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Your Observer

Brandon and Rebecca Desch deliver food Thursday with Bayside Community Church's annual 9/11 outreach program. Since 2008 the church has provided lunch for area first responders on Sept. 11.
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • September 11, 2014
Church feeds first responders during annual 9/11 outreach

Bayside Community Church expands its yearly program by delivering 800 lunches to first responders in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Other beaches in the area are still safe, such as South Lido and Longboat Key.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 11, 2014
No swim advisory issued for North Lido Beach

Due to elevated levels of bacteria found in feces and stormwater runoff, Sarasota County advises beach goers not to get in the water at North Lido.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Retired New York firefighter Don O'Leary, right, watches the ceremony.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 11, 2014
Firefighters remember 9/11

Local firefighters gathered to remember first responders killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, as well as volunteers and those who were injured, during a ceremony at Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Katelyn Schneider tries on a hat she finds inside of a West Manatee firetruck.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • September 11, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Remember 9/11 Project

Students of Providence Community School, located at Lakewood Ranch Baptist, held their second Remember 9/11 Project ceremony today at the East County Church. Attendees sang patriotic songs and listened to a presentation by Sept. 11 survivor and retired New York City firefighter Garrett Lindgren.

  • East County
  • News
Phill Younger announced Sept. 10 he will run for re-election in March.
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • September 11, 2014
Younger to seek third and final term for town commissioner

The former attorney is the first to qualify for March elections.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Faculty member Michele McClellan gets soaked by cold water.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • September 11, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Middle ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, Renaissance Assembly

Braden River Middle School students and faculty members met Sept. 10, in the school's gym, for the monthly Renaissance Assembly. Students who earn 3.5 GPAs, or improve by .5 from the previous semester, attend the monthly celebration, which this month included faculty members, such as Carl and Michele McClellan, completing the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fitch Ratings increased the utility system revenue bond from "AA" to "AA+."
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 11, 2014
Sarasota County receives another positive Fitch review

Fitch Ratings said the county has a 'stable outlook' and was driven by 'superior financial management.'

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Out-of-Door Academy volleyball team improved to 2-0 in district play.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 11, 2014
Lady Thunder prevail in five sets

The Out-of-Door Academy volleyball team defeated Bradenton Christian 18-25, 27-25, 25-22, 15-25, 15-12 in Class 3A-District 10 action Sept. 9.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 11, 2014
High Five Moments of the Week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2014
A climb for heroes

Joining with firemen from Central Florida, the Suncoast FOOLS firefighters gathered Saturday, at Plymouth Harbor, to pay homage to the fallen heroes of Sept. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2014
Student's art gains national exposure

ART.WRITE.NOW.DC, a year-long exhibit featuring works of art and writing and hosted in the lobby of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building in Washington, D.C., opens Sept. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Blue Rooster co-owner Bill Cornelius worries about how businesses in the Rosemary District are being affected by problems associated with an influx of homeless individuals in the area. Photos by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 11, 2014
Rosemary District faces new homeless challenge

Fed up with problems caused by a growing shift in the homeless population, businesses ask the city for help in their neighborhood.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Vengroff
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 11, 2014
VIDEO: Vengroff looks to fill need for housing

Entrepreneur Harvey Vengroff takes action to address the lack of transitional housing for the area's homeless.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2014
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Some drivers speed through the intersection of Central Sarasota Parkway and Legacy Trail while others slow to check for oncoming bicyclists and pedestrians. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 11, 2014
Legacy Trail street crossing remains source of confusion

Since the Legacy Trail opened in 2008, the signage at its crossing with Central Sarasota Parkway has befuddled motorists and trail users alike.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 11, 2014
Short-term Siesta rental violations on the rise

Long after season faded, private homes are still being rented against code.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2014
News Briefs

Arlington Park pool reopens; Survey: Residents more confident of county officials

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ringling College of Art and Design officials want the library to not only serve as a state-of-the-art building to house books, but also as a meeting spot for students. Courtesy rendering
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 11, 2014
Ringling's new library to act as student hub

More than two-thirds of the way to its fundraising goal, Ringling College has begun the process of gaining city approval for its plans for a new library.

  • Sarasota
  • News
ODA fourth-grader James Gelvin looks up to tennis star Roger Federer. "His style is my kind of style," Gelvin says. "He hits the ball the way I dream of hitting the ball — smooth and not flat."
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 11, 2014
Rising Star

ODA fourth-grader James Gelvin won the boys 9s doubles title at the 3rd annual Little Mo Internationals-Forest Hills Aug. 24 through Aug. 30, at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, N.Y.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. Jennifer Macleod
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 11, 2014
Football Friday

The Observer wraps up the week in football.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Some residents have voiced a concern about what Luke Wood Park will look like following the construction of the Lift Station 87 building. Currently, earlier work is fenced off in the center of the park. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 11, 2014
Lift station proposal receives mixed reception

As the proposed Lift Station 87 building continues to evolve, public frustration has been a constant for the oft-changing project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 11, 2014
Sidelines

Riverview volleyball sweeps Braden River; Sailors boys golf team swings past Hurricanes; Registration now open for golf lesson program; ODA tops Braden River

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 11, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The member with the longest snake was deemed the club president. Photo courtesy of Jill Spelman
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • September 11, 2014
Shedding light on the Sarasota Snake Club

Sarasota is known as being the home of such attractions as the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, the Unconditional Surrender statue and ... the Sarasota Snake Club?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 11, 2014
City, businesses await action on retail study

The city hopes to implement a number of recommendations from consultant Robert Gibbs, but some businesses fear inaction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
School Board members Bridget Ziegler, Shirley Brown, Caroline Zucker and Booker Middle School Principal LaShawn Frost cut the ribbon for the new amphitheater. Photos by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 11, 2014
Curtain closes on Booker Middle renovations

School administration and families celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new amphitheater.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tuttle Walkway
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • September 11, 2014
Green Scene

Sarasota County has more than 55,000 acres of parks and preserves. The parks offer residents and visitors a place to relax and enjoy the weather in any season. We profiled some parks with unique features.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home at 1310 Hillview Drive has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,920 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,725,000. Photo by Harriet Sokmensuer
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 11, 2014
Casey Key home sells for $3.65 million

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

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2014
Business Observer

Crabtree, Maio join Habitat Sarasota board; Sarasota attorney named chairman of the law network; Public relations practitioner earns certification; All Faiths Food Bank adds new staff members

  • Sarasota
  • News
Iliana Moore submitted this photo of storm clouds rolling over Sarasota at sunset.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Do you love taking photos? We want your best photos of sunrises, sunsets, nature, etc. Submit your local weather photos for a chance to have your photo published in the paper! See all of the winning photos each week by visiting The Observer's Facebook page.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
ROADSIDE READING. The Millers — Kelly, Jeanne, Jim and Christopher — get ready for a downhill mountain biking run at Whistler Mountain Bike Park in British Columbia, Canada.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 10, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com/itsreadeverywhere to submit your entries. One winner will receive two travel certificates, good for travel from SRQ Airport.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
VATICAN VACATION. Andrew, Anthony, and Nicholas Sevarino brought their East County Observer along while sightseeing at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Rome.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 10, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com/itsreadeverywhere to submit your entries. One winner will receive two travel certificates, good for travel from SRQ Airport.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
WEDDING WISHES. Mike and Patt Staley visited Manchester, England, home of the Manchester United soccer team, while in England for their son's wedding at the Peckforton Castle in Cheshire.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 10, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com/itsreadeverywhere to submit your entries. One winner will receive two travel certificates, good for travel from SRQ Airport.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Applicants for two vacant City Commissions have until Friday to submit their paperwork — and they must do it in person, the commission decided.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 10, 2014
Commission holds firm on application process

The City Commission declined to change its procedures for filling two vacancies on the board after a resident requested to submit his application electronically.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Islandstyle Networking Luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m on Sept. 18 at the Tommy Bahma Restauraunt on St. Armands Circle.
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • September 10, 2014
Longboat Chamber of Commerce to host September networking events

Islandstyle Networking Event and Business After Hours helps to bring together professionals from various fields.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Orlando Magic's Pat Williams shares about becoming a successful leader.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 10, 2014
Pat Williams headlines Alliance event

Orlando Magic Senior Vice President Pat Williams shared how to become a leader with Lakewood Ranch business professionals today, during the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance membership luncheon.

  • East County
  • News
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