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Your Observer

The United States U17 squad routed Portugal 7-1 at the 2016 Nike International Friendlies at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 2, 2016
United States U17 soccer pummels Portugal at Nike International Friendlies

The match was played at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Sports
SMA Board of Directors Treasurer Capt. Fred Derr presens former SMA Prep Head of Schools Phillip Eddy with a ceremonial saber Aug. 2, 2014.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 2, 2016
Sarasota Military Academy lawsuit moves forward

A special magistrate has recommended denying Sarasota Military Academy’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a former administrator.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Police Department has launched its Toys for Tots campaign.
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • December 2, 2016
Longboat Key police start collecting Toys for Tots

Toys can be dropped off through Dec. 21 at the Longboat Key Police Department, 5460 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Thousands of lights go up around the University Town Center shopping plazas each Christmas season. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 2, 2016
University Town Center lights up for holidays

UTC plazas will celebrate the holiday shopping season with Festival of Lights event.

  • East County
  • News
At least 22 breakfast dishes are now available at The Old Salty Dog, including Maine lobster Benedict. Terry O'Connor
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • December 2, 2016
Breakfast now served at The Old Salty Dog on Longboat Key

Managers Josh Shear, an 18-year veteran from Lakewood Ranch, and Amy Blair, a 26-year vet from Sarasota, said the breakfast idea has been on the back burner for a long time.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 1, 2016
Santa sparks holiday cheer

Santa Claus had the honor of plugging in the downtown Christmas tree in Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 1, 2016
St. Mary rings in the holidays

St. Mary Star of the Sea, Catholic Church hosted its annual holiday party on Dec. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
East County Scores Roundup: 12.01.16
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 1, 2016
East County Scores Roundup: 12.01.16

East County Scores Roundup: 12.01.16

  • East County
  • Sports
The Florida Highway Patrol announced the Skyway Bridge has been closed due to heavy fog.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 1, 2016
UPDATE: Skyway Bridge opened after fog closure

Highway patrol will offer updates as they become available

  • East County
  • News
The Florida Department of Transportation finished the sidewalk this week by connecting pavement from Broadway in Longbeach Village to the Longboat Pass Bridge on the north end. Terry O'Connor
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • December 1, 2016
Historic Longboat Key sidewalk project finished

The Florida Department of Transportation finished the sidewalk this week by connecting pavement from Broadway in Longbeach Village to the Longboat Pass Bridge on the north end.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 1, 2016
Action on traffic

While Sarasota and Bradenton Beach officials say nothing new is planned to help relieve congestion, Longboat’s Lenny Landau is urging residents to change behavior.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
File photo Recent research links exercise to less depression and increased facility with memory and learning, two of the brain’s basic functions. So get up and get moving.
    By
  • Kristine Nickel
  • December 1, 2016
There's never been a better time to exercise

Shake off the political blues and holiday stress by getting your move on.

  • Health
Built in 2005, Unit 902 at The Beach Residences has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,964 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 1, 2016
The Beach Residences condo sells for $3.45 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between Nov. 14 and Nov. 18.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Unit 1801 at The Residences sold for $3.5 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 1, 2016
The Residences condominium sells for $3.5 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between Nov. 14 and Nov. 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Go Lucky Clea (#4) takes the lead.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 1, 2016
Greyhound racing gives audiences a thrill and dogs a purpose

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kent, Brion and Danielle Whitley.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 1, 2016
After tumultuous start, Riverview basketball senior finds stability, success

With his family supporting him, he worked hard and earned a scholarship to North Carolina-Wilmington.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 1, 2016
Downtown leaders discuss Main Street gateway signs

The Downtown Improvement District is considering investing in signs welcoming visitors to the heart of the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
SCAT Director Rocky Burke said a route could possibly start as soon as February, but the service could also be delayed until April.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 1, 2016
Siesta Key trolley edges closer to reality

The county is accepting proposals from private vendors to operate a trolley service on Siesta Key, but the route likely won’t start running until March.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota County Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates has tried — and failed — to get Airbnb to agree to terms for paying tourist development taxes.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 1, 2016
County has reservations on Airbnb tax deal

Following failed negotiations, Sarasota County officials are considering taking legal action to collect tourist taxes from properties listed on Airbnb.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The concrete structure visible on the Urban Flats site is a parking garage that will eventually be covered by apartments.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 1, 2016
Rosemary projects a work in progress

Sites with blank walls in the booming neighborhood will give way to more engaging architecture — eventually.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 1, 2016
Sarasota resident proves that not all heroes wear capes

Not all heroes wear capes. In fact, some have fur.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key resident and 1-800-ASK-GARY founder Gary Kompothecras is pitching plans for a new hotel on the island.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 1, 2016
Is Siesta Key ready for a new hotel?

1-800-ASK-GARY founder Gary Kompothecras is in the initial stages of planning a bonafide hotel on the barrier island.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Riverview senior Elayna Goodman set a new cross country school record on Nov. 26.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 1, 2016
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 12.01.16

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 12.01.16

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
In May, two new at-large commissioners will join the board following a citywide election.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 1, 2016
Who’s running in the Sarasota City Commission election?

With two seats up for grabs in March, citizens are beginning to step forward in pursuit of a spot on the commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 1, 2016
That's the ticket ...

The top match-ups from around Sarasota this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 1, 2016
Cops Corner: Sarasota 12.01.16

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
A decorated boat makes its way to Linger Lodge during the 2013 parade. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 1, 2016
Boat parade sets sail on Braden River

The parade will start at Jiggs Landing and end at Linger Lodge.

  • East County
  • News
The roundabout used to have three large palm trees, but two of them have died. CDD supervisors say the soil is diseased, so the remaining palm tree likely will die in the future, as well.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 30, 2016
Is crane needed on Waterlefe landscape?

Waterlefe supervisors struggle with roundabout beautification.

  • East County
  • News
Susan Chapman will be the only incumbent in next year's City Commission election.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 30, 2016
Chapman seeks another term on City Commission

Despite some hesitancy earlier this week, Commissioner Susan Chapman has submitted qualifying paperwork to enter next year's municipal election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Connor and Jake Krug.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 30, 2016
Out-of-Door tennis family shines at USTA National Selection Tournament

The family brought home a doubles title and a 3rd-place singles medal

  • East County
  • Sports
Zota Beach Resort had been taking reservations for months but quietly switched its “Opening 2016” banner facing the GMD construction site in October for an “Opening 2017” banner. Terry O'Connor
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • November 30, 2016
$24M Zota Beach Resort opening pushed to May

The luxury resort at 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key originally had projected opening Dec. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Traffic on Longboat Key is one of the main pressures on infrastructure. Terry O'Connor
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • November 30, 2016
Barrier island mayors project $61.5M funding gap

An infrastructure funding gap of $61.5 million is expected to develop within 15 years, according to a report by the four barrier island mayors.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Police Department reports for Nov. 13-18.
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • November 30, 2016
Longboat Key Cops Corner: 11.30.16

Longboat Key Police Department reports for Nov. 13-18.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Stephanie Grepling, the marketing and communications manager at Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, holds one of the ceramic bowls that were made for the upcoming Empty Bowls.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • November 30, 2016
Bowl game for hunger on Lakewood Main Street

Empty Bowls fundraiser returns to benefit the Food Bank of Manatee.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key Commissioner Jack Duncan is on the mend after a quadruple bypass.
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • November 30, 2016
Jack Duncan out of commission until 2017

Duncan, 67, was hospitalized for less than a week after a quadruple bypass heart procedure Nov. 18.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 30, 2016
Longboat Key Obituaries

Judith Litvin and Henry Retek died.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
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Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
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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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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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