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News

Iriss Inc. employees couldn’t wait to celebrate the holiday season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Ultimate Holiday Party For Small Businesses

East County business professionals celebrated the holiday season during the Ultimate Holiday Party For Small Businesses Dec. 16 at the Polo Grill and Bar. Guests socialized over cocktails before enjoying a dinner and dessert buffet and an evening of dancing.

  • East County
  • 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
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
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
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
Joshua Stott got an iPod, Lego games and more from Santa.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 15, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Vitale Holiday Party

Legendary ESPN Hall of Fame sports broadcaster Dick Vitale and his family welcomed a dozen children from the Sarasota County Boys & Girls Clubs Dec. 15, to the Vitale home for their annual Holiday Party.

  • East County
  • News
Stock image. Not the bones found along Lena Road.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 15, 2011
Bones found by Lena Road

Authorities have concluded the remains are not from a human.

  • East County
  • News
The workshop will take place at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 15, 2011
Proposed bill could terminate town's business tax receipt program

The Longboat Key Town Commission will discuss Florida House Bill 4025 and Florida Senate Bill 760 at today's workshop.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A tense debate between District 1 Commissioner Willie Shaw and the rest of the commissioners ensued when the commission began to discuss the goals for the city over the next two years.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 15, 2011
North Sarasota crime top priority

Sarasota city commissioners will work toward reducing the crime and number of homicides in North Sarasota by enlisting the help of a criminologist who has reduced crime in cities nationwide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Livia Zamperlini-Ramos (left), Anna Chop (center) and Bailey Loring (right) share some joy while singing "Last Christmas."
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