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Your Observer

T. Guy Spencer submitted this sunset photo, taken at Nokomis Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 6, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

T. Guy Spencer submitted this sunset photo, taken at Nokomis Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh and Alex Mahadevan for the daily headlines
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 5, 2012
Dec. 5: Daily Headlines Video

Today's Stories: Manatee schools report more shocking budget omissions; SCAT considers Siesta 'trolleys'; Town issues Colony requirements and more!

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Expenditures missing include overtime pay, money for the international baccalaureate program at three schools, busing to athletic events and band uniforms.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 5, 2012
Another $7 million hidden from Manatee County school budget

Interim Manatee County Schools Superintendent David Gayler found another $7 million of unbudgeted items in the district's budget.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • December 5, 2012
City to hold meeting on Rosemary project

City officials want to hear from the community about a public-private development at 1440 Boulevard of the Arts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The crowd enjoys taking in the lights on the tree and around the courtyard Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the annual lighting of the bromeliad tree at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lighting of the Bromeliad Tree at Selby Gardens

A select group of people, mostly volunteers and donors, were invited to take part in the lighting of the bromeliad tree Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Holiday House at Southside Elementary is a busy place this week with students buying gifts for their friends and family.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday House

Students at Southside Elementary had the chance to buy gifts for their family and friends this week at the Holiday House.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Booker’s Solomon LaBone Etienne, No. 27, tries to make his way down the field to score as Cardinal Mooney’s Patrick Lustro, No. 21, attempts to stop him.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Booker v. Cardinal Mooney boys soccer

The Booker Tornadoes played the Cardinal Mooney Cougars Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Booker Stadium. The Cougar boys won the game 2-0 with both goals being scored by Cardinal Mooney's Greg Illig, No. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Choir members take their places in the risers to form the singing Christmas tree.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 5, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Singing Christmas Tree

Hundreds of people filled the First Sarasota Baptist Church Friday, Nov. 30 to kick off the holiday season with the 39th annual singing Christmas tree production. Church members, accompanied by an orchestra, performed on stage, and choir members formed a multistory Christmas tree and sang carols.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Wrapping a public transit bus to look like a trolley costs roughly $6,100, which is ten times less expensive than modifying its frame.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 5, 2012
SCAT considers Siesta 'trolleys'

Sarasota County commissioners will discuss spending $7.4 million for public transportation weeks after an audit exposed fiscal management issues in the department.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Town Attorney David Persson has sat through more than 3,500 town meetings in the past 22 years.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 5, 2012
Town attorney resigns

David Persson cited a need to rebalance his law practice but plans to represent the Key from the podium in the future.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 5, 2012
Town issues Colony requirements

Town Manager Dave Bullock has put the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association on notice: The town expects further upgrades to the rundown property to make the outward appearance acceptable by Longboat Key standards.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 5, 2012
Town offers fire contract with 3% raise

The town of Longboat Key is offering firefighters a raise, but it is willing to go to impasse concerning the pension issue.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Triton Bend is located near the 2900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive and is adjacent to Neptune Avenue.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 5, 2012
Triton Bend breaks ground on two homes

The homes in the long-awaited new subdivision are the first of 13 planned for the mid-Key development.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 5, 2012
Town to debate burying power lines on the Key

The power could be in Longboaters' hands on whether to bury power lines on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jaleski
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 5, 2012
Challengers arise for 2013 commission seats

Three commission candidates with varied backgrounds will vie for seats on the Longboat Key Town Commission in the March town election.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Persson: Longboat Key town attorney for 22 years
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2012
Our View: All 22 years are what count

Give Longboat Key Town Attorney David Persson credit. He submitted and announced his resignation Monday honorably, with dignity and integrity and as a gentleman. Frankly, we would not have expected otherwise.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Terry Petesch, pictured in 2010, framed many prized possessions, in addition to artwork and photographs. File photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 5, 2012
Petesch framed Longboaters for 27 years

Terry Petesch died last week after an 18-month illness. He was 62.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 491 Meadow Lark Drive features marble floors and overlooks Sarasota Bay. Courtesy photos.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 5, 2012
Former Con Edison chief exec home, neighboring home, listed for $6.7 million

With more than one acre combined and more than 516 feet of waterfront access, the homes at 491 and 492 Meadow Lark Drive make up the largest lot on Bird Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sam Vrinios, a sophomore at Lakewood Ranch High School, started Imagine Customs, which retrofits and customizes Xbox 360 game controllers and is approaching $1 million in sales, two years ago. Photo by Mark Wemple.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 5, 2012
Teen entrepreneur draws national attention

Two years ago, 15-year-old Sam Vrinios started a custom game controller business in his garage. Now, he is on television.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 5, 2012
Light's green for new facility

Lakewood Ranch officials have closed on the property and financing for the maintenance facility project.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Good Samaritan on the way

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 5, 2012
Dec. 7, 1989: Town-owned Key Club facilities nixed

The commission voted 4-2 on first reading to purchase the Longboat Key Club's golf and tennis facilities. Two weeks later, commissioners reversed the decision.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rosbie Thompson and George McQuillen are one of 250 Manatee County student-mentor pairs participating this year in Take Stock in Children, a statewide, non-profit mentor program that provides college scholarships to students from low-income families.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 5, 2012
Heart to Heart: Rosbie Thompson and George McQuillen

Student-mentor pair Rosbie Thompson and George McQuillen have forged a bond in Manatee County Take Stock in Children program.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 5, 2012
Tech grant makes finalist list

A $28.7 million grant request by the Manatee County School District is one of 61 finalists being considered for funding.

  • East County
  • News
The Rev. Jason Smith, pastor of Good Life Church, is teaching a series called "Full" this month.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 5, 2012
East County couple launches new church

Good Life Church has started holding services, but officially launches Jan. 13.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2012
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Lakewood Ranch junior midfielder Angelica Rego pushes the ball up the field.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2012
Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team remains unbeaten

The Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team defeated rival Braden River 2-0 in a Class 4A-District 11 match Nov. 28. With the win, the Lady Mustangs improved to 10-0 (6-0, 4A-11).

  • East County
  • Sports
The East Manatee Bulldogs Midget cheerleading squad will compete in the Midget Small Pop Warner Level 2 division of the 2012 Pop Warner National Cheer Championships Dec. 7. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2012
East Manatee Bulldogs land on national stage

The East Manatee Bulldogs Midget cheerleading squad won the 2012 Southeast Regional Cheer Competition Nov. 24, earning a berth in the 2012 Pop Warner National Cheer Championships.

  • East County
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2012
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2012
News Briefs

SCF trustees name new interim president; SCFCS announces information session dates; Bustle becomes County Commission chairman

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Trevon Young

After surpassing the 1,000-point mark against Port St. Lucie in the Class 7A-Region 3 quarterfinals last season, Braden River High senior forward Trevon Young scored 39 points last week to lead the Pirates to a 2-0 record to start the season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Colts win Super Bowl
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2012
SIDELINES

Lakewood Ranch Colts win Super Bowl; Sollazzo's hat trick leads the Mustangs; Lady Pirates sail past the Lady Indians; ODA boys soccer team tops Canterbury School

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The School of Russian Ballet this year will perform "The Nutcracker" at the Sarasota Opera house.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 5, 2012
Ballet school leaps for holiday tradition

The School of Russian Ballet will perform 'The Nutcracker' Dec. 9.

  • East County
  • News
Under the direction of Nolan Middle School art teacher Wade Smith, FACTS club members spent nine weeks creating a mural of a beach at Emerson Point.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 5, 2012
New Nolan mural paints picture of Florida landscape

Charlie Gillam's friends tell her they could walk straight through the 25-foot-by-8-foot mural she helped paint because it looks so real.

  • East County
  • Schools
Steve Rubin and Ed Town. Nick Friedman.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 5, 2012
Season of Sharing: Ed Town and Steve Rubin

Steve Rubin and Ed Town have donated to the Season of Sharing campaign for the past five years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A seating area between Publix and CVS offers a shaded spot to enjoy the new shopping center.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 5, 2012
Dec. 13, Publix: Be there with bells on

The new 49,000-square-foot store will open at 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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  • April 4, 2026
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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.
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