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Your Observer

Coral Sheridan, 5, enjoys last year’s Easter Egg Hunt at Mar Vista.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • April 18, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Longboat Key Easter Egg Hunts

Get your baskets ready because Longboat Key welcomes the Easter Bunny and his special eggs to the island this weekend. The fun begins at Mar Vista's 26th annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, and continues at Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant from 1:30 to 3 p.m on Sunday, April 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Runners can register online or at the race or tonight on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 18, 2014
WEEKEND BEST BET: Color Vibe 5K

Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch will host the Color Vibe 5K Saturday, April 19.

  • East County
  • News
Siesta Key resident John Sanders takes a break from carrying a solid-oak cross along Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 18, 2014
Photo of the Day: John Sanders carries cross

Drivers on Tamiami Trail can't miss John Sanders and his 120 pound cross. Sanders has been walking along Tamiami Trail since early this morning and plans to walk as far as Bradenton. The Siesta Key resident has carried the cross every Good Friday for more than a decade. "We have a country in dire need of a prayer," says Sanders.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch High softball team captured its fifth-consecutive district title April 17.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 18, 2014
PREP SPORTS: Thursday's Recap

Lakewood Ranch softball wins district crown. ODA tennis crowns state champs. ODA sends two to state finals. Lady Thunder win district crown.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rev. David Bumsted and Fr. Fred Robinson
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Stations of the Cross

Members of the community observed the beginning of Good Friday with the Stations of the Cross Friday, April 18. The walk was held on Main Street and was led by Fr. Fred Robinson and Rev. David Bumsted from Church of the Redeemer. More than eight churches were represented at the walk, which ended at Church of the Redeemer. "It helps people focus on what Jesus did," says Mike Dull.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2014
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Madfish Grill

This week we went in the kitchen at Madfish Grill with manager Casey Clinch while she prepares their signature seafood pie, a seafood medley with a sherry cream sauce in a puff pastry shell.

  • Arts + Culture
Terri Antonelli, James Hayward, Jean Hamilton and Debbie Amato
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 17, 2014
8th annual Paws on the Catwalk Luncheon

8th annual Paws on the Catwalk Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Three-year-old Kelly Sportsman searches for Easter eggs.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Library Easter Egg Hunt

Children ages 12 and under scrambled to find multi-colored plastic eggs filled with candy, April 17, at Braden River Library's Easter Egg Hunt. After attendees found all of the eggs that were tucked inside, behind and underneath books, they decorated Easter egg and bunny cutouts to take home, along with their sweet treats.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Owners of Napier's Log Horse Cabin and Animal Sanctuary, Alan and Sheree Napier, were arrested April 17, on 15 counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 17, 2014
UPDATE: Napiers arrested for 15 counts of animal cruelty

Owners of Napier's Log Cabin Horse and Animal Sanctuary, Alan and Sheree Napier, were arrested April 17, after months of investigations by the Manatee County Sheriff's Department.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • April 17, 2014
Mote Marine Laboratory awarded research grant

On Wednesday, Mote Marine Laboratory received a grant that will continue a thriving partnership with Israeli researchers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Students in Marti Bhame's second-grade class at Braden River Elementary take a bow.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: 'The Three F's...Fables, Folktales and Fairy Tales'

Students in Marti Bhame's second-grade class, at Braden River Elementary, embodied fictional characters and brought their stories to life during their production of "The Three F's...Fables, Folktales and Fairy Tales," April 17. The students performed three bite-sized renditions of "The Grasshopper and the Ant," "Dinerella" - "Cinderella" with dinosaurs - and "Stone Soup." Each mini play represented a different type of story to coincide with fairy tale and other story-themed curriculum Bhame has been teaching.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hospitality students Katey Witt, Brittany Figlow and Julieah Sinkler prepare lamb kebabs.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: HospitaBull Evening

USF Sarasota-Manatee held its 4th annual HospitaBull Evening at Polo Grill Thursday, April 16. There, USFSM 's College of Hospitality and Technology Leadership students planned, cooked and served food to guests.

  • East County
  • News
Lectric Limos, owned by Dennis Abbey, manufactures electric low-speed vehicles, including a pair used by the Tampa Police Department
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 17, 2014
VIDEO: Downtown advocates test new circulator vehicle

A low-speed vehicle is traveling through the heart of Sarasota today as part of an ongoing effort to find a fleet for a proposed downtown circulator route.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jerry Twiggs is sworn in by Jess Mears, the clerk to the CDD boards.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 17, 2014
Ranch CDD 2 swears in new supervisor

Jerry Twiggs will fill the Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 2 seat vacated by Kathleen Grant, who resigned in March.

  • East County
  • News
Jorgin Palacios' 4-year-old class poses with the Easter Bunny.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiddie Academy Egg Hunt

Children at Kiddie Academy enjoyed visits with the Easter Bunny, as well as an Easter egg hunt April 17, on the school's playground.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key Police Chief Pete Cumming with Officer Lee Smith (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 17, 2014
Officer Lee Smith receives commendation

Longboat Key Police Chief recognized Officer Lee Smith for his work in keeping the island secure.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Linda Korff submitted this photo of the halo, taken from her driveway in Bradenton.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2014
Reader-submitted photos of the sun halo

Check out these reader-submitted photos of the sun halo, which formed a rainbow-colored ring around the sun Wednesday, April 16. Clouds containing ice crystals cause the sun's light to refract, resulting in this phenomenon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Clementine Silver-Schwartz
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2014
Sweet Celebration

Temple Beth Sholom's youth group celebrated Passover with a Chocolate Seder Sunday, April 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2014
Seminole Spirit

Members of the Sarasota Seminole Club worked with Habitat for Humanity of Sarasota as part of Florida State University's Seminole Service Day.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lift Station 87, largely completed underground in Luke Wood Park, will have to undergo internal repairs before it can function as a wastewater facility for the city.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 17, 2014
Obstacles plague lift station

The new engineering team tasked with overseeing the work at Lift Station 87 discovers more challenges as it attempts to complete the protracted project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Artspace Senior Vice President Wendy Holmes speaks at a public meeting during the company's visit to sarasota April 9.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 17, 2014
Artist housing could jumpstart North Trail

A visit from a nonprofit that develops artists' live/work housing provides hope for local artists looking for a home - and North Trail advocates who hope to see the area redeveloped.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Duval's New World Café
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 17, 2014
City could quiet Duval's desire for nightclub status

Duval's New World Cafe seeks a liquor license, but the city worries about a potential transformation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2014
Our view

City breaks St. Armands' trust

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 17, 2014
Preliminary city budget shows $3 million deficit

The city of Sarasota began its budget season Monday, and at the opening of the five-month process, staff projects a deficit of more than $3 million in the city's general fund for fiscal year 2015.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • April 17, 2014
County School Board looks to hire lobbyist

Sarasota County School Board members claim the district needs a more vocal presence in Tallahassee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Police Sergeant Randy Thompson was named police officer of the year for the third time in his career this week.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 17, 2014
Thompson named officer of the year

Randy Thompson was honored for a Dec. 12 incident in which he was able to restrain a suspect that was threatening several neighbors with a gun.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 17, 2014
City attorney sides with residents on complaints

Instead of approving a traffic study for a new development at U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue, the city mandated the consultant provide options to mitigate traffic in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This rendering depicts the extension of Cattlemen Road and Sarasota County's future world-class rowing venue at Nathan Benderson Park. (Courtesy rendering)
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • April 17, 2014
Upcoming events spur Sheriff's Office changes

A series of high-profile international sporting events on tap for Sarasota County pose unique law enforcement challenges for the Sheriff's Office.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • April 17, 2014
Army Corps delays the release of impact study

Sarasota County staff examines its options to independently review the Corps' plans, including an offer from 'Dr. Beach.'

  • Sarasota
  • News
Travis Amuso's personal best pole vault is 13 feet, 6 inches. He's hoping to break that this season. (Photos by Jen Blanco)
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 17, 2014
Familiar Heights

Pole vaulter Travis Amuso hopes to return to the Class 4A state championships this season in honor of his late grandfather and coach, Guy Amuso.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2014
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
WARM WELCOME. Mark Sortet escaped the cold Chicago winter and enjoyed a five-day stay on Lido Key earlier this year. He learned more about his vacation destination while reading his Sarasota Observer at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 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. We can't wait to see where The Observer will travel next!

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tre Gregory
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 17, 2014
Sidelines

Founders Club to offer summer membership; Orioles minor league to hold extended training; Play Golf Sarasota to hold tournament; Sarasota is right up alley of professional bowlers

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Webber
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 17, 2014
Your Neighbor: Amy Webber

When Amy Webber isn't teaching adult ceramics at Sarasota County Technical Institute, she is designing teapots.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Staff at the 12th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem program sort through the delivery of presents for children up to 18 years of age.
  • December 22, 2025
Gift donations break record at Sarasota Sheriff's Office
2
Cindy Ritchell, Ann Quackenbush, Brenda Korthauer, Beverly Sutton and Kit Torchia all lend a helping hand in packing seeds to send internationally to farmers who need them. Quackenbush is a driving force behind Hope Seeds, a charitable ministry through Christ Church of Longboat Key.
  • December 22, 2025
Longboat's Hope Seeds nears 10 years of giving back
3
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo
4
Manatee County commissioners approve reducing speed limits throughout the county.
  • December 22, 2025
Speed limits reduced on nine roads in Manatee County
5
The library will be constructed on the light green area depicted on this map within Longboat Key's Town Center Green. The entire library would be around 11,230 square feet with the possible enhancements.
  • December 22, 2025
Buchanan's $1 million donation formally accepted for library

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