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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2014
Couple celebrates 54th anniversary

Carol and Jules Green met at a summer camp where Carol was a junior counselor and Jules was a waiter.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2014
Officers welcome holiday backup

The Sarasota Police Department is on the lookout for an elf who goes by the name of Officer Elf on the Shelf.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By David Conway and Alex Mahadevan
  • December 25, 2014
Main Street bar clears first hurdle

Plans for a Paddy Wagon in the 1500 block of Main Street, in addition to other nightlife proposals, have received an early seal of approval from downtown residents.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Legacy Trail extension will include a trailhead at Payne Park. The trail follows the former CSX railroad corridor. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 25, 2014
Legacy Trail extension: $15 million

The first draft of a feasibility study is scheduled to go before county commissioners in February.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2014
Memories & mishaps

For the holidays, the Observer collected Christmas stories - both heartwarming and head shaking - from readers. From burnt dinners and terrifying encounters with Santa to tales of the true meaning of Christmas, these stories are sure to add a little happiness and laughter to your holiday season.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jane Idol has been a Sarasota County call center agent for four-and-a-half years. Many customers are happy that a real person answers their calls, she said. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 25, 2014
Who ya gonna call? The Sarasota County Call Center

Sarasota County's information call center is only a phone call away at 861-5000. The office's 11 information agents answer calls and emails from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, often answering the same questions multiple times a day.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Luisa Goldman, SPARCC board president, pets Lilly. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 25, 2014
SPARCC dedicates animal kennel

From dogs to hamsters, the emergency shelter can now house family pets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The lighting contests judges were treated with Christmas carolers at Whispering Sands.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 25, 2014
Condo Council chooses the best and brightest

With the help of eggnog and the Siesta trolley, judges toured Siesta Key to select the winners of the Siesta Key Condo Council's annual condo lighting contest Dec. 17.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 25, 2014
High Five Moments of the Week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unit 1403 at Bay Plaza has two bedrooms, two baths, 1,565 square feet of living area and sold for $810,000. File photo
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 25, 2014
Bay Plaza condo sells for $810,000

A condominium in Bay Plaza tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Skylar Jungers
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 25, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Girl of the Year recipient Isabelle Crotsley, Girls Inc. Distinguished Board Chair Donna Ogilvie and National Girls Inc. Champions for Girls award recipient Sherry Watts. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 25, 2014
Girls Inc. surprises board member with award

A celebration was in order for Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 25, 2014
Dear Santa:

Ashton and Phillippi Shores Elementary School students share their holiday wishes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2014
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2014
Letters to the Editor

Consider giving the gift of friendship this season; 'Government of laws'

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Strong thunderstorms are expected to continue this afternoon as a front makes its way through the area.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 25, 2014
Top Stories - Siesta Key: May

A waterspout was located off Longboat Key Friday afternoon. And another has just formed off Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
El Adobe will close after operating for 40 years on South Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 25, 2014
Top Stories - Sarasota: May

Tampa-based development firm Brightwork Real Estate bought the parcel housing the landmark Sarasota restaurant El Adobe May 1.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Saks Fifth Avenue sign was attached to the exterior of the mall this week.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 25, 2014
Top Stories - East County: May

Crate & Barrel and J. Crew have committed to locations at the new Mall at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 25, 2014
Top Stories - Longboat Key: May

With an auction sale of 2.3 acres of Colony property scheduled for Friday, two different development teams have made offers for Dr. Murray 'Murf' Klauber's bankrupt estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Craig Siegel, the owner of a Siesta Key rental property plagued with Sarasota County code violations, allegedly threw a bucket of urine on a code enforcement officer this morning.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 24, 2014
Top Stories - Siesta Key: April

Sarasota County deputies arrested Craig Siegel before 8 a.m. for the alleged attack on a Sarasota County code enforcement officer.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A double diverging diamond interchange has been proposed by the Florida Department of Transportation.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 24, 2014
Top Stories - East County: April

The state Legislature has eliminated a proposal for $100 million in transportation funding from the budget. FDOT planned to use some of the money for improvements to Interstate 75 at University Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2014
Top Stories - Longboat Key: April

APRIL FOOLS' - There's gonna be one less empty house on Longboat Key, following a universally acclaimed musician's purchase of the blinged out $22 million Ohana estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Former CBS news anchor and Sarasota native Sharyl Attkisson with former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2014
Top Stories - Sarasota: April

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke Friday at a lecture, moderated by former CBS anchor Sharyl Attkisson and organized by the Ringling College Library Association.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Capt. Nick Froelich shows off the 692-pound shark's giant set of jaws.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 23, 2014
Top Stories - Siesta Key: March

Tony Musca, Ryan Roberts and Sam Von Duhn caught the giant shark during a Double Nickel Charters fishing trip with their families.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2014
Top Stories - Sarasota: March

Visit Sarasota County seeks to leverage the power of social media and online reputation management to promote the area's tourism industry at lower costs than traditional advertising campaigns.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Florida Department of Transportation plans to improve the I-75/University Parkway interchange to relieve traffic congestion.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 23, 2014
Top Stories - East County: March

To expedite I-75 improvements, Sarasota and Manatee counties will commit to extend two roadways. Only, those roads depend on the counties approving an SMR development.

  • East County
  • News
A woman is now setting up card tables and coolers in front of St. Armands Circle businesses that are closed on the weekends.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 23, 2014
Top Stories - Longboat Key: March

The St. Armands Circle BID wants clarification from the city attorney and possibly the Sarasota City Commission over solicitation issues on the Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Local business owner Chris Brown, right, with business partner Mike Granthon, left, are prolific property investors.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 22, 2014
Brown buys downtown Sarasota Firestone

Prolific investor Chris Brown continued his Main Street acquisitions with the $1 million purchase of an auto repair shop near the center of downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sam and the late Sally Shapiro
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Program to honor Sally Shapiro

Longboat Key resident Sally Shapiro loved music, and a special musical program her husband, Sam, organized will honor her memory.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Key of Sea seeks new voices

Key of Sea Chorus, which sings at assisted-living and retirement homes in the Sarasota area, is inviting new members to join.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Learn more about LBK Foundation

Want to know more about the Longboat Key Foundation, which is embarking on a $1 million fundraising drive, as reported in the Dec. 18 issue of the Longboat Observer?

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 22, 2014
Our View: The story behind his birth

We all know what happened on 'Christmas' - as St. Luke masterfully wrote in his Gospel. But having some of the context that led up to this holy, remarkable day adds to its richness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Obituary: Robert Tucker

Robert Tucker, 78, of Durham, N.C., and formerly of Longboat Key and Pittsburgh, died Dec. 13.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Obituary: Jerry Slansky

Jerry Slansky, 67, of Longboat Key, died Dec. 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Obituary: Peggy Skidmore

Peggy Skidmore, of Longboat Key and Sea Girt, N.J., died Dec. 14.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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