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Your Observer

Lindsey Conrad hammers stakes into the sand to mark a nest.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 22, 2013
Tracking turtle watchers

Beginning in May, Turtle Watch volunteers hit the beach before the sun rises in search of turtle nests.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Unit 505 at the Players Club has four bedrooms, four baths and 2,099 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.1 million. Photo by Robin Hartill.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 22, 2013
The Players Club condo sells for $1.1 million

A condominium in The Players Club tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Mattson Family LLC and Walter and Geraldine Mattson, of Longboat Key, sold the Unit 505 condominium at 1425 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Lori Brochin, trustee, of Atlanta, for $1.1 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Evan Berlin, far right, founded Berlin-Patten, a Sarasota-based law firm, in 2004. Brenda Patten, middle, joined the firm in 2009 and local attorney, Jamie Ebling, left, was named a partner last year. Photo by Mark Wemple.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 22, 2013
Legal Eagles: Evan Berlin

Evan Berlin built a large niche-driven real-estate law firm in less than a decade. He now seeks to maintain the growth.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
George Gutarra submitted this sunset photo, taken on Lido Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 22, 2013
Weather Photo: LOVELY LAVENDER

George Gutarra submitted this sunset photo, taken on Lido Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Heritage Harbour South Community Development District Chairwoman Joyce Sandy signs a settlement agreement with Stoneybrook Investors May 16.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 22, 2013
Stoneybrook, CDD settle lawsuit

Stoneybrook Investors and the Heritage Harbour South Community Development District ended a longstanding legal battle last week.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 22, 2013
Attrition won't cover staff cuts

Manatee School Board leaders expect to cut 250 jobs districtwide.

  • East County
  • News
Rick Rogala survived 11 months as a prisoner of war in North Korea.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 22, 2013
Veteran regains love for country

Rick Rogala lost faith in his country as a prisoner of war in North Korea in 1968. Now, he cherishes his country.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 22, 2013
Half-cent sales tax would cover indigent health care

Manatee County's administrator promises three things in the 2013-14 budget: raises for county employees, non-reduction of services and lower property taxes.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 22, 2013
Our View: Tax plan needs more vetting

On June 18, Manatee County voters will vote on two questions that are loaded with big tax consequences.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Manatee County Commission Chairman Larry Bustle sits next to Michael Maxwell, of the Urban Land Institute, following a May 14 workshop.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 22, 2013
National panel supports county's growth plan

A panel from the Urban Land Institute prepared a document that highlights the county's need to focus on the area called 'Southwest County' and to leverage the county's assets.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee Education Foundation Director Mary Glass with Gov. Rick Scott and Sen. Bill Galvano. Courtesy photo by Bridget Lopez.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 22, 2013
News Briefs

Rick Scott makes surprise appearance in Lakewood Ranch; Rowing advocates seek more public funding

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 6 supervisors plan to eliminate security personnel from the Balmoral Woods Boulevard gate and convert it to transponder-only access and egress. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 22, 2013
CDD 6 moves forward with gate concept

No plans have been finalized, but Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 6 supervisors are moving forward with conceptual plans to limit traffic at their Balmoral Woods Boulevard entrance.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 22, 2013
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Jillian Santiago, 13, says she loves competing in sprint races because of the strength required to perform well in them.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 22, 2013
Surging Tsunami: Jillian Santiago

Thirteen-year-old Jillian Santiago began swimming for the Sarasota Tsunami one-and-a-half years ago. Now, she's one of the top-ranked swimmers in the nation for her age group.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 22, 2013
Athlete of the Week: Barb Harrison

Palm-Aire resident Barb Harrison shot a 68 to set a new course record May 8, on the Lakes Course at Palm-Aire Country Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Juliet Onufrak maneuvers around a defender during one of her final games at ODA. File photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 22, 2013
Moving Forward: college signings

Braden River High senior Courtney McDevitt and The Out-of-Door Academy senior Juliet Onufrak will continue playing volleyball and soccer, respectively, at the next level.

  • East County
  • Sports
Eighth-grader Nathan Strawderman made his first start under center, after the Thunder veteran quarterback Evan Wilson graduated. Photos by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 22, 2013
Learning curve: ODA Thunder

ODA Thunder make strides at spring football game with a young team leading the charge on the gridiron.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 22, 2013
SIDELINES

Lakewood wins academic championship; BRSC tryouts upcoming; Manatee Cal Ripken names All-Stars; Lakewood honors athletic alumni

  • East County
  • Sports
Steve Seto dances with his wife, Rose. File photo.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 22, 2013
Your Neighbor: Steve Seto

Steve Seto, a man who makes his living by selling barbecue propane tanks made of composite material across North America, could always sell himself as a dancer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This home in Chelsea, which has four bedrooms, four baths, one half-bath, a pool and 5,690 square feet of living area, sold for $1,112,500. Josh Siegel.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 22, 2013
Home in Chelsea sells for $1,112,500

A home in Chelsea tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Arthur and Bonnie Mellor, of Sapphire, N.C., sold their home at 7320 Chelsea Court to Ronald and Susan Keefe, of Prince Edward Island, Canada, for $1,112,500.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
East County resident Karen Rawlings submitted this photo of a sunset at Regatta Pointe Marina.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 21, 2013
Weather Photo: MARINA MAGIC

East County resident Karen Rawlings submitted this photo of a sunset at Regatta Pointe Marina.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The school cuts are part of a plan to save $20.6 million to help the school district replenish depleted reserves.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 21, 2013
May 21: Daily Headlines Video

Top Stories: 182 Manatee teachers lose jobs; Sarasota woman arrested for defrauding employer; Commission approves second phase of bayfront mooring project; Whitney Beach receives award

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The manager of Broadspire, a division of Crawford & Company that handles workers' compensation claims, reported a grand theft of tens of thousands of dollars.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 21, 2013
Sarasota woman arrested for stealing from employer

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested a woman for defrauding her Tampa employer of more than $56,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The savings plan also includes multiple property sales, outsourcing legal and audit services and closing the old Manatee Technical Institute campus on 34th Street West.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 21, 2013
182 Manatee teachers lose jobs

The cuts are part of a plan to save $20.6 million to help the school district replenish depleted reserves.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 21, 2013
Former Lady Ram launches soccer academy

Riverview High graduate Danielle Meyer, an All-Americas Recipient at Polk Community College and starter and captain for Lindenwood University, recently launched Soccer Time Academy.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 21, 2013
Sarasota Dolphins registration ongoing

Registration is now open for those interested in playing tackle football for the Sarasota Dolphins third- and fourth-grade team.

  • East County
  • Sports
Whitney Beach on Longboat Key becomes the sixth beach in the Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key area to receive a new beach recognition.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 21, 2013
Whitney Beach receives award

A Longboat Key beach has received notification it meets a national environmental certification program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee's parks and beaches, however, will remain open for the public, as will the county's natural preserves.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 21, 2013
Manatee County government to close for holiday

Manatee County Government offices will be closed Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day.

  • East County
  • News
A pump-out boat removes sewage from boats moored in phase one of the mooring field.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • May 21, 2013
Commission approves second phase of bayfront mooring project

Commissioners also voted to uphold a maintenance-dredging ordinance but requested a report on ways to improve the ordinance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • May 21, 2013
City participates in hurricane preparedness exercise

The functional drill will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Terry Gans struck former commission candidate Ray Rajewski with his SUV last week.
  • By Amanda Heisey
  • May 20, 2013
May 20: Daily Headlines Video

Top Stories: Gans hits Rajewski with SUV; City Commission talks funding cuts; bayfront and parking; Manatee School Board holds budget workshop; PHOTO GALLERY: Downtown Sarasota Craft Show

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub site plan amendment and special exception approval will be revisited.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 20, 2013
Mar Vista project will be reviewed again

Commissioners will review a Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub project after Mar Vista owner Ed Chiles requested a re-hearing.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioners are holding a Goals and Objectives workshop, its first budget workshop and its 1 p.m. regular workshop today at Town Hall.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 20, 2013
Mar Vista approval to be reconsidered today

Commissioners will decide whether they want to take back its approval of a Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub project at a special meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. today.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nathalie Barr and Natalya Green
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 20, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Military Officers Association Luncheon

The Military Officers Association of Sarasota held its regular luncheon Friday, May 17, at Michael's on East. Police Chief Bernadette DiPino was the featured speaker, and the association honored four JROTC cadets with merit scholarships.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Terry Gans said he didn't see Ray Rajewski "soon enough" before he struck him with his vehicle last week.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 20, 2013
Gans hits Rajewski with SUV

Commissioner Terry Gans struck former commission candidate Ray Rajewski with his sport utility vehicle last week.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioners will hear a St. Armands Business Improvement District feasibility study presentation.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 20, 2013
City Commission talks funding cuts, bayfront and parking

The regular Sarasota City Commission meeting takes place from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 6 to 9:30 p.m. today, at City Hall, 1565 First St.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
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