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Your Observer

    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 28, 2009
Key Club urges project support from members

Longboat Key Club and Resort General Manager Michael Welly met with club members last week to ask for support at Town Commission public hearings next month.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 28, 2009
TOP STORY, MAY: Main gets new anchor

Good Earth Natural Food Store announced plans to move into the Lakewood Ranch Main Street space claimed by Morton's Gourmet Market.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 27, 2009
TOP STORY, APRIL: Hostage shares story

Keith Stansell will signed copies of 'Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle,' at Lakewood Ranch Booksellers.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2009
THE YEAR IN PICTURES 2009

The East County Observer takes a look back at our most memorable photos of the year. Click inside to see our recap of 2009 and to see which images made the cut.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 27, 2009
TOP STORY, April: Turner, Atwell win runoff

Precinct-by-precinct results showed that the support base for both City Commission candidates Terry Turner and Suzanne Atwell secured their victories.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 27, 2009
TOP STORY, April: North Shore beach access closed

The Longboat Key Town Commission agreed to shut down the beach access in April after being informed there was no beach left and conditions were unsafe for beachgoers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 26, 2009
TOP STORY March: Elected Mayor referendum defeated

More than 4,400 voters cast their ballots against the elected-mayor referendum, while nearly 2,400 supported it.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 26, 2009
TOP STORY, March: 'A vote for change'

Newcomer Gene Jaleski wins the at-large Town Commission race by 198 votes, and a general-obligation bond amendment passes in a landslide.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Pam Eubanks and Jen Blanco
  • December 26, 2009
TOP STORY, MARCH: BRHS coach dies

Defensive line coach Doug Garrity died after a single-vehicle accident March 21.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 25, 2009
TOP STORY, FEBRUARY: Springing into Action

Johan Kriek, Gregory Cilek and Tim Morris are the masterminds behind Springbok Sports Club and Academy.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 25, 2009
TOP STORY February: City to choose Palm Avenue plan

Developers submitted their proposals for a planned parking garage on Palm Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 25, 2009
TOP STORY, February: Campaign issue escalates

Commissioner Randall Clair contends his opponent is 'tainted' by voicing an opinion about the Longboat Key Club's $400 million Islandside renovation project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 24, 2009
TOP STORY, January: Town to receive permit

The state's intent to issue a permit for groin construction at The Islander Club most likely means construction can begin behind the condo buildings in November 2009.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 24, 2009
TOP STORY January: Downtown to emphasize security

The Downtown Improvement District said security and landscaping were at the top of its priorities list.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2009
Residents place foundation for street

Laurel Park residents rolled up their sleeves Dec. 19 to lay bricks along Rawls Avenue for one block, from Oak Street to Devonshire Lane.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2009
Gingerbread house takes after mansion

The 6,000-piece gingerbread mansion, with its 200 golden sunflowers, 130 scroll-and-leaf panels and 60 shimmering starflowers, took more than three months to create.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2009
The Year in Pictures

Compelling moments. Timeless occasions. Outstanding memories. A look back at some of the most memorable photos published in The Sarasota Observer this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 24, 2009
Sheriff exonerated on election charges

A supporter of David Gustafson filed a claim with the state elections commission, alleging 40 of Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight's campaign contributions were improper.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2009
Cops Corner

Complainant said an office-supply store's delivery truck dropped off a load of supplies and clipped the complainant's phone line while it drove away.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2009
Cops Corner

Complainant said an office-supply store's delivery truck dropped off a load of supplies and clipped the complainant's phone line while it drove away.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 24, 2009
A home on Casey Key sells for $9.9 million

The following residential real-estate transactions took place between Nov. 24 and Dec. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 24, 2009
Sharing the Spirit

This Christmas Eve marks Christian Retreat Pastor Phil Derstine's 25th year leading carolers on a tour of local bars.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 24, 2009
TOP STORY, JANUARY: Clinging to a Dream

DVA Arena owner Sal Diaz-Verson submits reorganization plan and looks toward the future of his stalled arena project.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 23, 2009
Widow sues tugboat operators for husband's death

A Deltona man was sucked under a barge in Longboat Pass July 4 while trying to free a jet ski that was being swept under the barge.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 23, 2009
Osprey man charged with possession of child porn

An online photo developer tipped off authorities to the man's alleged activities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 23, 2009
UPDATE: Town attorney addresses O'Connor

Town Attorney David Persson told Commissioner Peter O'Connor that candidates who accept donations of more than $100 within two years prior to any vote on the Islandside project must be disclosed prior to a vote being taken.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 23, 2009
Law firm adds new team member

Najmy Thompson P.L. recently hired Elizabeth C. Pennewill as an associate.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 23, 2009
Tiny's cancels New Year's Eve dinner

The dinner is canceled, but the celebration will take place.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2009
Santa creates wave of holiday cheer

Moved by the Christmas spirit, Michael Hollomon donned a Santa Claus suit and decided to wish as many people as he could 'Merry Christmas.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2009
Santa makes a stop at the Promenade

Santa Claus could have used Rudolph's help.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2009
The Year in Pictures

Compelling moments. Timeless occasions. Outstanding memories. Take a look back at some of the most memorable photos published in The Longboat Observer this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2009
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 23, 2009
Town discovers more issues with beach fix

The town of Longboat Key is working to save 50,000 cubic yards of sand that washes away every year on the north-end beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2009
In Brief

Community News and Notes

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2009
Cops Corner

Residents reported that someone in a pickup truck squealed the truck's tires and did donuts in a condominium's landscaped area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2009
Our View

The birth of Christ in context.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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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

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