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Your Observer | All

Wish: That Floridians appreciate what Gov. Rick Scott is doing for all Floridians' future. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
Our View: Wish list for 2012 ...

We might look back at 2011 and see it was the year where the tide turned back in favor of freedom, free enterprise and the bedrock American values that made the country great.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Read this week's Castaway Cartoon.
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • December 28, 2011
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Year in Sports

Enjoy some of the 2011 sport highlights of 2011 we captured on camera.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jen Blanco, Associate Editor
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 28, 2011
COMMENT: East County athletes impressive in 2011

It seems like only yesterday that I saw the Lakewood Ranch boys soccer team make school history, hopped in my car and drove halfway across the state to cover the softball state semifinals and watched another group of seniors bid farewell to their coaches and teammates.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Braden River High boys basketball team defeated rival Lakewood Ranch 38-37 in overtime of the Class 4A-District 10 championship Feb. 11 to capture the program’s first district title.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 28, 2011
YEAR IN SPORTS: A Look Back

The year 2011 was one of the most eventful in recent history for East County sports. In the past 12 months, we've celebrated local teams capturing district, regional and state championships. We've seen our talented athletes and teams make school history. And we've watched them overcome unexpected coaching changes.

  • East County
  • Sports
The current Longboat Key Publix store will close after Easter 2012 and re-open December 2012 if the application is approved. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 28, 2011
TOP STORY, JULY: Publix plans

Publix Super Markets Inc. submitted July 6 a preliminary application to the town outlining a teardown and rebuild of Avenue of the Flowers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rehabilitation of the Siesta north bridge is scheduled to begin in June 2012. Photo by Norman Schimmel
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 28, 2011
TOP STORY, JULY: Traffic, rainy delays top concerns with Siesta bridge project

Smooth traffic management and making sure the work is completed before tourist season begins in earnest: Those were the foremost concerns voiced July 7, when the Siesta Key Association board of directors hosted Florida Department of Transportation officials for a discussion of the 2012 north Siesta Key bridge rehabilitation project.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Saturated Sky: John Nesbitt took this sunset photo last fall from his back yard in Sabal Harbour.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 2011 Weather Winners

Naming a weekly winner became increasingly more difficult throughout the year, and it seemed each new submission was more beautiful than the last. We hope you enjoy this look at some of our favorite submissions from 2011. We'd also like to thank all of our contestants so far and invite you to continue submitting in the new year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Students at Rosaire's Riding Academy saddled up for a day full of horseback riding fun July 11. Published July 21, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: July, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The East County Observer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
For the last two years, business owner Mark Manges had his eyes set on a space in Lakewood Ranch's San Marco Plaza.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 28, 2011
TOP STORY, JULY: San Marco Plaza

With banks finally foreclosing on units in San Marco Plaza, business owners began snatching up spaces at reduced prices and increasing traffic to the plaza.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 27, 2011
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Chris Gallagher

Sarasota resident Chris Gallagher is the senior designer at Sarasota-based Jonathan Parks Architect and a member of the city's Planning Board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Barb McRae received a personal hospital room visit and kisses from Kirby, who is part of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s pet-therapy program.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: June, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
He had not even signed his contract yet, but interim County Administrator Terry Lewis already was hard at work during a county budget hearing June 14. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 27, 2011
TOP STORY, JUNE: Lewis reports for duty ... again

Terry Lewis has delayed his retirement many times because he keeps getting called to duty. The latest call came from Sarasota County government.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Charles Chappell and his sister, Claudia, play in the sand in June at the Sea Gate Club during their vacation.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: June, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Longboat Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The New Pass Bridge tender was never notified by a 911 operator that an ambulance was approaching and needed to get off the island.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 27, 2011
TOP STORY, JUNE: Emergency-response issue arises

The New Pass Bridge log shows that the bridge tender was not notified in 17 different instances this year when an ambulance was headed toward the bridge to reach Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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