• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

Eli Groner was appointed as Israel’s minister of economic affairs to the United States in August.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 5, 2012
Israeli economic affairs minister to speak at Beth Israel

Eli Groner will make one of his first public appearances since his appointment at Temple Beth Israel.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 5, 2012
Business groups form new not-for-profit

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce and its Economic Development Council have reorganized to form the Manatee Economic Development Corp.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Siesta Key

Enjoy an detailed preview of the 12 highly anticipated issues and people of 2012.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Sarasota

Enjoy an detailed preview of the 12 highly anticipated issues and people of 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 5, 2012
Two Manatee County high schools earn A on FCAT

School District officials say all seven high schools qualified for an A grade, but three did not because they failed to meet specific criteria regarding 'at risk' students.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Soulandros, Ruth Pines (seated), Jean Maxwell Catsakis and Kimberly Bonner. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
World War II veteran honored

Ruth Pines, who served in WAVES for 32 years and was a Navy nurse at the June 6, 1944, Normandy landings, turned 93 Jan. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nick Friedman
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
Nick Friedman named Observer community editor

The Sarasota Observer welcomed this week its new community editor, Nick Friedman. Former Community Editor Loren Mayo has been named Black Tie Editor - look for her column in Diversions and online at YourObserver.com.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini hired Sarasota-based The Sylint Group three months ago to perform a forensic audit of the Information Technology Department.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Investigation of city-owned computers reveals potential violations

A forensic investigation of computers and the Information Technology Department has discovered potential Sunshine Law and criminal violations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Main Street streetscape project is being debated among merchants and city officials.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Main Street

The City Commission will review a Main Street project proposal in February. Merchants worry about construction disruptions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jesse Biter wants future tenants of the Palm Avenue parking garage retail space to agree to stay open at night.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Jesse Biter

Entrepreneur Jesse Biter paid $1.6 million for the Palm Avenue garage retail space and has plans to interject nightlife into the downtown street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City commissioners hope City Manager Bob Bartolotta and City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini can resolve issues between them related to a computer investigation.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Tension at City Hall

City Manager Bob Bartolotta is still awaiting the results of a computer investigation of his computer more than three months after City Clerk and Auditor Pamela Nadalini ordered it.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"My New Year's resolution is to do whatever we can to help bring this community together toward a common view of our future," said Larry Thompson, president of Ringling College of Art and Design.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Larry Thompson

It's a Friday morning and Larry Thompson is between meetings. The president of Ringling College of Art and Design has much on his mind in terms of the college's projects and collaborations for 2012 and can't seem to spit it out fast enough.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Chris Brown

The Village property owner who has sued the county three times in the past four years wants all Key businesses to have the opportunity to prosper.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Photo by Rachel Brown Hackney.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Catherine Luckner

Near the end of her first year as the Siesta Key Association president, Catherine Luckner has built a reputation for Key collaboration.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
News Briefs

New animal license fees approved; Nominations sought for Keystone Awards

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Talks between The Van Wezel Foundation and city staff over future operations of the performing arts hall have been tabled for two months. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
City officials spar with Van Wezel Foundation

The chairman of the Van Wezel Foundation expressed alarm Tuesday that, after months of negotiations with city staff, commissioners want more details concerning options.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
DID pares down project features

A consensus was reached Tuesday, during a Downtown Improvement District meeting, to eliminate brick streets and parallel parking plans for Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Boaters in Sarasota Bay don’t want to be told where they will be allowed to anchor outside a managed mooring field scheduled to be constructed this year.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Mooring field

City commissioners have agreed with staff recommendations for regulating boaters anchored outside a proposed mooring field.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A new Walmart neighborhood market is coming to the site where Winn-Dixie operated a store for four decades. File photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: North Trail revitalization

A Walmart grocery store and a new Goodwill Superstore have been approved by the city on the North Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Lourdes Ramirez

After people become acquainted with Lourdes Ramirez, they often ask if she has a law degree because of her expertise in county issues.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini’s scheduling of a meeting for Friday was called into question by the City Commission.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Bartolotta thinks 'ulterior motives' at work

The Sarasota City commissioners will hold a special meeting Friday to review an investigation of three city computers, though they have not received any preliminary report.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
News Briefs

New College notches No. 5. ranking

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
Our View: No bricks, no parallel parking!

Now, if only the Sarasota city commissioners will listen.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • January 5, 2012
My View: Clip those 'golden parachutes'

We need a complete re-start on the contracts given to top government employees. These ridiculous buyout packages for administrators at taxpayer expense must stop.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Photo by Norman Schimmel
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: John F. McCarthy

The county's interim executive director of community services is overseeing some of the county's biggest projects starting this year, including the Siesta Public Beach improvements.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Tom Maroney

From 'wrangling' criminals in Arizona to supervising Siesta Village upkeep, Tom Maroney knows the importance of a sense of humor.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Term limits

A Florida Supreme Court ruling later this year could bring faster, future turnover to the Sarasota County Commission.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Cathy Antunes

From baseball to term limits, one Sarasota citizen is doing her best to keep local government responsive to the people.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Beach Improvements

The nation's No. 1 beach is scheduled for a major facelift starting this summer, but the work could disrupt annual events.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Florida Department of Transportation already has begun extensive planning for the renovations of the north Siesta Bridge, which will begin June 5. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: North Bridge Renovations

The potential for a confluence of three major projects on the north end of Siesta Key has residents and business owners trying to keep a positive outlook.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Incoming Sarasota County administrator Randall Reid’s first day is Jan. 23. Photo courtesy of Alachua County.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Randall Reid

Randall Reid will take the reins of Sarasota County government in January, when he assumes his new role as the county's administrator.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
In early December, a Sarasota County contractor installed a new fence at the intersection of Treasure Boat Way and Ocean Boulevard, as part of the county’s efforts in overseeing Village upkeep. Photo by Rachel O'Hara.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Maintenance Corp.

Property owners have entered the new year with unresolved issues over the long-term upkeep of Siesta Village.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Marina Jack restaurant and marina owner Bob Soran continues to fight Sarasota County Property Appraiser Bill Furst's claim the restaurant owes $1.5 million in back property taxes. Photo courtesy of Norm Schimmel.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Marina Jack

A lawsuit, filed by Marina Jack to dispute a claim the restaurant owes $1.5 million in back property taxes, could be resolved in 2012.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Lee Fox is executive director of Save Our Seabirds.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 5, 2012
Save Our Seabirds seeks cleanup volunteers

Volunteers are needed this Saturday for a cleanup of the bird-rescue facility.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Siesta Key Village Association members plan to research options for improving the visibility of pedestrians using the Village’s crosswalks at night. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 5, 2012
Concerns voiced about pedestrian safety at night

Siesta Key Village Association members plan to ask county officials to work on a means of illuminating Village crosswalks at night, to improve pedestrian safety.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
« 1569 1570 1571 1572 1573 1574 1575 1576 1577 1578 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
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
5
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

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now