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Your Observer

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
Then Manatee County Sheriff' s Office Sheriff-elect Rick Wells throws the opening pitch for the Cal Ripken baseball league' s opening day in September 2016. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 2, 2017
Manatee swears in new sheriff

Rick Wells replaces retiring sheriff Brad Steube.

  • East County
  • News
The county is preparing to study the impact of a 24-acre development proposed for Stickney Point Road that has already triggered significant public concern.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 2, 2017
Top Story — December: Residents remain opposed to Siesta Promenade plans

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Colony Beach & Tennis Resort developer Chuck Whittall pledged to buy the town of Longboat Key a ferry to soften traffic concerns during the first pitch of his redevelopment plans.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2017
Top Story — December: Colony Resort promoter makes big promises

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
DID board member Eileen Hampshire believes advertising can help all downtown busiensses.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 2, 2017
DID considers downtown promotional push

Can the various groups within downtown Sarasota team up to promote business in the heart of the city?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lido Key resident David Riedlinger believes the Lido pavilion can be improved and remain a public asset.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 2, 2017
Lido residents resist pavilion privatization

The city will make a decision regarding the future of the Lido Pavilion this month. David Riedlinger is working to ensure it remains a publicly run facility.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A special magistrate on Thursday heard the first arguments of a lawsuit filed by former Sarasota Military Academy Prep Head of School Phillip Eddy against his former employer.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 1, 2017
Top Story — November: Sarasota Military Academy lawsuit heads to court

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 1, 2017
Top Story — November: Donald Trump draws thousands to Sarasota rally

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
One voting machine malfunctioned Tuesday morning at Precinct 309 in Manatee County and was replaced. Terry O'Connor
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • January 1, 2017
Top Story — November: Longboat Key voters trump density referenda

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 31, 2016
Sarasota families celebrate New Year's Eve downtown

Residents and visitors soak up the remaining hours of 2016 before the Pineapple Drop in Downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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