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Your Observer

Robin Hartill The Rev. Bruce Porter stands in the sanctuary of Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian, which was completed in 2011.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 22, 2014
Porter has final word at Christ Church pulpit

The Rev. Bruce Porter preached his final sermon Dec. 28, after leading the congregation for more than seven years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 22, 2014
Revenue problems in 2013 create a $1.4 million deficit in

Town Manager Dave Bullock will implement a two-year plan for commissioners starting this summer to restore the town's emergency operating fund back to 90 days.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo Roger Pettingell began his career with in 1983, with Arvida Corp. His sales volume for his career totals more than $1 billion.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 22, 2014
Pettingell ranks No. 1 for 2013 sales volume

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate's Roger Pettingell had the highest sales volume on the Sarasota-Manatee Multiple Listing Service for the second consecutive year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 22, 2014
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 22, 2014
Kiwanis rolls the dice for Valentine's Day

This year's dinner dance will allow participants to test their luck, Las Vegas-style.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
File photo Cheryl Loeffler participated in last year's fashion show.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 22, 2014
Taste of the Keys offers new flavors in 2014

The Longboat Key Garden Club event brings fashion, food and fun to the Key for the fourth year in a row.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 22, 2014
Obituary: Robert Neher

Robert Neher, 92, of Longboat Key, died Jan. 8.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 22, 2014
Obituary: Doris Lytle

Doris Lytle, 88, of Naples and formerly of Longboat Key and Andover, Mass., died Jan. 10.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Pam Eubanks Reclaimed water pipes are being installed along State Road 70.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 22, 2014
BRU nears irrigation line completion

Braden River Utilities has completed work west of Interstate 75 in its quest to bring reclaimed water to Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Josh Siegel Dick Moran, who represents CDD 2 on the Country Club/Edgewater Village Association’s Safety Committee, said the CDD will request input on 24/7 patrols.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 22, 2014
Ranch leaders discuss enhanced police patrols

Recent home burglaries have caused neighborhoods to consider extra security from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

  • East County
  • News
Amanda Sebastiano B.D. Gullett Elementary's Jackie Holloway attended Braden River Elementary School as a child.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 22, 2014
Local teacher recognized as finalist

B.D. Gullett's Jackie Holloway vies for the EdVantage Education Award for outstanding educator.

  • East County
  • News
Drs. Brad and Ashley Masuga plan to open an optometry practice on Main Street. Photo courtesy of Amanda Vercheski
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 22, 2014
Lakewood Ranch Main Street reaches 100% occupancy

Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty expects the final lease to be signed this week.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 22, 2014
News Briefs

School district preps for School Choice enrollment; New section of Pope Road receives new name; Planning Commission vets 2050 changes; Mediation for Waterline Road project brings no verdict

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 22, 2014
Lakewood Ranch supervisors approve new revenue source

Down to Earth, the landscape contractor for Lakewood Ranch CDDs, will rent space at Town Hall's new maintenance facility.

  • East County
  • News
Amanda Sebastiano Mike Moschella, Henry Fishkind, Sharon Hillstrom and John Rice chat before the Economic Forecast presentation hosted Jan. 16 by the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 22, 2014
Economist predicts 'breakout year' for area

Henry Fishkind sees steady population and job growth in Manatee County's 2014 forecast.

  • East County
  • News
Photos by Josh Siegel Before work began an eroded bank of the Braden River allowed water to overlow into a nearby walking path and pond.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 22, 2014
Braden River erosion repairs near completion

Spectrum Underground installed 3,000 square feet of articulating concrete.

  • East County
  • News
Amanda Sebastiano Supervisors Lee Bettes and Michelle Patterson hope to discuss ways to make Heritage Harbour South CDD meetings more efficient in the future.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 22, 2014
CDD meetings miss mark

After adopting new procedures that include a time limit for meetings, supervisors of the Heritage Harbour South CDD struggle with efficiency.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 22, 2014
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Josh Siegel Jim Nichols, of CORE Construction, and Sheila Boyd, property manager for Ranch Lake Apartments, stand by a wooded area of the property. More than half of the 48-acre property has been left untouched.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 22, 2014
Ranch Lake Apartments near completion

The East County apartment project has begun leasing and will begin moving in residents in March.

  • East County
  • News
Josh Siegel John Colon of the Florida State Board of Education told a vocal crowd that innovation requires standards to change.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 22, 2014
State officials discuss Common Core changes

Officials traveled to Mixon's Fruit Farms to defend the importance of new learning standards.

  • East County
  • News
Pam Eubanks Poll worker training supervisor Laura Panico validates a petition by comparing the signature, among other items, to voter-registration cards.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 22, 2014
Elections office verifies statewide petitions

The 2014 elections are months away, but employees of the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office are already buzzing with activity.

  • East County
  • News
Amanda Sebastiano Nine-year-old Zoey Lipton cares for fruits and vegetables located inside EarthBoxes at B.D. Gullett Elementary School.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 22, 2014
Students use green thumbs

Gullett students learn to care for plants using EarthBoxes.

  • East County
  • Schools
Josh Siegel Andy Ameres, with his mother, Popi, will run the family's Lakewood Ranch location, which has a unique, rustic feel but the same family-oriented atmosphere.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 22, 2014
Doing Business: Popi's Place on the Ranch

The Amerese family's latest project and eighth family-run restaurant, Popi's Place on the Ranch, opens the week of Jan. 27, next to the Walmart in Ranch Lake Plaza.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
RIVER RENDEZVOUS. East County residents Chic and Robin Hansen read their East County Observer in front of the Melk Abbey along the Danube River in Austria. The couple enjoyed a riverboat cruise from Nuremberg, Germany, to Vienna.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 22, 2014
It's Read Everywhere

RIVER RENDEZVOUS. East County residents Chic and Robin Hansen read their East County Observer in front of the Melk Abbey along the Danube River in Austria. The couple enjoyed a riverboat cruise from Nuremberg, Germany, to Vienna.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Photos by Jen Blanco Sarah Weiss's father, Ben, introduced her to weightlifting.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 22, 2014
District Champ

Braden River High junior Sarah Weiss will compete in the District 8 State Qualifier Jan. 22 at Charlotte High.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River High freshman shortstop Kinsey Goelz
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 22, 2014
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jen Blanco Lakewood Ranch High catcher Andrew Giddens, pictured with his parents Helaine and Randy Giddens and Lakewood coach Ryan Kennedy, behind, chose Ave Maria University over the University of North Florida.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 22, 2014
Catcher's dream fulfilled

Andrew Giddens has controlled the diamond for the past four years; it's a position he's looking to further elevate next season at Ave Maria University.

  • East County
  • Sports
Courtesy photo Siaana and Wildcat squared off in the Band Weintraub Cup Jan. 19, at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 22, 2014
Wildcat claims victory in Band Weintraub Cup

East County and Sarasota residents enjoyed an afternoon of fast-paced polo during the Band Weintraub Cup Jan. 19, at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Photos by Jen Blanco Braden River's Liz Shirey pushes the ball up the field in the first half.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 22, 2014
Crowning Achievement

The Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team captured its fifth consecutive district championship with a 3-0 victory against Braden River Jan. 17.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Out-of-Door Academy middle school boys soccer team
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 22, 2014
Sidelines

Registration underway for seniors; River Dawgs receive recognition; St. Stephen's to hold Game Changers Gala

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 22, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 22, 2014
Health Calendar

To submit a listing for next month's health calendar, email Robin Hartill by Thursday, Jan. 30. Please include the time, date, location, cost and any other relevant information.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Commissioner Jack Duncan, Vice Mayor David Brenner, Commissioners Pat Zunz and Terry Gans, Virginia Sanders, Mayor Jim Brown, Jean White and Commissioner Lynn Larson. Submitted by Susan Phillips
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 22, 2014
You Observed

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
6001 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 22, 2014
Local Realtors top charts in 2013

The Sarasota-Manatee Multiple Listing Service released sales figures for local Realtors in 2013. Here are the top 10 agents, according to sales volume, and the top Longboat sales in 2013.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo This home at 3415 Winding Oaks Drive has three bedrooms, three baths, and 2,679 square feet of living area. It sold for $710,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 22, 2014
Winding Oaks condominium sells for $710,000

A condominium in Winding Oaks tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Stan Singer submitted this sunset photo, taken during a cool, windy evening at Beachplace.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 22, 2014
Weather: Longboat Key

Stan Singer submitted this sunset photo, taken during a cool, windy evening at Beachplace.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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