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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
Letters to the Editor

Bensel responds to Van Wezel editorial

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
Our View | Jeb Bush: true conservative?

Is former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush too moderate for the Republican Party? That is all the talk.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Seniors Adam Frazier and Taylor Totterdale are the drum majors for the Riverview High School Kiltie Band. Photos by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 10, 2014
Senior drum majors carry on Kiltie tradition

The pressure is on for Riverview High seniors Taylor Totterdale and Adam Frazier.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 10, 2014
High Five Moments of the Week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 10, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Department Chief Bernadette DiPino, middle, speaks at Monday’s meeting of the Original Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2014
Gillespie residents seek solutions

Residents in the Gillespie Park area are looking to city officials and police leaders for help addressing problems associated with a growing homeless population in the neighborhood.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 13.9-acre site has been vacant for years after a $1 billion mixed-use project fell through following the recession.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2014
Quay sale marks key moment for bayfront

A Jacksonville group has purchased the former Quay site for $27 million. The sale may allow for a cohesive development of the city's bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • News
As Lido Beach continues to erode, the city of Sarasota hopes to complete an interim, small-scale renourishment by March 2015. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 10, 2014
Army Corps re-evaluates third groin slated for Lido Key

The groin planned for Ted Sperling Park may not need to be as large as the original study suggested.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2014
DID waits for spending clarification

The Downtown Improvement District's future spending hinges on a City Commission decision regarding grants.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2014
News Briefs

Kovach proffers televised workshop compromise; Lourdes Ramirez files suit against Bob Waechter; Sarasota County teen's overdose leads to arrests

  • Sarasota
  • News
In June, Summer Wallace and Brendan Ragan posed in the parking lot that would eventually become the home of the Urbanite Theatre. Four months from opening, the building is now nearing completion. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2014
VIDEO: Urbanite Theatre kick-starts final fundraising push

The Urbanite Theatre, a new arts space coming to downtown Sarasota, is drawing nearer to its fundraising goals - and to an opening date.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2014
Lift Station 87 sees new delays

After taking a step forward earlier this month, project leaders revealed Monday that the completion of Lift Station 87 could still be more than three years away - leaving nearby residents resigned to a fate of more construction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County Fire Chief Michael Regnier volunteers for the Fill the Boot fundraiser Sunday. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 10, 2014
MDA holds first Fill the Boot drive in two years

The county approved an amendment that allows the organization to reinstate its well-known fundraiser.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home ay 648 Beach Road has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 4,746 square feet of living area. It sold for $4,481,400. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 10, 2014
Home in Sarasota Beach sells for $4,481,400

Jeffrey Roberti, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 648 Beach Road to Crescent Property Holdings Partnership for $4,481,400.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
James West submitted this photo of his daughter, Katherine, jumping for joy at sunset on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 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
Zyqurrius Rice and Dominique Wilson
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Christ Church reading buddies Christmas party

Christ Church members held a Christmas party for their reading buddies, Dec. 11. The reading buddies are students of the 13th Avenue Dream Center in Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Vince LaPorta, of Longboat Key Club, Nancy Taussig, of Barefoot Weddings, Chamber President Gail Loefgren and Suzanne Stacy, of Suzanne’s “J.A.P.” Service
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Chamber of Commerce Holiday After Hours

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce held its holiday business after hours event on Dec. 11 at the Holiday Inn Lido Beach Resort. Local business owners and workers gathered to network, enjoy hors d'oeuvres and celebrate the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Alice and Wayne Freed cheers to a fun night of tennis.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Observer Challenge Cocktail Party

The three-day 15th annual Observer Challenge tournament kicked off with a cocktail party Dec. 11, which featured food, friends, a live tennis match and of course cocktails.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Stan and Alma Abshier with Chairwoman Sherry Wheeler
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 10, 2014
"Poinsettias and Pearls" 30th annual Luncheon and Fashion Show

"Poinsettias and Pearls" 30th annual Luncheon and Fashion Show

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2014
Barr Dunn gets 100% for 50/50

Edith Barr Dunn presented the Kiwanis Club with a $3,680 check from her final 50/50 raffle at the Dec. 6 Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2014
Bell-ringers: The next generation?

Kiwanis Club President Armando Linde reports this story from a recent bell-ringing shift that makes us optimistic the tradition of bell-ringing outside Longboat Key Publix will live on in future generations.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo . B.J. Webb Bishop, right
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2014
Bishop elected to USTA Florida board

B.J. Webb Bishop is on board with yet another organization: She was recently elected as an at-large member of the U.S. Tennis Association Florida board of directors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport recently paid off the $60 million worth of debt on its 25-year-old terminal.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 9, 2014
Airport chief outlines improvements

As Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport finishes a major facelift on its terminal, officials look ahead to a new $22 million air traffic control tower and enhanced customs capabilities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city hopes to fill in some erosion on Lido beach before the Big Pass dredge renourishment, which will not be completed for several years.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 9, 2014
County approves funding for city beach project

Sarasota County commissioners voted unanimously to fund up to $1 million in the city of Sarasota's project to fix Lido Beach erosion.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Ocean Properties seeks a mix of tourism and residential development for the Islandside property.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 9, 2014
Commission moves forward on Key Club referendum

The commission approved an ordinance on first reading that would place a referendum question before voters in a May 2015 mail vote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The DID's ability to give grants, which has funded downtown lighting and advertising projects, is in question pending City Commission review.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 9, 2014
DID waits for spending clarification

As the Downtown Improvement District maps out its future budget, the group is awaiting a City Commission decision on the board's spending powers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
MTI will now be known as MTC — Manatee Technical College.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 9, 2014
Manatee Technical Institute gets name change

Manatee Technical Institute (MTI) is now named Manatee Technical College.

  • East County
  • News
John D. MacDonald's Siesta Key home was the birthplace of the Florida crime novel.
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • December 9, 2014
Home of the Month: The Deep Blue Goodbye

John D. MacDonald's Siesta Key home was the birthplace of the Florida crime novel.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2014
Our View | Jeb Bush: true conservative

Is former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush too moderate for the Republican Party? That is all the talk.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2014
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2014
Obituary: Mary Petruccione Hongen

Mary Petruccione Hongen,100, of Lakeland and Longboat Key, died Nov. 26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2014
Obituary: Georgiana Albright

Georgiana Albright, 96, of Plymouth Harbor, died Dec. 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This home at 1143 Morningside Place has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,013 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,115,500. Photo by Robin Hartill
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 9, 2014
Four-bedroom Lido Key home sells for $1,115,500

The following residential real estate transactions took place between Nov. 24 and Nov. 28.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Irene Merhy submitted this sunset photo taken on Coquina Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 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
Doreen Steinhauser submitted this sunset photo, taken on Palma Sola Boulevard.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 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
  • Neighbors
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