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Your Observer

In addition to the usual business movement along Main Street, some bigger projects with the potential to change the downtown landscape are shaping up this year.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: Main Street

In 2014, Main Street saw a flurry of businesses coming and going - a level of activity that appears ready to continue throughout the heart of the city in 2015.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 is aiming high as it works on a vision for 42-acre tract of land surrounding the Van Wezel, highlighting open public space and cultural amenities. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: Bayfront plans

An effort to produce a plan for city-owned bayfront land faces a big challenge this year: getting the city's approval.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rocky Burke took the helm at SCAT Dec. 29. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 7, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: SCAT operations

Rocky Burke will steer a SCAT operational analysis as well as tap into Sarasota's creative community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A new boat launch and bathrooms are part of the $4.5 million expansion to Blackburn Point Park. Photos by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 7, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: Osprey revitalization

Bisected by U.S. 41, Osprey sits in the center of Sarasota County, edged by luxury areas such as Palmer Ranch and Casey Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
From left: pianist Mary Green, banjo player Ken Calhoun, clarinet player Jeff Green, bass player Don Mopsick, Kid Dutch, trumpet player Lew Green, drummer Mike Washington and saxophone and clarinet player Henry Blackburn
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Beth Israel jazz concert

The Temple Beth Israel Men's Club presented its New Orleans Jazz and Blues Night on Jan. 7. Kid Dutch and His Florida Friends played an upbeat set for the audience.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sue Abbott, of C1 Bank, and Michelle Reed, of Grow Financial, welcome guests.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Business Alliance Networking Social

Members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliances tipped their glasses Jan. 7 in celebration of the organization's first networking social of 2015.

  • East County
  • News
Jessica Hays will take over as the new president and CEO for SPARCC. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 6, 2015
SPARCC names new president and CEO

Director of Community Awareness Jessica Hays steps up to fill the role of new president and CEO for SPARCC.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Observer has listed issues to watch in the new year for the past eight consecutive years.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Longboat Key 2015 Issues to Watch

There are plenty of issues on Longboat Key to watch that will make 2015 a newsworthy year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office 22-year-old Christian Theodore with second-degree murder and armed home invasion robbery after detectives questioned him Monday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 6, 2015
Sheriff's Office makes arrests in homicide case

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested three suspects in connection with a fatal home invasion in a Sarasota neighborhood last month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
East County 2015 Issues to Watch

East County Issues to Watch

  • East County
  • News
The 10-story, 17-unit Sansara is the latest luxury development expected to break ground in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 6, 2015
Buyers flocking to downtown Sarasota development

Sansara developer Matt Kihnke said activity has ratcheted up over the last month for the $11 million Burns Square luxury condominium building.

  • Sarasota
  • News
No one was injured, but the building has some smoke and water damage, said Captain Jerry Jensen, public information officer for the Sarasota County Fire Department.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 6, 2015
Palmer Ranch fire displaced residents overnight

The fire at Villa Mirada was quickly extinguished last night, however 15 to 20 residents cannot return until the cause of the fire is identified.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Home of the Month: Picture Perfect
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • January 6, 2015
Home of the Month: Picture Perfect

A Siesta Key showplace dazzles with understated luxury.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Anonymous passersby in Wroclaw, Poland
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Our View: A big birthday and agenda

This is a big birthday year. The town of Longboat Key turns 60.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Party celebrates couple of 66ers

Windward Bay residents Stanley and Marilyn Hochman celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary with friends Dec. 28.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Wolverton hosts private for holidays

Longboat Key resident and Pearl Harbor survivor Woody Wolverton hosted U.S. Marine Corps Private Devin Alexander Berry over the holidays at Wolverton's home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi with Deputy Chief Matthew Altman in 2013.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 6, 2015
Deputy fire chief resigns

Matthew Altman stepped down from his position after disagreeing with Chief Paul Dezzi about a disciplinary incident over the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 6, 2015
Referendum to go postal in May

Voters will decide in a special election whether to give the stamp of approval to tourism on the Islandside property, most likely via mail.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort closed its doors in 2010 and continues to decay as legal proceedings continue. File photos
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: Future of the Colony

The Longboat Observer has listed issues to watch in the new year for the past eight consecutive years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioners will decide in February whether a referenda to bury above-ground utilities Key-wide will be presented to the voters. File photo
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: Underground utilities

The year 2015 could be the one in which the Longboat Key electorate flips the power switch for a multimillion-dollar underground utilities project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Clyde Chapelle struts down the runway at last year's Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show. File photos
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2015
Seasonal peek

As the streets, stores and restaurants get more crowded and calendars get fuller, it's clear: Peak season is here. Here are 10 can't-miss events on our radar for the 2015 peak season months of January through April.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
FIT FOR A QUEEN. Fred and Phyllis Ross brought their Observer along for a cruise back in time down the Mississippi River aboard the American Queen, an American Victorian era-themed paddlewheel steamboat.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
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.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 1436 John Ringling Parkway has five bedrooms, five baths, four half-baths, a pool and 7,932 square feet of living area. It sold for $5,725,000. Photo by Kristen Herhold
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 6, 2015
Five-bedroom Lido Key home sells for $5,725,000

A home on Lido Key tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Obituary: The Rev. Ray Woody

The Rev. Ray Woody, 84, of Sarasota, died Jan. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Obituary: Elhanan "Elky" Stone

Elhanan 'Elky' Stone, 85, of Longboat Key, died Dec. 27.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Obituary: Anita Gang

Anita Gang, of Longboat Key and Haddonfield, N.J., died Dec. 27.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Obituary: H. Paul Carter

H. Paul Carter, 70, of Longboat Key and Hillsdale, Mich., died Dec. 23.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Obituary: Margaret Brown

Margaret Brown, 98, formerly of Longboat Key, died Dec. 22.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Special delivery

East County Observer Sports Editor Jen Blanco and her husband, Brian, rang in the New Year with a special bundle of joy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Perfect pergola!

Braden River Middle School's Joanne Torlucci should probably be a contestant on 'The Price is Right.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Records show 819 single-family homes were sold last year in East County. Sales and permits are expected to rise this year. Photos by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: Property sales: Going up or down?

It was an easy decision for Ron Javate to trade Chicago's bustle for life in the Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Public Works Project Manager Kent Bontrager reviews plans for 44th Avenue East. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: County to build bridges

Manatee County is driving forward with plans to improve traffic flow by constructing more roadway connections.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Obituary: Aaron Brenner

Aaron Brenner, 82, of Longboat Key and Harrisburg, Pa., died Dec. 24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Evan Johnson, of Tindale-Oliver & Associates, discusses town center concepts at a Dec. 18 public workshop.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: Town Center

Arvida's vision included a walkable Bay Isles town center that never became a reality. That could change in 2015.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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