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Your Observer

The state first implemented DROP in the early 2000s to give top public-sector employees an incentive to stay in their positions instead of going to work in the private sector.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 10, 2013
Employees seek DROP benefit

The Longboat Key Town Commission's decision Aug. 14 will affect the financial futures of town employees and taxpayers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Iwo Jima veteran Harold Ronson, left: Should he give up? Sarasota Public Art Fund founder Thomas Savage, right: "You can't fight City Hall" in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
Our View: Give up? They didn't at Iwo

What does it say about a community whose behind-the-scenes City Hall manipulators scotch an effort to bring to Sarasota's bayfront one of the greatest American icons depicting one of the greatest moments in American history? It's so deflating.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 10, 2013
Groin notice makes wave for Beer Can users

Former Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash wants a state hearing to review three proposed groins for Longboat Key's eroded north end.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
Cops 7.10.13

June 26 STAGING A COVER-UP 6:14 p.m. - 2800 block of GMD. Code Enforcement. An Italian woman didn't know she wasn't allowed to be topless on the beach and agreed to cover up.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Save Our Seabirds leases the city-owned parcel at 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway for $10 annually.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 10, 2013
FWC gives good marks to Save Our Seabirds

The agency performed an unannounced inspection last Wednesday at the facility.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
Letters 7.10.13

Are turtles more important?; Agreement unacceptable

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 10, 2013
Deadline worries commissioners

A quarterly report the Longboat Key Town Commission received June 28 does not give commissioners hope for a Colony settlement in the near future.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Helen Holt's home was demolished July 15, 2008.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 10, 2013
From the archives: Holt house withstood test of time before demolition

On July 15, 2008, the home of longtime Longboat Key postmistress Helen Holt was demolished; commissioners were wary of gang violence in 1998; the Longboat Key Town Commission voted to exempt religious symbols from the town's sign ordinance in July 1983

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 10, 2013
Obituary: Wurzburg was decisive voice on commission

Former Longboat Key Mayor A. Hart Wurzburg served four years during a contentious time of the island's development.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 10, 2013
Manatee TSA chapters earn national honors

Manatee County technology students showed off their skills and again secured national honors as they competed June 28 through July 2, at the National Technology Student Association Conference, in Orlando.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cyrus "Cy" Bispham
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 10, 2013
Obituary: Cyrus 'Cy' Bispham

Cyrus 'Cy' Bispham, 87, of Sarasota, died June 26. Born Dec. 11, 1925, in Sarasota, his family had deep roots on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Debbie Wagner and Gena Rogers accepted state- and national-award trophies from students from Braden River High School July 5.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 10, 2013
Living Legacy: Brett Wagner and Josh Rogers

Wearing seat belts may have saved the lives Lakewood Ranch High School students Brett Wagner and Josh Rogers, who died as a result of a Christmas Day crash in 2011. Now, students from their rival school are using the story to continue the boys' legacy and promote safety.

  • East County
  • News
Courtesy photo Pictured left to right: Alex and Lois Macdonald, Gary Nieskes and Zone Chairman John Geary.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
Lions Club member earns coveted honor

The Ellenton-Parrish Lions Club has awarded an honorary Melvin Jones Fellowship to member Lois Macdonald.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
Preschool earns national award

Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch recently was recognized by the franchise's parent company, during the organization's annual national conference, in Orlando.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Seventeen-year-old Lindsay Wheeler loves science, thanks to a day at the South Florida Museum. Now, she will lead a science- and math-oriented summer camp for girls.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
Girl Scout promotes the love of science

East County resident Lindsay Wheeler, 17, will share her love of science, as she hosts a summer camp to earn her Girl Scouts' Gold Award.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 10, 2013
Manatee County property values on the rise

East County communities, such as Lakewood Ranch, are exceeding county averages.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Unit 201 at The Water Club I has four bedrooms, six baths and 5,225 square feet of living area. It sold for $3 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 10, 2013
Water Club condo sells for $3 million

A condominium in The Water Club I at Longboat Key tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Miriam Smith, trustee, of Gilford, N.H., sold the Unit 201 condominium at 1241 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Joseph and Rachael Schwarz, of Longboat Key, for $3 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 10, 2013
Wagner Realty announces May's top producers

Wagner Realty announced its top producers for the month of May.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 10, 2013
Manatee County preps for landfill site improvements

Manatee County officials must approve changes to the Lena Road Landfill's general-development plan.

  • East County
  • News
At the top of the Lena Road Landfill, 136 feet above sea level, Dan Gray has a view of the East County residents who depend on his department’s services.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • July 10, 2013
Longtime Manatee County utilities director, Dan Gray, retires

In 30 years, Dan Gray has helped turn Manatee County Utilities into an interdependent, sustainable force. He just likes to avoid the spotlight.

  • East County
  • News
Jim Novacek submitted this photo, taken near the Beachcomber.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
Weather photo: Longboat Key

Jim Novacek submitted this week's weather photo, taken near the Beachcomber.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The GreyHawk Landing Community Development District is expected to assume ownership of GreyHawk Landing West’s new pool and amenity center this week. However, the facility will not be open to residents until late July or early August.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 10, 2013
GreyHawk CDD readies for turnover

The GreyHawk Landing CDD hopes to open a new pool and amenity center by early August.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Little League pitcher Connor Shine helps lead the 9/10 All-Stars to a District 26 championship July 5.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 10, 2013
Sidelines 7.10.13

Southwest Florida Figure Skating Club names officers; registration for amateur championships begins; Mustang cheerleaders to host summer camp;i9 sports fall registration is currently under way; East County all-stars win district crowns

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 10, 2013
Community Golf scores 7.10.13

This week's community golf scores from Lakewood Ranch, Palm-Aire, River Club, Rosedale, Tara and University Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
This home in Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,117 square feet of living area. It sold for $860,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 10, 2013
Country Club Village home sells for $860,000

A home in Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Ronald and Patricia Zabel, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 7010 Vilamoura Place to Robert and Molly Eliason, of Waukee, Iowa, for $860,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
United Way initiative targets reading proficiency

The United Way of Manatee County has launched its second year of ReadingPals, a program Barney and Carol Barnett, of the Barnett Early Literacy Initiative, fund.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo Bob Rosinsky, Chris DeLeonardo and Veronica Brandon Miller
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
Goodwill Manasota volunteer program earns honors

Goodwill Industries International recently announced Goodwill Manasota won the 2013 Volunteer Program of the Year for its Ambassadors Program, for which volunteers help promote the organization within the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Stephanie, Dane and Eva Martinez watch as Neal Communities President and CEO Pat Neal cuts the tape on a tree signifying the company’s 9,000th home. The tree is located in the Martinezes’ backyard.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • July 10, 2013
Neal Communities celebrates milestone

The Lakewood Ranch-based builder planted a tree in the backyard of its 9,000th home last week to commemorate the event.

  • East County
  • News
Shien Deh Temple currently operates out of a single-family home on a street east of Morgan Johnson Road. Temple leaders say a new worship center will accommodate a growing interest in studying Dao.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • July 10, 2013
County approves expansion of Daoist temple

The Shien Deh Temple, which has operated out of a single-family home in the East County for 11 years, learned it can build a new worship center.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
News Briefs

Nathan Benderson Park earns state planning award; MPO seeks public input

  • East County
  • News
Danae McDermott and teacher Kari Reddish will travel to Arizona for the Jostens National Conference, which honors outstanding students and people.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • July 10, 2013
Scholarship award takes pair to Arizona

Danae McDermott discovered her love for graphic design with the help of her yearbook adviser at Lakewood Ranch High School. Now, the two will attend a national conference together.

  • East County
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
Cops Corner: East County

Cops Corner: East County

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Courtesy photo St. Stephen’s eighth-grader Sarah Glaser has been taking figure-skating lessons at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex for about three years.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 10, 2013
Competitive Edge: Sarah Glaser

Thirteen-year-old Palm-Aire resident Sarah Glaser will compete in the Liberty Summer Competition July 16 through July 20, in Philadelphia.

  • East County
  • Sports
Southeast High School freshman Emersen Peco won five medals, including the all-around title and a pair of first-place finishes on vault and balance beam, in what was likely her final competition with the Sarasota Surge.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 10, 2013
National Champ: Emersen Peco

Fourteen-year-old Emersen Peco won five medals, including the level 5 all-around title, at the 2013 YMCA Gymnastics Championship held June 27 to June 28, in Savannah, Ga.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Little League pitcher Connor Shine helps lead the 9/10 All-Stars to a District 26 championship July 5.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
Sidelines: East County all-stars win district crowns

The Braden River Little League Intermediate All-Stars defeated Manatee West 9-5 to capture the District 26 championship June 29, at Braden River Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2013
Community Golf

Vito Melfi used his 8-iron to record an ace June 19, on the 142-yard No. 7 of King's Dunes.

  • East County
  • Sports
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