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Your Observer

Board members directed Superintendent Tim McGonegal and staff to make teacher and employee salaries a priority, and to try to find other monies within the budget to put toward pay increases. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 31, 2012
School Board sets millage, tentative budget

The Manatee County School Board Monday night set a millage rate of 7.589.

  • East County
  • News
A pool on south Siesta Key sustained more than $10,000 in damages from Tropical Storm Debby, some of which could be covered by federal disaster aid.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 31, 2012
McCrane to talk Debby for SKA

Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Ed McCrane and Parks and Recreation manager George Tatge are guests at the August Siesta Key Association meeting.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 31, 2012
GSJGA wraps up Futures Tour

The Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association finished concluded its Futures Tour season with the Futures Tour Finale July 28 at Peridia Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 31, 2012
Young grapplers set to take the mat

The East Manatee Youth Wrestling Club will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning Aug. 6, in the Lakewood Ranch High wrestling room, 5500 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

  • East County
  • Sports
Join Emily Walsh as she reports today's headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • July 30, 2012
July 30: Daily Headlines Video

Join us as we observe and report today's stories from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Admiral Steve Branham slides the wedding band onto Susan’s ring finger.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Wedding of Admiral Steve and Susan Branham

Admiral Steve Branham and Susan Phillips were married, Saturday, July 28, on the beach on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort has been closed since August 2010.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 30, 2012
Colony Association seeks to extend tourism deadline

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association will ask to push the deadline for reopening the resort back by 18 months.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The meeting, which starts at 5:45 p.m., will be held at the district's administrative building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 30, 2012
School Board to vote on budget

The Manatee County School Board tonight is slated to approve its tentative 2012-13 budget.

  • East County
  • News
Third-year LECOM medical student Tammy Gebo-Seaman, right,  takes Taylor Hoyt's blood pressure. Photo by Michael Polin.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 30, 2012
LECOM aides in athletic care

Medical students performed physicals for Lakewood Ranch High School athletes July 26.

  • East County
  • News
People have fun dancing to the beats played by the percussionists, Sunday, July 29, out on Siesta Key Public Beach.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY & VIDEO: Siesta Key Drum Circle

Every Sunday night drummers, dancers, hula-hoopers and spectators make their way out to the beach two hours before sunset to participate in the weekly Siesta Key Drum Circle on Siesta Key Public Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Cherie Diaz and Markeyl Green
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • July 30, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Church of the Redeemer Day of Hope

More than a hundred volunteers donated their time at Church of the Redeemer Saturday, July 28, as part of the Hope Kids Community Day of Hope. Doctors, dentists, photographers and others offered free services to local homeless and at-risk children to prepare them for the start of the new school year. Children received free checkups, eye, ear and dental exams, breakfast, haircuts, school supplies and a family portrait as part of the event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 30, 2012
Mowing fiasco touches Siesta

A lot on south Siesta Key occupied a Sarasota County Sheriff training facility drew resident complaints about upkeep.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Thirteen-year-old Madison Yoder works on fielding drills.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 28, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch High Softball Camp

Nearly 70 girls ages 14 and under learned the fundamentals of softball during Lakewood Ranch High's softball camp July 24-26. Participants worked on speed and agility, hitting and infield and outfield drills, among other fundamentals.

  • East County
  • Sports
The City of Sarasota will offer Thomas Barwin $15,000 to cover his relocation from Oak Park, Ill., and take the job as city manager.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 27, 2012
Contract inked for new city manager

City of Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell offered Thomas Barwin $175,000 annually to become City Administrator beginning Aug. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Barbara Michel began working for the Key Club Oct. 4, 1982 — its first day of operation.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 27, 2012
Longtime Key Club chef concierge Barbara Michel dies

Barbara Michel was the Key Club's concierge from its opening in 1982 until 2010.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Join Emily Walsh as she reports today's headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • July 27, 2012
July 27: Daily Headlines Video

Join us as we observe and report today's stories from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Siesta Key Association Vice President Peter van Roekens and Siesta Key Village Association President Russell Matthes stand in front of an LED bollard that could light Village crosswalks in the future.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 27, 2012
Specs set for crosswalk lighting

Siesta Key leaders last night settled on an option to improve Village crosswalk lighting. But, it may not be ADA compliant.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The dogs, trainers and main players behind the Premier Sotheby’s and Southeastern Guide Dogs event gather together, Thursday, July 26, at Premier Sotheby’s.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 27, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Southeastern Guide Dogs at Premier Sotheby's

Some of the ambassador and guide dogs in training made an appearance Thursday, July 26, at Premier Sotheby's on Main Street. Sotheby's hoped to raise $3500, the amount needed to name and sponsor a guide dog puppy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jack Graham Inc., will pay $250,000 in back taxes and a potion of future taxes for the county. File photo.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 27, 2012
Marina Jack will pay taxes

Marina Jack will pay $250,000 to Sarasota County for back property taxes after a two-year court battle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike Tobias's motto is "P.R.I.D.E.": Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, Excellence. The slogan will soon brand every emergency vehicle in Sarasota County.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 27, 2012
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Sarasota County Fire Chief Mike Tobias

Mike Tobias is the Sarasota County Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Services. Read more about him in this week's "In the Public Eye."

  • Sarasota
  • News
Melissa Herron took this photo that shows hatchling tracks headed toward the water. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 27, 2012
First turtle nests of the season hatch

A Mote spokeswoman said that "a handful of turtle nests" have hatched so far on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Join Emily Walsh as she reports today's headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • July 26, 2012
July 26: Daily Headlines Video

Join us as we observe and report today's stories from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • July 26, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Don Wallace

Don Wallace is a Plymouth Harbor resident who is the writer on the 12th floor. Read more about him in our candid "five things."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 26, 2012
Manatee FEMA center closes Saturday; Sarasota County center open

The temporary centers provide information about disaster assistance programs.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 26, 2012
Care package makes an impact

On the Fourth of July, Siesta Key Oyster Bar held a cookout to raise money for the troops, specifically the 214th Fires Brigade, which is currently serving in Afghanistan.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 26, 2012
Carving out his baseball niche

Sarasota's Tim McCarver has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Robert O'Connor. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 26, 2012
Globe trotter

Sarasota resident Robert O'Connor recently became a member of the Seven Continents Club, an elite group of runners who've completed a marathon on all seven continents.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Teeja Johnson at home June 10. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • July 26, 2012
Little girl displays large spirit

In May, Tana and Dennis Johnson's 3-year-old daughter, Teeja, was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer called neuroblastoma.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 26, 2012
Crumbling canal wall sparks liability concerns

When Sarasota County handed over Siesta Key to developers in the early 1900s, the deal included waterway maintenance. When a property owner is absent, sea wall repair can be problematic.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson schedules the next West Coast Inland Navigation District meeting on her new Droid smart phone.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 26, 2012
WCIND grants Sarasota special exception

Commissioner Nora Patterson asked the organization to allow more funding for law-enforcement projects in the county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 26, 2012
FULL STORY: Candidates bare their claws at Tiger Bay

The race for the 12th Judicial District State Attorney's Office has usually tight-tongued lawyers volleying personal attacks rather than telling voters why they deserve the position.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Barring any objections, Sarasota County commissioners will vote Aug. 21 to approve the $97,417 annual deal with Championship Landscape Professionals.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 26, 2012
Contract winner will 'champion' Village look

Championship Landscape Maintenance Professionals will oversee annual maintenance of the commercial district for less than half of what was expected.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota County placed eight barricades secured by sand bags near the collapsed asphalt on Beach Road, which it plans to temporarily repair.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 26, 2012
Beach Road considered for CIP

Sarasota County will temporarily repair the cracked road near Beach Access 3 and determine if it can free up funding for a permanent solution to the erosion problem.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
According to information obtained from the city of Sarasota human resources department, five of the six city's directors who report directly to the city manager and take home six-figure salaries have not received an annual evaluation since 2007.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 26, 2012
City's directors not being evaluated

More than 60 Sarasota employees aren't up to date on evaluations, including directors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jake Stanton, Jake Johnson and Zach McClung held lead children in a song.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 26, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Promise Island VBS

Children are enjoying a special "Adventures on Promise Island" themed Vacation Bible School at Braden River United Methodist Church this week.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hotel Higelhurst, which was built by Harry Higel in 1915, mysteriously burned down in 1917. Some suspect Rube Allyn, the same man accused of killing Higel, was the culprit. Courtesy photos.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 26, 2012
The death of Harry Higel

In 1921, a father and son found a man lying on Beach Road, bleeding profusely. A gold ring with the inscription 'H.H.' verified it was the body of Harry Lee Higel.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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