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Your Observer

6633 Gulf of Mexico Drive
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 6, 2014
Luxurious Life

Beach pavilions, infinity pools, tennis courts - they're just a few of the features you'll find in the region's top listings.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
File photo Lakewood Ranch High senior Ashley Bongart chose Tennessee over Alabama, Auburn and Florida State.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 6, 2014
Mustang chooses Volunteers

Last week Lakewood Ranch High senior Ashley Bongart verbally committed to play tennis for the University of Tennessee. She officially visits the school in September.

  • East County
  • Sports
Photo by Amanda Sebastiano This Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch home, which has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,892 square feet of living area, sold for $955,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 6, 2014
Country Club Village home sells for $955,000

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

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Pam Eubanks The traffic signals installed at the entrance of Edgewater, at University Parkway, will be similar to signals at Lakewood Ranch Boulevard at the entrance to Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 6, 2014
Manatee County improves Edgewater traffic light design

The changes will delay the project by about two months.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 6, 2014
News Briefs

Church closes on second location; Animal Services hosts adoption event; County cancels MCAT fares, meetings on election days

  • East County
  • News
Gloria Kaminsky submitted this sunset photo, taken after an afternoon storm in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 6, 2014
Weather: East County

Gloria Kaminsky submitted this sunset photo, taken after an afternoon storm in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
File photo Unit M-908 at L'Ambiance condominium has three bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 3,220 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.8 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 6, 2014
L'Ambiance condominium sells for $2.8 million

A condominium in L'Ambiance at Longboat Key Club tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Courtesy photo Hayley Rutger and Aly Busse, of Mote Marine Laboratory, receive a check from Brian West, of Publix.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 6, 2014
Business Briefs

Mote receives Publix marine science grant; MSC Foundation awards charitable grants; Harry's Continental Kitchens to close for summer break

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Arbomar is located at 4485 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 5, 2014
Legal battle continues at Arbomar condo

Resident Pete DiNicola added new allegations to his original complaint in an Aug. 1 motion filed in Manatee County Court.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sanborn Studios released a statement about its interactions with the county, saying the county said the company had met its contractual obligations.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 5, 2014
Sanborn responds to county's legal action

The county filed a lawsuit against Sanborn Studios July 28. The company says the county is not being truthful.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Observer video team talked to Rosemary District merchants about plans to turn the area into a design destination.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 5, 2014
VIDEO: Rosemary merchants unite to form Design District

Business owners in the Rosemary District have found a common ground they plan to leverage to turn the once-blighted neighborhood into a destination: design.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Author Stephen King has sold more than 350 million books worldwide and will speak at the fundraising event "A Night with Stephen King" in January.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 5, 2014
Manatee Library Foundation announces thrill-seeking speaker for fundraiser

Author Stephen King will speak at the Manatee Library Foundation's 'A Night with Stephen King' fundraiser, to be held Jan. 29, at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Members of the Siesta Key Village Association plan to attend the Sarasota County Planning Commission meeting Thursday to speak up in support of allowing businesses to display goods outside.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 5, 2014
SKVA to show support for outdoor displays

The Siesta Key Village Association discussed the Siesta Key Overlay District amendment to allow outdoor displays at the meeting Tuesday morning.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A community document-shredding event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 15, in the Town Hall parking lot.
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • August 5, 2014
Town Hall to host document shredding event

Longboat Key residents will have an opportunity to shred their unwanted documents for free.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 5, 2014
Manatee Village Historical Park welcomes all aboard its new playground

The new train-themed playground at Manatee Village Historical Park, Junior Junction, is ready for use.

  • East County
  • News
A Sarasota Police Department boat cruises in the Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix parade last month.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 5, 2014
Grand Prix surpasses last year's impact

The 2014 Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival generated $17 million in economic impact to the region, which eclipsed last year's total by 11%, according to a report from a Tampa -based market research firm.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota County deputies found Michael Reign Goodman, 41, dead from apparent gunshot wounds after answering a domestic disturbance call before 1 p.m. Monday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 5, 2014
UPDATE: Sarasota deputies investigate homicide

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has an unnamed suspect in custody in connection with a domestic-related shooting that occurred at a home on Ranchero Drive Monday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gulf-front home property owners with a median value of $1.3 million will see a $1,104.98 change in their total tax bill for 2015.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 4, 2014
Town recommends combined $954,397 tax increase

Town Manager Dave Bullock seeks tax increases to the operating budget and beach millage districts to offset declining revenues and brace for pricey beach projects next summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Renovations to the Key Club's Islandside and Harbourside golf courses are ongoing. (File photo)
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • August 4, 2014
Renovations ongoing at Longboat Key Club golf courses

Plans to resurface the greens at the Harbourside and Islandside golf courses are currently underway, with new, saltwater tolerant grass being used to give the course a more natural look.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sanborn Studios agreed to create 117 new full-time positions in its agreement with Sarasota County in 2010. File photo.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 4, 2014
County files lawsuit against Sanborn Studios

Sarasota County officially filed against the film production company July 28 for breaching its contract with the county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A palm grove on North Palm Avenue causes flooding and other issues, nearby businesses say. The City Commission will consider removing the trees later this month.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 4, 2014
DID to discuss Palm Avenue trees

At a meeting Tuesday, the Downtown Improvement District will revisit a proposal to remove a palm grove from an area of Palm Avenue that businesses say is in need of improvements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
County Commission candidate Alan Maio is in the financial lead for the most contributions.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • August 4, 2014
Candidates submit latest financial reports

Sarasota County Elections Supervisor Kathy Dent released the latest campaign finance reports Aug. 1.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 4, 2014
UPDATE: Water main break highlights aging infrastructure

City of Sarasota staff believes a water main break that forced the closure of both lanes of the North Trail for most of Saturday was due to its age.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Deputies found nearly two pounds of cannabis, $740 in cash and a scale covered in marijuana residue in 20-year-old Carmon Meredith’s truck last week.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 4, 2014
Deputies arrest man caught with pounds of pot

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has charged 20-year-old Carmon Merideth with the possession of marijuana with intent to sell.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Five-year-old Landon Marshall receives some last minute advice from his father, Steve, before stepping into the batter’s box.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 3, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Bible Baptist Church baseball camp

Bible Baptist Church held its eighth annual baseball camp July 28 through Aug. 2. Thirty kids, ranging in age from 8 to 12, hit the diamond for this year's camp. Players participated in a variety of hitting and fielding drills before dividing into teams for a series of scrimmages.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Corbin Merriott and Roman Haught remember all the actions for the songs.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Harvest Music and Drama Camp

Children in Harvest United Methodist Church's annual Music and Drama Camp shared what they learned about God through their musical performance of "iAm."

  • East County
  • News
Kathy Akin, Connor Crandall, Carolyn Tudor and Tammy Swafford wait in line.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 2, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Back-to-School Backpack Brigade

The Tiny Hand Foundation and other Sarasota charities hosted a Back-to-School Backpack Brigade Saturday, August 2, at the Boys and Girls Club. Hundreds of volunteers helped back backpacks and organizing supplies. The volunteers filled more than 1,500 backpacks with school supplies that will be given away to area children in need. 'I feel really happy,' said Savannah Loukota as she handed out notebooks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cadets raise the flag.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 2, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: SMA Prep Ceremonial First Flag Raising Ceremony

Future SMA families and teachers came together for the Ceremonial First Flag-Raising and School-Warming Celebration Saturday, August 2, at SMA Preparatory Middle School. The flag-raising took place in the school's courtyard and was followed by the introduction of SMA Prep's Head of School Philip Eddy. The middle school was completed this summer and will open for class later this month. 'This day is a momentous and historic in Sarasota,' said Head of School Phil Eddy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Katya Prokopenko and Annie and Alex Breitinger enjoy drinks together.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Music on Main

Hundreds of East County residents and friends jammed to music by Kettle of Fish Aug. 1, during Lakewood Ranch Main Street's monthly Music on Main event.

  • East County
  • News
This week's FYI Friday features a story about snakes that might make your skin crawl.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 1, 2014
FYI Friday - Your weekly news roundup

Catch up on the week's most important and most interesting news stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County with FYI Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The men attempted to use counterfeit $100 bills at three different 7-Eleven locations.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 1, 2014
Men arrested for use of counterfeit bills

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested two men early Friday who attempted to purchase items at several convenience stores with fraudulent $100 bills.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch residents Taylor Shaklik and Brenna Cullen perform alongside Egypt Jacobs-Triplett, of Sarasota.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Drama Kids Camp

Children in the Drama Kids summer camp program wrote plays and commercials and learned the basics of theater July 18 through Aug. 1, at Sun 'N Fun.

  • East County
  • News
Kettle of Fish will play from 6 to 9 p.m. during Music on Main, Aug. 1.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 1, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Music on Main

From 6 to 9 p.m., Aug. 1, rock 'n' roll and blues music will take over Lakewood Ranch Main Street during Music on Main.

  • East County
  • News
Chen Li serves the volleyball.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: LECOM Olympics

For the members of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2018 to get acquainted with each other, the school hosted an all-things sports LECOM Olympics event, July 31 at Summerfield Park. The 50 participants joined teams of six and competed in basketball, volleyball and other events.

  • East County
  • News
Last year’s Longboat Key Triathlon drew more than 400 people. (File photo)
  • By Caleb Motsinger
  • August 1, 2014
Registration open for Longboat Key triathlon

The race takes place Oct. 19, beginning at the Resort at Longboat Key Club's Islandside golf course.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 1, 2014
Mote scientists study red tide bloom

The recent red tide bloom has been reported offshore of Hernando County in the area of a large fish kill.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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