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Your Observer

Deputies located suspect Matthew V. Benvenuto, 19, attempting to unlawfully enter another residence nearby and were able to take him into custody.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 3, 2012
Deputies catch residential burglary suspect

On Jan. 2, at about 5 p.m. deputies responded to a progress residential burglary at the 6000 block of Seagate Ave.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The investigation has been turned over to the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Section.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 3, 2012
Dead body found in wooded area

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident as a homicide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Public Works Director Juan Florensa wrote that the town expects a second reimbursement of $172,235 in the near future.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 2, 2012
Town receives $1,033,411.50 reimbursement

The funds provide partial reimbursement for erosion caused by Tropical Storm Fay in 2008.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
IPOC and the associations had argued in the petition that there were seven major deficiencies in the development order approved by the Longboat Key Town Commission June 30, 2010 after more than 20 days of quasi-judicial hearings.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 2, 2012
Judge grants IPOC, associations writ of certiorari

Judge Charles E. Roberts ruled that the commission departed from the requirements of the town's zoning code in approving a development order for the Key Club's project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 2, 2012
Wind, freeze, and red flag advisories issued for Sarasota

The National Weather Service has issued three separate advisories for Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction and maintenance projects resume Jan. 3.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 2, 2012
Sarasota road construction resumes tomorrow

In observance of the holiday season, construction has been suspended through today, and will resume tomorrow, Jan. 3.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Tuesday, Jan. 3 is the last day to register to vote or change party affiliation for the Jan. 31 Presidential Preference Primary.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 2, 2012
Supervisor of Elections to host several events this week

The Supervisor of Elections hosts several election-related events this week, including voter registration and education events, public meetings, and public appearances by Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent and senior staff members.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Screenshot of www.sarasotagov.com. The new site features a jumbotron with rotating images of Sarasota.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 2, 2012
City unveils refreshed website

A revamped website for the city of Sarasota was released this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2012
Manatee County offices closed

Manatee County Government offices will be closed today.

  • East County
  • News
Shirley Goodman has been tap dancing for 80 years.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2012
YEAR IN PICTURES: December, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Interim County Administrator Terry Lewis and Commission Chairwoman Nora Patterson recognized lifeguards Scott Ruberg and Robert Martini for recovering the wallet of a grateful Canadian tourist.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2012
YEAR IN PICTURES: December, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
A tense debate between District 1 Commissioner Willie Shaw and the rest of the commissioners ensued when the commission began to discuss the goals for the city over the next two years.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 2, 2012
TOP STORY, DEC.: North Sarasota crime top priority

Sarasota city commissioners will work toward reducing the crime and number of homicides in North Sarasota by enlisting the help of a criminologist who has reduced crime in cities nationwide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The boats docked at Sarasota Yacht Club were awash in a rainbow of colors during the "Lighting of the Fleet" ceremony in December.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2012
YEAR IN PICTURES: December, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Longboat Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 2, 2012
TOP STORY, DEC.: Colony developers not waiting for settlement

Club Holdings and the association board are intent on building mostly new units - even without Klauber's three acres.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gary Amig, access management/safety program manager for District One of the Florida Department of Transportation, talks Tuesday evening with Kathy Bell, a resident of the Excelsior condominium complex.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 2, 2012
TOP STORY, DEC.: Straw poll shows opposition to pedestrian islands plan

The majority of Key residents attending a public meeting Tuesday indicated they preferred no action out of five options for improved pedestrian safety on Midnight Pass Road.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Lauren Costello, 6, made sure to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas during Tara Elementary School’s Dinner with Santa Dec. 2. Published Dec. 8, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2012
YEAR IN PICTURES: December, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The East County Observer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
LECOM School of Dental Medicine
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2012
TOP STORY, DEC.: The East County's Most Expensive Projects

In Sarasota and Manatee counties, 41 construction permits for more than $1 million have been pulled in the past year. Of those, about one-fourth are in the East County.

  • East County
  • News
Marion Ruthardt, from Duisburg, Germany, worked on her piece, "Avatar," in November, on Dolphin Street for the Sarasota Chalk Festival.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2012
YEAR IN PICTURES: November, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
"Something Fishy" took second-place honors in the second Crystal Classic Master Sandsculpting Competition on the Key, which drew more than 40,000 spectators.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2012
YEAR IN PICTURES: November, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Many Main Street merchants said they are still recovering from the construction of the Five Points roundabout and the installation of parking meters and hope the city will delay the Main Street streetscape project. Photo by Kurt Schultheis.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 1, 2012
TOP STORY, NOV.: Merchants denounce Main Street project

Downtown business owners believe now is not the time for a Main Street streetscape project that will tear up the street and sidewalks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lois Lesser, Sands Point resident, held a 100th birthday party for former Sands Point resident Ursula Pearson in November.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2012
YEAR IN PICTURES: November, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Longboat Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Interim Town Manager Dave Bullock has met approximately half of town employees so far. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 1, 2012
TOP STORY, NOV.: Bullock reports for duty

Longboat Key's new interim manager reported Nov. 1 for his first day of official duty at Town Hall and settled into his new role.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Visitors coming to Sarasota County to see the top beach in the country in 2011 helped push county tourism tax collections to a level not seen in several years. Photo by Norman Schimmel
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 1, 2012
TOP STORY, NOV.: Tourist tax revenue passes $11 million mark

Siesta Beach's No. 1 ranking gets considerable credit for the county's best tourist tax revenue total since the 2006 fiscal year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Four-year-old Jordyn Jomisko couldn't wait to show off her patriotic sticker during Freedom Elementary School's Let Freedom Ring Courtyard Ceremony Nov. 10. Published Nov. 17, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2012
YEAR IN PICTURES: November, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The East County Observer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Forristall Enterprises foreman Alex Barrow checks out the inside of the home before starting its demolition Nov. 21.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 1, 2012
TOP STORY, NOV.: Lakewood Eyesore Demolished

A Lakewood Ranch home that burned down in September 2008 was demolished Nov. 21.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County’s Women’s Masters 4x team finished second in the Sarasota 5000 Regatta in October.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 31, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: October, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
August, 2, and April, 4, Turner, took a few minutes to relax on the steps of the Siesta Key Oyster Bar during the Village’s annual Safe Treats Halloween event.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 31, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: October, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
City Manager Bob Bartolotta is questioning allegations brought against him and his deputy city manager. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 31, 2011
TOP STORY, OCT.: Bartolotta denies allegations of computer scrubbing

The city manager emphatically called the allegations of computer scrubbing 'completely unfounded.'

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 31, 2011
TOP STORY, OCT.: Town Hall Turmoil

After emergency Longboat Key Town Commission meetings Monday and Tuesday, assistant to the town manager Susan Phillips was named acting town manager.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Cottage is one of four properties businessman Chris Brown owns in Siesta Village.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 31, 2011
TOP STORY, OCT.: Village property owner files third lawsuit

Village property owner Chris Brown sued Sarasota County for the third time about raising parking tax assessments on three of his parcels while lowering it for 74 properties.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Kindergartner Connor Loukota took a much-needed break from all of the fun and games during Hunsader Farms' 20th annual Pumpkin Festival. Published Oct. 27, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 31, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: October, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The East County Observer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A class photo of Lakewood Ranch High School's 2001 graduating class.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 31, 2011
TOP STORY, OCT.: Lakewood Ranch's First Graduating Class

Lakewood Ranch High School's Class of 2001 celebrated its 10-year reunion.

  • East County
  • News
Ron Schooler has been detailing and cleaning boats for 20 years; 13 of those years have been spent in Sarasota at Marina Jack. "Look at where I am!" he says. "Every day is like a vacation."
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: September, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Harrison Troyan, 4, was among about 80 youngsters who participated Sept. 17 in the Hang Ten for Autism event on the public beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: September, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
One of the city of Greenville, S.C.’s most controversial moves involved buying lots behind the Reedy River for mixed-use developments. Photo courtesy of Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 30, 2011
TOP STORY, SEPT.: Greenville outlines its success story

Sarasota hosted the economic development director of Greenville, S.C., to hear how the city revitalized its downtown core since the 1970s.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Each year in honor of the victims who died Sept. 11, the town of Longboat Key lines Gulf of Mexico Drive with 2,977 flags, one for each victim.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: September, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Longboat Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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