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News

Ivette and Anthony Littlejohn surround their son, Adrian, with positive energy as he undergoes chemotherapy.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 23, 2011
TOP STORY, FEB.: Adrian Littlejohn

Adrian Littlejohn, 1, son of Lakewood Ranch coach Anthony Littlejohn and his wife, Ivette, was diagnosed with AT/RT, a rare pediatric cancer.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • December 22, 2011
Five things you didn't know about Victor Fernandez

Victor Fernandez, orchestra director at Booker Middle School, is a finalist for Teacher of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brothers Martin Gramatica and Santiago Gramatica stand in front of the panels that will be used to build three homes for underprivileged families in Haiti. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 22, 2011
TOP STORY, JAN.: Brotherly Love

The well-known former Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Martin Gramatica and his placekicking brothers chose Sarasota to start their green building business, which has just secured a deal to provide housing to earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
County government offices to be closed for holidays

Most Sarasota County government offices and services, including libraries, the History Center and recreation centers, will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, through Monday, Dec. 26, for the Christmas holiday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This August 1997 aerial of the north end of Longboat Key was taken just months after a 1996 interim beach renourishment project was completed. Photos courtesy of the town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2011
TOP STORY, JAN.: Beach project in limbo

Town Manager Bruce St. Denis wants direction on how the town should move forward with renourishing its beaches.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2011
Main Street project price tag: $14 million

Main Street merchants have both sticker shock and construction shock over preliminary cost options for a Main Street project that could cost as much as $14 million and take years to complete.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The gas valve removed from one homeowner’s front yard light shows corrosion that he said could have led to a natural-gas leak.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2011
Hamptons homeowner wins lawsuit

After a two-year lawsuit, one resident of The Hamptons was granted the right to switch to electric-powered street lamps.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
Planning Commission seats to be filled

One of the Sarasota County Commission's most important advisory boards has three open seats that the commission will fill in January.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune is located at 1741 Main St. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 22, 2011
FULL STORY: Herald-Tribune, sister papers, to be sold

The newspaper, which won a Pulitzer Prize in April and has been owned by the New York Times for nearly 30 years, will get new owners. Changes could be forthcoming.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2011
Planning Board approves P.F. Chang's

A P.F. Chang's China Bistro is coming to downtown Sarasota after the Planning Board approved its application Dec. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2011
Advisory board recommends downtown grants stay in place

Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board believes downtown grants need more time to catch on before they are rescinded.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Full-time condo residents on the Key are fretful about a Citizens Property Insurance proposal that might scare away owners who rent out their units. File photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
Citizens' proposal alarms Key condominium owners

The Siesta Key Condominium Association assembled its annual team of judges Dec. 16, to pick the best condo decorations on the Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Siesta Dunes, at 6200 Midnight Pass Road, offers a feast of holiday lights for residents and passersby. Its decorations wowed the judges, too, during the annual Siesta Key Condominium Association Condo Lighting Contest.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
Condo complexes gleam for the season

The Siesta Key Condominium Association assembled its annual team of judges Dec. 16, to pick the best condo decorations on the Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The cast and crew kept a low profile in Davidson’s Plaza while filming scenes for “Free Ride.” Photo by Lourdes Ramirez.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 22, 2011
Film company may get $50,000 rebate

An independent movie company may be eligible for a maximum $50,000 reimbursement for location filming.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
News Briefs

County doesn't object to term-limits case request; Residents warned about seasonal scams; County offering discounts on classes

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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Lakewood Ranch's Rich Vannucci still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago.
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Howard Tipton, Irwin Pastor and Susan Goldfarb stand beside the newly installed sign for The Education Center on Bay Isles Road. The center starts its winter term of programs Jan. 5.
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Explore French art, cinematic history and more this winter

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