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Trending | Sarasota

Barb McRae received a personal hospital room visit and kisses from Kirby, who is part of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s pet-therapy program.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: June, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
He had not even signed his contract yet, but interim County Administrator Terry Lewis already was hard at work during a county budget hearing June 14. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 27, 2011
TOP STORY, JUNE: Lewis reports for duty ... again

Terry Lewis has delayed his retirement many times because he keeps getting called to duty. The latest call came from Sarasota County government.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Abigail Swindell fed Gertrude and Margilow in May at her home in Sarasota. CLUCK is a group that has lobbied for urban chicken keeping throughout the county.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: May, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Before he walked away from the commission table mid-meeting May 25, Jim Ley shook hands and hugged all five county commissioners, including Chairwoman Nora Patterson. Photo by Robin Roy.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 26, 2011
TOP STORY, MAY: 'Thanks' and 'goodbye'

Jim Ley had positive things to say about the residents and staff for which he served more than a decade as the chief executive of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Abandoned boxcars on the railroad track through Shade Avenue concerned nearby residents in April.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: April, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Abandoned boxcars have been left on the railroad track that goes through Shade Avenue. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 25, 2011
TOP STORY, APRIL: Boxcar Battle

Fearing they're an invitation for trouble, residents are trying to get a railroad company to move about two-dozen railcars that have been parked in between two Sarasota communities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cameron Seguin cheers on her big sister by waving pom-poms in the air at Tatum Ridge Elementary’s March jog-a-thon.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: March, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Jean Gruss
  • December 24, 2011
TOP STORY, MARCH: Follow the money

A group of Collier County government appointees asked The Jackson Laboratory tough questions. In the end, Collier decided it was too risky.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gavin Montisano showed off his muscles in a Spider-Man costume in February at Ashton Elementary’s Kindergartners’ Fairytale Parade.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: February, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Four major retail businesses are moving into the Palmer Ranch area: Costco, Lowe’s, Kohl’s and Mercedes-Benz of Sarasota. The owners of the Pelican Plaza shopping center are hoping to attract a fifth, by redeveloping the center.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 23, 2011
TOP STORY, FEB.: Ranch Rejuvenation

With four new major retail stores soon to open in the Palmer Ranch area and the search on for a fifth, the south Sarasota community is seeing a surge in business revitalization.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City Hall will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, Monday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 2.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 23, 2011
Sarasota holiday closings

The city of Sarasota's administration offices and City Hall are closed Friday, Dec. 23, Monday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 2 in observance of the holidays.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riley Putnam practices her spoon-sticking ability in January at a Church of the Redeemer dinner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: January, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    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
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