Observe This: Today's Top Stories

Rotary giving tops $1 million

 →  The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch presented 33 grants totaling more than $100,000 during a special luncheon April 5, at The Polo Grill and Bar. That number brings the club’s total charitable giving to more than $1 million in its 11-year history.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — When single mother Juanita Graham looked out from the podium April 5, at The Polo Grill and Bar’s Fête Ballroom, she didn’t just see a roomful of faces staring back at her.

She saw superheroes.

After all, the crowd included more than 70 members of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch, the group that presented ... [click here to read on!]

Art Center withdraws site plan

 →   Ringling College of Art and Design will table plans to amend and extend the Longboat Key Center for the Arts’ existing site plan.

Sarasota architect Don Lawson described the proposed building as “forward looking in terms of its shapes and designs.” Residents of the surrounding Longbeach Village called the structure “commercial looking” and out of place in the historic neighborhood.

After hearing concerns from residents at a Wednesday, April 4 meeting, ... [click here to read on!]

Nathan Benderson: 'One of a Kind'

 →  Nathan Benderson, who grew up in the Great Depression, turned a hardscrabble childhood into a lifetime of business success and unbridled philanthropy. He died April 7.

EAST COUNTY — When the music played, 1950s swing to slow crooners, Nathan Benderson just couldn’t help himself. He would always get up and dance.

The patriarch of one the region’s most charitable families and successful businesses, Benderson lived like that well into his 90s, say several in his large network of family and friends. Many in that network cited Benderson’s wit, business smarts and humility — in addition to his dancing skills — this week in remembering him. ... [click here to read more.]

Former Sand Cay manager arrested on multiple charges

 →  A police report alleges that Judy Paul stole more than $216,000 from the condominium between June 2006 and September 2009.

Former Sand Cay Manager Judy Paul was arrested Monday, April 9 on charges of first-degree grand theft in the amount of $100,000 or more and a scheme to defraud in the amount of $50,000 or more. She was released on $30,000 bond.

A probable cause report alleges that Paul, 48, of Nokomis, stole more than $216,000 and ... [click here to read on!]