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Your Observer

The shooting is connected to another incident reported by the Sarasota Police Department around the same time Sunday morning.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 21, 2014
Two dead in North Sarasota shooting

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputies found three victims inside Kay's Lounge early Sunday morning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2014
Top Stories - Siesta Key: January

Preliminary reports indicate that one person was killed Wednesday morning in a vehicle collision with a pedestrian at the southern end of Midnight Pass Road.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Carlos Reyes-Sanchez faces charges of first-degree murder in Rhode Island.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 21, 2014
Top Stories - Longboat Key: January

Carlos Manuel Reyes-Sanchez, 30, was arrested without incident this morning at the The Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Years after closing its Siesta Key location, Bob's Boathouse opened last fall on Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 21, 2014
Top Stories - Sarasota: January

Sarasota County staff denied the fourth request for an extension of the restaurant's temporary certificate of occupancy Thursday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After her mother's death, Ellen Gerth, with her husband, Dave, left, continues to run marathons and continues with her career, despite the fact that closure may never come.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2014
Top Stories - East County: January

Two years after Ina Gross was murdered, her daughter says she still believes the Manatee County Sheriff's Office will arrest the killer.

  • East County
  • News
Zoe Baglini, Bekka Larson, Harrison Chona and Adriana Fernandez
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 20, 2014
Debutante Ball

Debutante Ball

  • Black Tie
Ken Abt and Alfred Goldstein
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 19, 2014
La Fille mal Gardee Pre-Performance Holiday Dinner

La Fille mal Gardee Pre-Performance Holiday Dinner

  • Black Tie
Indigo Alexis, Flori Roberts and Charles Martin
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 19, 2014
Achievers Scholarship Partners Holiday Luncheon

Achievers Scholarship Partners Holiday Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Adam Caldwell tells the story of Judah Maccabee at Hanukkah Happening.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Emanu-El Hanukkah Happening

Members of the community were invited to join in on the holiday celebration with the congregation at Temple Emanu-El for Hanukkah Happening Friday evening.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The trail currently extends from the Venice Train Depot to Palmer Ranch Parkway. File photo.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 18, 2014
Legacy Trail extension costs could exceed $15 million

The $72,541 goal to supplement the cost of the feasibility study for the Legacy Trail extension is complete.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
This week's FYI Friday features news about a lost ferret and a Christmas miracle, an update on downtown Sarasota's nightlife and more!
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2014
FYI Friday - Your weekly news roundup

Catch up on the week's most important and most interesting news stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County with FYI Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The playground, installed in December, was created for children ages two to 12.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 18, 2014
Joan M. Durante Park installs new playground

The playground is made from post-consumer recycled materials.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo, Nolan TSA students Naomi Burg and Amanda Boccarossa paint a little library to be installed at Greenbrook Park in Lakewood Ranch in January.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 18, 2014
Sarasota County installs Little Free Libraries in parks

The stand-alone lending libraries are a part of a national program that encourages communities to share literature.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The construction sector shed 400 jobs in November in the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota metro area, while the retail sector added roughly 1,600 positions for an increase of 4% from October.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 18, 2014
Local unemployment rate continues tumble

The North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota metro area added more than 4,000 jobs in November, while Sarasota County's unemployment rate fell to 5.3% from 5.6% the previous month.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools earned “A” grades for the third consecutive year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
East County high schools excel in graduation rates, school grades

Two East County high schools received "A" grades and had high graduation rates in the 2013-2014 school year, a Florida Department of Education report shows.

  • East County
  • News
A garden of lights blooms down one of the walk ways at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Lights in Bloom display.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Lights in Bloom at Selby

Guests were invited to enjoy an early preview of Lights in Bloom Thursday, Dec. 18 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ajanique Jones and Chloe Corleto dance to the music.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Middle Snowcoming Dance

Sixth- through eighth-grade students put on their formal gowns and suits for the Snowcoming Dance, Dec. 18, in Braden River Middle School's cafeteria.

  • East County
  • News
Jan and Gene Albrycht show off their gingerbread house — a staple in the parade.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Horseshoe Cove Christmas Golf Cart Parade

Residents of Horseshoe Cove lined their golf carts with ornaments, lights and other holiday decorations for the 16th annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade Dec. 18. Participants drove their themed vehicles around the community for an excited audience who photographed the unique carts from the sidelines.

  • East County
  • News
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.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Girls Inc. Celebrates Girl of the Year

Today called for a celebration at Girls Incorporated Girl for the Girl of the Year award and the first ever National Girls Inc. 'Champions for Girls' award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club resident Ron Jarvis pointed out the community doesn’t have a clear cut policy in place to prevent gators from being trapped and killed.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 17, 2014
Gator policy still floats

Despite a legal opinion from legal counsel stating the Ranch shouldn't create a gator policy, Town Hall officials are working to create an educational presentation that help the reptiles stay put.

  • East County
  • News
First Friday festivities mean new musical acts for attendees of free Music on Main events.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Future Music on Main acts set

Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty announced its Music on Main series of acts performing through June.

  • East County
  • News
Ethan Frizzell, Ernie Withers and Sue Frizzell. Photos by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Sound of hope

The holiday season hasn't officially started until our favorite bell ringers return to their posts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
John Brady and Carol Pettengill, right
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Holiday harmonies

Shoppers and residents were treated to some holiday harmonies by the Senior Friendship Centers' group, the Second Wind Harmonica Players, in Downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Our View | Learn from others' models

Michael Klauber, longtime Sarasota restaurant entrepreneur and now chairman of Visit Sarasota, probably knows firsthand now what it means 'to herd cats.'

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Rodger Dowdell
  • December 17, 2014
My View | Grand juries have lost their independence

Recent grand jury decisions in Missouri and New York have sparked national protests.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Christmas worship services

The Observer shares local Christmas worship services.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Senior Ryan McMahon is shooting 64% from the floor and 57% from behind the arc this season for the Cougars. Photo by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2014
Controlling the court

Cardinal Mooney senior Ryan McMahon is averaging 26.7 points per game this season while leading the Cougars to a 6-0 record.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2014
High Five Moments of the Week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2014
Sidelines

Eagles win inaugural Army vs. Navy tournament; Sarasota Christian earns back-to-back wins; Sarasota grapplers win invitational; Late goal propels Thunder soccer team to a win; Longwood Athletic Club announces Men's Open

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
1884 Morris St.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 17, 2014
Light up the night

These Sarasota Christmas lights are worth the ride around town.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home at 7102 Point of Rocks Circle has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,582 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.2 million. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 17, 2014
Point of Rocks home sells for $3.2 million

A home in Point of Rocks tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Wayne Johnson submitted this sunrise photo, taken at Sarasota National Cemetery.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover.*

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mote Marine Laboratory (top) and the Sarasota County History Center (right) both have subsidized leases with the city of Sarasota for their properties on city-owned land. Each organization pays $10 or less a year.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2014
City leases land scrutiny from Chapman

Vice Mayor Susan Chapman wants to re-examine city lease agreements that charge organizations such as Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium $10 a year or less in rent.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike Tisdale and Florikan employees find sections of the fence pushed down or cut.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 17, 2014
Property owner concerned with homeless

After dealing with vandalism, theft and damage, property owner Mike Tisdale wants the county to help deter a nearby homeless camp.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
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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
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
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
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
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.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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