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Your Observer

Valerie Goddard has 25 years in executive management, included service as a gubernatorial appointee responsible for allocating $36 million to community organizations.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 17, 2013
Women's Resource Center under new leadership

The Sarasota-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering women has named Valerie Goddard as its new executive director.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Proliferation of homeless encampments through the city of Sarasota means the local transient population is at "critical mass," according to an expert.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 17, 2013
Daily Headlines: Oct. 17, 2013

Today's stories: Westfield Southgate Mall shutdown result of grieving man scattering fiancee's ashes; City of Sarasota homeless population at "critical mass"; German sculptor questions city of Sarasota request; and MORE!

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Mark Lichon, Aimee Varnum and Gregory Fabijanczuk of CBIZ KRMT
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 17, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Mega Mingle

Business people and non-profit workers came together for a Mega Mingle at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing Oct. 16. The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce event was meant as a casual networking platform where attendees enjoyed appetizers and drinks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High boys swim team finished second at the 18th annual Tri-County High School Swimming and Diving Championship Meet Oct. 12.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 17, 2013
High 5

The top five moments of the week in local sports.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Out-of-Door Academy senior punter Bryan Kirshe recently was named a 2013 Preseason First Team All-American by the Ray Guy Prokicker.com Kicking, Punting and Long-snapping Academy.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 17, 2013
Climbing the Ranks: Bryan Kirshe

Prokicker.com ranks Bryan Kirshe, an ODA senior, as the No. 1 punter in the nation. He averages 47.2 yards per punt.

  • East County
  • Sports
The 17.1% increase in premiums for Town Hall employees equates to $127 per month per employee and about $1,500 per year.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 17, 2013
IDA to subsidize employees for health costs' increase

The Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority voted today to provide money to Town Hall employees to pay for a 17.1% increase in their health insurance premiums for 2014.

  • East County
  • News
Sotheby the guide dog
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
Sotheby starts his training

Premier Sotheby's International Realty is sponsoring a Southeastern Guide Dog puppy named Sotheby.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sue and Lou Allen
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
Couple celebrates 65th anniversary

Lou and Sue Allen are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary with the Sarasota Orchestra.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
Send us your announcements!

The Observer is seeking submissions for its announcements section, Occasions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key police promoted three employees, effective Oct. 6.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 17, 2013
LBK police promote three employees

Chris Skinner, Randy Thompson and Tina Gohl received promotions effective Oct. 6.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 17, 2013
Orioles announce Spring Training schedule

The Baltimore Orioles recently announced their 2014 Grapefruit League schedule, which opens Feb. 28 against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 17, 2013
10/17/2013

Chris Skinner, Randy Thompson and Tina Gohl received promotions effective Oct. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Town Commission could now most likely review changes to its telecommunications ordinance and Comp Plan on second reading at its Jan. 6 regular meeting.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 17, 2013
Town seeks telecommunications extension

Town Manager Dave Bullock will seek a state extension so a telecommunications ordinance and Comp Plan amendment can be reviewed together.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 17, 2013
New Balance announces 5K run series

New Balance recently announced its new 5K run series, which kicks off Nov. 2.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 17, 2013
Garage delays frustrate developer

Pineapple Square developer John Simon believes delays at the State Street garage are not only a legal issue but could cause long-term damage downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota police officer David Dubendorf speaks with a homeless man near a series of railway encampments in the city of Sarasota.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 17, 2013
Homeless problem hits critical mass

Opinions are divided on what is to blame for a perceived spike in the size and geographic reach of Sarasota County's homeless population.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
Cops Corner

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
H-1540 has been sitting on the Van Wezel Performing Arts hall property for more than six years.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 17, 2013
Van Wezel sculpture's future remains unclear

The owner of a sculpture on the Van Wezel property thinks the city should help move the statue, in place since 2006, after the city requested its removal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 17, 2013
Citizens fight for Payne Park Auditorium

The Payne Park Auditorium seemed destined for demolition, but a strong public response could keep the building in place.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
News Briefs

Suspicious incidents cause multiple shutdowns; Rosie O'Donnell purchases Casey Key home; Citizens graduate Sheriff's Office program

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Military Academy Honor Guard stands at attention at Tuesday’s School Board meeting.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 17, 2013
Sarasota School Board approves SMA proposal

After denying two other charter school applications, the Sarasota School Board narrowly approved the Sarasota Military Academy's proposal to open a charter middle school on a 12-acre site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 17, 2013
CONA sets priorities

As Sarasota County sees an uptick in development and construction in the wake of the Great Recession, area neighborhoods are bracing for a fight.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 17, 2013
Arlington Park residents talk form-based code

The Urban Design Studio team spoke with the Arlington Park Neighborhood Association Tuesday. The pair focused on the effects of a new code on a residential area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Grace Connett and Jane Early, of the Pine View Key Club, participate in the 2012 Siesta Key Kiwanis Club fruit-gleaning project.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 17, 2013
Kiwanis anticipates record haul for fruit-gleaning project

The Siesta Key Kiwanis Club is preparing for another year of turning backyard citrus into a foodstuff for those in need.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
Our View

A home for the homeless

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Steve Botelho
  • October 17, 2013
My View: Editorial on budget misleads taxpayers

Of the 116 new positions in county government, only seven will fall under the purview of the County Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
Letter to the Editor

History always repeats itself

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • October 17, 2013
Sarasota Bay Water Festival seeks submissions for photo contest

The Sarasota Bay Water Festival has announced the 'I Love Sarasota Bay' photo contest returns this fall with the theme, 'Celebrating the Beauty and Importance of Sarasota Bay.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alexander Katz, left
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
High 5

The top five moments in high school sports this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
With his parents Monica and Joe Sweeney looking on, Kevin, 12, began his third season playing TOPSoccer at the end of September with his older brother Tom, 14, serving as his buddy.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 17, 2013
Just for Kicks

Twelve-year-old Kevin Sweeney began playing soccer for the Braden River Soccer Club's TOPSoccer program last fall.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
Just the Stats

This week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Zack Summerall is this week's standout player.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 17, 2013
Sidelines

Sarasota Christian nets win; Cougars win on the road; Lady Thunder sweeps Lady Tornadoes; Rams hold on for win

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unit 1207 at 1244 N. Gulfstream Ave. has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,629 square feet of living area. It sold for $600,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 17, 2013
Home in Harbor Acres sells for $2.7 million

Dockery Ltd. Partnership sold the home at 1240 Hillview Drive to Mollie Nelson, of Sarasota, for $2.7 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Deja Moore submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
Weather

Deja Moore submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
East County residents catch up on their Observer news while sightseeing at Stonehenge in the English countryside.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 17, 2013
Vote now for your favorite "It's Read Everywhere" photo!

Voting is now live for the Observer's "It's Read Everywhere" photo contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Allison Archbold and Billie Hultin
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 16, 2013
Legacy Luncheon

Legacy Luncheon

  • Black Tie
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Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding welcomes guest speaker Longboat Police Chief Russ Mager to update members about his approach to leadership since he assumed the role last autumn at the April 2 meeting.
  • April 4, 2026
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