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Your Observer

    By
  • David Conway
  • October 25, 2013
City Commission mulls Sunshine Law suit

A special meeting of the City Commission was called today to consider a suit brought against two commissioners accused of violating Florida's sunshine law.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Thomas Rhoades, 43, has been charged with one count of felony scheme to defraud and one count of grand theft in excess of $100,000.00.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 25, 2013
Firefighters Benevolent Fund treasurer arrested

A man at the center of a scandal that robbed more than $220,000 from the Firefighters Benevolent Fund is facing felony charges.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Urban Land Institute panel shares its vision for Longboat Key.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 25, 2013
Daily Headlines: Oct. 25, 2013

Today's stories: Urban Land Institute panel shares its vision for Longboat Key; Sarasota city employees get dunked for charity; Manatee County Commission candidate emerges; and MORE!

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Urban Land Institute panel shares its vision for Longboat Key.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 25, 2013
Daily Headlines: Oct. 25, 2013

Today's stories: Urban Land Institute panel shares a new vision for Longboat Key

  • Sarasota
  • News
An Urban Land Institute (ULI) panel provided to the Longboat Key Town Commission and more than 60 people in attendance this morning at Town Hall a list of recommendations.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 25, 2013
ULI presents findings

ULI spent the entire week on the Key, interviewing residents and business owners, touring the island and drafting recommendations that will be submitted officially to the town in a 40-page document in the next 60 to 90 days.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Deputy Police Chief Stephen Moyer places a purple wig back on his head after getting dunked as part of a fundraiser at City Hall Friday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 25, 2013
Sarasota city employees get dunked for charity

Until 2 p.m. today, city employees will take turns sitting in a dunk tank at City Hall as part of a fundraiser for the United Way Suncoast.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 25, 2013
Drug take-back program to run Saturday

Sarasota County residents can turn in unused or expired solid medications on Saturday as part of a national program to raise awareness about drug abuse.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Terri Wonder will vie for the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners District 6 At-Large seat.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 25, 2013
Bradenton woman vies for commission seat

Bradenton resident Terri Wonder, a Democrat, has announced her candidacy for an at-large Manatee County commission seat.

  • East County
  • News
Megan Workman, Emma Cecil, Kimberley Barr and Madeline Fields attended Boo Fest last year.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 25, 2013
WEEKEND BEST BET: Boo Fest

Children can trick or treat, participate in a costume parade, listen to ghost stories, visit a pumpkin patch and more at the Boo Fest Halloween Festival tonight.

  • East County
  • News
Developer Michael Adams, architect Guy Peterson and developer Jonathan McCague present the new luxury condominiums.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 25, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Discovering Aqua Luxury Condominiums

Community members listened to a presentation Thursday, Oct. 25, at State of the Arts Gallery about the upcoming luxury condominium, Aqua. Developers Michael Adams and Jonathan McCague discussed the new ultra - luxury development and architect Guy Peterson discussed their design.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Individuals can dispose of expired or unused prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 25, 2013
Rx drug drop-off event Saturday

A Lakewood Ranch Walgreens location will be the countywide drop-off for the event.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High volleyball team celebrates a point during its 3-1 victory over Sarasota in the Class 7A-District 10 championship Oct. 24.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 25, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Class 7A-District 10 Championship

The Lakewood Ranch High volleyball team captured its third-consecutive district title with a 3-1 victory over Sarasota in the Class 7A-District 10 championship Oct. 24.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Melissa and Brian Precourt and their daughter Gwendolyn, 5, get ready to sample a Blue Rooster pulled pork slider.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 25, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Taste of SOMA

Community members sampled food from 20 area restaurants Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Taste of SOMA, A South of Main Street Tasting and Awareness Event for The Child Protection Center. Lisa Ridings and Vertigo performed live soul music. Community members donated to the organization and enrolled in a raffle after taking a tour of the facilities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Fall Festival will feature fresh produce and more this Sunday. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 25, 2013
WEEKEND BEST BET: Centre Shops Fall Festival

Catch the feel of fall this Sunday at the Centre Shops Fall Festival.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gerri Aaron, Patrick Wright, Iris Starr and Darlene Arbeit
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 24, 2013
Goodwill Ambassador of the Year

Goodwill Ambassador of the Year

  • Black Tie
Sarasota County commissioners vote to terminate County Administrator Randall Reid.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 24, 2013
Daily Headlines: Oct. 24, 2013

Sarasota County commissioners terminate County Administrator Randall Reid; Sarasota Police investigate the discovery of a dead body near the 10th Street boat ramp; City of Sarasota crime statistics trouble local officials; and MORE!

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 24, 2013
Suncoast Tennis League sets team record

Eleven teams were added to the Suncoast Tennis League this season, leading to a record 147 teams from 30 clubs in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

  • East County
  • Sports
Airport officials report that more than 1 million passengers have traveled through Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in the past 12 months.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 24, 2013
Curbside valet service debuts at SRQ

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport began a curbside valet service on Tuesday, streamlining the air travel process for area customers.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 24, 2013
Rams win district crown

The Riverview High boys cross-country team scored 32 points to win the Class 4A-District 8 championship Oct. 23 in Largo.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 24, 2013
Key Club to hold job fair

The resort will hold on-the-spot interviews from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Maradith Meyer, Donna Forsyth and Elaine Steinfurth
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 24, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Women's Club Bazaar and Luncheon

Ladies in the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club enjoyed the club's annual Bazaar, Boutique and Luncheon Oct. 23, at the Polo Grill.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2013
Wedding bells

Jennifer Greaves, daughter of Jim and Sheri Greaves, married Jeff Zych, son of Jeffrey and Sandra Zych, at sunset Aug. 3, on Siesta Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2013
Going for the gold

Travis Taafe, 17, competed in the 49th Head of the Charles Regatta Oct. 19 and Oct. 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 24, 2013
Sarasota's crime rate raises alarm

FBI crime statistics expose disparities between the city of Sarasota and the rest of the county and place Sarasota in the same league as major crime hot spots nationwide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Reid
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 24, 2013
Reid ousted as Sarasota County administrator

Sarasota County commissioners vote to terminate Randall Reid after lackluster performance reviews.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota's Big Pass has never been dredged.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 24, 2013
Pressure mounts to review Big Pass dredging plans

Area residents call for an independent review of a project to mine Big Pass for Lido Beach sand.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
  • David Conway
  • October 24, 2013
Downtown hotel moves closer to gaining approval

The County Commission directed staff to negotiate with developers interested in constructing a 150-room Kimpton hotel at U.S. 301 and Main Street Wednesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction crews demolished a historic building abutting Laurel Park this month for the proposed expansion of a philanthropic consignment shop.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2013
News Briefs

Burns Square parking lot reopens to the public; Woman's Exchange begins demolition and expansion; City discusses future of GWIZ property

  • Sarasota
  • News
The sketch, by Principal Urban Designer Andrew Georgiadis, shows the “pad” building that will sit adjacent to the State Street garage facing Lemon Avenue. The building could consist of four live/work units and two large apartments.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 24, 2013
City selects State Street garage design

After months of discussion, the City Commission picked a design for the State Street garage Monday, despite some concerns from the city's broker.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 24, 2013
City voices concerns about 2050 changes

Sarasota County is re-examining how it manages growth in unincorporated areas, which has city residents and officials worried about how they might be affected.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 24, 2013
Siesta Key revisits outdoor display ban

A Siesta Key ban on outdoor merchandise displays is under review, continuing a debate ignited by a crackdown on Siesta zoning codes launched earlier this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The aerial photo shows the parking lot of Ted Sperling Park on Lido Key and portions of the vacant site next to the parking lot. The park is a favorite for kayakers.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2013
Our View

Tragedy of the kayaks

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Standing water left over from September’s storms has delayed progress on the Beach Road Drainage Improvements project.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 24, 2013
Beach project is a drain on funding

Plans to dewater the Beach Road Drainage Improvements construction site have hit another snag. Problems threaten to once again delay the project and muddy tourists' impressions of a top area attraction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2013
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Brooke Lee and Kimora Lewis
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • October 24, 2013
Girls Inc. plants the seeds of new nutrition garden

Girls Inc. of Sarasota celebrated its new vegetable garden with a ribbon cutting Monday, Oct. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kadi Pallastrone
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 24, 2013
High 5

The top five moments in sports this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Staff at the 12th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem program sort through the delivery of presents for children up to 18 years of age.
  • December 22, 2025
Gift donations break record at Sarasota Sheriff's Office
2
Cindy Ritchell, Ann Quackenbush, Brenda Korthauer, Beverly Sutton and Kit Torchia all lend a helping hand in packing seeds to send internationally to farmers who need them. Quackenbush is a driving force behind Hope Seeds, a charitable ministry through Christ Church of Longboat Key.
  • December 22, 2025
Longboat's Hope Seeds nears 10 years of giving back
3
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo
4
Manatee County commissioners approve reducing speed limits throughout the county.
  • December 22, 2025
Speed limits reduced on nine roads in Manatee County
5
The library will be constructed on the light green area depicted on this map within Longboat Key's Town Center Green. The entire library would be around 11,230 square feet with the possible enhancements.
  • December 22, 2025
Buchanan's $1 million donation formally accepted for library

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