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Your Observer | All

John Velasquez, 58, is charged with bank robbery and is currently being held in jail without bond.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • June 27, 2012
Bank robber stopped within two hours of crime

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office caught John Velasquez, 58, within two hours after he committed a bank robbery.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 27, 2012
Upper Manatee River Road reopened

Upper Manatee River Road west of Rye Road was reopened this morning.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Joe Barbetta cracks a smile after Commissioner Jon Thaxton identifies non-native plants in renderings of the new Gulf Gate Library.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 27, 2012
Gulf Gate gets go ahead

Sarasota County commissioners yesterday voted unanimously to support the continuation of the Gulf Gate Library project after seeing initial renderings.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 27, 2012
Welfonder secures book contract

Longboat Key resident and USA Today bestselling author Sue-Ellen Welfonder signed a new four-book contract with Grand Central Publishing/GCP (former Time Warner Books).

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Charlie, the Weimaraner, Photo courtesy of Mary Lou Johnson.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 27, 2012
Dog finds a nice home

On Memorial Day weekend, Bill and Mary Lou Johnson's daughter and son-in-law fell in love - with a dog.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 27, 2012
Eagle Scout thanks former troop

John Miles Getker has a message for his friends "back home."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 27, 2012
Appointee heads to military academy

East County youth Richard Wheeler, 19, is fulfilling his dream of attending a U.S. military academy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Longbeach Village neighborhood saw flooding in the streets beginning Sunday. Photos by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 27, 2012
Debby Downer: Tropical Storm Debby strikes Longboat Key

Tropical Storm Debby was an unwelcome guest but appears to have spared the Key major damages.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town Manager David Bullock said that the current pension plan is unsustainable when presenting his proposal to firefighters last month.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 27, 2012
Firefighters contribute pension proposal

Firefighters say they're willing to accept changes that could reduce their pension benefits but will reject any 401(a) plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 27, 2012
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Although the Town Commission voted 6-0 to adopt an overlay district in the Whitney Beach area, developers can choose not to use the overlay. File photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 27, 2012
Overlay passes; discussion not finished

The commission must pass an ordinance to the town's zoning code to implement the change. Developers will have to go through the outline-development plan and site-plan processes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 27, 2012
Cellular discussion eats up minutes

The commission was hesitant to devote 20 minutes to a wireless discussion but got that and more - 43 minutes' worth.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • June 27, 2012
Bullock to enter into three-year contract

Changes to the town manager's current contract not only extend its length but increase the severance provision. from 30 days' to 20 weeks' salary if terminated without cause.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ashley Abrams, Sammy Zelitt and Sadie Gomez
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • June 27, 2012
Camp Spotlight: Florida Studio Theatre Summer Camp (+ VIDEO)

Today is Tuesday, June 26, and it's Meatball Day at Florida Studio Theatre. Every camper in sight is wearing a sticker that reads, "Happy Meatball Day," along with a photograph of an adorable white-haired woman who just happens to be related to FST's director of education, Beth Duda.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Photos by Robin Hartill
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 27, 2012
News Briefs

Ron Thornton named team member of the year; Police respond to three-vehicle crash

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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More consistent rainfall has driven eased drought conditions and prompted Sarasota County to rescind its monthslong burn ban.
  • July 12, 2026
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Alex Walker, 6, and Max Walker, 8, work on paintings at the America250 Celebration at Selby Library.
  • July 11, 2026
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Sarasota County Assistant Director of Planning and Zoning Michele Norton presented this picture as an example of what a hyperscale data center looks like.
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