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Your Observer | All

A Florida Highway Patrol report states Joan Gootjes Rhoat was driving eastbound on State Road 70 when her vehicle traveled into the westbound lane and into the path of a mack truck driving by Michael Bonfilio of Jupiter.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2011
Sarasota woman killed in accident

Joan Gootjes Rhoat, 51, died in an accident with a mack truck yesterday.

  • East County
  • News
Spc. 4 Patrick Lay a graduate of Braden River High School, was killed Aug. 11 while serving his country in Afghanistan.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2011
Soldier's funeral rescheduled

The funeral of Spc. 4 Patrick Lay II has been moved to Sunday.

  • East County
  • News
Author John Maxwell will speak at Bayside Aug. 20-21. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 19, 2011
Author John Maxwell to speak at Bayside

Bayside Community Church will host speaker and author John Maxwell this weekend.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Black Pearls dancer Veronica Mahaney was excited to perform for her new classmates.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • August 19, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River High Freshmen Orientation

Braden River High School faculty welcomed its incoming freshmen with an orientation program Aug. 18. The program featured performances by the marching band, the River Rhapsody singers, the Black Pearls dance team and more. Administrators also discussed Braden River's rules and expectations with the Class of 2015.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 19, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: East County

Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the East County Observer archives.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 18, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: East County

Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the East County Observer archives.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Tonya Herschberger and Linda Keefe. Courtesy Photo.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 18, 2011
Nurse and patient are all smiles at reunion

Four years ago, Linda and Larry Keefe were walking their dogs in downtown Sarasota when a drunk driver lost control of her vehicle.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Amazing Grace Circus from Nyack, NY performed a group act for the showcase performance Thursday, Aug. 18 inside the PAL Sailor Circus Arena.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 18, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 2011 AYCO Showcase Performance

Participants in the 2011 American Youth Circus Festival showed off their talents Thursday, Aug. 18 during one of the two showcase performances of the week at PAL Sailor Circus Arena. There are 300 participants from all over the country and range in age from 9 to 87. This year's 5-day AYCO Festival also includes 90 different workshops that cover a wide variety of circus talents.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The session III campers sing “You Gotta Be” as the opening number for “Alone in the Universe” during dress rehearsal Thursday, Aug. 18 at Florida Studio Theatre.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 18, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: FST Session III Dress Rehearsal

The campers of Florida Studio Theatre's Performing Arts Camp Session III held an open dress rehearsal for their show "Alone in the Universe" Thursday, Aug. 18 in The Keating Theatre at Florida Studio Theatre.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Andrew and Kim Tyack with Andy Reeves
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 18, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: SK Chamber at King George Pub

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce held their business card exchange event Thursday, Aug. 18 at The King George Pub. Those in attendance enjoyed catching up as well as meeting new members.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Friends of Lakewood Ranch leader Gary Berns said he is concerned some registered voters have not received ballots.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 18, 2011
Group raises concerns about straw poll

The Friends of Lakewood Ranch say they know of at least 129 registered voters who have not received straw poll ballots about the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 18, 2011
Town schedules joint meeting with Sarasota County

The Longboat Key Town Commission will meet with the Sarasota County Commission in November.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The winners of the Kiwanis academic and technical institute scholarships pose together Thursday, Aug. 18, on the steps by The Grill.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 18, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiwanis Scholarship Ceremony 2011

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key gave out a total of 21 scholarships during a morning breakfast ceremony Thursday, Aug. 18, at The Grill, at the Longboat Key Club. The 10 academic scholarships and 11 technical institute scholarships were handed out by scholarship committee Chairman Weldon Frost.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • August 18, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Sarasota

Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the Sarasota Observer archives.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 18, 2011
Fatal crash causes delays on State Road 70

A traffic accident involving a tractor-trailor in the East County has resulted in one confirmed fatality.

  • East County
  • News
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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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