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Your Observer | All

Dr. Stephen Leatherman — Dr. Beach — tells the approximately 4 million "Today Show" viewers that the best beach in the country for 2011 is the Siesta Key Public Beach. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2011
TOP STORY, JUNE: Siesta Key Public Beach named No. 1 in the U.S.

Sarasota County officials were more than happy to join a crew from 'The Today Show' on the beach at 8 a.m. May 27 to celebrate Siesta's ascension to the No. 1 spot on the annual Top 10 Beaches list of Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
"I do believe in leading by example, showing respect and building relationships," Lakewood Ranch Town Hall's Executive Director Eva Rey said. "There isn't anything I would ask my employee to do that I wouldn't do myself."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 27, 2011
TOP STORY, JUNE: Eva Rey

The Villages' Eva Rey was chosen as Lakewood Ranch Town Hall's new executive director.

  • East County
  • News
Abigail Swindell fed Gertrude and Margilow in May at her home in Sarasota. CLUCK is a group that has lobbied for urban chicken keeping throughout the county.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: May, 2011

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

  • Sarasota
  • News
A parking meter stood bagged in downtown Sarasota, with paid parking set to begin May 23.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: May, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Before he walked away from the commission table mid-meeting May 25, Jim Ley shook hands and hugged all five county commissioners, including Chairwoman Nora Patterson. Photo by Robin Roy.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 26, 2011
TOP STORY, MAY: 'Thanks' and 'goodbye'

Jim Ley had positive things to say about the residents and staff for which he served more than a decade as the chief executive of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Stan led his three cygnets for a swim in May around the Harbour Links pond.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: May, 2011

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Key Club attorney John Patterson said the DCA's lack of objections means the central argument of the Islandside Property Owners Coalition (IPOC) has been eradicated.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 26, 2011
TOP STORY, MAY: 'The end for IPOC'?

Attorneys for the town of Longboat Key and the Longboat Key Club believe a state report eliminates the Islandside Property Owners Coalition's central argument against the club's Islandside project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jim Ley, former County Administrator.
  • By Stan Zimmerman
  • December 26, 2011
TOP STORY, MAY: Ley tenders resignation to board

Sarasota County's procurement scandal appeared ready to claim its seventh victim May 24, as County Administrator Jim Ley tendered his resignation at the start of the County Commission meeting.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Braden River High School students hit the dance floor early for Prom May 13. Published May 19, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: May, 2011

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

  • East County
  • News
Bob Hendel of the anti-incorporation group, the Friends of Lakewood Ranch, said incorporation would take away local control.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 26, 2011
TOP STORY, MAY: Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Debate

Pro- and anti-incorporation groups faced off Monday for the first Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Debate hosted by the East County Observer.

  • East County
  • News
Abandoned boxcars on the railroad track through Shade Avenue concerned nearby residents in April.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: April, 2011

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

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Barry Sullivan takes a trip on his new kayak with his dog, Justice.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: April, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Abandoned boxcars have been left on the railroad track that goes through Shade Avenue. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 25, 2011
TOP STORY, APRIL: Boxcar Battle

Fearing they're an invitation for trouble, residents are trying to get a railroad company to move about two-dozen railcars that have been parked in between two Sarasota communities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In April, developer Brian Kenney, with Juliani Kenney Investment Capital LLC, stood in front of Whitney Beach Plaza, which was 85% vacant at the time.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: April, 2011

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Town Commission elected Pat Zunz to the District 5 Commission seat Monday night. Photo by Dora Walters.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 25, 2011
TOP STORY APRIL: Commission chooses Zunz for District 5 seat

The Longboat Key Town Commission welcomed former Planning and Zoning Board member Pat Zunz to the dais Monday night.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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