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Your Observer

On March 13, Longboat Key Detective Sgt. Bob Borque drove to the Mobil Longboat Key Mart to uncover a credit-card skimmer after he realized a device allowed a Key resident’s credit-card information to be stolen.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 23, 2015
Top Story — March: Skimmer swipes card info at Mobile station

Longboat Key police plan to pump license-plate camera information and surveillance videos to find out who’s responsible for the high-tech heist.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Projects such as Vue Sarasota Bay have already drawn concern about their size and impact, and more large-scale projects are waiting in the pipeline.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 23, 2015
Sarasota leaders grapple with impact of increased building

With major construction projects underway and a new zoning code nearing completion, residents and officials are ready to have a conversation about managing growth in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
1350 Main residents argue that those plans expired earlier this year, and any attempt to move forward with a development at the DeMarcay Hotel site should be required to begin the approval process anew.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 23, 2015
Top Story — March: Condo residents sue city, Palm Avenue developer

The 1350 Main Residential Condominium Association has filed a lawsuit against the city and the owner of the DeMarcay Hotel property in an attempt to prevent the construction of an 18-story building.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Teagan Allen, 11, in the Sailor Circus Holiday Spectacular.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 23, 2015
Sarasota calendar 12.24.15

Sarasota and Siesta Key events for the week of Dec. 24.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. Santa Claus sits with Lexington.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 23, 2015
Meowy Christmas

Cat Depot finds success with adoption event and mother and daughter-in-law duo win episode of "Chopped."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 611 Bowsprit Lane has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 3,185 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 23, 2015
Country Club Shores home sells for $3.25 million

A home in Country Club Shores tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
… For unto you is born this day …
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 23, 2015
At the time of Christ's birth

Our heritage, family values and principles depend on the continuous retelling of such important events.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
If a tree is removed in Sarasota, city officials want to ensure neighboring residents have ample warning. That’s the intent behind one of many changes proposed for the city’s tree protection ordinance. On Dec. 15, staff met with residents to discuss tree
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 23, 2015
Will new city tree protections take root?

In response to continued resident feedback, a list of proposed changes to city tree regulations is growing. How is staff attempting to address citizen concerns?

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 23, 2015
Country Club Village home sells for $2,075,000

Barbara Schneiderman, trustee, of Farmington, Mich., sold the home at 7018 Portmarnock Place to Thomas LeFevre, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, for $2,075,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
A condominium in Siesta Dunes Beach tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 23, 2015
Siesta Dunes Beach condo unit sells for $1.1 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between Dec. 7 and Dec. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Jill Kelly Fanucci submitted this photo of a sandman and sunset taken on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2015
Longboat Key weather page photo: Dec. 24

Jill Kelly Fanucci submitted this photo of a sandman and sunset taken on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Liz Cantarine submitted this photo taken at The River Club Golf Course in Bradenton.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2015
East County weather page photo: Dec. 24

Liz Cantarine submitted this photo taken at The River Club Golf Course in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mary Tygh Parks submitted this photo she titles “Sun and Earth,” taken on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2015
Sarasota weather page photo: Dec. 24

Mary Tygh Parks submitted this photo she titles “Sun and Earth,” taken on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
For the next two school years, Manatee County students will start school two weeks earlier than they did this year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 23, 2015
Manatee County schools push forward start date

An Aug. 10 start date in Manatee County schools has received mixed reviews.

  • East County
  • News
The father of the injured baby sandhill crane guards the bird from passersby.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 23, 2015
Top Story — March: Car crashes into baby bird

A driver hit a baby sandhill crane at the intersection of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Malachite Drive March 31.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 23, 2015
Top Story — March: Coastal Living features Sarasota as ‘Dream Town'

Less than one month after TripAdvisor named Siesta Key home to the No. 1 U.S. beach, Sarasota continues to gain national prominence with a nod from Coastal Living Magazine

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2015
Cops Corner: Sarasota 12.24.15

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Three months after the accident, friends and family of Brendan Shreve and Jared Duran continue to place flowers and other memorabilia at the site where they died.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 22, 2015
CDD makes plans for crash site

CDD 1 supervisors hope to alleviate safety concerns by creating a new memorial location.

  • East County
  • News
Kayla Morris uses her iPhone and laptop during class at Nolan Middle.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 22, 2015
Manatee County schools receive techy upgrade

Manatee County School District uses grant to upgrade technology available to middle school students.

  • East County
  • News
Santa spills his secrets on what it's like to deliver toys worldwide in one night.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 22, 2015
Conversation with: Santa Claus

Santa dishes on his favorite reindeer and how he gets his reindeer to fly.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River Elementary Assistant Principal Samantha Webb gets doused in "space slime."
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 22, 2015
Your town

Braden River Elementary students slime faculty members; Lakewood Ranch High bands are Peach Bowl bound

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A view of the parcel to be considered for rezoning
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 22, 2015
DR Horton seeks rezone for Palmer Ranch development

The rezone and development, if approved, would put more than twice as many homes on the parcel than are currently allowed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
… For unto you is born this day …
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 22, 2015
At the time of Christ’s birth

Our heritage, family values and principles depend on the continuous retelling of such important events.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The Schimberg Group is developing a possible restaurant at the corner of East Avenue and Main Street.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 22, 2015
More investment slated for east Main Street

The sleepier end of downtown Sarasota continues to draw attention from developers, buoyed further by a prominent architect’s $332,500 purchase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Woodhouse has been a Tara Preserve resident for 11 years.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 22, 2015
Tara Preserve CDD votes in new supervisor

The seat was left vacant in October by Beth Bond.

  • East County
  • News
What lies underneath Emerald Harbor Drive will be investigated next year to find out why the road is cracking.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2015
Emerald Harbor Drive needs investigated

Water accumulation and cracking on Emerald Harbor Drive will be investigated next year as part of a road project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2015
Registration upcoming for SLL

Sarasota Little League will hold five registration dates in January for its Real Baseball Division.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Trust me you’ll get used to it — our new design.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2015
Top Story — February: We asked for unique; we got it: Mondrian

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

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Tampa Mustangs 18U travel softball team won four titles this fall after capturing their first national title in August as a 16U team.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2015
On a diamond, they sparkle

ight local softball players grow into champions with nine years of hard work.

  • East County
  • Sports
Elise Spiller and her Lakewood Ranch High teammates are ranked No. 3 in Class 7A in the most recent FABC/Source Hoops state rankings.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2015
East County High 5 Moments: 12.24.15

East County High 5 Moments: 12.24.15

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2015
News Briefs: Longboat Key 12.24.15

New rating will decrease flood insurance bills ; Longboat Key Fire Rescue presents annual awards; Holiday garbage collection and closing information

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Colony Beach & Tennis Resort President Jay Yablon said he welcomes any project that satisfies both the financial needs of unit owners and can get approval from the town.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2015
Owners weigh plans for Colony’s future

Two developers continue to try to persuade Colony Beach & Tennis Resort unit owners to pick their project. But one concept faces potential hurdles with the property’s tourism use.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town Manager Dave Bullock turned down a $7,200 raise last month for excellent performance but he graciously accepted $10,380 worth of extra vacation Dec. 7.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2015
Bullock receives 15 extra vacation days

Town Manager Dave Bullock’s $180,000 salary won’t be boosted at his request but he agreed to three additional vacation workweeks.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town Manager Dave Bullock says if the Sarasota-Manatee area can’t manage traffic more efficiently in season, it’s in danger of losing both tourists and residents to areas that can.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2015
MPO approves island traffic study

A $675,000 study will examine seasonal traffic on the barrier islands.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2015
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 12.24.15

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 22, 2015
Planning commission moves Whole Foods, Wawa forward

Sarasota county commissioners will decide in January whether to allow developers to remove wetlands to build a commercial center.

  • East County
  • News
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