Your Observer

Yaryna Klimchak
June 6, 2013

SCHOOL BOARD BULLETIN

In Michael's Memory; Fencing fanatics

Sarasota
Neighbors

Yaryna Klimchak
June 6, 2013

Student Spotlight: Matt Klinkel

Matt Klinkel is used to speaking and reading foreign languages: His email account is set to Spanish; he reads French and Spanish newspapers; and his phone and Facebook account are set to Chinese (although he says he switches it to Spanish occasionally).

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
June 6, 2013

Weather Photo: SUNSET SILHOUETTES

Marjie Goldberg submitted this photo taken of a sunset on Siesta Key.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
June 6, 2013

IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Chef Raymond Arpke

This week the Observer went in the kitchen with chef Raymond Arpke of Euphemia Haye, a Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurant.

Sarasota
News

Nick Friedman
June 5, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota YMCA Y Achievers Breakfast

The Sarasota YMCA hosted its 23rd annual Y Achievers Recognition Breakfast Wednesday, June 5, at Michael's On East. The YMCA awarded $100,000 in scholarships to 43 students, including high-school seniors heading to college and current college students receiving a renewal scholarship as they continue their education.

Sarasota
News

Pam Eubanks
June 5, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch High Graduation

Lakewood Ranch High School seniors celebrated the end of their high-school careers June 1, during a commencement ceremony at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.

East County
News

Eddie Kirsch
June 5, 2013

Hazardous weather conditions in effect in Sarasota

Several advisories, including coastal flooding, high surf, rip current and flood watch are in effect until Thursday or Friday.

Sarasota
News

Josh Siegel
June 5, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Gullett Elementary School End-of-Year Fun

B.D. Gullett Elementary held end-of-year festivities June 5. Kindergartners splashed outside for a water day while first-graders slid down waterslides and forth-graders ate barbeque food.

East County
Schools

Eddie Kirsch
June 5, 2013

June 5: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Woman charged in hit-and-run death; Man killed in accident in Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park; Patron Saint: Maggi Taylor; N THE KITCHEN WITH: Chef Raymond Arpke

Longboat Key
News

Josh Siegel
June 5, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Elementary School Field Day

McNeal Elementary School held its end-of-year Field Day for second-graders June 5. The second-graders played sports and games. In addition, fourth-graders played dodgeball, celebrating their FCAT writing scores.

East County
News

Yaryna Klimchak
June 5, 2013

ODA says goodbye to Glendy Huene and renames library

The day was overcast as Out-of-Door Academy librarian Glendy Huene and 90 staff members walked towards the library from their end of the year school meeting Wednesday, June 5 for a surprise reception and library name unveiling.

Sarasota
News

Yaryna Klimchak
June 5, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY : Out-of-Door School says good-bye to Glendy Huene

The day was overcast as Out-of-Door School librarian Glendy Huene and 90 staff members walked towards the library from their end of the year school meeting Wednesday, June 5 for a surprise reception and library name unveiling. A family donor gave the school two new signs renaming the library to the Glendy Huene Library/ Media Center for Glendy Huene's retirement after 30 years at ODA.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Josh Siegel
June 5, 2013

Early voting for Manatee special election begins June 8

The special election ballot features two items: A vote on a half-percent sales tax increase, from 6.5% to 7%; And a vote that would allow the Manatee Board of County Commissioners to give new or expanding businesses ad valorem tax exemptions.

East County
News

Josh Siegel
June 5, 2013

Manatee County to allow backyard chickens

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-2 yesterday to approve a new ordinance and changes to the county Land Development Code, allowing residents to keep four female chickens.

East County
News

Observer Staff
June 5, 2013

Hats off: East County students graduate

East County high school seniors celebrated the end of their high school careers last week, during commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2013.

East County
Neighbors

Alex Mahadevan
June 5, 2013

Sarasota County approves UF lease

Sarasota County commissioners approved a 20-year lease with the University of Florida Board of Trustees for a county-owned building on Orange Avenue.

Sarasota
News

Pam Eubanks
June 5, 2013

Man killed in accident in Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park

Randy Hedrick, of Bradenton, died in a one-vehicle accident Tuesday night.

East County
News

Alex Mahadevan
June 5, 2013

Woman charged in hit-and-run death

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested Leslie Williams Wednesday, June 5, in connection with her husband's death.

Sarasota
News

Alex Mahadevan
June 5, 2013

Visit Sarasota County pitches ambitious vision

Sarasota County commissioners approved the local marketing organization's plan to double its budget to $10 million by 2020.

Sarasota
News

Yaryna Klimchak
June 5, 2013

PHOTO GALLERY: Lou Newman's Wildlife Action Photography Exhibit

Community members flocked to the opening of Lou Newman's Wildlife Action Photography Exhibit Tuesday, June 4 at Plymouth Harbor to see his work from the last 10 months. Approximately 200 people attended to see his photography work from places like Tanzania, New Mexico and Costa Rica.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
June 5, 2013

Our View: D-Day: Memorial Day cont'd

There are 25 million living American veterans. Since Gen. George Washington commanded the Continental Army, 42 million Americans have served the colors. A million have been killed in its defense. Another million and a half wounded.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Robin Hartill
June 5, 2013

Chiles nixes plan, annual events

Owner Ed Chiles won't restore the Jordan House or hold events at Mar Vista because of residents' concerns.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
June 5, 2013

Cell tower debate echoes through Town Hall

Residents and town commissioners got hung up on language in Comprehensive Plan changes and turned a discussion into a two-hour cell tower debate Monday night.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
June 5, 2013

Property values increase by 2.1%

For the first time in five years, preliminary estimates show an increase in Key-wide values. But that doesn't offset other decreases in funds.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
June 5, 2013

Sold GMD house boasts iconic roots and guests

The house at 5881 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold May 27 for $2.9 million sight unseen to a buyer from the Czech Republic.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
June 5, 2013

Cameras will start snapping soon

The slow-motion process of bringing the system to both Longboat Key entrances that began more than three years ago is almost complete.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
June 5, 2013

Town nixes summer sand beach project, hopes for cheaper price

Town Manager Dave Bullock announced at the end of the Longboat Key Town Commission's Monday night meeting he will reject the only bid for the summer beach project the town received. That bid was 40% more than town staff expected and had a price tag of $13,290,525.50.

Longboat Key
News

Josh Siegel
June 5, 2013

Austere budget behind a new model

The Manatee County administrator's fiscal year 2014-15 budget calls for lower property taxes, raises for employees and capital investment but no growth in the size of government.

East County
News

Josh Siegel
June 5, 2013

District office leads new Manatee Schools' plan

The Manatee County School District has announced 96 cuts to district office staff and the addition of new positions as part of a $21.9 million savings plan.

East County
News

Josh Siegel
June 5, 2013

REAL ESTATE: BOOM OR BUST?

Prominent Manatee/Sarasota real-estate executives say high prices and sales put the area in a boom period, not a bubble.

East County
News

Observer Staff
June 5, 2013

News Briefs

Longboat police department will purchase three new rides; Gulf Beach Resort receives Sarasota County grant; Turtle Watch launches 'Name the Nest' program

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
June 5, 2013

Question mark lingers after ULI meeting

A committee will help the commission answer the question of what the Urban Land Institute should ask Longboat Key residents concerning the town's future.