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Your Observer

File photo
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 30, 2014
Federici was notorious for chasing stories

Bill Federici, former crime reporter and Brooklyn editor for the New York Daily News, died April 22. He was 82.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rabbi Jonathan Katz congratulates essay winner Justin Hartshorne.  Photo by Kelsey Grau
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • April 30, 2014
Community observes Yom HaShoah at Temple Beth Israel

Sharing was a common theme throughout this year's community observance of Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Day of Remembrance, April 27, at Temple Beth Israel.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2014
Ranch resident honored for service

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce recognized Lakewood Ranch resident Wendy Nebrijah for her fight against drug addiction during the second Champions of Healthcare Awards breakfast.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2014
Nolan teacher, team win robot war

Nolan Middle School students may not have come home grand champions from the world VEX Robotics competition last week, in California, but they took home top honors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Heather Kasten will start as the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's new executive director May 12. She currently serves as Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s vice president of membership. Photo by Josh Siegel
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 30, 2014
Business alliance hires new executive director

Heather Kasten plans to lead the charge for growth and economic development in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Construction of Hyundai of Lakewood started earlier this month. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 30, 2014
Dealership relocates to East County

Gettel Automotive Group sees Lakewood Ranch as a prime location for its new dealership.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2014
Letters to the Editor

Observer readers weigh in on current issues and events.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2014
News Briefs

Manatee County School District CFO resigns; School District enacts temporary spending freeze

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 30, 2014
Saputo awarded DAR Medal of Honor

Gold Coast Eagle's Col. John Saputo becomes one of about 1,500 people honored with the award since 1972.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch junior Talia Falco won the triple jump with a jump of 36 feet, 10.5 inches.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 30, 2014
Mustang Stampede

Sisters Talia and Sophia Falco will lead the Lakewood Ranch High track team into the FHSAA Class 3A track and field championships May 3, in Jacksonville.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 30, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Out-of-Door Academy tennis players Mary Ann Rompf and Maria Ross will play together on the junior tennis circuit this summer. They hope to defend their state titles in the spring. Photo by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 30, 2014
Perfect Pair

The Out-of-Door Academy freshmen state champions Maria Ross and Mary Ann Rompf will continue their doubles partnership on the USTA junior tennis circuit.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 30, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 30, 2014
Sidelines

ODA's season ends in playoffs; LRCC to hold summer golf camp; Mustangs will host summer hoops camp; Ellenton to start hockey program

  • East County
  • Sports
After winning the school district's logo design contest, sophomore Abigail Vigna is considering attending art school. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 30, 2014
East County student wins school district logo contest

Sophomore Abigail Vigna never thought the doodles she started etching in the margins of her notebook last year would translate into more than class-time entertainment.

  • East County
  • News
In 2011, Larry Rose founded a program that connects volunteers and youth in the juvenile justice system — Replay Outreach. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 30, 2014
Program gives youth a second chance

Replay founder Larry Rose has a plan to keep youth out of detention centers - but it will require help.

  • East County
  • News
Foundation for Dreams Director of Development and Fundraising Elena Cassella and Executive Director Susannah Cripe plan to use the new playground for camp activities. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 30, 2014
Nonprofit makes play toward long-term goals

Foundation for Dreams expects to complete its new barrier-free, $150,000 playground in mid-May.

  • East County
  • News
Benjamin Bell, center, meets with students at Imagine School to inspire them to appreciate being Americans. Photo by Josh Siegel
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 30, 2014
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guard visits Imagine

Eighth-grade students will see the history they learned about when they travel to the Capitol.

  • East County
  • News
Capt. Nick Froelich shows off the 692-pound shark's giant set of jaws. Photo by Robin Hartill
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 30, 2014
12-year-old tourists catch 692-pound mako shark

Tony Musca, Ryan Roberts and Sam Von Duhn have quite the shark tale.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Donna Bennett submitted this sunset photo, taken at Lido Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2014
Weather: Longboat Key

Donna Bennett submitted this sunset photo, taken at Lido Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 30, 2014
Business Briefs

$6.1 million sale is top Bird Key transaction since 2008; LaPensee expands to offer new-pool construction; Manatee County's property tax payment plan approaches

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Unit S-201 at La Firenza, 4125 Gulf of Mexico Drive, has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,521 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.1 million. File photo
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 30, 2014
La Firenza condominium sells for $2.1 million

A condominium in La Firenza tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Submitted by Shirley Myers
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2014
You Observed

Here's a roundup of reader-submitted photos from events around the Key. To submit photos for this new weekly feature, email Kelsey Grau at [email protected].

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch home, which has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,974 square feet of living area, sold for $880,000. Photo by Josh Siegel
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 30, 2014
Country Club Village home sells for $880,000

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

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Photos by Amanda Sebastiano. Waldorf Sarasota teacher and puppeteer Connie Manson crafts a variety of puppets, including finger puppets, out of wool. She uses them in the classroom and at public puppet shows.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 30, 2014
VIDEO: Passion for Puppets

Puppeteer Connie Manson brings tales to life for students.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mindy Towns submitted this sunset photo, taken near Heron’s Nest Park in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2014
Weather: East County

Mindy Towns submitted this sunset photo, taken near Heron's Nest Park in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Marvin Albert and Gerri Aaron
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 29, 2014
VIP Sir Frederick Ashton Festival Kick-Off Luncheon

VIP Sir Frederick Ashton Festival Kick-Off Luncheon

  • Black Tie
A $65,000 study could shape the future of Sarasota County Area Transit.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • April 29, 2014
County to evaluate SCAT efficiency

An independent cost estimate would give Sarasota County commissioners a crucial tool in deciding whether to privatize the local transit system.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A private fundraising drive is expected to help fund improvements to Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 29, 2014
Rowing park denied state funding

The state's 2014-15 budget does not include funding for improvements to Nathan Benderson Park, but the park is still on track to host the 2017 World Rowing Championships.

  • East County
  • News
Volunteers mark nests with stakes for documentation and protection. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 29, 2014
Turtle nesting season begins this week

Beginning May 1, turn off or shield lights visible from the beach to avoid disorienting turtles.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 29, 2014
DID warns against return of paid parking

After one board member said it appeared paid parking appeared poised to return to Sarasota streets, the rest of the group voiced its staunch opposition to such a program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Carolyn Johnson and Cheray Keyes-Shima
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 29, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Celebrate Outstanding Leadership Awards Luncheon

The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Sarasota County held its Celebrating Outstanding Leadership Awards Luncheon Tuesday, April 29. Chamber members and Leadership Sarasota alumni gathered to recognized Corporate Partner of the Year Sun Hydrolics, Rubert Ludwif, Mery Beth and Jim Bos and Charles Hines.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nancy Koplin, Shaunna Brady and Barabara O’Brien with their classes.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 29, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Beth Sholom School Kachina Dolls

Temple Beth Sholom School students stuffed their Hopi tribe dolls Tuesday, April 29. The dolls, known as Kachina, were originally made by the Southwestern Native American tribe the Hopi. Kindergarteners, first and second grade students, led by Nancy Koplin, Shaunna Brady and Barbara O'Brien, have been learning about Native Americans this school year. The students used cotton harvested from the school's garden to stuff the small, colorful dolls.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Emergency personnel transported 54-year-old Thomas Ballerino to Blake Medical Center following a crash on the John Ringling Bridge Monday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • April 29, 2014
Motorcyclist dies following afternoon crash

The 54-year-old man involved in a crash on John Ringling Bridge Monday, has died from his injuries.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A family visiting from Massachusetts enjoys the sunshine on an afternoon walk along a Longboat Key beach on Tuesday, April 29.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • April 29, 2014
PHOTO OF THE DAY: A Day at the Beach

A family visiting from Massachusetts enjoys the sunshine on an afternoon walk along a Longboat Key beach on Tuesday, April 29.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
SCF students who meet admissions requirements will now gain early acceptance to LECOM's Masters in Health Services program.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 29, 2014
LECOM and SCF join forces for masters program

State College of Florida students who meet admissions requirements will gain early acceptance to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Master's in Health Services Administration (MHSA) program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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