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Your Observer

    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 2, 2014
Inspector General clears McGonegal of wrongdoing

The Inspector General's Office said allegations against the school district's former leaders do not merit more investigation.

  • East County
  • News
Photo by Amanda Sebastiano East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Byron Teates stands near a lot located behind the East Manatee Fire Rescue District Station No. 1. The parcel may house a training tower as early as next fiscal year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 2, 2014
Fire stations welcome upgrades

The East Manatee Fire District will rebuild one station and add a training tower to another.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Cops Corner: East County

The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Our View

Why Jefferson wrote it

  • East County
  • Opinion
Courtesy photos The Tampa Bay Hurling Club captured its second trophy after winning the 2014 Peach Cup Tournament June 7, in Atlanta.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 2, 2014
Luck of the Irish

The Tampa Bay Hurling Club practices every Wednesday evening at the soccer fields behind Lakewood Ranch High School.

  • East County
  • Sports
Photos by Jen Blanco Seven-year-old Ian Keck couldn’t wait to jump into the pool and practice his strokes.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 2, 2014
Splish Splash

The School of Fish recently launched a preparatory, competitive team swimming program for 5- and 6-year-olds.

  • East County
  • Sports
East County resident Mary Nell Moore submitted this sunset photo, taken overlooking Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Weather: East County

East County resident Mary Nell Moore submitted this sunset photo, taken overlooking Sarasota Bay.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • July 2, 2014
Longboat Key lets freedom ring at Fourth of July festival

The morning begins with the parade lineup at 8:30 a.m. Friday, followed by the parade processional at 9 a.m.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Photo by Kelsey Grau Unit L-307 at L'Ambiance has two bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, and 2,385 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.4 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 2, 2014
Three-bedroom Lido Key home sells for $2.35 million

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Volunteer Sierra Snow and Director of Development Katie Hood enjoy working one-on-one with people affected by Alzheimer's.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • July 2, 2014
The Good News: Katie Hood

Focusing on healthy brains, Katie Hood and the Alzheimer's Association provide support for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
April Johnson submitted this photo of a storm front, taken at the BeacHhouse Restaurant.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Weather: East County

April Johnson submitted this photo of a storm front, taken at the BeacHhouse Restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 2, 2014
Sidelines

All-Stars win district crown; LWR Marauders to host tryouts; Eight-year-old records first hole-in-one

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2014
Community Golf

Read up on the latest community golf scores from Rosedale, River Club and more.

  • East County
  • Sports
Photo by Pam Eubanks This Waterlefe Golf and River Club home on River Bank Terrace has three bedrooms, four bathrooms and a pool. It sold for $1,175,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 2, 2014
Waterlefe Golf and River Club home tops sales

A home in Waterlefe Golf and River Club tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Diane King with Skip and Glenda Stanton
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • July 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: A Nautical Night of Giving

The 30th annual Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival's 'A Nautical Night of Giving' drew a generous crowd July 1, at the Sarasota Yacht Club. The theme set the tone for the evening, which benefitted Suncoast Charities for Children.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nick Kyrgios won the Sarasota Open men's singles title earlier this year, held at the Tennis Gardens at the Longboat Key Club.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 1, 2014
Sarasota Open champion upsets Nadal at Wimbledon

Unseeded Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios knocked off Rafael Nadal, the No. 1 ranked men's tennis player in the world, at Wimbledon today.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town staff only expected a 3% increase in property values this year.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 1, 2014
Key property value rises confirmed

Key-wide, property appraiser offices in Manatee and Sarasota counties are reporting a 5.5% increase in island property values.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mary Grace Epps (as Penny Pingleton) and Jordan Bollinger (as Tracy Turnblad) watch their favorite show on television.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 1, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Hairspray Jr.

Campers in Lakewood Ranch High School's Acting Up Performing Arts Camp performed "Hairspray Jr." June 26.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
New Pass will be closed to boat traffic Sunday, July 6, for the annual boat races.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 1, 2014
New Pass closed for Grand Prix

The inlet will be closed to public boat traffic from 10 a.m. to roughly 4 p.m. Sunday, for the Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Administrative Law Judge Lynne Quimby-Pennock ruled June 30, that Robert Gagnon should not be penalized for his involvement in the former Manatee High School assistant football coach's case
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 1, 2014
Judge rules in favor of Robert Gagnon

Administrative Law Judge Lynne Quimby-Pennock agreed June 30 former Assistant Superintendent Robert Gagnon should not lose his job with the Manatee County School District.

  • East County
  • News
The National Weather Center expects Tropical Storm Arthur to develop into a tropical storm Tuesday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 1, 2014
UPDATE: First tropical storm of season forms in Atlantic

After a quiet start to the 2014 Hurricane Season, Tropical Storm Arthur has formed off of the east coast of Florida.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Artspace has developed one project in Florida to date, the Sailboat Bend lofts in Ft. Lauderdale.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 1, 2014
Artspace proposal gains momentum

A firm specializing in affordable live/work artist housing has targeted five properties on the North Trail as suitable sites for such a development. A market study is the proposal's next hurdle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Big Pass, which has never before been dredged, is the desired source of sand for a long-term Lido shoreline restoration project backed by the Army Corps of Engineers.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 30, 2014
County endorses short-term Lido renourishment

At a workshop today, the Sarasota County Commission encouraged city staff to maximize the potential of a Lido Beach renourishment project scheduled for later this year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota County commissioners finished a series of budget workshops this week.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • June 30, 2014
Barbetta opposes Robarts spending

Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Barbetta during a budget workshop Monday, voiced opposition to improvements planned for Robarts Arena.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Since October 1992, Key property owners have paid for beach projects using the following model: District A voters foot 80% of a beach project bill and District B voters pay the remaining 20%.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • June 30, 2014
Beach price tag: $23.8 million

The Longboat Key Town Commission is poised to spend up to $23.8 million in the next two fiscal years to buffer the island's shoreline with sand for the next five years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Anthony and Vincent D’Amato
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 30, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Art in the Park

The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast held its annual Art in the Park at Bay Preserve Monday, June 30. The early morning event invited families to be creative and make special bowls with pieces of nature and paper plates. The activity was organized by Kristi Mesick of Pure Imagination Studio.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The public checked out a variety of classic cars.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 30, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Super Boat Grand Prix Car Show

Hundreds of automotive and boating enthusiasts turned out to Lakewood Ranch Main Street June 29, as it hosted the 30th annual Super Boat Grand Prix Festival Car Show June 29.

  • East County
  • News
(Courtesy) Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputy Blake Luce secures an alligator that was struck by a car on Richardson Road Monday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 30, 2014
Deputy wrangles gator in north county

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office assisted in the removal of an alligator from Richardson Road Monday.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota County currently outpaces the state with an unemployment rate below 6%.
  • By Alex Mahadevan
  • June 30, 2014
Sarasota among leaders in job growth

Sarasota County ranked fifth in employment growth last year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released this month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputy Chris Butler received burns from a deployed airbag Sunday, after a driver struck his SUV during a traffic stop.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 30, 2014
Driver hits deputy's vehicle on I-75

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office was conducting an operation aimed at 'Move Over' violations Sunday, during which a 77-year-old Ellenton man struck a law enforcement SUV and left the scene.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sally Shaprio cuts the ribbon of the center.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 29, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sally and Sam Shapiro Babies and Children's Medical Center Ribbon Cutting

Sarasota dignitaries and citizens celebrated the completion of the Sally and Sam Shapiro Babies and Children's Medical Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony Sunday, June 29. The center is the newest addition to the Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center located on 17th Street. After the ceremony, guests were invited to explore the new facility and meet members of staff. "It's an exciting day for our children and for the community," says Jay Berman, executive director of the Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Event co-founder Spyder Broussard with his wife, Frances, and friends Dan and Melody Suzor
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 28, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Spyder Broussard Low Country Boil

The Polo Grill and Bar hosted its seventh annual Spyder Broussard Low Country, East County Fish Fry and Shrimp Boil tonight.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 28, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Patriot Plaza Dedication Ceremony

Sarasota veterans and community leaders celebrated the Sarasota National Cemetery's newest addition, Patriot Plaza, with an opening ceremony Saturday, June 28. The morning ceremony began with a performance by the Venice Concert Band and included remarks by Congressman Vern Buchanan and John Rosentrater, director of Sarasota National Cemetery. The plaza, which seats more than two thousand and includes 49 images embedded in marble, was donated by the Patterson Foundation. 'Patriot Plaza is a jewel to our community and a gift to our nation,' says Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of the Patterson Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This bicycle was located on the side of the road. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 27, 2014
Deputies make arrest in child abduction case

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office arrested David L. Walker Sr. today for providing false information to law enforcement.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 27, 2014
Orange Avenue parking lot to close in July

Beginning July 8, the parking lot at the southeast corner of Orange Avenue and Second Street will be closed for three weeks for a city improvement project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The village includes galleries, a wide variety of shops and restaurants. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • June 27, 2014
Weekend Best Bet: Fourth Friday Art Walk

Guests can watch painting demonstrations, have intuitive readings and meet authors at this monthly event the Historic Downtown Village merchants hosts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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