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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2015
Family celebrates very merry Crite-mas

Max and Chloe Crites and their parents, Erik and Mollie, enjoyed a warm winter wonderland again this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cynda Grenfell with daughter Liz Yerkes, left.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2015
Chapel christened with new name

Longboat Island Chapel renamed its side chapel the Prayer Chapel Jan. 11, during a dedication ceremony.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2015
Rotary Club plans to hang TEN

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key's newest project is the Tuttle Elementary Nutrition (TEN) project.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 13, 2015
Beach House construction makes splash for neighbor

Longboat Key police have been called four times to the 22-unit condominium about a resident and his noise complaints.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Observer Digital Editor Alex Mahadevan helps load four cygnets into a truck following their capture. Photos by Colin Reid
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 13, 2015
The song of the swan keeper

Web Editor Alex Mahadevan enters new territory as he assists swan keeper David Novak in his capture of four cygnets.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dora Walters with her cat, Lottie, and dog, Jake. Courtesy photos
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 13, 2015
A reporter rewinds

Retired Longboat Observer Senior Editor Dora Walters looks back on her childhood, early careers and adventures in her new book.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jack Black, Town Manager Dave Bullock and Richard Thackery
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 13, 2015
Bullock talks Key issues with Republican Club

Town Manager Dave Bullock was the keynote speaker at the Republican Club of Longboat Key's Jan. 9 meeting at the Longboat Key Club's Portofino Ristorante & Bar and gave members an update on what to expect on the Key over the next 12 to 24 months.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
"I am Charlie."
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 13, 2015
Our View: Les incompetents

Much like the day of and after 9/11, the three-day Paris slaughtering by the Islamic Muslim terrorists leaves you stunned.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2015
Obituary: Dr. Donald Lemon

Dr. Donald Lemon, 101, of Longboat Key, died Jan. 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2015
Obituary: Robert Diamant

Robert Diamant, 92, formerly of Longboat Key, died Jan. 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 13, 2015
Taste of the Keys to bring food, fashion and fun for good cause

Twelve local 'celebrities' will embrace their inner supermodels and hit the runway in fashions by Island Pursuit Jan. 21 for the fifth annual Taste of the Keys and Fashion Show.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This home at 212 Bird Key Drive has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,016 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.63 million. Photo by Kristen Herhold
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 13, 2015
Bird Key home sells for $1.63 million

A home on Bird Key tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Cindy Leder submitted this sunset photo, taken at Beachplace on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2015
Weather: Longboat Key

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover.*

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ina Gross, left, was found dead in her Ranch home Jan. 9, 2012. She's pictured with her late husband, Samuel.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 13, 2015
Gross maintains innocence

After discovering last week that there's a warrant out for his arrest, Thomas Gross says he did not kill his mother.

  • East County
  • News
East Manatee Fire Rescue Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal George Ellington, Deputy Chief of Administration Lee Whitehurst and Fire Rescue Chief Byron Teates try to pinpoint and manage East County's growth. Photo by Kurt Schultheis
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 13, 2015
Fire district grapples with growth

East Manatee Fire Rescue's biggest problem is making sure fire trucks fit in communities.

  • East County
  • News
Former Braden River High School student Sam Woolf released his first EP Dec. 31. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 13, 2015
Idol contestant prepares for career

Former 'Idol' contestant Sam Woolf released an extended play release of five songs.

  • East County
  • News
Jasmine Stanton, 16, shows off her dairy heifer, Karim. "It's fun," she says of the fair. "You get experience that not many people do." Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 13, 2015
Manatee County fair opens 99th season

The theme of this year's Manatee County fair is 'Put some AG in your culture.'

  • East County
  • News
Tara CDD Field Manager Jim Kaluk and Tara CDD Supervisor Beth Bond look at landscaping at the entrance to Tara Preserve, off Tara Preserve Lane and Tara Boulevard. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 13, 2015
Tara CDD crossing in sunshine

As the Tara CDD considers improvements to community landscaping, it's forced to open and close meetings during a 12-point walking/vehicle tour of the community.

  • East County
  • News
Most East County schools allot 15 minutes for recess, but currently there’s no policy in place that protects recess time. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 13, 2015
Recess allotment questioned

A 15-minute portion of the day East County students in grades K-5 use to socialize or chase friends around the playground has become a tense subject for parents, teachers and the Manatee County School District. It's one that's even sparked a lawsuit.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2015
News Briefs

County closing Jiggs boat ramp for upgrades; Memorial service for Dan Nolan set for Friday; Peace Presbyterian seeksto expand its footprint

  • East County
  • News
This photo was taken on top of an old bank that was destroyed in the war. The orange building in the background is Alisha Erozer's school, United World College, in Mostar. Courtesy photos of Alisha Erozer
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 13, 2015
Former Ranch student finds home in Mostar

Alisha Erozer says she's gaining global perspective as she studies with students from 42 countries.

  • East County
  • News
Cindy Gordon has loved birds since she was a child. Now, she's the founder of a new Ranch bird club — the Avian Club.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 13, 2015
Join the club!

Lakewood Ranch formed three new clubs this month and residents continue to add new groups to the mix.

  • East County
  • News
Joel Henderson has spent years in kitchens as a chef. Today, he's his own boss. Photos by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 13, 2015
Doing Business: Scrambled

Joel Henderson remembers what it was like to be an employee who dreaded going to work.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 13, 2015
Ranch showcases new films comes to Ranch

The Inspiration Academy will show 35 national and international films competing for a 'Best of Fest' award.

  • East County
  • News
The Wildcat team defeated Tito's in overtime Sunday, at the Sarasota Polo Club, during the final of the first 8-goal match in January, presented by Wesco Turf. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2015
Wildcat team gallops toward overtime victory

Tito's played Wildcat in the final of the first January 8-goal match, presented by Wesco Turf, Sunday, at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophia Falco has loved soccer since she was 5 years old. This week she's leading the Lady Mustangs toward districts. Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 13, 2015
Sophomore helps lead Mustangs toward districts

A member of a soccer-playing family, Sophia Falco is comfortable as a leading Mustangs' scorer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Playwright Jack Gilhooley's latest New York production was "The XXX Scholar," presented by Variations Productions in June 2014. Gilhooley, a Mote Ranch resident, has been writing plays for more than 40 years.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 13, 2015
Dreaming up drama

Although prolific, James Joyce isn't exactly great theater material. So Jack Gilhooley wrote a play about Joyce's feisty wife instead.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 7327 Haddington Cove has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,851 square feet of living area. It sold for $975,200. Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 13, 2015
Country Club East home sells for $975,100

A home in Country Club East at Lakewood Ranch tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Roxana Walters submitted this sunrise photo, taken on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2015
Weather: East County

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover.*

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Photo by Kristen Herhold
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2015
News Briefs

Town Hall to close for Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Amore by Andrea opens for lunch; New Pass dredging to begin this week

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Robert Morrison's Rolls Royce was a gift from the Queen of Holland. He frequently drove it on Longboat Key and around St. Armands Circle. File photo
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 13, 2015
Morrison's insight improved vision for millions

Dr. Robert Morrison invented the soft contact lens and treated countless celebrities. His career began with the goal of being the best he could be.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Roger Pettingell has sold 95 properties priced at $1 million or more over the past five years. File photo
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 13, 2015
Pettingell ranks No. 1 for third year in a row

Coldwell Banker's Roger Pettingell sold $67 million worth of real estate in 2014, more than any local agent.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By George Rauch
  • January 13, 2015
Market Watch: Economic forecast stays sunny in 2015

More wealth was created in the United States in 2014 than in any other year in history.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Barbara Gail and Demetra Nash
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 13, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Selby Public Library Looking into the Crystal Ball

The Friends of the Selby Public Library held its fifth annual Looking into the Crystal Ball event on Jan. 14. The event featured psychics, a palm reader, performers and 50 exhibits. Proceeds from the night will go toward the library's youth programs.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2015
CALENDAR: Longboat Key weekly events

The following events and meetings will take place this week on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The county also discussed eliminating the fare for those riding Sarasota County Area Transit who are 80 years old or older.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 12, 2015
County commission tables parking ban for Siesta streets

Sarasota County commissioners asked the fire department review street parking safety on Avenida Milano and Avenida Madera.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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