board surprised three teachers as finalists for its district Teacher of the Year Competition.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Anyone who feels unsafe should call the Sheriff’s Office immediately, so deputies can contact the individuals and verify the nature of their business. Residents may call 911 or the non-emergency number, 316-1201.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 15, 2011
Residents warned about seasonal, door-to-door scams

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about seasonal door-to-door scams, most recently a scheme in which people pose as students involved in a fundraiser.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
FHP troopers arrested an 18-year-old Cocoa man and impounded a 2022 Ford Mustang after a deadly crash on Interstate 75 Monday morning.
  • April 21, 2026
Man arrested in deadly Manatee County crash
2
At least 60 community members of all faiths joined in a clean-up of the island on April 18, celebrating the anniversary of Paul Revere's famed ride. Volunteers collected approximately 140 pounds of trash before coming back together for a breakfast and morning service hosted by Temple Beth Israel.
  • April 21, 2026
Togetherness at heart of Faith 250 community cleanup
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Team Thunderbolts members Kenny Van Slyck, Avery Szuma and Matteo Saviano won a Create Award, which rewards unique approaches to gameplay over the standard design, to qualify for The VEX Robotics World Championship.
  • April 21, 2026
3 east Manatee elementary teams head to worldwide robotics competition
4
The golf course at Longboat Key Club, which is accessible by membership or stay at the resort, has 45 holes to play.
  • April 21, 2026
Charity golf tournament will return to Longboat Key
5
Longboat Key officials are taking an in-depth look at tree regulations on the island, bearing in mind the effects of the 2024 hurricanes.
  • April 21, 2026
Longboat's tree ordinance revamp moves along

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