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Your Observer

Boice
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 7, 2014
Principals relocate to East County schools

Three longtime Manatee County educators prepare for the transition to East County schools.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 7, 2014
FDOT continues push for interstate funding

Officials expect leftover money from other projects to fund interchange improvements for I-75 and University Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 7, 2014
Students race toward nationals

Merritt Kendzior, Hannah Figueras, Madelyn Kumar, Victoria Sinclair and Domenic Aluise will compete in the F1 in Schools National Final, at Michigan International Speedway.

  • East County
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 7, 2014
Dominant Defender

Cardinal Mooney junior Alex Stoffel helped lead the boys lacrosse team to its first district title in three years this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kathy Keebler says goodbye to students, such as Kadence Baker, on her last day at Braden River Elementary, April 30. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 7, 2014
Longtime BRE secretary retires

Kathy Keebler plans to travel with her husband during her retirement.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2014
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 7, 2014
Sidelines

Lakewood Ranch WGA celebrates; Rosedale raises money for GSJGA; Local student wins Spirit Award

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 7, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Eleven-year-old Kaylee Cooper battles a Pinecrest Premier midfielder for possession.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 7, 2014
Braden River Rage teams dominate Sarasota Cup

The Braden River Rage U9 and U15 boys and U11 and U16 girls were four of 145 teams that hit the field for the 2014 Sarasota Cup April 26 and April 27, at various venues.

  • East County
  • Sports
Courtesy photos Former "American Idol" contestant Sam Woolf juggles his newfound stardom and time with his friends and family as he prepares for the show’s summer tour.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 7, 2014
Balancing Act

After being voted off 'American Idol,' Sam Woolf juggles his newfound celebrity status and his former life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 7, 2014
Country Club Village home sells for $1.04M

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

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Diane Maddaleno has been coming to the Meals on Wheels Plus Daybreak Adult Day Services for five years. Pictured with Chief Development Officer Kristen Theisen, Maddaleno says she enjoys the variety of activities and discussions the organization offers.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 7, 2014
The Good News: Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee strives to improve the lives of seniors in the area through both traditional meal delivery programs and supportive care-giving services.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
"My whole life has been involved in art — teaching art, making art, being an artist," Eleanor Merritt says. "It's my life, and that's just the way it's been."
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • May 7, 2014
Girl Power

In her work as an experimental contemporary artist, Eleanor Merritt focuses on the matriarch.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2014
Business Briefs

Roofing by Curry earns three GAF master elite awards; Neal Communities hits April sales record; Concession sales gaining momentum; Realtors engage in house-hunting show

  • East County
  • News
Marilyn Kessler submitted this photo of cirrus clouds over Lorraine Road.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2014
Weather: East County

Marilyn Kessler submitted this photo of cirrus clouds over Lorraine Road.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lucy Nicandri and Mason Tush
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • May 7, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: 2014 Tarpon Tournament Kick Off Dinner

The 84th annual Sarasota Tarpon Tournament held its kick off banquet Wednesday, May 7. The event is the world's oldest tarpon tournament and runs from May 10 through June 15. The five-week tournament will include overall, fly, junior, ladies, a his-and-her division and a most-releases category. At the banquet, guests enjoyed a barbecue dinner before winning raffle prizes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joann Mancuso, Cindy Hayworth and Melissa Herron
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • May 7, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Turtle Watch Wine Tasting

The last wine tasting of the season drew a caring crowd on Wednesday, May 7, at Harry's Restaurant on the Patio. Benefitting the Longboat Key Turtle Watch, the event offered attendees a sampling of wine from around the world as well as hors d'oeuvres.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lou Newman with one of this many photographs featured at Plymouth Harbor’s Mezzanine Art Gallery.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • May 7, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Lou Newman's "Birds & Bears" Exhibit

Lou Newman's wildlife photography exhibit, 'Birds & Bears,' opened with a reception on Tuesday, May 6, at Plymouth Harbor's Mezzanine Art Gallery. The works will be on display until August 31.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Charlie Kennedy has been an educator for 10 years.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 7, 2014
Local educator files for school board

Charlie Kennedy, a Manatee High School social studies teacher, will run for the District 2 seat of the Manatee County School Board.

  • East County
  • News
Lisa Hodo, Dan Gladding and Davida McDonald can’t wait for their food to arrive.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 7, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Manatee Chamber Power Connection Lunch

Members and prospective individuals who wanted to join the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, met for a lunch date and socializing May 7, at MacAllisters Grill & Tavern, 8110 Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
McKim and Creed provided this early rendering of a potential building at Lift Station 87, though design elements of the above-ground structure are still subject to change.
    By
  • David Conway
  • May 7, 2014
Commission OKs above-ground lift station building

In an attempt to protect the forthcoming Lift Station 87 from severe storm surges, the Sarasota City Commission approved a new design for the project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Danmeyer has worked with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando and Habitat in Frederick County, Md.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • May 7, 2014
Habitat for Humanity welcomes new Executive Director

Deidre Danmeyer will replace retiring Executive Director Judith Wilcox. 'Her experience, passion and leadership are vital to our organization," says Michelle Hazeltine, board president.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The $2.1 million projected cost of the Sarasota BMX track renovations is $400,000 over budget, which Sarasota County staff say won't be the case as the design progresses.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 7, 2014
County advances BMX renovations

Sarasota County commissioners voted to spend $31,000 for a pre-construction manager upgrades to the Sarasota BMX track, but questioned a business plan for the future of the park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jo Rita Stevens with rev. Don Roberts
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • May 7, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Kiwanis Club Prayer Breakfast

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Sarasota began their day with a Prayer Breakfast Wednesday, May 7, at Der Dutchman. The breakfast was part of the international club's thirteenth annual Kiwanis Club World Week of Prayer. Attendees enjoyed a fresh breakfast and heard from guest speaker Rev. Don Roberts, past president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo by Kelsey Grau
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2014
New to the nest

Mote Marine Laboratory's Sea Turtle Patrol was in for a surprise Tuesday morning when it came across tracks leading to the first nest of the season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2014
Calling all graduates

The Longboat Observer is seeking all 2014 high school and college graduates who live on Longboat, Lido, St. Armands and Bird keys for its annual graduation special.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2014
Campaign Against Summer Hunger

Here are the donation totals for All Faiths Food Bank's Campaign Against Summer Hunger.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photo by Jen Blanco Thirteen-year-old Connor Park and his younger sister, Heather, 9, both plan to compete in trampoline next year.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 7, 2014
Going for Gold

Siblings Connor and Heather Park began taking trampoline and gymnastics lessons at Kids Supergym about three years ago.

  • East County
  • Sports
Grace Casagrande
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 7, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Blue Que Island Grill began as a smokehouse on Siesta Key in 2000.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2014
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Blu Que Island Grill

This week we went in the kitchen at Blu Que Island Grill with General Manager Maureen Hazlett and chef Kent Dalton while he prepares the restaurant's award-winning Asian smoked chicken wings.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Courtesy photo The Green Team — Linda Martin, Tony Montalbano, Dave Volker, Joanne Burnham, Heather Roseboom and Mike Basilone — won the scavenger hunt.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • May 7, 2014
Employees 'hunt' down clues

Members of the Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority worked together during inaugural scavenger hunt.

  • East County
  • News
Courtesy photos CrossFit Lakewood Ranch coach Josh Davis completes one of five CrossFit Open workouts, which landed him a spot in the this weekend's regional competition.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 7, 2014
Full Force

CrossFit Lakewood Ranch trainer Josh Davis will compete in the 2014 CrossFit South East Regional Competition May 9 to May 11.

  • East County
  • News
Orlando-based Unicorp National Development Inc. President Charles Whittall submitted an offer for an undisclosed sum to purchase the estate, which includes a $23 million judgment ruling against Colony unit owners.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 7, 2014
Colony developers show their hands

With an auction sale of 2.3 acres of Colony property scheduled for Friday, two different development teams have made offers for Dr. Murray 'Murf' Klauber's bankrupt estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Voters approved via a referendum in March 2011 the issuance of a $16 million bond, with District A voters footing 80% of the bill and District B voters paying the remaining 20%.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 7, 2014
Beach taxing-districts concerns arise

Town Attorney Maggie Mooney-Portale said the town's beach taxing districts 'have exposure moving forward that needs to be cleared up.'

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy rendering Architect Gary Hoyt was hired last year to design preliminary town center renderings for the public and area businesses to see.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 7, 2014
Zoning for town center up next

The town is the new owner of 2.8 acres of land that sits in an area slated for a town center concept. The town is crafting an overlay district to entice such development.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2014
News Briefs

Commission makes changes to some boards; Police report string of bicycle thefts on the Key; Longboat Key Club begins golf course renovations

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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The Citizen Tax Oversight Committee meets once a year to review expenditures of revenue brought in from the infrastructure surtax. The 2026 meeting lasted about 15 minutes on Thursday, April 2.
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