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News

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
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
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 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
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
Key residents became concerned that a bill in the Legislature would result in a significant number of short-term rentals in residential areas.
  • By Stan Zimmerman
  • December 25, 2011
TOP STORY, APRIL: 'Motel' next door? Thank your Legislature

An under-the-radar bill working its way through the Florida Legislature would allow construction of hotels and motels in any area zoned 'residential.'

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Leonardo Leal-Geurrero will visit Harvard this weekend. "Even when I didn’t have a house to live (in) or have a home, education was where I got my strength from," Leonardo says. "It was my motivator."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 25, 2011
TOP STORY, APRIL: Tale of Triumph

When Leonardo Leal-Guerrero immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico in 2005, he knew no English. He then bounced from home to home - sometimes staying with neighbors when he had nowhere else to go. By the end of his high school career, the Braden River senior had two choices for college - Harvard or Stanford.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Jean Gruss
  • December 24, 2011
TOP STORY, MARCH: Follow the money

A group of Collier County government appointees asked The Jackson Laboratory tough questions. In the end, Collier decided it was too risky.

  • Sarasota
  • News
At the Longboat Key Town Commission's statutory meeting Monday, newly appointed Mayor Jim Brown, left, presents outgoing Mayor George Spoll with a plaque that expresses the town’s gratitude for his years of service. Photo by Dora Walters.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 24, 2011
TOP STORY, MARCH: Brown takes mayor's chair

Commissioner Jim Brown becomes mayor for the first time. Commissioner David Brenner is elected as vice mayor.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This file photo shows Midnight Pass, looking to the south.
  • By Jack Gurney
  • December 24, 2011
TOP STORY, MARCH: Midnight Pass dispute moves to federal court

Florida authorities who twice denied Sarasota County permission to restore the Midnight Pass coastal inlet that previously separated Siesta Key from Casey Key may have thought the fight was over. If so, they can think again.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
  • April 9, 2026
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Work proceeds on the fields at 17th Street Park in northeastern Sarasota County. Completion is expected late this year
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Multistate softball tournament coming to 17th Street Park
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The expansion of McCown Towers would surround the parking structure that would include 160 public parking spaces owned by the city.
  • April 9, 2026
Senior public housing expansion remains $4 million short

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