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Your Observer

Bill Curphey kept his tickets from every game and bought a key chain from every ballpark.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • September 4, 2013
All-American Tourist: Bill Curphey

Bill Curphey visited 30 major league baseball ballparks in 38 days, a trip that showed him a country united by an American pastime.

  • East County
  • News
Dylan Jones hopes the festival becomes an annual event.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • September 4, 2013
East County performer puts on first Manatee Playreading Festival

Dylan Jones, an actor, writer and composer, wants to share the playwriting process with the public.

  • East County
  • News
Hosts and co-owners of Supper Sleuths Christa and Wes Harding pose as their characters for the evening, artist Michaela Gelato and architect Mark Chase.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 4, 2013
Lakewood Ranch solves murder mystery

Wes and Christa Harding are murder-mystery game writers who host a dinner during in which their guests solve the pretend murder the couple has scripted.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 4, 2013
NEWS BRIEFS

County delays decision on tax relief for seniors; Lakewood Ranch vehicle burglaries are not a trend; Rosedale begins construction on its 'pristine' new models

  • East County
  • News
Nikole Stephens spends most of her time in a lab coat, but at night, she puts on skates and kneepads and becomes, Hailey Explosive, her roller derby alter ego.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • September 4, 2013
Med student embraces bruising hobby

Nikole Stephens, a second-year medical student at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, takes off her lab coat to play roller derby with the Bradentucky Bombers.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 4, 2013
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Quarterback Chad Rex scores one of his five rushing touchdowns on the night.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 4, 2013
Running Wild: Chad Rex

Quarterback Chad Rex accounted for six touchdowns in leading Lakewood Ranch to a 55-34 victory over Southeast Aug. 31.

  • East County
  • Sports
Katie Wray, Michelle Last and Emily Perez are relying on their faith and belief in one another to carry them this season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 4, 2013
Fresh Faces: Emily Perez, Michelle Last and Katie Wray

Lakewood Ranch High seniors Emily Perez and Michelle Last and junior Katie Wray are adjusting to their new role as the leaders of the Lakewood Ranch High girls cross-country team.

  • East County
  • Sports
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 4, 2013
Athlete of the Week: Riley Bohan

Lakewood Ranch High sophomore Riley Bohan won three silver medals at the U15 Pan American Championships Aug. 15 through Aug. 19, in Shreveport, La.

  • East County
  • Sports
Natalie Buffett is this week's standout player
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 4, 2013
SIDELINES

TOPSoccer season is on the horizon; Manasota LAX to hold free clinics;ODA swimmers post wins in opener; 8U River Dawgs to hold tryouts; Mustangs swing to tournament win

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 4, 2013
JUST THE STATS

5 - The number of East Manatee Bulldogs teams that posted season-opening victories over the Valrico Rams Sept. 1.

  • East County
  • Sports
Don Thompson, center, with his family: daughter and son-in-law Karen and Tom Vaclavik and their children, Alicia Vaclavik, Breanne Vaclavik, Brian Gaydek and Jeff Vaclavik. Courtesy of Nancy Lively.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • September 4, 2013
Centennial Celebration: Don Thompson

Bradenton resident Don Thompson, who turns 100 this week, looks back fondly on his Navy days in World War II.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The first formal concert of the FWCS Youth Orchestra was held in 1960. Pictured is the Youth Orchestra in rehearsal in 1978.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 4, 2013
Orchestra celebrates instrumental moments

In an economy with orchestras facing musician strikes, closures and bankruptcy, the current news for orchestras is not always positive.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This home in Winding River has five bedrooms, four baths, four half-baths, a pool and 8,709 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,685,000. Photo by Harriet Sokmensuer.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 4, 2013
Winding River home sells for $2,685,000

A home in Winding River tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Larry and Lynda D'Urso, of Bradenton, sold their home at 14007 11th Terrace N.E. to Francis and Linda Wenthur, of Bradenton, for $2,685,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Karen Rawlings submitted this sunrise photo, taken in East Bradenton.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 4, 2013
Observer Weather: East County

Karen Rawlings submitted this sunrise photo, taken in East Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
We stopped by the Anna Maria Oyster Bar's landside "halfway" location, at 6906 14th St.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 4, 2013
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Anna Maria Oyster Bar

This week we went in the kitchen with owner John Horne, and chef Tim Swafford, of Anna Maria Oyster Bar, for mussels Provencal. Get the full recipe and watch an instructional video in this week's In the Kitchen.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior Lauren Owen goes up for a block during the Lady Mustangs 3-0 victory over Sarasota Sept. 3.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 3, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Volleyball vs. Sarasota

The Lakewood Ranch High volleyball team defeated Sarasota 25-18, 25-18, 25-20 Sept. 3.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Town Commission agreed on first reading and public hearing Tuesday night to raise the town's millage rate 10%, up from 1.8872 mills to 2.0760 mills.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 3, 2013
Commission approves 10% millage increase

Commissioners agreed to raise the property tax rate for the first time since 2010, when the commission raised the tax rate 25.8%, from 1.5 mills to 1.8872 mills.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • September 3, 2013
SKVA praises plans for Siesta Trolley

The SKVA met for its monthly general meeting Tuesday; discussions included the recent approval of a SCAT-operated trolley service for Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Jon Iglehart, of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, presented Tim Holliday, of Children's World, with the Department Recycling Recognition Award Wednesday, Aug. 28
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • September 3, 2013
Children's World receives state recognition for recycling

Jon Iglehart, of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, presented the store with the Department Recycling Recognition Award Wednesday, Aug. 28

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Witnesses called deputies after a man wearing a blue button-down shirt, jeans and a black mask, and toting a pistol led employees to the back of the restaurant and took the cash.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • September 3, 2013
Masked man robs Sarasota McDonald's

A masked man robbed the McDonald's at 5554 Fruitville Road after 4 a.m. this morning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 3, 2013
Mustangs swing to tournament win

The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team won the eight-team East Lake High School Invitational Sept. 1, at Lansbrook Golf Club in Tarpon Springs.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 3, 2013
DID talks downtown restaurant restrictions

One DID board member is hoping the district will consider limiting the space restaurants can occupy downtown in an effort to encourage a better mix of retail developments.

  • Sarasota
  • News
PIC and the Longboat Observer cosponsored a debate for Longboat Key commission candidates earlier this year. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 3, 2013
PIC to discuss its future

New statewide campaign-finance laws, along with a ruling from the Florida Elections Commission mean changes are in store for PIC.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County deputies arrested two men at the beginning of what looked to be an ambitious cloned credit card scheme Friday, Aug. 30, according to a Sheriff's Office news release.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • September 3, 2013
Deputies arrest two men for credit card scheme

Sarasota County deputies found 120 fake credit cards in the possession of two Lehigh Acres men Friday, Aug. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An unnamed witness snapped pictures of a man disturbing a Casey Key sea turtle nest Aug. 13.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • September 3, 2013
Man arrested for possessing sea turtle

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested 21-year-old man Sunday, who may be connected to a nest disturbance on Casey Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is looking for two gunmen who robbed a Circle K early Tuesday morning.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • September 3, 2013
Masked gunmen rob gas station

A Manatee County Sheriff's Office report says two masked gunmen robbed a Circle K store in East County Tuesday morning.

  • East County
  • News
Tallahassee United’s Ian Hildebradnt and FC Sarasota’s Cameron Roscamp battle for possession.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 2, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Labor Day Showcase Tournament

Nearly 300 youth soccer teams from across the state put their skills to the test during the 2013 Labor Day Showcase Aug. 31 through Sept. 2, at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch. Players ranging in age from U11 to U18/19 participated in this year's tournament. Several local teams participated in this year's tournament, including the Lakewood Ranch Chargers and FC Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Sports
FISA Executive Director Matt Smith, right, and SunCoast Aquatic Nature Center Association CEO Paul Blackketter, left, chatted at Nathan Benderson Park earlier this year.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • September 1, 2013
Sarasota picked to host 2017 World Rowing Championships

Rowing's governing body picked Sarasota's Nathan Benderson Park as the venue for the 2017 World Rowing Championships.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • September 1, 2013
Sarasota Police discover apparent murder-suicide

Sarasota Police detectives believe a 35-year-old woman shot her child and then turned the weapon on herself before 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, on the 4000 block of Old Bradenton Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Eileen and Tony Massaro
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • September 1, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Re-opening Bird Key Yacht Club Barbecue

Members gathered for a barbecue dinner Saturday, Aug.31, at the Bird Key Yacht Club re-opening.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bryce Tone and Justin Callahan get ready to hoist their sails at the 67th Annual Labor Day Regatta
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • August 31, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: 67th Annual Labor Day Regatta

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron hosts the 67th Annual Labor Day Regatta Saturday, Aug. 31.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch quarterback Chad Rex scored five rushing touchdowns on the night. He also threw for a score.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 31, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch vs. Southeast

The Lakewood Ranch High football defeated Southeast 55-34 Aug. 30 in the season opener for both teams.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Town Commission is scheduled to adopt a millage rate and 2013-14 fiscal year budget on first reading at its 7 p.m. regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 3, at Town Hall.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 31, 2013
Town manager now recommends 4.5% millage increase

State officials want town-hired actuaries to revise the assumption rates for two of the pension plans they believe are too high and are unattainable. The move changes the town manager's tax rate recommendation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Carley Engelberger, Alyssa Dienes and Mary Stagger
  • August 31, 2013
Pirates notch first win of the season

Braden River Pirates top North Fort Myers in their first game of the season.

  • East County
  • Schools
Austin Hoppe, 21
  • By Kimmy Comito and Sarah Karp
  • August 31, 2013
ODA falls to Bradenton Christian

The ODA crowd dressed out in all white for their first home game of the season last night against Bradenton Christian School.

  • East County
  • Schools
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1
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.
  • April 4, 2026
St. Regis on track to receive permanent certificate of occupancy, eyes tennis courts
2
The Fruitville Townhomes site plan to replace the vacant former Sarasota Lanes bowling center.
  • April 4, 2026
Fruitville bowling alley submits plans to redevelop into 4-story townhomes
3
Mitchell Meissner lines up his putt on the third green of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. He carded six under par in the second round, pulling into a 10-way tie for 10th place.
  • April 3, 2026
Front runner emerges on second day of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
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  • April 3, 2026
Lighting the Path Health Care Luncheon
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Deputies shoot and wound armed man
  • April 3, 2026
Deputies shoot and wound armed man

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