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Your Observer

A rendering shows the design of the Villages of Lakewood Ranch South, the only development in Sarasota County to use the Transfer of Development Rights policy. Courtesy rendering.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • September 13, 2012
TDR pricing is still under review

Experts told the Sarasota County Environmentally Sensitive Lands Oversight Committee that a pilot program aimed at free-market environmentalism fails the market test.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • September 13, 2012
Chamber to unveil its new website

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce's website will soon be getting a facelift, says Executive Director Kevin Cooper.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
John Gudritz is the co-owner of an investment management firm.
  • By John Gudritz
  • September 13, 2012
My View: A long-term solution for a long-term problem

My fellow My View columnist, Jeffrey Weisman, provided some excellent solutions to the serious parking problem that confronts Siesta Key Village and the public beach every season.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 13, 2012
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Goodwill project is under construction on the corner of North Tamiami Trail and Mecca Drive. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • September 13, 2012
Goodwill awaits appeal decision

A group of residents opposes the new retail project because of concerns about the warehouse component and deliveries made throughout the night.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • September 13, 2012
City manager will cull list of police chief candidates

By the beginning of next week, City Manager Tom Barwin, working with city staff, will narrow down the list of police chief candidates from 13 to five.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • September 13, 2012
Single-family homes are slated for vacant land in Laurel Park

The Sarasota Planning Board could vote on the project as early as October. The two-story homes could come with a price tag of $650,000 to $900,000 each.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • September 13, 2012
Insect-population control sees $200,000 budget increase

For the first time in five years, the fiscal year budget includes an increase in property taxes aimed at paying for insect population management.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 13, 2012
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Tom Barwin begins week two. Thus far, he's met with about 300 residents and city employees.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • September 13, 2012
Barwin comments on issues

The Sarasota Observer asked neighborhood and business leaders what they felt was the No. 1 issue City Manager Tom Barwin will have to tackle in his new role.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • September 13, 2012
City seeks proposals for State Street garage

To have the State Street parking garage built in time to meet a four-year deadline, the city must start its two-phase process of selecting a design-build firm no later than October.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 47 parking meters that were removed from downtown streets in March are now being stored at the police department. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • September 13, 2012
City negotiates to sell defunct parking meters

For sale: parking meters. Top-of-the-line technology. Gently used (less than 365 days) and in good condition. Being sold for a fraction of the original cost.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jan Schneider holds a law degree and a doctorate in political science. She practices law and lives on Bird Key.
  • By Jan Schneider
  • September 13, 2012
My View: Women should fight for rights

There was brief unity in condemning ludicrous notions of "legitimate rape" and ability of the female body "to shut that whole thing down" touted by Congressman Todd Akin (R-Missouri) Aug. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Dean Kalahar is a Sarasota resident and teaches economics at Sarasota High School.
  • By Dean Kalahar
  • September 13, 2012
My View: Show up for school

It's that time of year again when we assume children are back in school and that being absent is due to illness or extraordinary events.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 13, 2012
News Briefs

Fresh flag flies in Siesta Key Village

  • Siesta Key
  • News
This home at 819 Paradise Way has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,505 square feet of living area. It sold for $872,500. Photo by Alex Mahadevan.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 13, 2012
Four-bedroom home in South Cocoanut Bayou tops transactions

A home in South Cocoanut Bayou tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Comerica Bank sold the home at 819 Mangrove Point Road to Robert Palma, Christopher Palma and Jacqueline Palma, of St. Salonga, N.Y., for $1,065,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 13, 2012
News Briefs

City of Sarasota welcomes new store; Electric-car parade planned for downtown

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Mable Ringling Memorial Fountain in Luke Wood Park, left, as it sat since the early 1950s, has been excavated for renovations, right. Courtesy photos.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • September 13, 2012
Fountain renovation rises to the top

After being covered with dirt for more than 60 years, the late Mable Ringling's memorial fountain in Luke Wood Park has been uncovered and awaits restoration.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Julie London, or Bubbie, as she calls herself online, has created an online community, in which people can anonymously seek advice.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • September 13, 2012
'Dear Bubbie' offers anonymous advice from online community

Julie London's advice column has become a platform for people to discuss their problems and has received more than 800 'likes' on Facebook.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • September 13, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Nicole Wittmer

Sarasota Christian senior middle hitter Nicole Wittmer has played volleyball since she was in seventh grade, and she hopes to continue to play at the college level.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 13, 2012
JUST THE STATS

23 - The number of runs the 12U Florida River Dawgs scored in three games in bracket play to win the Labor Day Beach Bash Tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Samantha Bisceglia submitted this sunrise photo, taken on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 13, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Samantha Bisceglia submitted this sunrise photo, taken on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Unit 1402 at Bay Plaza condominium has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,042 square feet of living area. It sold for $575,000. File photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 13, 2012
Whitaker's Landing home sells for $1.4 million

A home in Whitaker's Landing tops all transactions in this week's real estate. James Little, trustee, of Tallevast, sold the home at 945 Whitaker's Lane to David and Doris Weir, of Sarasota, for $1.4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Lisa Greenberg took this sunset photo looking west from her backyard in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 13, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Lisa Greenberg took this sunset photo looking west from her backyard in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Join Alex Mahadevan and Mallory Gnaegy as they report today's headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • September 12, 2012
Sept. 12: 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
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 12, 2012
Church holds vigil for injured youth

Journey Assembly of God will hold a candlelight vigil service to pray for seven of its youth who were injured in a crash Sept. 8.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Roger Drouin
  • September 12, 2012
Aluminum thief caught in the act

Police arrest employee for stealing aluminum from business.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jordan Brooks, No. 12, high fives her teammate CeCe Knight, No. 3, after making an impressive play Tuesday, Sept. 11 during the Cardinal Mooney versus Sarasota High School JV volleyball game at Sarasota High School.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: CMHS v. SHS JV girls volleyball

Sarasota High School's JV girls volleyball team came out victorious Tuesday night beating Cardinal Mooney 2-0.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Friends and family gather at the nest dedicated to Penny Rosenthal. Photo courtesy of Mary Lou Johnson.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2012
Loved ones pay tribute to Rosenthal

Friends and family of Penny Rosenthal gathered on the beach Aug. 22 to remember her dedication to many beach activities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2012
Longboat couple to say 'I do'

Longboat Key residents Corey Gropp and Jessica Rickards have announced their engagement and upcoming October wedding.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2012
Business Alliance seeks nominations

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, in partnership with the East County Observer, is seeking nominations for the 2012 Sandies Awards, which recognize Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance members for their achievements.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2012
Local resident named scholar

East County's Morgan Bettes has been selected as one of 20 national 2012 Judith O'Connor Scholars by BoardSource, a national provider of resources to exceptional non-profit boards.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch chapter of Successful Women Aligning Together has selected Debra Fortosis, of Elite Family Care, as "Woman of the Month" for her outstanding achievements in what she provides to SWAT networking.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2012
SWAT celebrates Debra Fortosis

The Lakewood Ranch chapter of Successful Women Aligning Together has selected Debra Fortosis, of Elite Family Care, as "Woman of the Month" for her outstanding achievements in what she provides to SWAT networking.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rotary's Preston Olinger and Laurie Hagberg presented the donation to The Food Bank's Cindy Sloan, center. Courtesy photos.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2012
Ranch Rotary donates food

The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch recently donated $3,500 worth of food to the Food Bank of Manatee, after learning the agency had reached critical lows in its food supply.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2012
Company brings solar power to Mote

Lakewood Ranch-based Willis A. Smith Construction Sept. 4 has helped Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium improve its energy efficiency.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 12, 2012
New application revives project

Longboat Key Club and Resort Manager Michael Welly said a decision to re-submit the Islandside application solidifies the commitment club investors have for the resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

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Jeremy Gandon tees off on the first hole of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. The 29-year-old Frenchman carded six under par in the third round.
  • 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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Lakewood Ranch's Jerry and Marilyn Schneider, who have been married for 63 years, enjoy the live music at Music on Main April 3.
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The Fruitville Townhomes site plan to replace the vacant former Sarasota Lanes bowling center.
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