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Your Observer

    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 12, 2014
Parishioners prepare for annual festival

Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church will host its second church festival this weekend.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 12, 2014
Teenagers create generation-building events

East County students' Future Problem Solving Program project unites generations through the use of technology.

  • East County
  • News
Courtesy photo The Florida Department of Transportation changed the curve of this sidewalk to save a tree, pictured here.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 12, 2014
Contractors start work on gravity wall project

Despite the collapse of sections of I-75 Jan. 27, workers remain on schedule with a sidewalk improvement project on the north side of University Parkway and I-75.

  • East County
  • News
Adam Hoynacki celebrates receiving his white coat with daughter, Amelia, and wife, Sidney.
  • By Michael Polin
  • February 12, 2014
Students earn white coats

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton campus held white coat ceremonies Feb. 8 for 136 pharmacy students and 192 medical students at Harvest United Methodist Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
GOOD NEWS. Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club residents Fran and Thom Mastrelli brought their East County Observer along on their recent tour through South Africa. They caught up on their news at the Cape of Good Hope near Capetown.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 12, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com and click on the 'Contests' tab in the upper-right hand corner to submit your entries. We can't wait to see where The Observer will travel next!

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch midfielder Maria Miller attempts to maintain possession for the Lady Mustangs.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 12, 2014
Legacy fulfilled

The Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team finished the season 24-1-1, posting new program records for the most wins and shutouts in a season.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Cardinal Mooney High boys basketball team
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 12, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mitch Arnold
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 12, 2014
College commitment

Nine athletes from Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools made their college choices official on National Signing Day.

  • East County
  • Sports
Photos by Jen Blanco Lakewood Ranch's Martin Martinez fights a North Port defender for possession Feb. 7.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 12, 2014
Historic run

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team will make its first Final Four appearance Feb. 14 in Melbourne.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 12, 2014
Sidelines

Lakewood Ranch High Wrestling; GSJGA golfers tee off for WTS; Pirates coach resigns; Inspiration Academy opens season undefeated

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 12, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Vickie LaChance keeps her husband, Earl, happy by making him and his softball teammates sandwiches.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 12, 2014
Second chance for love

Earl LaChance took a chance on love when courting his wife, Vickie. Today they thrive in a relationship based on communication, sacrifice and, of course, sandwiches.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pam Eubanks. This home in Country Club Village, which has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,977 square feet of living area, sold for $1.5 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 12, 2014
Country Club Village home sells for $1.5 million

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

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Bahman Badiee submitted this photo of kayakers at sunset, taken near Robinson Preserve.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 12, 2014
Weather: East County

Bahman Badiee submitted this photo of kayakers at sunset, taken near Robinson Preserve.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Karen MacIntosh smiles in her special Chico’s Black Label outfit.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 11, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Harbourettes Fashion Show

The Harbourettes hosted their annual fashion show luncheon on Tuesday at the Longboat Harbour clubhouse. This year's theme was 'Sail Away' and showcased Chico's outfits that were perfect for travel.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Marjorie Davis, Louisa Hodder and Joan Viguers
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 11, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Windward Bay Pizza Dinner

On Tuesday, the Windward Bay Social Club held a pizza dinner for residents at their clubhouse. Goodfellas Cafe and Winery of Sarasota brought its brick oven food truck and made dozens of fresh pizzas for attendees.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kristen Little, center, with volunteers Chuck and Joan Stahlman at an adoption event in downtown Sarasota. The Sarasota County shelter holds adoption events weekly.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 11, 2014
The Good News: Kristen Little

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Animal Services gives stray animals a forever home by matching them with adoptees.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Harmer is a former fire chief and has a black belt in Karate. Courtesy Photo
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 11, 2014
County Commission approves contract with Harmer

Thomas Harmer, who replaced ousted County Administrator Randall Reid last year with the title of interim administrator, has now permanently taken over the county's top administrative post.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Murray Blueglass, President of the Longboat Key Democratic Club, with Nan Rich, one of two Democratic Candidates for Governor
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 11, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Democratic Club Meeting

The Longboat Key Democratic Club met for its monthly luncheon on Tuesday at the Harbourside Dining Room. After lunch and general club announcements, Nan Rich, one of the Democratic Candidates for Governor, spoke.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Works from the Chalk Festival, such as this drawing near Dolphin Street, have not yet been cleaned from the road.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 11, 2014
Efforts to remove Chalk Fest art continue

Nearly three months after the Sarasota Chalk Festival's conclusion, the city is working with a contractor to develop an acceptable solution for removing the art that remains on Burns Square streets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Association of Realtors added 48 new members in February. Courtesy Photo
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 11, 2014
Sarasota Association of Realtors membership continues to grow

Sarasota County's improving housing market continues to attract Realtors to the area.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A sign that advertises LBK Liquors went up in the past week. (Kurt Schultheis)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 11, 2014
Liquor store on tap for Whitney Beach Plaza

Ryan Snyder, co-owner of the shopping center, hopes the store will open in 60 to 90 days.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jordan Blake, Mercedes Trava and Alison McKenna
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 11, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: El Restaurante Bay Haven

Bay Haven School of Basic Plus held its annual El Restaurante Bay Haven luncheon Tuesday, Feb. 11. The school's cafeteria was turned into a Mexican restaurante with decorations, music and tacos. Students ordered their lunch in Spanish and learned some Mexican dance moves.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Manatee County government now offers a way for business owners to connect with their community during emergencies.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 11, 2014
Online tool created to help businesses recover from natural disasters

The Manatee County government created a directory for businesses, in order to help owners get 'back on their feet' after emergencies.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 11, 2014
East Manatee Fire honors its staff

The East Manatee Fire Rescue District named its 2013 Firefighter of the Year and announced promotions at an event Monday.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County School District finance staff said it needs to sell the Braden River High School property to balance its budget.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 11, 2014
School board votes on contract to sell Braden River HS property

The Manatee County School Board will decide today if it wants to enter a contract to sell an undeveloped parcel of land at Braden River High School.

  • East County
  • News
Plans to add 10 roundabouts to the U.S. 41 "multimodal corridor" will cost $60 million.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 11, 2014
CONA talks traffic, roundabouts

The Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations, CONA, featured a three-person panel Monday night, discussing a proposed $60 million project to transform a key section of U.S. 41.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The lot at 20 N. Washington Blvd. is currently used as a parking lot for the county services across the street, but could eventually be the home of a 150-room hotel.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 11, 2014
Developer pitches deal for downtown hotel

Sarasota County commissioners will consider an offer from SHD Parters LLC Wednesday, to swap land and cash for the development of a 150,000 square foot hotel at the corner of Main Street and U.S. 301.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ringling College President Larry Thompson with Former Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and Gary Heard from BMO Private Bank
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Raymond Kelly speaks at Town Hall Lecture Series

Former New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly spoke in the Town Hall Lecture Series Monday, Feb. 10. The Former Police Commissioner shared stories from his forty-seven years on the force. Kelly also discussed the controversial stop-and-frisk policy. After the lecture, a luncheon was held for a small group of attendees where Kelly answered questions form members of the public.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eleanor McConnell shows off a hat and turquoise jewelry.
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • February 10, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Christ Church Women's Club Fashion Show

Over 150 women gathered at Christ Church of Longboat Key for its Women's Club Fashion Show on Monday, Feb. 10. The event benefitted one of the church's missions, Learn to Fish Recovery Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The severity of the north end's erosion problem will not be fixed for more than a year.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 10, 2014
Town makes groin permit push

Town officials are hoping a federal permit for two groins on the north end will be received in the next six months.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The $21.5 million Siesta Beach Improvements are slated to last for two years.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • February 10, 2014
County launches Siesta construction website

Sarasota County Commissioners aim to keep the community informed with accurate information regarding the $21.5 million project.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
French singer Michelet Innocent will perform old-time favorites and love songs at all three shows held at Selby Five Points Park.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • February 10, 2014
Winter concert series returns

The Downtown Sarasota Alliance invites families and members of the community to enjoy Sarasota's downtown with a free concert series.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Grants are available for programs that benefit Sarasota Bay and its tributaries. (File photos)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 10, 2014
SBEP seeks applicants for Bay Partner Grants

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is accepting applications through March 3 for projects that benefit Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Raymond Kelly was New York City's longest serving police commissioner.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 10, 2014
VIDEO: Raymond Kelly applauds Sarasota Police strategy

Former New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly praised community-based policing during a roundtable sponsored by the Ringling College Library Association.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mills says the district will close out the fiscal year with at least $8 million in reserves — a number that could shrink based on how much the district loses as a consequence of two state audits.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • February 10, 2014
Superintendent meets with state education commissioner

Manatee County School District Superintendent Rick Mills is in Tallahassee today to meet with Pam Stewart, Florida Department of Education commissioner, in his bid to reduce costs owed to the state.

  • East County
  • News
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