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Your Observer

Sarasota County Coastal Resources Manager Laird Wreford said erosion losses ranged from anywhere between 20 and 60 feet along the Gulf Coast, but the award-winning sands of Siesta Key Public Beach remained.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 4, 2012
Debby ravages shores of south Siesta

The tropical storm eroded nearly 30 feet of Turtle Beach, leaving 50% of sediment placed in 2008 during a $10 million nourishment project. Siesta Key public beach was spared.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Dave Magee, SKVA member representing the UPS Store and a beachfront property owner, said it was necessary to put a security guard on the beach because non-guests were crowding out paying customers and future guests. File image.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 4, 2012
Private beaches post security guards

The battle between owners of beachfront property and public-use advocates is on the brink of reigniting. Parties hope to throw water on the debate before it heats up.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Barbetta wants further government consolidation after staff vacates the sixth floor of the Administration Center. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 4, 2012
Sarasota County wants to shed land

Commissioner Joe Barbetta has made consolidating government services a goal since he was elected. Now he wants the free space created in private hands.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 4, 2012
Commissioners split on new meter readers

Environmental Services says it needs to put 45,000 new water meters in the ground as soon as possible.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 4, 2012
City commission 'targets' defunct parking meters

The city of Sarasota is posed to lose 90% on the purchase price of 47 parking meter pay stations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By John Gudritz
  • July 4, 2012
My View: More tourists requires more parking

It was disheartening to read about the reason for the closing of Anna's Deli in Siesta Key Village.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 4, 2012
Letters to the Editor

SRQ was over-expanded

  • Sarasota
  • News
Judilee Sterne's family in the old market place of Jerusalem. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 4, 2012
Neighbors: Judilee Sterne

Siesta Key resident Judilee Sterne went on a pilgrimage to Israel with members of her congregation, her children and grandchildren.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Pam Nadalini refused to sign the evaluation that listed her management skills as "Below Expectations," choosing, instead, to write a two-page letter to Turner dated Monday, July 2, detailing her concerns with the low marks she received.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 4, 2012
Turner gives Nadalini poor evaluation

Sarasota City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini refused to sign an evaluation Commissioner Terry Turner submitted last month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Search consultant Colin Baenziger, of Colin Baenziger & Associates, told the Sarasota Observer Tuesday he was surprised by the commission's decision.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 4, 2012
Search for new city leader continues

Search consultant Colin Baenziger suggests the city manager salary maximum be raised from $180,000 to $215,000 for the position to attract a wider range of candidates.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 4, 2012
News Briefs

City plans repairs for Osprey Avenue Bridge; South Shade Avenue temporarily closed; O'Shea takes the helm at New College

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sonia Pressman Fuentes is a founding member of the National Organization for Women, which has fought for women’s rights since the mid-1960s. In her retirement, she’s continues her efforts as an author and public speaker.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • July 4, 2012
Neighbors: Sonia Pressman Fuentes

Sarasota resident and prominent feminist activist Sonia Pressman Fuentes has dedicated her life to fighting discrimination.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sun-N-Fun Vacation Resort offered its services as a donation to SPARCC.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • July 4, 2012
SPARCC finds families temporary homes at Sun-N-Fun Resort

After an extermination left SPARCC without housing, Sun-N-Fun offered free private room and board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 4, 2012
Letters to the Editor

SRQ was over-expanded; A good time to consolidate

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 4, 2012
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 4, 2012
News Briefs

Siesta Sheriff facility extends lease; Siesta water facility back on track; Siesta Key flooding traps residents; Say what, Siesta?

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 4, 2012
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Join Emily Walsh as she reports today's headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • July 4, 2012
July 3: 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
This home at 703 Tropical Circle, which has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,913 square feet of living area, sold for $700,000. Photo by Alex Mahadevan.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 4, 2012
Tortoise Estates home sells for $900,000

A home in Tortoise Estates tops all transactions in this week's real estate. George and Karen Flynn, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1159 Horizon View Drive to Kathleen Brown, of Cincinnati, for $900,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Charles Preston Rawls submitted this sunrise photo, taken in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 4, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Charles Preston Rawls submitted this sunrise photo, taken in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Christine McCrenzi submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 4, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Christine McCrenzi submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 4, 2012
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Tim McGonegal

East County resident Tim McGonegal has spent the past four years working to ensure the needs of one of the largest and most successful school districts in the state are met.

  • East County
  • News
Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 4, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Cole Maden

Cole Maden, 13, recently returned from playing in Cooperstown, N.Y., with the Sarasota Sharks 12U baseball team.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This home at 1200 Quail Drive has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 3,951 square feet of living area. It sold for $2 million. Photo by Nick Friedman.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 4, 2012
Five-bedroom Hansen home sells for $2 million

A home in Hansen tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Lee and Janice Harris, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1200 Quail Drive to J. Morgan and Alison O'Donoghue, of Sarasota, for $2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • July 3, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: I. Bert Spiegel

I. Bert Spiegel is a Longboat Key resident of 42 years. Read more about him in our candid "five things."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Children wore patriotic, plastic hats while sitting on the beach at Mar Vista, Monday, July 2, during the 4th annual Boom Boom on the Bay.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • July 3, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 4th annual Boom Boom on the Bay

The 4th annual Boom Boom on the Bay at the Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant lit up the sky and the Sarasota Bay, Monday, July 2, on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Board members were sworn in at a special dinner ceremony. Photo by Sally Waldo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 3, 2012
Ranch Rotary inducts new officers

The Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club inducted its new board this month.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key Town Hall is located at 501 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 3, 2012
Town offices close for Fourth of July

Town offices will re-open at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, July 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson explains to members of the Siesta Key Village Association that Sarasota County is running a budget deficit.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 3, 2012
Patterson takes flak from SKVA

Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson was present at the monthly Siesta Key Village Association, where she was questioned about procurement.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 3, 2012
Commission approves zoning code changes

The changes clarify codes, according to town staff, but opponents say the changes are designed to accommodate the Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key properties, certified last week by the Manatee and Sarasota County property appraisers, declined in value.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 3, 2012
Commission sets 1.8872 maximum millage rate

The maximum rate for the upcoming fiscal year is identical to this year's rate, but property owners could see new taxes for north-end erosion control.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 3, 2012
Colony owners hope for occupancy

Some Colony unit owners are exploring the possibility of re-opening at least 40 units on the property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 3, 2012
News Briefs

Commission approves Bullock contract; Vehicle break-ins reported in CC Shores; Weekly Publix progress report

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pete Cumming became acting police chief in May, after four years as a captain.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 3, 2012
Q&A with Acting Police Chief Pete Cumming

The idea of putting on a uniform and working on the Key would have been 'alien' to Cumming earlier in his career.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 3, 2012
Town officials sound off on Debby response

Debby's deluge provided town officials with an opportunity to evaluate its emergency procedures.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Bridge Shack Restaurant as it looked in the early ’50s. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • July 3, 2012
The legend of New Pass Grill and Bait Shop

The Legend of New Pass Grill and Bait Shop dates back to 1929.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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