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Your Observer

Karen DeRitter at Brides Against Breast Cancer
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • October 8, 2013
The Good News: Karen DeRitter

Karen DeRitter is a bridal consultant at Brides Against Breast Cancer. Read more about her and watch a video in this week's Good News.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Democratic Club President Murray Blueglass and Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • October 8, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Democratic Club Luncheon

The Longboat Key Democratic Club met for a luncheon Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Longboat Key Club Harborside Dining Room.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m., Oct. 8, at the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 South Tamiami Trail, Venice.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 8, 2013
Commissioners to consider Ted Sperling Park fees

Sarasota County commissioners will consider development regulations and permitting fees for kayak-tour operators during a regular meeting Wednesday, Oct. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Police alleged 22-year-old Joseph Serrano robbed two hotels at gunpoint in September.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 8, 2013
Sarasota Police arrest man for armed robberies

Sarasota Police charge 22-year-old Joseph Serrano for two hotel robberies in September.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Town Commission extended a contract with Waste Management six months while the town waits for bids for a new trash and recycling project.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 8, 2013
Commission approves telecommunications changes

The Longboat Key Town Commission approved budget changes to pay for an assistant town manager position in fiscal year 2012-13.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lynne Byrd, Mote’s Rehabilitation and Medical Care Coordinator, watches to make sure Murph swims home. (Kacey Luensman/Mote)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 8, 2013
'Murph' the turtle released from Lido Beach

Mote will continue to track the adult male loggerhead turtle through a special satellite tag.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Alex Mahadevan will write a weekly editorial called, "Municipal Focus," espousing a Sarasota young professional's view of politics
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 8, 2013
MUNICIPAL FOCUS - A Weekly Commentary: Elected leaders brace for homeless-shelter fight

Sarasota elected officials have earmarked $1 million and spent $40,000 to manage homelessness. NIMBYism could derail it all.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Although only one person spoke in support of the proposal during 50 minutes of public comment, a proposed gallery at 1400 Main St. was denied by a narrow 3-2 vote.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 7, 2013
City Commission nixes Main Street gallery

Dozens of people showed up to Monday's City Commission meeting in opposition to a two-story gallery proposed for a restaurant at 1400 Main St.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County deputies seek 25-year-old Jerry Williams for a shooting Saturday, Oct. 5, at his home on Euclid Avenue.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 7, 2013
Deputies seek suspect in shooting

Sarasota County deputies seek 25-year-old Jerry Williams for a shooting that occurred Saturday, Oct. 5, on Euclid Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Town Commission will consider extending a contract with Waste Management six months while the town works to put out a new trash and recycling project out for bid.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 7, 2013
Commission reviews telecommunications changes tonight

The Longboat Key Town Commission will also consider budget changes to pay for an assistant town manager position in fiscal year 2012-13.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 7, 2013
Commissioners to discuss SCAT, pedestrian safety

Sarasota County Commissioners are set to meet Tuesday in Venice; pedestrian safety and public transportation for disadvantaged citizens is on the agenda.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Luke and Hannah Yates, Kai Meighan, Save Our Seabirds hospital administrator Sarah Oliveri and Joshua Meighan with an injured cormorant. (Courtesy Ronda Ryan)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 7, 2013
Volunteers rescue three birds at Monofilament Cleanup

Sarasota Bay Watch volunteers rescued three birds and collected 800 pounds of trash and fishing line.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Reese and Kelly Garrett meet a Sarasota County Sheriff's Office horse during the Sarasota County Fire Department Station 5 open house Saturday, Oct. 5.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 7, 2013
MONDAY EVENT MASHUP: SCFD celebrates 25 years

Families tour Sarasota County Fire Department Station 5; St. Armands Key Lutheran Church hosts blessing of animals; Lakewood Ranch Main Street shuts down for first Friday

  • Siesta Key
  • News
No one was hurt during the incident, which occurred this morning around 12:40 a.m. at the 5900 block of 53rd Avenue E.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • October 7, 2013
Armed man robs East County 7-Eleven

A man armed with a semi-automatic handgun robbed an East County 7-Eleven early this morning.

  • East County
  • News
Sophomore Chase Balliette and senior Justin Rawlings tackle a Sarasota ball carrier before reaching the end zone. Photos courtesy Mary Stager.
  • By Mary Stager
  • October 6, 2013
Pirates hold on for first district win

The Braden River High football team earned its first district win of the season with a 30-27 victory over Sarasota Oct. 4.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2013
FILM REVIEW:

FILM REVIEW:

  • Sarasota
  • News
Parishioners participated in a silent auction for Haitian artisan made crafts.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 6, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Siesta Key Chapel Mission Fair

Siesta Key Chapel parishioners gathered Sunday, Oct. 6, at Siesta Key Chapel for World Communion Sunday and mission fair. Various mission partners displayed their organizations. Community members participated in a silent auction for Haitian goods bought back from a mission trip. They also enjoyed international food and caught up with friends.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
John and Mimi Greco
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 6, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Selby Music Series The First Brass

Every October, Marie Selby Gardens hosts a music series and the 2013 series kicked off with The First Brass performing "Red, White and Brass: American Salute." Attendees lounged beneath the banyans Sunday, Oct. 6 where they enjoyed a patriotic salute to our veterans.

  • Arts + Culture
Sally Antonia and Kari Tovcer
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 5, 2013
St. Martha's Interactive Dinner 'Taste of Mediterranean'

St. Martha's Interactive Dinner 'Taste of Mediterranean'

  • Black Tie
Keri Baker with Bingo the Maltese.
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 5, 2013
Donte's Den Top Dog'

Donte's Den Top Dog'

  • Black Tie
Nine-month-old French bulldog Sylvie
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : St. Armands Key Lutheran Church Animal Blessing

Vicar James Henricks and Pastor Mark Bernthal blessed parishioner's animals Saturday, Oct. 5, at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. Approximately 20 dogs were present and one hedgehog. Participants enjoyed punch and cake after the blessing.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Station 5 firefighter Tommy Lerardi helps Rachel Storino, 3, go through the Junior Fireman Combat Challenge at the Open House.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Station 5 Open House

Children and parents roamed the grounds of Station 5, Saturday, Oct. 5, at the annual open house. Kids met search and rescue dogs and police horses. They participated in obstacle course activities and enjoyed games and face painting. The annual open house showcased Sarasota County's 9-1-1 center and celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Sarasota County Fire Department.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
“You can’t swing a dead cat in this town without hitting a small business that focuses on defense something,” Legion Systems Chief Operating Officer Dan Vanderheyden, Business Observer, Oct. 2
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 5, 2013
Quotes Observed: Sept. 30 - Oct. 6

Each weekend, we bring you a collection of quotes from the biggest (or quirkiest) Observer and national news stories of the week.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
SPARCC Director of Community Awareness Jessica Hays thanks participants for supporting the cause.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : SPARCC Stepping Out Against Domestic Violence

Approximately 100 people joined SPARCC Saturday, Oct. 5, at J.D. Hamel Park for Stepping Out Against Domestic Violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the community walked in support for a violence-free future.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Maxime Provost and his teammates rush out for Friday night football.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 5, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : ODA v Bishop Verot

The Out-of-Door Academy lost Friday, Oct. 4, to Bishop Verot 56 - 0.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ashley Bafid, Leslie Cornell, Susan Short and Diana Kelly
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 4, 2013
Sophisticated Strut Fashion Series

Sophisticated Strut Fashion Series

  • Black Tie
  • By Jimmy Kuebler and Natalie Buffett
  • October 4, 2013
ODA falls in district opener

The Out-of-Door Academy football team fell to Bishop Verot 56-0 Oct. 4.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophomore Nick Bartoszek, 15, and freshman Brad Herring, 14, play the clarinet in the band together.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Lakwood Ranch High School Homecoming continued

Freshmen Katie Stincer and Nate Strawderman, sophomores Julie Castanzo and Gabriel Overton juniors John Merritt and Katie Molinari and seniors Brianna Adams and Chris Pearcey were crowned princes and princesses.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch wide receiver Cameron Pearcey hauls in a 39-yard pass to set up a Mustangs touchdown.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Football vs. North Port

The Lakewood Ranch High football team defeated North Port 35-21 in its Homecoming game tonight. With the win, the Mustangs improve to 2-0 in Class 7A-District 10.

  • East County
  • Sports
Amy Bulfin, 16, plays Thrift Shop by Macklemore on the clarinet.
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • October 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY : Lakewood Ranch High School Homecoming

Lakewood Ranch High School students experienced a sweet homecoming Friday, Oct. 4, when they beat North Port High School 35 to 21. Seniors Wyatt Mcleod and Marina Masterson were crowned homecoming king and queen.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sage Arnish, Ashley Janeck and Ta'nya Bell took time out from dancing for a photo
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • October 4, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Music on Main Street

Lakewood Ranch Main Street was closed down for local families to come out and enjoy the fall weather. A DJ played Top 40 songs for the kids to dance to while parents socialized.

  • East County
  • News
This sketch shows Chris Brown's vision for the building at 1400 Main St. The two-story gallery would require a major encroachment agreement with the city, and will be considered at Monday's City Commission meeting.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 4, 2013
City Commission to consider Main St. gallery

A proposed two-story gallery at 1400 Main St., which would be the first of its kind under the downtown code, has received some negative feedback from residents.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Colony Lender LLC attorney Michael Assaf filed an objection Thursday to a proposed settlement, urging a bankruptcy judge to deny it.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 4, 2013
Objections reveal Colony settlement alternatives

Colony Lender LLC has produced an exhibit that reveals Orlando-based Unicorp National Development Inc. is offering to give a bankruptcy trustee $2.3 million in cash immediately.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Murph is one of the largest turtles ever rescued by Mote. (Photo courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 4, 2013
Mote-rescued turtle will be released Monday

The 300-pound turtle is named 'Murph' in honor of Navy Lt. Michael Murphy, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pattigeorge's on Longboat Key serves up red snapper, which can be caught in the Gulf of Mexico.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • October 4, 2013
FRIDAY FIVE: Tastiest fish in Sarasota waters

Among the perks of living in a waterfront town, Sarasotans enjoy a buffet of delicious seafood options swimming in Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Yum!

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • October 4, 2013
Beach drainage project tops SKA agenda

A county official updated the Siesta Key Association on a stalled project to treat stormwater runoff at Siesta Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
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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Lakewood Ranch's Jerry and Marilyn Schneider, who have been married for 63 years, enjoy the live music at Music on Main April 3.
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St. Regis at Longboat Key is a gulf-facing resort and condo development on the barrier island of Longboat Key. The Unicorp-developed property opened in 2024 at the former site of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
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Front runner emerges on second day of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic

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