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Your Observer

The future of Gulf of Mexico Drive utilities is on the line for a March ballot but some commissioners and residents worry if it’s being funded correctly.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 8, 2015
Commission flips switch on neighborhood undergrounding referendum

The future of Gulf of Mexico Drive utilities is on the line for a March ballot but some commissioners and residents worry if it’s being funded correctly.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nolan Middle School Student Support Specialist Carrie Rainwater kissed a cow Dec. 7.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 8, 2015
Nolan Middle School faculty member smooches livestock

As a reward for collecting cans for an FFA service project, Carrie Rainwater kissed a cow.

  • East County
  • News
Kolbie Ward scored 14 points to help lead ODA to a 70-39 victory against St. Petersburg Canterbury School Dec. 7.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 8, 2015
Thunder posts big win

The ODA boys basketball team notched its fifth win of the season Dec. 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Entrepreneurs Jesse Biter and Eric Baird are two-thirds of an investment group that purchased Sarasota Main Plaza for $18.1 million last month.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 8, 2015
Readers pitch ideas for Hollywood 20 redevelopment

A Dave & Buster’s arcade and restaurant remains the most popular idea for the redevelopment for Sarasota Main Plaza, while other survey respondents pitched even more grandiose plans.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dark Horse, the white truffle kolsch developed by student Dennis Metz and his team, is worth $200 a bottle. Urbani Truffles donated 14 ounces of truffles.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 8, 2015
Hops to the top

University class teaches students about the science of beer and craft brewery management.

  • East County
  • News
Debbie, Lisa and Steve Simone opened the park in January.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 8, 2015
Timberlane RV Park seeks expansion

The family-owned site on State Road 64 is ready for some new rigs.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 8, 2015
Cops Corner 12.7.2015

Crimes from around the area.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Steve Shapiro lights the menorah.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 7, 2015
Lakewood Ranch Main Street glows with menorah lighting celebration

Chabad of Bradenton hosted its annual Hanukkah event Monday.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ryan McIntyre, John McIntyre and Mark Freeman pose outside the company's office in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2015
Main task was building his reputation

East County builder earns honors from University of Florida Construction Hall of Fame.

  • East County
  • News
Homeowner Karen Tulman said she loves her Concession home because she doesn't have to leave the area for anything. It's obvious that they've got the relaxation part figured out at home.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2015
Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

Beautiful home on the market, but memories go with the family.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 7, 2015
Sarasota gas prices settle at $2 per gallon

Following a statewide trend, gas prices in Sarasota County have dipped to their lowest level in nearly 10 months.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Protesters rallied on Mitchell's behalf in June, 2013.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 7, 2015
Judge dissmisses suits against Sheriff over fatal Mitchell shooting

The family of Rodney Mitchell, killed attempting to flee from a traffic stop in 2012, accused the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office of wrongful death and tampering with evidence.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The commission will discuss the benches at the evening session of today's meeting.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 7, 2015
City Commission to discuss returning benches to Five Points

Nearly five years after removing benches from Five Points Park in an attempt to combat homelessness issues, the city is considering bringing seating back.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 7, 2015
Holiday parade packs downtown Sarasota

Holiday floats, bands, horses — and goats — marched down Main Street Saturday, during the Downton Sarasota Holiday Parade.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Town Commission wants voters to decide whether they will approve such a neighborhood undergrounding project on the March 15 ballot.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 7, 2015
Commission vets neighborhood undergrounding project tonight

Town staff is proposing that property owners with existing underground utilities pay 18.5% of the total project and properties that need utilities buried pay for 81.5% of the project cost.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The four boats in the parade cruised past Jiggs Landing before heading east to Linger Lodge.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 7, 2015
Boaters light up Braden River

Community boaters held the Christmas on the Braden River boat parade Sunday.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 7, 2015
Country Club Village home sells for $1.25 million

Scott and Diane Allshouse, of Coral Gables, sold their home at 6946 Westchester Circle to Barbara Bakus, of Bradenton, for $1.25 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
McNeal students won first-place in the accuracy division during the catapult competition.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 7, 2015
McNeal Elementary TSA students win at competition

East County students participated in the district TSA competition.

  • East County
  • News
The co-owners of Marina Jack recently purchased the former Turtle Beach Marina.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 7, 2015
Marina Jack wins ‘Marina of the Year’ award

Trade publication Marina Dock Age has named Sarasota’s Marina Jack its 2015 National Marina of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Adam, Albert and Austin Myara will open new Cuba restaurants, Mojos Paladar, in Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2015
New Cuban restaurants set to open in Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota

Owner of Bogeys, Ed's Tavern tries new venture in fast, casual dining.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River coach Curt Bradley consoles senior quarterback Jacob Huesman following the Pirates Class 7A state semifinal loss to St. Thomas Aquinas Dec. 4.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 7, 2015
Pirate Pride Runs Deep

The Braden River High football team saw its historic season come to an end in the Class 7A state semifinals Dec. 4.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 6, 2015
Temple Beth Israel celebrates eight nights of light

Members of Temple Beth Israel celebrated the first night of Hanukkah with a dinner Dec. 6, at the temple.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 6, 2015
Country Club Shores celebrates the season

Country Club Shores residents celebrated the holidays with their neighbors Dec. 6, at Bird Key Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 6, 2015
Longboat Island Chapel gears up for Christmas

Longboat Island Chapel members and guests stocked up for the Christmas season at the church’s mini bazaar Dec. 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 6, 2015
O' Christmas Tree: FirstSarasota singing tree comes to life

The 42nd annual Singing Christmas Tree kicks off performances Sunday, Dec. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarah Barg from the Circus Arts Conservatory dangles in midair above the 20th annual Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 6, 2015
Downtown Sarasota parade spreads holiday cheer

Residents line Main Street in anticipation of seeing Santa Claus and holiday floats.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dressed in a costume she put together, 10-year-old Alyssa Trompke, of Bradenton, colors a Christmas craft.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 5, 2015
Living Lord Lutheran recreates Biblical city

The church hosted its annual 'Night in Jerusalem' event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 5, 2015
Longboaters feast on Lawn Party

The fifth annual Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party on Dec. 5 saw 2,000 guests.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Alba and Mark Foreman wear matching smiles while dancing.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 5, 2015
University Park Women's Club has a ball

The group hosted its Diamond and Crystal Ball Dec. 5.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Maribeth Phillips, Chris Gowgiel and Marie Gowgiel, all of Lakewood Ranch, were getting ready to enjoy the Holiday Dinner Dance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 5, 2015
Perfect time for a party

Lively crowd hustles to the dance floor at annual event

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 5, 2015
Myakka City teen dies in accident

15-year-old dies when dirt bike collides with car

  • East County
  • News
Santa and Mrs. Claus read The Night before Christmas.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 5, 2015
Santa appears in GreyHawk Landing

The event committee hosted its annual Breakfast with Santa.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Santa greets Tara students.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 5, 2015
Tara Elementary School hosts dinner with Santa

Students danced and ate dinner with their families.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 4, 2015
Santa Claus comes to St. Armands

Santa and Mrs. Claus visited St. Armands Circle for the 37th annual Holiday Night of Lights Dec. 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dick Vitale took the opportunity to inspire students.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 4, 2015
Dick Vitale delivers scholarships to five Sarasota students

A total of $5,000 in college scholarships was awarded to five members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The holiday parade begins at 7 p.m. Saturday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 4, 2015
Street closures announced for downtown holiday parade

The Sarasota Police Department has announced a series of street closures and tow away zones for Saturday’s Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center
2
Bella Toscano is one of two Mustangs, as of April 3, hitting over .450, but also boasts the lowest ERA among her teammates.
  • April 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Toscano
3
DragonBoot Quartet performs the world premiere of Roger Zare’s “Gamma” for string quartet for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota on April 12.
  • April 6, 2026
Pine View grad solves for 'Gamma' in his latest music composition
4
Benderson Development's latest plans for the former Sarasota County Administrative Center property as presented to Laurel Park residents in December 2025.
  • April 6, 2026
Benderson begins trek through rezoning of 1660 Ringling Boulevard
5
Emi Frydman checks out the basket of Easter eggs her family members found at the April 4 egg hunt at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. The Easter activities, open to the public, made their return for the first time since the early 2020s through the efforts of church members.
  • April 6, 2026
Back from pre-COVID hiatus, St. Armands hosts Easter bash

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