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Your Observer

Jess Mears, the clerk to the CDD boards, swears in Jerry Twiggs, left. (Photo by Josh Siegel)
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 23, 2014
Ranch CDD 2 swears in new board supervisor

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

  • East County
  • News
A project to widen a 2.5-mile section of State Road 64 from four to six lanes in the East County is nearly complete, after more than two years of construction. (Photo by Amanda Sebastiano)
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 23, 2014
Officials say State Road 64 expansion almost finished

After more than two years of slowed traffic into and outside the 7-Eleven gas station on State Road 64, Sharon Swigger welcomes the removal of orange traffic cones outside the station's doors.

  • East County
  • News
Andrew Spehr, a recipient of a heart transplant, and Rita Smith spoke on behalf of LifeLink, a nonprofit organ- and tissue-recovery organization. (Photo by Josh Siegel)
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 23, 2014
Church encourages use of health care planning

Harvest United Methodist Church participated in National Healthcare Decisions Day for the first time.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Photos by Amanda Sebastiano Wolves Head General Manager Rob Hallam throws a pizza made from his secret recipe.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 23, 2014
Doing Business: Wolves Head Pizza & Wings

The red-walled restaurant, nestled in the corner of Lane Plaza Too on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, offers 19 beers on tap and eventually will offer daily specials and host events.

  • East County
  • News
The Coastline Volleyball 18 Rox team won the 88-team 18 American division of the Big South National Qualifier April 4 through April 6, in Atlanta. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 23, 2014
Big South Champs

The Coastline Volleyball 18 Rox team will compete in the 35th annual USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships this summer, in Minneapolis.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tre Gregory
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 23, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 23, 2014
Sidelines

ODA crowns state tennis champs; Rosedale to hold junior golf program; LECOM organizes annual golf tourney

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch coach Tony Cummins congratulates his team following a scoreless inning. Photos by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 23, 2014
Postseason Promise

The Mustangs captured their fifth-consecutive district championship with a victory against Braden River. The teams may face off again in regional play.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Ashley Bongart plays Ingrid Neel in her first professional tennis match April 17. (Photo by Kelsey Grau)
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 23, 2014
Mustang Ashley Bongart makes debut as a pro

Lakewood Ranch High junior Ashley Bongart competed in the quarterfinals of the 2014 Sarasota Open April 17.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cameron Greco, a sophomore at Riverview High School, is an aspiring actor who hopes to see the message of valued diversity translate into his future field of work.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 23, 2014
The Good News: Embracing Our Differences' Cameron Greco

Using the universal language of art, Embracing Our Differences hopes to create newfound appreciation for the value of diversity.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Cortez Bridge connects mainland Manatee County to Bradenton Beach. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 23, 2014
Repair project on Cortez Bridge begins next week

The $4 million project is expected to extend the bridge's life by 10 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Deputy Chief of Police Frank Rubino has 33 years of law-enforcement experience. (Photo by Robin Hartill)
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 23, 2014
Rubino promoted to deputy police chief

The town's new deputy chief hopes to create an unpaid unit of certified reserve police officers who could help the department and combat senior scams.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 23, 2014
Town, WCIND to draft agreement on cost share for $760,235 sand project

The town's estimated cost for an upcoming West Coast Inlet Navigation District (WCIND) dredging project that will place sand on the severely eroded north end this summer will be approximately $300,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 23, 2014
Discussion avoids 237-unit elephant in the chambers

The commission discussed possible changes to its nuisance procedure without mentioning the shuttered Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bush
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Our View

Why Jeb Bush will win

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Letters to the Editor

Paragon sets the record straight; ZBA approved variance over residents' opposition

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Kai inventor Kelly Atkins, center, leads a class at Sara Dance. Photos by Molly Schechter
    By
  • Molly Schechter
  • April 23, 2014
Aerobic Grandma: Local teacher launches new way to dance yourself fit

Kelly Atkins created Kai, a dance-based form of cardiovascular conditioning with strong connection to the mind/body universe.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This home at 232 Seagull Lane in Bird Key has five bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths, a pool and 7,287 square feet of living area. It sold for $6.1 million. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 23, 2014
Five-bedroom Bird Key home sells for $6.1 million

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Simon Greenman submitted this sunset photo, taken on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Weather: Longboat Key

Simon Greenman submitted this sunset photo, taken on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Three Things: Everything's Golden
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • April 23, 2014
Three Things: Everything's Golden

High end or low, Golden Gate Point is a special place - an enclave of peace and quiet that's just steps to everything.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Business Reports

Pottery studio celebrates anniversary; London Bay Homes constructs 'Adalia'; Neal ends strong in first quarter

  • East County
  • News
This Country Club Village home, which has four bedrooms, and 5,787 square feet of living area, sold for $2.25 million. (Photo by Amanda Sebastiano)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 23, 2014
Four-bedroom home tops sales at $2.25M

A home in Riverdale tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Rev. Brian Bagley-Bonner blesses Piper, a beagle/pug mix owned by Marge Hooie.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 23, 2014
Prayer for Pups

Faith United Church of Christ held its first Blessing of the Animals event in nearly a decade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lisa Deutsch submitted this sunset photo, taken over Lake Uihlein.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2014
Weather: East County

Lisa Deutsch submitted this sunset photo, taken over Lake Uihlein.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Honoree Gerri Aaron and Marvin Albert
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 22, 2014
CVA Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon

CVA Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon

  • Black Tie
  • By Zara Barrie
  • April 22, 2014
Factory Girl: In the Closet with Emily Owen

Factory Girl: In the Closet with Emily Owen

  • Sarasota
  • News
David LaCamera, Sonya Dlug, Matthew Graham, Roy McBean Youth of the Year Maria Monroy and Sarasota County Boys and Girls Club President/CEO Bill Sadlo
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 22, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Leadership Sarasota celebration ceremony

The 2014 Leadership Sarasota class celebrated the completion of this year's project Tuesday, April 22. 36 The class of 36 donated more then 600 hours to the Roy McBean Club of the Boys and Girls Club since September. The volunteers helped organize nutrition classes, build rain barrels, create a learning garden and paint a mural by the club's playground. The class worked closely with Boys and Girls Club volunteers and children and thanked the children during the ceremony.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Shirin Desai-Gibson tries to help collect trash every couple of months.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 22, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Sunset Beach Cleanup

Beach lovers celebrated Earth Day at Whole Foods Market's Sunset Beach Cleanup Tuesday, April 22, on South Lido Beach. Volunteers spent two hours cleaning the beach and park before enjoying healthy snacks provided by the market. 'I love the beach and I like it clean,' says Shirin Desai-Gibson.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A double diverging diamond interchange has been proposed by the Florida Department of Transportation.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2014
I-75 funding axed from state budget

The state Legislature has eliminated a proposal for $100 million in transportation funding from the budget. FDOT planned to use some of the money for improvements to Interstate 75 at University Parkway.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sand will be deposited this summer on the severely eroded north end. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 22, 2014
Town, WCIND draft interlocal agreement for $760,235 project

Town Manager Dave Bullock estimates a WCIND sand project will cost the town approximately $300,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County staff originally proposed the Beach Road Drainage Improvements in 2005.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • April 22, 2014
Barge skirts Siesta for drainage project

Sarasota County's Beach Road Drainage Improvements project is 91% complete. The latest work came from a barge installing a diffuser on a stormwater discharge pipe.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lift Station 87, largely completed underground in Luke Wood Park, will have to undergo significant changes before it can function as a wastewater facility for the city.
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 22, 2014
Lift Station 87 costs projected at $27.1 million

The engineering firm tasked with completing work on the lift station says the project - originally budgeted at $12.5 million - could cost another $13 million before it's finished.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • April 22, 2014
Siesta special event permits to get another look

The county commission agreed Tuesday to consider adding Halloween to the list of holidays covered by a special event permit available to Siesta businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home features an Infinity pool that overlooks Sarasota Bay. (Courtesy Cheryl Loeffler)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 22, 2014
Bird Key home sells for $6.1 million

The transaction was the highest sale on Bird Key since January 2008.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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