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Your Observer

File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2014
Commissioners come to Chapman's defense

The two new additions to the City Commission could sway it to reverse course and once again pay for Vice Mayor Susan Chapman's defense in an ongoing Sunshine Law case.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2014
In the zone

Although Laurel Park residents have praised the neighborhood's zoning rules, questions linger about the effects those regulations have had on the area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
News Briefs

Bayfront group works to refine principles; Downtown Sarasota attracts more nightlife options

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jennifer Rominiecki said Selby Gardens could benefit from offering more of a "museum experience" — something that could attract repeat visitors. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2014
New Selby Gardens CEO sees room to grow

Jennifer Rominiecki, who spent 15 years at the New York Botanical Gardens, says her goal for Selby is not just to attract visitors. It's to keep them coming back.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Several bricks are missing from multiple stretches of the 1400 block of Main Street, an issue caused by growing tree roots along the sidewalk. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2014
Damages arise on downtown brick sidewalks

Damages to brick-paved sections of Main Street haven't caused alarm among merchants and residents - one small piece missing here, a dislodged brick there - but, taken together, they've added up to become an issue the city is exploring how to fix.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 17, 2014
Residents, commission lobby for traffic management

Sarasota County commissioners requested Ryland Homes add a turn lane into a future Osprey development.

  • Sarasota
  • News
President Sydelle Pittas and board member Andy Sawyer
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Rotary Club holiday party

Members of Longboat Key's new Rotary Club gathered on Dec. 14 for a monthly meeting and holiday party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This year's menorah was filled with 90,000 coins.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Hanukkah Celebration

Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch welcomed the public and Jewish community to a special Hanukkah celebration Dec. 17, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gerry Sullivan and Barbara Bellamente
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Harbourettes celebrate the holidays

The Longboat Harbourettes held its annual holiday luncheon on Dec. 17 at the Lazy Lobster.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brady Theisen plays Santa and surprises the audience at the end of the production.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: December Celebrations: A Tour Around the World

Gene Witt Elementary kindergarten students sang and played instruments during the December Celebrations: A Tour Around the World production, Dec. 17, in the school's cafeteria. Fourth- and fifth-grade students who are members of the school's "Orff"estra kicked off the play with drums and other instruments they played for their audience.

  • East County
  • News
Dik and Patsy Hall fill their plates with fresh shrimp. Photos by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Neighborhood news

Waterlefe opens remodeled River Club; GreyHawk revs up holiday spirit

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2014
Food and fun

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and its Young Leaders Alliance have something to talk about: the organizations collected 764 pounds of nonperishable food and $1,295 cash to benefit The Food Bank of Manatee/Meals on Wheels PLUS.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Parade perfect

River Club's Cheryl Kaufman says she's still pinching herself.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Santa lineup

A little 'Ho! Ho! Ho!' can go a long way this holiday season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Susan Artemik submitted this sunrise photo, taken near Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch Town Center.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Weather: East County

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.*

  • East County
  • Sports
UNIVERSITY PARKWAY AND I-75
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Light up the night

These East County Christmas lights are worth the ride around town.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch forward Cameron Darby spent his freshman year sweeping floors before practice and keeping stats. Photo by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2014
Developing his game

Lakewood Ranch senior forward Cameron Darby spent a year as a student assistant for the Mustangs after getting cut his freshman year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sisters Alexis and Mackenzie Madrid and Kendall and Kennedy McNab are in the middle of their first and only season together at Braden River. Photos by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2014
Sister act

Braden River seniors Kendall McNab and Mackenzie Madrid are enjoying their first season on the field with their freshman sisters.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2014
High Five Moments of the Week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Hunter Reed
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2014
Sidelines

Ranch grappler undefeated; BRSC to hold holiday camp; LAC announces Open event; Goal propels Thunder to win

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Pete Cumming: Bell-ringer in chief

Longboat Key Police Chief Pete Cumming took on a shift that didn't involve police work Tuesday, serving as Salvation Army bell-ringer at Longboat Key Publix.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Models Aubrey and Michelle Hoover. Mary Lou Johnson Photography
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Turtle T-shirts: Always in season

Need a gift for the turtle-lover in your life?

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Bondi
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Our View: Same-sex marriage: It's here

In the battle - or should it be 'war'? - over same-sex marriage, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has provoked demonstrative opposition, particularly in Florida's gay citizenry.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Schneider
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Obituary: Harold Schneider

Harold Schneider, 102, of Bird Key, died Nov. 12.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Magner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Obituary: Philip Magner Jr.

Philip Magner Jr., 87, formerly of Longboat Key and Buffalo, N.Y., died Dec. 9.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
LONGBOAT HARBOUR
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 16, 2014
Light up the key

We searched all of Longboat for the shining stars of holiday decorations for our annual Light up the Key contest. Here, we reveal our five winners.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
...
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great trip? Make sure to take your Observer along! Snap a photo of you holding your Observer on vacation, then submit it and you could win travel tickets, courtesy of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. YOUROBSERVER.COM/ITSREADEVERYWHERE

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This home at 561 Spinnaker Lane has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,558 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.4 million. Photo by Kristen Herhold
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 16, 2014
Country Club Shores home sells for $1.4 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between Dec. 1 and Dec. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Dianne Joseph submitted this photo, taken on Lido Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Weather: Longboat Key

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.*

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 16, 2014
Mar Vista project gets noisy approval

A second-story deck receives approval from the planning board after Village residents make their concerns loud and clear.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 16, 2014
City leases land scrutiny from Chapman

Sarasota Vice Mayor Susan Chapman wants to re-examine city lease agreements with groups such as Mote and Save Our Seabirds. Many of the leases are $10 a year or less.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The curve at the intersection of Broadway and Gulf of Mexico Drive makes it a poor fit for a crosswalk, according to L.K. Nandem, district traffic engingeer for FDOT, who suggested the town pursue a roundabout at the location. Photo by Kristen Herhold
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 16, 2014
Commission circles Broadway for roundabout consideration

Four crosswalks are headed to an FDOT-controlled thoroughfare near you. That is, unless you live on the north end.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 16, 2014
Commission gives referendum first stamp of approval

Longboat residents could vote in an all-mail election that will determine whether to allow tourism on the Key Club Islandside property.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
2
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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