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Your Observer

Mary Dougherty-Slapp, the executive director of the Builders Exchange, presented Gov. Rick Scott with a gift after he spoke.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 30, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Gov. Rick Scott speaks in Ranch

Gov. Rick Scott, the keynote speaker at the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange's 62nd annual dinner, commended Lakewood Ranch for its growth and beauty.

  • East County
  • News
James Slavin judges a student’s submission.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 30, 2014
The Regional Science Fair judging begins

The event is co-sponsored by the Dart Foundation and the Faulhaber Foundation. The Education Foundation and community sponsors fund the fair's expenses.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • January 30, 2014
Sarasota Police Department to host virtual ride-along

The Sarasota Police Department will allow area residents to track officers on patrol Friday through a live twitter feed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 30, 2014
Political group behind proposed charter identifies contributors

It's Time Sarasota, the group behind a push for a new city charter and an elected mayor position, has identified the individuals who helped draft its proposed charter.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2014
Cougars outlast Tornadoes in double OT

The Cardinal Mooney High boys basketball team held on to beat Booker High 71-64 in double overtime Jan. 29.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2014
Sailors place seven at Bidwell Invitational

The Sarasota High wrestling team finished third at the 20-team Ryan Bidwell Invitational Jan. 25 and Jan. 26, at Lemon Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Senior Emily Bulfin scored 26 points and five steals to lead Lakewood Ranch to a 76-51 victory over Palmetto in the Class 7A-District 10 semifinals Jan. 29.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch High Girls Basketball vs. Palmetto

The Lakewood Ranch High girls basketball team cruised to a 76-51 victory over Palmetto in the Class 7A-District 10 semifinals Jan. 29. Senior Emily Bulfin finished with 26 points and four steals to lead the way for the Lady Mustangs. Freshman LaDazhia Williams added 20 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Megan Hagy finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. With the win, the Lady Mustangs earned a berth in the regional tournament and will host Sarasota in the district championship Jan. 31.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County Elections Office employees reviewed more than 32,000 petitions.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 30, 2014
Amendments to appear on November ballot

Petitions to legalize medical marijuana and set aside money for land conservation have garnered enough support to appear on the November ballot.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key Publix sold Robert Rich the winning Fantasy 5 ticket. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 30, 2014
Key resident wins $53k Fantasy 5 jackpot

Robert Rich purchased the winning ticket at Longboat Key Publix.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gov. Rick Scott (left) was in East County earlier this month for Mixon's Fruit Farms 75th Anniversary Luncheon.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 30, 2014
Gov. Scott makes stops in Ranch

Gov. Rick Scott will be in Lakewood Ranch tonight for the Gulf Coast Builder's Exchange's 62nd annual dinner.

  • East County
  • News
Rachael Davis narrates the fairy tale compilation during a dress rehearsal Jan. 29.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 30, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Nolan Middle School's 'Into the Woods'

Nolan Middle students fastened their green wigs and slipped on their costumes and wart-covered plastic noses, as they prepared for their rendition of an all-things fairy tale play, "Into the Woods" junior version, which runs at 4 and 7 p.m., Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

  • East County
  • News
The 2014 Thunder by the Bay motorcycle brought a drivers group of attendees into downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 30, 2014
Thunder by the Bay revs up local economy

The local motorcycle festival increased its economic impact on Sarasota County this year by courting more out-of-county visitors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy photo Pam Kelly and daughter, Shelby
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 30, 2014
Mission of love

ER nurse Pam Kelly was touched by the outpouring of support from her collegues at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota this month.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 30, 2014
Chain of Command

The Sarasota Power and Sail Squadron celebrated its 62nd 'Change of Watch' Tuesday, Jan. 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 30, 2014
Mrs. President

Sarah Lodge has been announced the newest president elect of the Junior League of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Conway The current SCAT station is located at Lemon Avenue and First Street, next to Whole Foods.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 30, 2014
SCAT station could get new home

A resident proposes moving the downtown SCAT transfer station to open the site to development, but staff report potential issues with the idea.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy rendering The building at 5242 and 5238 Ocean Blvd. includes three rental apartments.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • January 30, 2014
Siesta Village rental units clear hurdle

The new building at the former site of Napoli's Pizza will include a ground-level retail space and three second-story transient accommodations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Conway A proposed downtown circulator vehicle, provided by Cruise Car Inc., sits outside of the Palm Avenue parking garage before a trial run to test its battery life.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 30, 2014
Proposed downtown circulator takes a preliminary test drive

Two downtown stakeholders come together to drive an idea for free, accessible transportation for downtown visitors. The project plans to be privately funded.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Michael Bloomberg
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 30, 2014
News Briefs

Michael Bloomberg to speak in Sarasota; Princeton Review calls New College a 'Best Value'; Harmer drops 'interim' from his county job title; Siesta residents question proposed Key roundabout

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photos by David Conway Owners along the 1900 block of Main Street believe the area is filling in and people are more commonly viewing it as a destination for entertainment.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 30, 2014
Ker's WingHouse adds kick to Main Street

Nearby restaurant owners view the restaurant, set to open in April, as a sign the eastern end of the street is gaining new life.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • January 30, 2014
Siesta Key Chamber wades into Big Pass dredge debate

The chamber joined a growing chorus on the Key that is pushing back against mining Big Pass for Lido Beach sand.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Conway Merchants along Main Street are upset with the grime that's built up on the downtown sidewalks.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 30, 2014
Merchants call for Main Street sidewalk cleaning

A merchant group is asking the Downtown Improvement District to help clean sidewalks after two years of buildup.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Courtesy photo Hakan Sokmensuer and a local hold hands on National Day Sept. 9, 2009. Sokmensuer says it took three shots before the man cracked a smile.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • January 30, 2014
Sarasota man goes inside the 'Hermit Kingdom'

Sarasota resident Hakan Sokmensuer was part of a small group of tourists who accompanied Dennis Rodman and his team of NBA legends to Pyongyang, North Korea, earlier this month.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
David Conway Ian's artwork, along with some other belongings, sits at the roundabout at Ringling Boulevard and Pineapple Avenue.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 30, 2014
Homeless man's art causes stir at City Hall

Commissioner Susan Chapman wants art out of a roundabout, but police say the man behind the art is not violating any laws.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 30, 2014
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Booker senior shortstop Pat McKenzie looks forward to playing on campus for home games.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2014
Home-field advantage

This spring, Booker High School will unveil its new baseball and softball fields, tennis courts and rubberized track, among other upgrades.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2014
Sidelines

Sarasota Military Academy Boys Basketball; Sailors place seven at Bidwell Invitational; Lady Cougars advance to region semifinals; Sarasota tops Booker in OT; Cougars best the Indians

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 30, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dick and Cornelia Matson with Aunt Charlotte
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 30, 2014
Champagne and candles

Charlotte Zwick celebrates her 105th birthday in style.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Harriet Sokmensuer This home, located at 7342 Captain Kidd Ave., has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,184 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $3,465,000 in 2005.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 30, 2014
Home in Buccaneer Bay sells for $1.71 million

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

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Courtesy photo Girls from the Kandaria Village participate in the collaborative painting-to-music exercise.
  • By Randi Donahue
  • January 30, 2014
Sarasota resident heals with art-therapy process

While on a trip to Africa, Kimberly Benson conducted research on the effect of art on teenage girls in the village.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tina Beer sits with Gemma after an afternoon walk.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • January 30, 2014
Your Neighbor: Tina Beer

Bayview Acres resident and former educator Tina Beer walks five miles a day with her dog-walking business.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marites Acaylar-Alderman submitted this sunset photo, taken over Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 30, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Marites Acaylar-Alderman submitted this sunset photo, taken over Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Edward Alley and June LeBell with Carole and Dr. Ira Singer
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 29, 2014
Visiting Artists Dinner Series: Giora Schmidt and Tito Munoz

Visiting Artists Dinner Series: Giora Schmidt and Tito Munoz

  • Black Tie
The Emmett belt in gold metallic adds a glamorous touch to any outfit.
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 29, 2014
Lilly Pulitzer Sarasota Spring 2014 Launch Party

Lilly Pulitzer Sarasota Spring 2014 Launch Party

  • Black Tie
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