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Your Observer

Catalin-Ionut Gard returns a serve during a qualifying-round match at the 2014 Sarasota Open. File photo
  • By Jen Blanco and Robin Hartill
  • December 9, 2014
Sarasota Open bounces to Lakewood Ranch courts

For the first time in six years, Southwest Florida's premier tennis tournament will not take place at the Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2014
News Briefs

Construction worker injured after fall from roof; Former Windward Bay employee pleads no contest; Toys for Tots campaign continues at local businesses

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ocean Properties seeks a mix of tourism and residential development for the Islandside property.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 9, 2014
Commission to discuss Islandside referendum

The proposed ordinance would allow voters to decide whether to allow tourism use on the property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch Tennis Center is the new host of the Sarasota Open. File photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 9, 2014
On the move

After a six-year run on Longboat Key, the Sarasota Open will now be held in the Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 9, 2014
High Five Moments of the Week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 9, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2014
Decorator lights up holiday

Michelle Ragni found creativity while working at her family's deli in Pennsylvania when she was 16 years old.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sandy Stanford, of The Inlets, decorates each building on the Manatee Village property with extra care. Here, she’s pictured in the schoolhouse she decorated with paper gingerbread men cutouts in the windows and paper chains along the chalkboard.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2014
Creating Christmas

Growing up in New England, Sandy Stanford was surrounded by historic places and architecture.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Stan and Wendy with their latest cygnets earlier this year, four of which survived. Courtesy of Lou Newman
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 9, 2014
Empty nesters

David Novak wants members of the public to know why they may soon see fewer cygnets in the waters of the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 9, 2014
Centre Shops sale brings $3.7 million

Tenants can expect a new parking lot in January and a more extreme makeover after season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2014
County installs four-way stop at busy intersection

Manatee County officials hope a simple solution will fix a growing traffic problem.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 9, 2014
Lakewood Centre site set to double acreage

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch's Lakewood Centre site is being readjusted to add more land to the phased development without adding more approved residential office and commercial uses.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Town Hall employees have named any alligator in Lake Uihlein Happy. A trapper removed the original Happy from the lake. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2014
Gators are neighbors, too

Some residents worry Lakewood Ranch doesn't have enough protections for native wildlife.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Commissioner and Lakewood Ranch business owner Vanessa Baugh commends FDOT for advancing the project. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2014
FDOT commits to minimal impacts

As the Florida Department of Transportation prepares to start construction on a new interchange at University Parkway and Interstate 75, business owners in Lakewood Ranch have questions about how construction will impact their businesses, as well as an already gridlocked transportation network east of I-75.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2014
Benderson proposes expansion to UTC site

The Sarasota County Planning Commission endorsed changes that would bring an additional 700,000 square feet of commercial and office space to the property without changing the maximum allowed density.

  • East County
  • News
USF faculty members, students and other helpers plant broccoli, kale, eggplant and other edibles Dec. 6, along Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 9, 2014
Students hope garden plants seeds to inspire local change

USF hospitality teachers and students educate with Main Street's newest feature - an edible garden.

  • East County
  • News
Brendan Moran named the mascot Cranky because of how sandhill cranes squawk at people getting too close to them. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 9, 2014
Ranch mascot receives name: Cranky the Crane

The Ranch's mascot will make a name for himself at events. He even has his own Facebook page.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 9, 2014
The art of picking the perfect Christmas tree

Picking a tree is serious business for some families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A new $19.3 million Manatee Operations Center that combines the Florida Department of Transportation District One maintenance and construction facilities is underway at 13900 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton. Courtesy rendering
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 9, 2014
FDOT operations center moving to East County

FDOT is consolidating buildings and ditching old facilities for a new center east of Interstate 75.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 9, 2014
Fraud info a phone call away for Longboaters

Longboat Key police have a new program they hope will educate residents about scams and identity theft.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jerry Schoenholtz, developer Randy Moore, interior designer Carrie Riley, Michael Saunders, and architect Mark Sultana celebrate the start of construction.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 9, 2014
Condo construction brings Infinity of possibilities

On Dec. 3, a groundbreaking ceremony celebrated the start of construction at Infinity of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Elbon
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 9, 2014
Code officer to use board for enforcement hearings

Members of the Code Enfocement Board are about to get what they have waited more than two years for: cases.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hector Tejeda, Alan Bandler, David Smash, keynote speaker Cathaleen Kaiyoorawongs and Vice President Howard Veit
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 8, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Democratic Club luncheon

On Dec. 9, the Longboat Key Democratic Club held its monthly luncheon at the Portofino Restaurant. Cathaleen Kaiyoorawongs, director of education initiatives at UnidosNow, spoke about immigration and helping first generation youths receive a college education.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Lift Station 87 project has been stymied by delays since its inception. On Monday, project leaders indicated construction could continue into 2018.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 8, 2014
Lift Station 87 sees new delays

Although the city recently approved plans for Lift Station 87, project leaders have indicated the date of completion could be more than two years later than originally projected.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A new $19.3 million Manatee Operations Center that combines the Florida Department of Transportation District One maintenance and construction facilities is underway at 13900 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 8, 2014
FDOT operations center moving to East County

FDOT is consolidating buildings and ditching old facilities for a new center east of Interstate 75.

  • East County
  • News
Televising the afternoon workshops was one of Bridget Ziegler's staples in her campaign for her school board seat.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 8, 2014
Kovach proffers compromise on televising board workshops

Frank Kovach, chairman of the Sarasota County School Board, wants to make sure board discussions are accessible for residents but allow for informal discussion, too.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Drew Moon of Freedom Boat Club takes turn with lawn bowling at the Monday Mixer.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 8, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: SCC Monday Mixer

Members of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce took on the game of lawn bowling for the Monday Mixer at the Sarasota Lawn Bowling Club.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In November, School Board Chairman Bob Gause asked board members to submit one goal for the district to accomplish in 2015.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 8, 2014
Manatee County School Board plans for 2015

At its workshop from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 9, the Manatee County School District board members will discuss goals for 2015. The workshop is followed by a School Board meeting at 5:45 p.m.

  • East County
  • News
Featured musical guests Federico Agostini and Derek Han
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 8, 2014
Sonata a Due

Sonata a Due

  • Black Tie
The purchase includes the land but not the current medical practice near St. Armands Circle. (Robin Hartill)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 7, 2014
SMH plans for St. Armands satellite clinic

A subcommittee approved the $3.6 million purchase of the property where St. Armands Medical Center is currently located.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Since the middle of November, Sarasota High School junior Joshua Wilson has allegedly posted five tweets referencing plans for a school shooting.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 7, 2014
School shooting tweets lead to Sarasota High arrest

Sarasota police arrested 16-year-old Joshua Wilson Friday, after discovering several tweets and a picture in which he appeared to be planning a shooting at Sarasota High School.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The new location includes amenities such as two reading gardens, a teen center and a technology lab. File photo.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 7, 2014
Gulf Gate Library mall location to close

After more than a year of construction, the new library building on Curtiss Avenue will open Saturday, Jan. 24.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A float made by the Sarasota Tabernacle Christian School made its way down Main Street for the Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 7, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade

Main Street was the place to be on Saturday night to welcome the season with the Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.

  • 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
  • December 7, 2014
Sarasota County teen's overdose leads to drug arrests

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
Manatee County Commissioner and business owner Vanessa Baugh addresses an FDOT representative.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 7, 2014
Merchants hear from FDOT, county

Merchants along Market Street in Lakewood Ranch are concerned construction of the diverging diamond interchange at University Parkway and Interstate 75 will impact their businesses.

  • East County
  • News
Nik Wallenda spoke to the crowd during his walk.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 7, 2014
MONDAY EVENT MASHUP: Weekend photo events

Nik Wallenda's latest wire walk; Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party; Diamond and Crystal Ball; and MORE!

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest 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
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
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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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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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