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Your Observer

Erosion near condos such as L'Ambiance, pictured, at the south end continues to shrink the recreational beach, although sand dunes protect the structures. File photo
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to watch: South-end erosion

Groin construction is underway to control north-end erosion, but on the south end, residents will have to wait until summer 2016 for more sand.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub owner Ed Chiles has owned the restaurant since 1989.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: North-end restaurants

Change is on the menu for two historic Longbeach Village restaurants.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Project consultants Donnie Holcomb, front, and Jason Starr, behind, review construction drawings with Publix Manager Richard Nelson during a December meeting with Market Street merchants. File photo
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: University's new diamond takes shape

As the Florida Department of Transportation begins an $83 million project to improve transportation at the intersection of University Parkway and Interstate 75, much of its work, at least initially, will be keeping motorists calm.

  • East County
  • News
Former dispatcher Susan Young handles calls from the Longboat Key Police Department.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 6, 2015
2015 issues to watch: 911 Police Dispatch

The Longboat Key Police Department is down one dispatcher and is about to lose another.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
News Briefs

Longboat Key recognized as 7th safest city in Florida; Centre Shops evacuated after gas leak; Town to test utilities on Jungle Queen Way, Broadway; FDOT plans for Longboat

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Duncan
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 6, 2015
2015 Issues to Watch: Commission races

The Longboat Key Town Commission will have at least one new face this spring.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Traffic Cattlemen Road and University Parkway is a major concern to East County residents. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
Issues to Watch 2015: Benderson promotes traffic management

In 2015, Benderson Development, co-owner of The Mall at University Town Center, hopes for approvals on some big time expansion.

  • East County
  • News
Mary Cantrell
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
Faces of '15

The East County Observer's list of the top newsmakers likely to make headlines in 2015.

  • East County
  • News
Bayside Community Church's new 2,500-seat auditorium is the focal point of the 73,347-square-foot expansion the church opened in December. Courtesy photos
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 6, 2015
Church opens expansion

The east campus of Bayside Community Church now hosts stadium seating and new ammenities for church members.

  • East County
  • News
Paul Blackketter, president of Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center and Associates, eagerly awaits the construction of SANCA's permanent facilities, including a finish tower and a boathouse. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
Issues to Watch 2015: Foundation finish line for funding draws near

The clock is ticking, but Teri Hansen isn't worried.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
in 2015 i resolve to ...

In the new year, East County students pledge to play outside, read more, help the elderly, be nicer to their siblings and maybe even buy a pet goat.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mark Gagnon has been designing mazes for more than a decade. He also writes his own music, among other artistic endeavors. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2015
Artist puts twists on work

Greenfield Plantation's Mark Gagnon has turned drawing mazes into a unique artistic expression.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Carol and Leonard Goodkin love traveling together.
  • By Carol Goodkin
  • January 6, 2015
On the road with the Goodkins

Carol Goodkin shares about her favorite dining and shopping spots in Charleston, S.C.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 12552 Highfield Circle has five bedrooms, four baths, two half-baths, a pool and 7,221 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,325,000. Photo by Kurt Schultheis
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 6, 2015
Country Club Village home sells for $2,325,000

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

  • East County
  • Real Estate
...
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2015
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great trip? Make sure to take your Observer along! Snap a photo of you holding your Observer on vacation, then submit it and you could win travel tickets, courtesy of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Doreen Steinhauser submitted this sunset photo, taken near Glenn Lakes in Bradenton.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 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
Alan and Joanie Stone and Richard Seidel
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2015
You Observed

Here's a roundup of reader-submitted photos from around the keys. To submit photos for this feature, email Kristen Herhold at [email protected].

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2015
Business briefs

Plymouth Harbor board elects new members; Mar Vista, Arts Center team up for concert series; Cannons recognized as top 100 boat dealer

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bruce Hugo submitted this photo, taken at sunset on Lido Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 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
“I wanted to show them a solution that won’t cost taxpayers any money,” Eric Robinson said. “It is technically possible.”
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 5, 2015
YouTube channel offers school board meetings online

Eric Robinson is uploading Sarasota County School Board recordings to his own channel for public viewing.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The town must hold a referendum before allowing any uses other than residential on the Islandside property.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 5, 2015
Referendum to go postal in May

Longboat Key voters will decide in a special election whether to give the stamp of approval to tourism on the Islandside property, most likely via mail.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy Photo. The first of the seven speakers planned begins with Pulitzer Prize winner, Charles Krauthammer on Tuesday, Jan 13.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 5, 2015
Neil deGrasse Tyson among Town Hall speakers

Tickets are now on sale for the Ringling College Library Association's Town Hall lecture series, featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Ben Bernanke, among others.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Vice Mayor Susan Chapman said the case against her has been drawn out by unprofessional legal practices by the plaintiff, Citizens for Sunshine.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 5, 2015
City resumes payments for Chapman's defense

Following a ten-month hiatus, the city of Sarasota will once again pay for the defense of Vice Mayor Susan Chapman in an ongoing Sunshine Law suit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Owners of Napier's Log Cabin Horse and Animal Sanctuary Alan and Sheree Napier will stand trial at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 26.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 5, 2015
Animal abuse case heads to court Jan. 26

Alan and Sheree Napier will stand trial at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 26, at the Manatee County Courthouse.

  • East County
  • News
Bob Bourque, John Martin, Sandi Drake, Jeff Morningstar, Fire Chief Paul Dezzi and former Capt. Bill Tokajer
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 5, 2015
Longboat Key named seventh safest city in Florida

Out of 224 cities, ValuePenguin listed Longboat Key as seventh safest.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Owner Glenn Comeau, left, and General Manager Brian Izzo stand in front of the pizza oven at Flatbread on Main. The restaurant is slated to open within a week.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 4, 2015
Pizzeria, craft beer bar coming to Main Street

Flatbread on Main - a new branch of a well-received Englewood restaurant - will open on Main Street this month, the latest in a line of craft-beer bars moving into the area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The town must hold a referendum before allowing any uses other than residential on the Islandside property.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 4, 2015
Commission to vote on Key Club referendum tonight

Voters will decide whether to allow tourism use on the Key Club's Islandside property if the commission approves an ordinance tonight.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Guests act out the lyrics to “The Twelve Days of Christmas” during the All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church Cabaret.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 4, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: All Angels Cabaret

Just enough Holiday spirit lingered around Longboat Key Saturday night for a holiday cabaret at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The park, which will sit at 7500 S.R. 64 E., will include 49 RV sites and a 1-acre lake when it opens this month.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 4, 2015
East County prepares for new RV park

A new RV park a mile east of Interstate 75 on State Road 64 East has plans for 108 sites and amenities such as a pool, recreation center and two lakes.

  • East County
  • News
The Manatee County Human Services grant benefit in-need children and families through the nonprofit organizations that serve in their communities.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 4, 2015
Ranch to host meeting for nonprofit funding

Community Services Department representatives will hold a funding application orientation meeting for local nonprofit organizations at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 16, at the United Way McClure Center, 4215 Concept Court, Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Diane Byrne takes in the orchid displays designed by professional growers.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 3, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: 58th annual Orchid Show

Gardening enthusiasts explored the greenery and blooms at the annual Orchid Show hosted by the Sarasota Orchid Society Jan. 3 at the Municipal Auditorium.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Malouf and Theresa Abraham with Dottier Baer Garner
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 3, 2015
Celebration Concert and Gala Dinner

Celebration Concert and Gala Dinner

  • Black Tie
Rachel Chambers had the second fastest time for the 5K Fun Run Saturday morning.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 2, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: 5K Fun Run

Local runners got a good start to the new year with a free 5K Fun Run on Jan. 3 hosted by the New Balance Sarasota store on Stickney Point Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Norma Martin thanked more than 70 people for attending her birthday party, and told everyone to make sure and take home a cupcake.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 1, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Norma Martin celebrates 100

Norma Martin celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family at her church, Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, in Sarasota.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Tom Ellison plays the saxophone for Soul Sensations.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 1, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Music on Main

Motown and blues enthusiasts enjoyed music by Soul Sensations Jan. 2 at Music on Main on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. G. Duncan Finlay is the newly elected chairman of the board of trustees for Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 1, 2015
Plymouth Harbor board of trustees welcomes new leadership, members

Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay announces new officers and board of trustees members.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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