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Your Observer

The city and the county want to establish stronger connections with service providers like the Salvation Army.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 5, 2017
2017 Issues to Watch: Homelessness

Residents and businesses are frustrated with a lack of progress, but city and county officials are optimistic about their ability to address homelessness issues this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Big Pass divides Lido and Siesta keys — both literally and figuratively.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 5, 2017
2017 Issues to Watch: Big Pass

Even though the state has offered an early endorsement of a proposal to dredge Big Pass, Siesta Key residents will keep fighting to block the Lido Key renourishment project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark Huey has been president and CEO of the Sarasota County Economic Development Corp since 2011.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 5, 2017
2017 Issues to Watch: Economic development

Already singled out as a target of scrutiny, the spotlight will be bright on the Sarasota County Economic Development Corp. in 2017.

  • Sarasota
  • News
File photo Runners brave the fog in last year' s Andrew Monroe Memorial 5K.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • January 5, 2017
Runners get set for annual Andrew Monroe 5K

The race isn’t just to remember the past, it’s to secure students futures.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Residents are concerned about sound issues stemming from future tenants of the property at 1888 Main St.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 5, 2017
UPDATE: Commission approves World of Beer liquor license

City officials recommended approval of a new liquor license for World of Beer. Residents call the bar a good neighbor. So why are there still questions surrounding the application?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Feb. 26: Baltimore Orioles opening spring training home game vs. Pittsburgh at Ed Smith Stadium. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 5, 2017
Five key 2017 Sarasota sports dates

Five key 2017 Sarasota sports dates

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Enjoy this week' s edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2017
Cops Corner: Sarasota 1.5.16

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 5, 2017
That's the ticket ...

The top match-ups this week in Sarasota sports.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 5, 2017
Letters to the Editor: Sarasota 1.5.16

Readers comment on topics including dogs in parks and downtown signage.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Macy' s at Sarasota Square opened in 1977 and had 86 employees.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 4, 2017
Macy's to close Sarasota Square mall location

The mid-county location is one of 68 Macy's stores closing nationwide, the company announced today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brad Stuart, David Stuart, Brig. Gen James Hesson, Terry Bradshaw, Lloyd Tirey and Col. John Saputo
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • January 4, 2017
Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw donates $10,000 to vets

Bradshaw and Siesta Key business owner David Stuart prove that you can help veterans with a just barrel of bourbon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
East County Golf Roundup: 01.04.17
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 4, 2017
East County Golf Roundup: 01.04.17

East County Golf Roundup: 01.04.17

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 4, 2017
Cops Corner: Longboat 01.04.2017

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The Colony beach and Tennis Resort has been closed for more than five years.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2017
Looking Ahead: Colony remains on brink of revitalization

The firm planning a $1 billion redevelopment of the beloved Colony Beach and Tennis Resort still has many hurdles to overcome. But 2017 may be the year of progress at the shuttered resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The proposed Longboat Key Center for Arts, Culture and Education ultimately will come to be, but exactly when remains a question.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2017
Looking Ahead: Town Center concept moves forward, Foundation looks to future

The town of Longboat Key, the Longboat Key Foundation and Ringling College of Art and Design are working toward building a new cultural center on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Blue Oyster Cult will headline performances at Rockin and Ridin' at The Ranch, part of Thunder by the Bay, on Jan. 8. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2017
2017 schedule off to thunderous start

Thunder by the Bay is just one of the special events to be presented in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Waterside Place will have more than 200 apartment units atop and next to restaurants, shops, a community park and other features capitalizing on a view of a one-mile long lake. Courtesy rendering.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2017
Waterside takes shape

SMR broke ground on Waterside in March 2016, but the real action starts in the coming months.

  • East County
  • News
Bob and Joyce Mazurek at last year' s Aging in Paradise Gala.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 4, 2017
10 events to mark on your 2017 calendar

Longboat Key has a busy year ahead. Here are ten events you won’t want to miss in 2017.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jacqueline Zerbini was a inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame in 2015. File photo.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 4, 2017
Your Calendar: Circus Ring of Fame

Check out upcoming events on Longboat Key and surrounding areas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2017
Looking Ahead: Tourism outlook for Longboat Key

As Longboat Key — and the Sarasota-Manatee area as a whole — comes off another record tourism year, the Observer checked in with tourism officials for a look ahead at 2017.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2017
Looking Ahead: Longboat Key referendums

As Longboat Key voters prepare to vote on two density referendums, the Observer sought the mayor’s take on one, and a property owner’s on another.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2017
Longboat Key letters to the editor 1.4.2017

The plan to install roundabouts on U.S. 41 at Fruitville and Gulfstream deserves first prize for lack of foresight and incompetent planning.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Photo courtesy of the Mattson family
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 4, 2017
Former New York Times president dies at 84

Walter Mattson died on Dec. 30, 2016.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 4, 2017
Al Bagot remembered for quick wit, personality

The Longboat Key resident died Dec. 18 at the age of 95.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The World Rowing Championships are coming to Nathan Benderson Park on Sept. 23.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 4, 2017
Exciting times ahead for East County sports

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophia Falco, Lakewood Ranch. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 4, 2017
Ten East County athletes to watch in 2017

These stars will command special attention for the next 12 months.

  • East County
  • Sports
Patricia Balerna sitting, with grandson Brady on the left, husband John, daughters Patricia and Paula and son-in-law Jim.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 4, 2017
Longboat Key resident celebrates 95 years

Patricia Balerna spent her birthday surrounded by her family.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Library Foundation President Linda Getzen and Sarasota County Libraries Director Sarabeth Kalajian
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 4, 2017
Sarasota Library Foundation reaches $500,000 goal

The campaign was launched in December 2015.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 4, 2017
Looking Ahead: Undergrounding utilities

The town of Longboat Key is taking the first steps toward the roughly $50 million undegrounding project in 2017. The Longboat Observer asked for a resident and town official for their take on the project in the new year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sam Hester guards an inbounds play.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 4, 2017
East County High 5 Moments: 01.04.17

East County High 5 Moments: 01.04.17

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 4, 2017
That's the ticket ...

The top matchups this week in East County sports.

  • East County
  • Sports
Echo Lake Apartments is under construction but four of 12 buildings are complete. When finished in mid 2017, it will have 360 units.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2017
Echo Lake is open in Lakewood Ranch

Apartment complex adds 'lifestyle' to apartment concept

  • East County
  • News
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the county administrative building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 3, 2017
Commission considers Ellenton theater

Expansion to Lakewood Ranch church also in the works.

  • East County
  • News
Library Foundation President Linda Getzen and Sarasota County Libraries Director Sarabeth Kalajian
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • January 3, 2017
Sarasota Library Foundation reaches campaign goal

The campaign raised $501,075.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Patrick Gannon is positioning himself as a moderate voice focused on achieving tangible results.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 3, 2017
Planning Board member enters City Commission race

Patrick Gannon, who also serves as president of the Downtown Sarasota Condo Association, is the sixth candidate to declare for the March election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Unicorp National Developments President Chuck Whittall started demolition at the shuttered Colony Beach & Tennis Resort last year.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 3, 2017
Unicorp continues buying Colony units

Last month, the Orlando-based developer bought five units at the shuttered Colony Beach & Tennis Resort for $628,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
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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
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  • December 20, 2025
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Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
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