• 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

    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 10, 2009
Commissioners vary on city manager review

The mayor and the vice mayor appear to have opposite views of how City Manager Bob Bartolotta has performed last year, while the other three commissioners fall somewhere in between.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 10, 2009
Paid parking decision reversed

Four months of approvals and reversals on paid parking downtown could lead to the end of regulated parking in the city of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 10, 2009
Noise ordinance threatens Mattison's

An anonymous complaint forced Mattison's City Grille to stop its live music earlier than it has since it opened seven years ago.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2009
News Briefs 12.10.09

News Briefs 12.10.09

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 10, 2009
MY VIEW: My experience with the police department

City Editor Robin Roy shares his experience with the Sarasota Police Department.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Walter Williams
  • December 10, 2009
MY VIEW: Who knows best: You or Pelosi?

There is only one reason for the forcible transference of decision-making authority over important areas of our private lives to elite decision-makers in Congress and government bureaucracies. Doing so confers control, power, wealth and revenue to society's elite.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2009
Letter to the editor

Readers give opinions about the firing of Sarasota police officer Christopher Childers and offshore seismic survey work.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2009
Cops Corner 12.10.09

Complainant called police for help because he was unable to get out of his car - a pit bull would not let him out.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 10, 2009
Savoy on Palm condo sells for $1.6 million

George and Charlotte Hawley, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 502 condominium at 401 S. Palm Ave. to Margaret Ellin, trustee, for $1.6 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2009
MPO seeks citizen adviser

The Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization is seeking one person to fill an empty post on its Citizens Advisory Committee.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 9, 2009
Sarasota's first green fire station opens tomorrow

The St. Armands fire station was completed in late October.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2009
Our view: Beware of the tipping point

Our view: Beware of the tipping point

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2009
Letters to the editor

These letters express readers' opinions about the Longboat Key Club and Resort's expansion and renovation project.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Sandy Gilbert
  • December 9, 2009
Gilbert gives his farewell recommendations for LBK

Longboat Key activist Sandy Gilbert is heading out east. He leaves us with suggestions for Longboat's future.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2009
Cops Corner

Nov. 25 Gator grab 9:32 a.m. -- 400 block of GMD. Vehicle Larceny. A woman reported that someone stole her crocodile purse valued at $2,000 from the passenger seat of her unlocked car while she was inside a gas station paying for her gas. The purse contained a payroll check, her Social Security card, credit cards, a checkbook and $10 in cash.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2009
Longboat Key - Building permits

Longboat Key - Building permits

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2009
CDD boards reexamine IDA

Lakewood Ranch Community Development District supervisors will reevaluate the role of the Inter-district Authority, the board that makes joint decisions for the community's four individual CDD districts.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2009
Ranch Kiwanis, Harvest to bring cheer to migrant families

The Kiwanis Club of Lakewood Ranch will support Harvest United Methodist Church as it donates Christmas presents and supplies to migrant families at Falkner Farms Dec. 13.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2009
Holiday cheer to fill Main Street

This year's event will feature live music, arts and crafts, 'ice' skating and, of course, Santa himself.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 9, 2009
Palm-Aire pro battles rare blood cancer

Head Golf Professional Steve Yates was diagnosed with POEMS Syndrome in January. On Dec. 5, the club raised $68,557 to help pay for his medical expenses during Steve Yates Appreciation Day.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2009
Grapplers ready to hit the mats

The Braden River and Lakewood Ranch High wrestling teams will square off Dec. 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 9, 2009
Ranch Country Club home tops sales

Paul and Brooke Coniglio of Newtown, Conn., sold their home at 7041 Beechmont Terrace to Julio Spinelli and Debora Valentinuzzi, Bradenton, for $700,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2009
Cops Corner 12.10.09

The complainant stated he placed his ornaments on the front lawn. When he woke up the following day, the ornaments were missing. The complainant stated he didn't know who stole the property.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
  • By Kent Chetlain
  • December 9, 2009
Longboat Key - Positano condo sells for $2 million

Despite the Thanksgiving holiday week shortened by two days, there were a respectable, eight, key real-estate sales recorded at the Sarasota and Manatee county courthouses between Nov. 23 and Nov. 25.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2009
Shoe box effort bolsters Meals on Wheels

Organizers of the Community Shoe Box Reception hope to collect more than 1,000 boxes of supplies for seniors.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2009
Shoe box effort bolsters Meals on Wheels

Organizers of the Community Shoe Box Reception hope to collect more than 1,000 boxes of supplies for seniors.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • December 9, 2009
Player of the week: Nicky Proctor

Cedars Tennis and Fitness Club

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2009
Business Observer 12.10.09

More than 100 Realtors, business partners and friends watched as the Manatee Association of REALTORS appointed its 2010 leadership Dec. 4 at River Strand at Heritage Harbour.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2009
Sunset swirls

Tom King submitted this sunset photo, taken near the Broadway beach access on the north end of the Key. Please send your sunset (or sunrise) photos to The Longboat Observer, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Fla., 34228, or e-mail them to [email protected].

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 9, 2009
Athlete of the Week: Casey Bobelis

The Observer spotlights Braden River basketball standout Casey Bobelis.

  • East County
  • Sports
  • By Donna Swan
  • December 9, 2009
Deal Us In

Deal Us In

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 9, 2009
Tennis tournament draws national players

More than 250 people played in this year's Longboat Key Senior Clay Court Tournament at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center. The tournament was scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 2 through Sunday, Dec. 6, but was extended into Monday, Dec. 7, due to rain.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 9, 2009
Obituary: Richard Schaefer

Richard Schaefer, 79, of Longboat Key and formerly of Wilmette, Ill., died Dec. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 9, 2009
Lady Pirates draw even with Lady Tigers

The Braden River High girls soccer team tied Palmetto 1-1 in Class 4A-District 10 action Dec. 8.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • December 9, 2009
TBI establishes its first Gala Awards

emple Beth Israel of Longboat Key has created the Gala Awards - to be held annually - to recognize extraordinary contributions by its members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2009
Angel Tree grows at Ranch

Through the Student Government Association's promotion of the Angel Tree project, Lakewood students collected gifts for about 170 children.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 »
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