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Your Observer

County students are starting classes two weeks earlier in the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 9, 2015
Manatee County School Board approves start dates

Students will return to school Aug. 10 for the next two school years.

  • East County
  • News
Polo professional Nick Johnson has been training horses at the Sarasota Polo Club for the past three years.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 9, 2015
Learning polo ... can horses stick to it?

Trainer specializes in converting thoroughbreds so they excel at a new sport.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Braden River Soccer Club 10U Maroon girls soccer team finished second in the Soccer Skills Thanksgiving Cup Nov. 28 and Nov. 29. (courtesy photo)
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 9, 2015
Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

Different paths lead to similar honor

  • East County
  • Sports
The exterior of the Centre Shops was completely renovated.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 9, 2015
Centre Shops has a colorful renovation

The renovations to the Centre Shops provide an increase in tenants and business.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Ursula Abplanalp
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 9, 2015
The sound of alphorn music

Ursula Abplanalp, who spends several weeks a year on Longboat Key, plays the alphorn each day on the patio of her Sleepy Lagoon home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 9, 2015
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 12.10.15

Enjoy this week's edition of Longboat Key Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Longboat Key Deputy Police Chief Frank Rubino urges residents to call whenever they see something suspicious.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 9, 2015
Would crime watch deter burglars...or buyers?

Longboat Key Police rely on residents to be their eyes and ears in the community, but so far none of those eyes and ears has organized an official crime watch.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2015
Longboat Key Letters to the Editor 12.10.15

Readers respond to new crosswalks on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 9, 2015
News Briefs: Longboat Key 12.10.15

Unicorp seeks to prevent Colony meeting; Six Longboat Key firefighters receive life-saving award; Town collects items for Toys for Tots

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key’s registered voters will decide March 15 whether to power up or cut the power to a $20.5 million neighborhood and side street power pole and utilities undergrounding project.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 9, 2015
Neighborhood undergrounding referendum surges forward

The future of Gulf of Mexico Drive utilities is on the line for a March ballot, but some worry about the funding split.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Whitney Beach Plaza owner Ryan Snyder says the plaza as a commercial-only site "is just a temporary stop gap until something happens."
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 9, 2015
Whitney Plaza owner nixes referendum request

Owner Ryan Snyder’s decision follows the announcement of a local developer’s plans for a hotel next door.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Derian Pettitt, 12, and Michael Haynes Jr., 14, donated dolls, among other toys.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 9, 2015
Haile Middle students band together for charity

The school collected more than 300 items for Toys for Tots program.

  • East County
  • News
District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh hopes to keep Manatee County as one of the cheapest places to live in the state.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 9, 2015
Commissioners make impact with higher fees

Whether higher impact fees handle growth or harm new building sales in Manatee County remains to be seen.

  • East County
  • News
McNeal won first-place in the accuracy division of the catapult competition.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 9, 2015
Your Town

McNeal Elementary students win at TSA competition; School of Russian Ballet brings in ballerina; Sheridan at Lakewood Ranch opens Welcome Center

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Photo courtesy of Roger PettingellThe Unit 333 condominium at 3030 Grand Bay Blvd. has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,369 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 9, 2015
Grand Bay condo sells for $965,000

The Unit 333 condominium at 3030 Grand Bay Blvd. has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,369 square feet of living area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    A time to celebrate |
  • December 9, 2015
Just Married: Cathleen and Matt

Cathleen and Matt Purmort were married March 14, 2015

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
Kurt Schultheis The crosswalk just north of Companion Way on Gulf of Mexico Drive leads to bushes — but no sidewalk.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 9, 2015
Crosswalks: ‘They take me nowhere’

Residents say three crosswalks offer them a clear path — into grass and other vegetation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The students from Girls Inc. of Sarasota County stare in awe of the tree.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 8, 2015
Selby flips the switch for bromeliad tree lighting

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens starts the holiday season tradition of lighting the bromeliad tree.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Ja'da Bennett attempts to dribble past Lakewood Ranch's Aleah Robinson.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 8, 2015
Sailors bounce back from loss

After losing to Lakewood Ranch Dec. 3, Sarasota defeated Braden River Dec. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Tony Romanus walks the edge of one of Siesta Isles Association's entrances where landscape improvements wait to resume.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 8, 2015
Commission approves Siesta Isles’ tree permit appeal

Commissioners vindicated residents who were asked to stop construction for lack of a tree permit.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 8, 2015
Women’s golf associations’ holiday celebration a hole in one

The Women’s 18-Hole Golf Association and the Key Niners Women’s Golf Association held their annual Frosty Frolic Dec. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A county surveyor's photo showing part of the property owned by the Ginsberg-Klemmt.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 8, 2015
Parking resolution a blow to submerged land owners

The owners of submerged lots off Siesta Circle hoped required parking for a proposed dock could be satisfied by space on the right of way.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The city removed benches from Five Points Park in 2011, a move intended to curtail problems associated with gatherings of homeless individuals in the area.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 8, 2015
City Commission OKs effort to activate Five Points Park

In addition to bringing back some form of seating to Five Points, city staff will experiment with other opportunities to increase activity at the downtown park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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
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Latest News

1
Diane DelloRusso, who has worked in the jewelry business for 36 years and been a longtime manager at Jewelry by Cole, said she believes customers will appreciate the new St. Armands Jewelry store with its blend of classic and contemporary styles. She came out of retirement to assist with the transition and can't wait for longtime patrons to see the boutique's new look.
  • June 16, 2026
Two new shops coming to St. Armands Circle
2
Jolanta Bremer received the award of the 2026 Queen Helen.
  • June 16, 2026
Attendees get into costume as Mrs. Roper at The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime
3
JP Soars and the Red Hots will perform a free Father's Day concert at The Bay on Sunday, June 21.
  • June 16, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for June 18-24
4
The pickleball courts and basketball courts at Longboat Key’s Bayfront Park will be renovated over the summer.
  • June 16, 2026
Pickleball courts closed for major renovations
5
Elliott Mathes grew up watching his older brother, Will Mathes, compete for Sarasota Crew at the USRowing Youth National Championships. From June 11-14, he himself rowed with a junior national title on the line.
  • June 16, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Elliott Mathes

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