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Sarasota

Following a lengthy legal clash, L.A. Fitness is slated to open in the former Dillard’s department store at Westfield Southgate Mall.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2016
Top Story — June: Westfield, Benderson and Dillard’s settle lawsuit

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Paul Reubens chats with Conan O'Brien Thursday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 25, 2016
Top Story — April: Pee-wee talks Sarasota on Conan

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 24, 2016
Top Story — March: Gulf Gate lures young entrepreneurs

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kevin McQuaid
  • December 23, 2016
Top Story — February: Mall at UTC owner sues Jackie Z

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 23, 2016
Top Story — February: Taylor Swift cuts check for Sarasota fundraiser

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The state plans to issue a permit for a project to take sand from Big Pass and install protective groins on Lido Key.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 22, 2016
State intends to issue Big Pass dredge permit

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection plans to issue a permit for the proposed Army Corps of Engineers project to dredge Big Pass to renourish Lido Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fredd Atkins has served on the City Commission from 1985-1995 and 2003-2011.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 22, 2016
Atkins seeks return to City Commission

Former Mayor Fredd "Glossie" Atkins has filed to enter next year’s City Commission election, becoming the fifth candidate in the race for two at-large seats.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2016
City should embrace public development review process

Our city streets are becoming alleyways where walkers are intimidated by height and mass crowding.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 22, 2016
At the time of Christ's birth

under Herod, the Jews managed to live with what biblical historian James Edward Talmadge called 'some semblance of national autonomy.'

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 22, 2016
Top Story — January: Thunder by the Bay concerns linger for businesses, officials

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2016
Top Story — January: Sarasota County commissioners approve Whole Foods project

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2016
Sarasota weather page photo: Dec. 22

Norma Pennington captured this photo of a frog in the morning dew in her Venice neighborhood.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 22, 2016
Sarasota lights up the night with holiday cheer

We’ve tracked down the merriest and brightest light displays to get you in the holiday spirit.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alex Turner powers up a right-footed shot.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 22, 2016
Cardinal Mooney soccer player reflects on scoring 100 goals

He is the first player in school history to hit triple digits.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Katie Stults, Reese Nippert, Ciara Perez, Collier Moser, Carley Ramsden, Rylee Roads and Kelly Collins.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 22, 2016
Girls on the Run teaches lessons that everyone should learn

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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Latest in Sarasota

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Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
2
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
3
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
4
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
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5
All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
  • December 18, 2025
New north Sarasota park draws major collegiate softball tournament

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