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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 4, 2014
News Briefs

Sarasota businessman buys North Trail motel; Ringling College buys building near Sarasota High; Sarasota, Manatee Realtor groups consider merger

  • Sarasota
  • News
During this past winter, Visit Sarasota County wrapped a car of Chicago's L-train with photos of Sarasota skies and beaches.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 4, 2014
Sarasota area shines in creative campaigns

Visit Sarasota County dedicated more resources toward national marketing this year than ever before.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County Libraries Director Sarabeth Kalajian and Harvard Jolly Architect Amy Weber stand outside of the new Gulf Gate Library, which is 80% complete. Photos by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 4, 2014
VIDEO: Gulf Gate Library designed to feel like home

The two-story building is scheduled to be completed by late November, and the library is slated to open in January.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 4, 2014
Alumni club provides community for local Buckeyes

Every Saturday, members of the OSU Alumni Club flood into Captain Curt's on Siesta Key to watch their alma mater - and raise money for local students.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • September 4, 2014
The Devyn to offer new venue option

A longtime florist raises his ante in the event-planning business. He has good vibes about the high-cost project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Luisa and Robert Goldman
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • September 3, 2014
SPARCC Reception

SPARCC Reception

  • Black Tie
Manatee County expects to hire 50 additional teachers this school year, and will transfer 22 of those teachers to in-need schools.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • September 3, 2014
East County braces for growing enrollment

New numbers show the Manatee School District welcomed 1,200 more students compared with a year ago. District officials say they can handle the increase without affecting education.

  • East County
  • News
A three-member member legislative issues workgroup is working to transfer future ownership of Lakewood Ranch Roads from the CDDs to the homeowner associations.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 3, 2014
Road privatization effort gains traction

Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club communities seek to have more security and complete control over their streets and gates. The effort will take perseverance.

  • East County
  • News
Casey Schick, Terry Miller, Lori Denny and Maria Pugliese
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • September 3, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: East Meets West VI Regional Business Expo

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce and the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosted the 6th annual East Meets West Regional Business Expo Wednesday, Sept. 3, at Robarts Arena.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Officer Daniel Bidwell joined the Longboat Key Police Department Aug. 11, after 20 years in the Air Force and 10 years as a police officer in Charlotte County.
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • September 3, 2014
Calls of duty

The Observer recently joined police during a 12-hour shift, during which officers handled neighborhood disputes, routine patrol and a false report of a woman locked in a bathroom.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jerral Bell, 25, has been arrested at least 20 times on burglary, battery and multiple gun and drug charges, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • September 3, 2014
Sheriff's Office helps capture career criminal

Sarasota County deputies this morning arrested 25-year-old Jerral Bell, a fugitive recently featured firing a gun in the air in a surveillance video Sarasota Police presented to city commissioners.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cafe Gabbiano is located on Siesta Key in the heart of the village and offers fine Italian dining along with an extensive wine selection.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2014
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Cafe Gabbiano

This week we went in the kitchen at Cafe Gabbiano as chef Paolo DeCosta prepares an Allen Brothers filet with wild mushroom and truffle pate sauce paired with a parmesan risotto. Get the recipe and watch an instructional video in this week's 'In the Kitchen.'

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota County School Board approved a grant of $33,500 for Booker Middle School for musical instruction. File Photo.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • September 3, 2014
Booker Middle students perform for School Board

The Sarasota County School Board approved the consent agenda with no discussion after the Booker presentation and a special guest speaker.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Key Club General Manager Jeff Mayers watches the crowd Wednesday as USF Hospitality and Technology Dean Cihan Cobanoglu speaks about their partnership.
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • September 3, 2014
Key Club announces partnership with USF Manatee-Sarasota

The University and Resort will join forces to educate and employ students into school's Hospitality and Technology Leadership program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Harvey Vengroff recently proposed plans for an 800-unit development slated to be affordable housing Fruitville Road.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2014
Vengroff buys North Trail motel

Prolific Sarasota property owner Harvey Vengroff bought the Sarasota Airport Hotel for $2.25 million, with plans to accommodate families facing homelessness.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Thomas Trinchetto has been with Doctors Hospital for 12 years, during which he has served as chief of staff and chief of medicine.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • September 3, 2014
Doctors Hospital taps new executive

Doctors Hospital of Sarasota has named 12-year veteran Dr. Thomas Trinchetto as chief medical officer of the 155-bed facility located

  • East County
  • News
FAMILY FUN. Nuris Fanning and Karmen McGill brought their Observer along while attending the graduation ceremony for McGill’s daughter, Megan (not pictured), from Florida State University in Tallahassee.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 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
CRUISE NEWS. Nancy and Geoffrey Vavra read their East County Observer in front of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia. The couple enjoyed the stop as part of a 25-day Baltic cruise.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 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
CRUISE NEWS. Leslie and Tom Cail enjoy reading their Longboat Observer on a recent cruise from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Moscow.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 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.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2014
Blown transformer leads to outages

Lightning caused a transformer to blow late Saturday night, leading to power outages the next morning for several businesses at the Centre Shops of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ed Chiles starts the Ice Bucket Challenge.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2014
Chiles Group takes ice challenge

Staff at two Chiles Restaurant Group eateries recently participated in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that's gone viral in recent weeks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2014
Weather: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 3, 2014
'Whatever it takes'

Unicorp President Chuck Whittall is prepared to spend $35 million and five years to redevelop the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 3, 2014
Colony Lender files partition suit against Breakpointe LLC

Colony Lender LLC is asking a judge to force the parties to bid on a 2.3-acre parcel at the resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 3, 2014
Disorientations darken turtle nesting season but it is still not working.

Two hatchlings died last week after they crawled into the road, possibly due to bright lights along the beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 3, 2014
Neal plans Indigo, new Lakewood Ranch community

Neal Communities plans to continue growth in the East County.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 3, 2014
The man with a plan

On the heels of completing his 10,000th home, Pat Neal remains focused on building out Lakewood Ranch, and doesn't show signs of slowing down anytime soon.

  • East County
  • News
Heritage Harbour South CDD supervisor Lee Bettes said his greatest lesson learned throughout his time on the board is communicating with board members and residents. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • September 3, 2014
Departing CDD supervisor shares lessons

Heritage Harbour residents and supervisors say CDD meetings lack communication and requires more time to discuss the issues.

  • East County
  • News
Bob Bowling, pictured with football players Justin Ross, Jimiah Albritton and Davion Banks, is the only athletic director Braden River High has ever known since it opened its doors in 2005. Photo by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 3, 2014
Lasting Legacy

After 41 years as a coach, teacher and mentor, Braden River High Athletic Director Bob Bowling officially retired from his post Aug. 29.

  • East County
  • Sports
Courtesy photo Dan Miller
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 3, 2014
Football Friday

The Observer recaps the first week of football season.

  • East County
  • Sports
The group of retired U.S. military officials met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, bottom right, and other Israeli officials. Courtesy photos
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • September 3, 2014
LBK resident meets Israeli prime minister

Rear Adm. Steve Branham and his wife, Susan Phillips, recently traveled to Israel with a group of military retirees.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Michael Koscec submitted this photo of a heron standing on a groin on Longboat Key. The supermoon is faded in the background.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2014
Weather: Longboat Key

Michael Koscec submitted this photo of a heron standing on a groin on Longboat Key. The supermoon is faded in the background.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High junior Riley Bohan began lifting her freshman year after a good friend talked her into the sport. Photo by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 3, 2014
Going for Gold

Lakewood Ranch High junior Riley Bohan won three gold medals at the USA Weightlifting National Youth Championships earlier this summer.

  • East County
  • Sports
'I like to tell stories,' Sherry Derrenberger says of why she wants to be sit-down comedian. 'I like people to laugh.' Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 3, 2014
Derrenberger doesn't let MS get her down

Sherry Derrenberger wanted to be a standup comic but had to alter her dream slightly.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Modena has 4,228 square feet of space, four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 3, 2014
Business Briefs

Homebuilder sets new roof for pricing; Orchid nursery to host open house; Community Haven expands Haven Industries program

  • East County
  • News
Kelly Gannon submitted this photo, taken in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 3, 2014
Weather: East County

Kelly Gannon submitted this photo, taken in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
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Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
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