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Your Observer

Sarasota County announced it is again safe to swim and participate in other water activities at Bird Key Park.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 14, 2014
"No swim" advisory lifted at Bird Key Park

County officials received test results Saturday that showed the water at Bird Key Park met state and federal standards. On Thursday, the county issued a 'no swim' advisory for the area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"It's all very real now," says bride-to-be Sara Amick as she tries on her first wedding dress at "Operation Wedding Gown."
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • July 14, 2014
Sarasota store hosts 'Operation Wedding Gown'

Military brides were invited to choose the dress of their dreams for free at Sarasota Brides & Formalwear as part of Brides Across America's "Operation Wedding Gown."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Manatee Cal Ripken 9U All-Star team has won 17 straight games since forming seven weeks ago.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 14, 2014
Manatee Cal Ripken All-Stars win state crown

The Manatee Cal Ripken 9U All-Star team defeated North Brandon 12-2 to win the Cal Ripken Florida State Championship July 13.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jack Flovig, 8, prepares his optimist boat as Alex Berndt watches.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • July 13, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Yacht Club Summer Camp

Children of the Sarasota Yacht Club learned to sail during a morning summer camp session July 11. The two-week sessions also include activities like trips to the beach, swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Christina “Pinky” Williams helps Amelia Desha skate.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • July 12, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Face Autism Skate Party

Face Autism Inc. held a skate party for families Saturday, July 11, at Stardust Skate Center. Families were able to rent skates and skate for two hours for free thanks to the Sarasota-based nonprofit founded by Colleen Buccieri. The Manasota roller-derby team, the Rolling Renegades, helped children skate. The team has skated with Face Autism families for more than a year. "They're great kids," says teammate Shylynn "Tess Tickles" Gamble.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cade Strom passes the volleyball to his dad, Kyle.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • July 12, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Dig the Beach

Siesta Key Beach transformed into a volleyball haven for the 2014 Dig the Beach Volleyball Series Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13. Professional and amateur volleyball players ages 10 years and up will compete in the day two-day tournament.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Attendees of the service say kiddish as they finish the Shabbat service.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 12, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Kehillah Potluck

Kehillah of Lakewood Ranch held its monthly Shabbat service, followed by kiddish and a potluck dinner July 11, at the Windsor of Lakewood Ranch. A

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 11, 2014
City presents preliminary budget

As the city works through the fiscal year 2014-15 budgetary process, it will work to cover a $3.6 million general fund deficit in the city manager's initial budget proposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 11, 2014
Visit Sarasota County center relocating downtown

President Virginia Haley announced at the Sarasota County Commission meeting Wednesday that the visitor's center would be moving.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 11, 2014
Last year for FCAT assessment test in Florida schools

This was the last school year the Florida Department of Education will assess performance in schools with the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sand stopped pumping onto the north end of the island July 3 and the contractor spent the last week smoothing out the sand and grooming the newly shaped coastline.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 11, 2014
Beach project wraps up

Approximately 100,000 cubic yards of sand was placed on the north end of the Key from North Shore Road to Broadway.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Benderson Development plans to redevelop the remains of a vacant mobile-home park near Siesta Key. The Siesta Key Association is concerned about the impact of the proposed development on traffic. (Photo by Alex Mahadevan)
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 11, 2014
SKA requests additional traffic study

Concerned that traffic patterns will become congested with a development at Stickney Road and U.S. 41, the Siesta Key Association has requested the county facilitate an additional traffic study for the intersection.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Manatee County schools bested its school grades from last school year by 20%.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 11, 2014
Florida Department of Education rates East County schools as above average

The Florida Department of Education released school grades June 11.

  • East County
  • Schools
Friday's meeting is the first of three budget workshops scheduled for this month.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 11, 2014
City staff to present preliminary budget

At a workshop today, the City Commission will hear a presentation detailing the city manager's preliminary budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"A predator will break the egg open and eat the yoke, but leave the baby," said Holly West.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • July 11, 2014
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Flippered Friends

Mote Marine Laboratory's Holly West washes a baby sea turtle that was brought in after a coyote attacked its nest July 10. Sea turtles face a variety of predators while they're nesting, but Mote strives to help them by caring for any wounds, administering antibiotics and releasing them off shore when they're strong enough.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Blackboard CEO Jay Bhatt says it's an honor to recognize “forward-thinking educators who are helping create a world inspired to learn.”
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • July 11, 2014
Blackboard Inc. honors Sarasota schools

The award honors those in the education field who strive for excellence in teaching.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Florida gubernatorial race continues to heat up with an ethics complaint Sarasota GOP Chairman Joe Gruters filed against candidate Charlie Crist.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 11, 2014
Gruters files ethics complaint against Crist

Sarasota Republican Party Chairman Joe Gruters contends Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist failed to fully report his financial interests as required by state laws.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Children pour ice water over Dick Vitale.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 10, 2014
VIDEO: Vitale makes splash for cancer

ESPN commentator Dick Vitale was drenched in ice cold water today to raise money for cancer research.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Candidates for the District 2 Sarasota County Commission seat answered questions at the Tiger Bay Club candidate forum Thursday, July 10, at Michael's On East.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 10, 2014
Commission candidates questioned on hot-topic issues at forum

Sarasota County Commission candidates for District Two answered questions revolving around homelessness and development at the Tiger Bay forum today.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota County health officials have advised the public to avoid swimming at Bird Key Park to elevated bacteria levels.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 10, 2014
County issues a no swim-advisory for Bird Key Park

County health officials detected elevated levels of enteric bacteria Thursday in the waters near Bird Key Park, a designated dog park, which is west of the Ringling Bridge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Groins like these structures that were built behind The Islander Club will be built next summer near North Shore Road
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 10, 2014
Groin project costs come in under $2.5 million

The groins will be built next summer near the North Shore Road beach access to help hold sand in place on the north end that is swept off the Key

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Surveillance video from June shows one of two men wanted for bicycle thefts at a condo complex on North Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 10, 2014
VIDEO: Sarasota Police seek help with bike thefts

Surveillance video shows two men allegedly stealing bicycles from the Alinari Condominiums on the North Trail last month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
County Commissioner Joe Barbetta, County Commissioner Christine Robinson with Mark Huey
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • July 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Tiger Bay Club luncheon

Sarasota community leaders gathered for the monthly Tiger Bay Club luncheon Thursday, July 10, at Michael's On East. The club invited guests to meet county commission candidates Paul Caragiulo, Shannon Snyder, Pete Theisen, Steve McAllister and Alexandra Coe. Tom Tryon of the Herald Tribune served as moderator for the forum.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Steve Gianopolus, Design 2000, Penelope Mabrey, ServPro of Bradenton, and Gary Humphreys, Longboat Limo
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • July 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosted a networking luncheon July 10, at Beachhouse Restaurant in Bradenton Beach

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Meghan Keever, of Windstream, with Jennifer McKinnon, of Truman’s Catering
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: LRBA Networking Social

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosted its monthly networking social Wednesday, at the ComCenter Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Two tourists were involved in a wave runner collision near the Lido Beach Resort Wednesday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 10, 2014
Man dies in Lido wave runner crash

Zachary Collins, 25, died Wednesday night, after his rented watercraft crashed into another vessel driven by 25-year-old Keaton Fowler near the Lido Beach Resort.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Police received a call at 2:18 p.m. July 8, about a burglary in progress on Buttonwood Drive.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 10, 2014
Longboat police stop burglary in progress

Police arrested Charles Joseph Griffith Jr., who they say could be responsible for additional burglaries on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo Klaus Fritsch with Mary Manhoff
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2014
Show of support

Siesta Key Hardware owners Patricia and James Hillier are bringing the island community closer together.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2014
Creative contest

Southeastern Guide Dogs has announced a T-shirt design contest for its 2015 walkathon held across the state.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2014
Growing up green

More than 80 campers experienced the beauty of nature at the S.T.E.M. Summer Camp last week in Venice.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Jessica Salmond Turtle Beach’s skinny shore is still a popular location for beachgoers and kite surfers. However, without renourishment, the sand will continue to wash away.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 10, 2014
County seeks to shore up South Siesta Key

The South Siesta Key Beach renourishment is on a deadline to fill in the shoreline before the erosion threatens infrastructure.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 10, 2014
DID faces budget limitations

The city's Downtown Improvement District is looking for new sources of revenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo by Jessica Salmond. Six SCAT buses will sport a new "island" theme as part of SCAT's new visibility campaign. The campaign will officially launch on Saturday, July 12, although one bus ran in the Fourth of July parade.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 10, 2014
SCAT rolls out new routes, buses and mobile site

With the release of 19 new buses, a new Siesta route and a mobile website, Sarasota County Area Transit hopes to attract more riders, especially to Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 10, 2014
FDOT aims to provide roundabout education

FDOT is spearheading a project featuring two roundabouts on U.S. 41.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Twins Zach and Christian Berendes were the only two players from the area selected for the LB3 Lacrosse 2016 National Team.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 10, 2014
National Recognition

Nineteen Monsters Lacrosse Academy players, including three from Cardinal Mooney, will play this summer on LB3 National Teams, which comprise the best players from across the nation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
DINNER DUO. Linda Pearson and Phil Pickrell brought their Sarasota Observer along to a dinner at Pearson's sister's house in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 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.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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