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Your Observer

The town must hold a referendum before allowing any uses other than residential on the Islandside property.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2015
Commission to vote on Key Club referendum tonight

Voters will decide whether to allow tourism use on the Key Club's Islandside property if the commission approves an ordinance tonight.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Guests act out the lyrics to “The Twelve Days of Christmas” during the All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church Cabaret.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 4, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: All Angels Cabaret

Just enough Holiday spirit lingered around Longboat Key Saturday night for a holiday cabaret at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The park, which will sit at 7500 S.R. 64 E., will include 49 RV sites and a 1-acre lake when it opens this month.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 4, 2015
East County prepares for new RV park

A new RV park a mile east of Interstate 75 on State Road 64 East has plans for 108 sites and amenities such as a pool, recreation center and two lakes.

  • East County
  • News
The Manatee County Human Services grant benefit in-need children and families through the nonprofit organizations that serve in their communities.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 4, 2015
Ranch to host meeting for nonprofit funding

Community Services Department representatives will hold a funding application orientation meeting for local nonprofit organizations at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 16, at the United Way McClure Center, 4215 Concept Court, Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Diane Byrne takes in the orchid displays designed by professional growers.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 3, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: 58th annual Orchid Show

Gardening enthusiasts explored the greenery and blooms at the annual Orchid Show hosted by the Sarasota Orchid Society Jan. 3 at the Municipal Auditorium.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Malouf and Theresa Abraham with Dottier Baer Garner
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 3, 2015
Celebration Concert and Gala Dinner

Celebration Concert and Gala Dinner

  • Black Tie
Rachel Chambers had the second fastest time for the 5K Fun Run Saturday morning.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 2, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: 5K Fun Run

Local runners got a good start to the new year with a free 5K Fun Run on Jan. 3 hosted by the New Balance Sarasota store on Stickney Point Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Norma Martin thanked more than 70 people for attending her birthday party, and told everyone to make sure and take home a cupcake.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 1, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Norma Martin celebrates 100

Norma Martin celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family at her church, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, in Sarasota.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Tom Ellison plays the saxophone for Soul Sensations.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 1, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Music on Main

Motown and blues enthusiasts enjoyed music by Soul Sensations Jan. 2 at Music on Main on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. G. Duncan Finlay is the newly elected chairman of the board of trustees for Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 1, 2015
Plymouth Harbor board of trustees welcomes new leadership, members

Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay announces new officers and board of trustees members.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2015
YEAR IN PICTURES: EAST COUNTY

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the East County Observer in 2014.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2015
YEAR IN PICTURES: LONGBOAT KEY

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the Longboat Observer in 2014.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2015
YEAR IN PICTURES: SARASOTA

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the Sarasota Observer in 2014.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Residents are tasked with electing three district representatives to the City Commission this year.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 1, 2015
Candidates emerge for commission seats

As two recently appointed city commissioners settle into their new positions, candidates - including those appointees - are beginning to file paperwork for the March city election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Beginning Jan. 3, Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) will launch its extension of Route 6 to service Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 1, 2015
MCAT launches Ranch route this weekend

The Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) route to Lakewood Ranch begins Jan. 3.

  • East County
  • News
Soul Sensations perform from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 1, 2015
WEEKEND BEST BET: Music on Main

From 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 2, Lakewood Ranch Main Street will house performances of Motown and blues songs by Soul Sensations during Music on Main.

  • East County
  • News
Malcolm and Karen Ronney plan to open a new restaurant soon. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 1, 2015
Top Stories - East County: December

MacAllisters' owners will exit the business on New Year's Day.

  • East County
  • News
The Centre Shops is located in the 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 1, 2015
Top Stories - Longboat Key: December

The sale of the centre Shops closed Dec. 1, according to Manatee County property records.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The former Quay property has sat unoccupied for years.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2015
Top Stories - Sarasota: December

A Jacksonville firm will try to redevelop the vacant 15-acre Sarasota waterfront, former Quay site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight has issued a warning to the public regarding 25i-NBOMe, a synthetic drug that recently led to a teen's overdose.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 1, 2015
Top Stories - Siesta Key: December

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office this weekend arrested several teens on a variety of drug charges including possession of 25i-NBOMe, a relatively new drug similar to LSD.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Steven Walters, 50, allegedly began punching 41-year-old Michael Gatz during an altercation in front of Petco in the Paradise Plaza parking lot Thursday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 31, 2014
Top Stories - Longboat Key: November

The Sarasota Police Department charged 50-year-old Steven Walters with aggravated battery in connection with a fight in a Petco parking lot Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hannah Figueras, Madelyn Kumar, Domenic Aluise, Victoria Sinclair and Merritt Kendzior are eager to compete. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 31, 2014
Top Stories - East County: November

East County students left today for the F1 in Schools World Finals.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 31, 2014
Top Stories - Sarasota: November

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office last week arrested 20 men for charges related to unlicensed contracting as part of Operation Freelancer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Local business owner Chris Brown, right, with business partner Mike Granthon, left, purchased the Siesta Market property for $2.8 million.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 31, 2014
Top Stories - Siesta Key: November

Chris Brown and his business partner purchased the Siesta Market property at the beginning of November, adding to their collection of parcels on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Amanda Morales
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
Santa: Sarasota's newest snowbird?

Now that all the presents have been delivered and the cookies eaten, the jolly man in red could surely use a break.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Linda Honeycheck and Elizabeth Melendez Fisher. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
In the spirit of giving

Selah Freedom and Turning Points in Bradenton were the recipients of $7,500 each, just in time for the holidays.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Charlotte Zwick celebrates her 105 birthday at Bahia Oaks Lodge. She rode her new scooter, which was an early birthday present from family, into the dining room where guests sang and swapped stories.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
The Year in Pictures: January

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the Sarasota Observer in 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lily Thiron and Ashlyn Shelson take a break from riding their tricycles at the Early Care Center of First United Methodist Church's annual St. Jude Trike-A-Thon.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
The Year in Pictures: February

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the Sarasota Observer in 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Julianne Teague sings the "Green Eggs and Ham" song during Felice Tannen's kindergarten class's celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday at Bay Haven School of Basics Plus.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
The Year in Pictures: March

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the Sarasota Observer in 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Liza Collier and Ana Yavitz act out the plague of darkness at The Gan at Temple Sinai's Passover Sensory Experience.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
The Year in Pictures: April

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the Sarasota Observer in 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Col. Randy Gangle with Col. John Saputo, whom the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Sara DeSoto Chapter honored.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
The Year in Pictures: May

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the Sarasota Observer in 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Les and Pam McCurdy prepare for the opening of McCurdy's Comedy Theatre and Humor Institute on Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
The Year in Pictures: June

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the Sarasota Observer in 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kayla LeBlanc lights a sparkler at the downtown Fourth of July parade.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
The Year in Pictures: July

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the Sarasota Observer in 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Laura Wendel, Mimi Edlin, Jamie Edlin Schneider and Mari Edlin celebrate Mimi Edlin’s birthday at the Sarasota Bay Club. The party benefited the Senior Friendship Centers.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
The Year in Pictures: August

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the Sarasota Observer in 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sisters Juliet and Jessie Cantrell play in the water at the Hang Ten for Austim event at Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
The Year in Pictures: September

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the Sarasota Observer in 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Girl Scouts Meredith Carroll, Abbi Geiger and Lilly Irelan hug their favorite stuffed animals at a sleepover at Selby Public Library.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2014
The Year in Pictures: October

Reminisce about your favorite people, places and events and view some of the most memorable photos published in the Sarasota Observer in 2014.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
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3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
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Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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