Your Observer

Kurt Schultheis
June 28, 2012

Airport unveils marketing campaign

Sarasota-Bradenton International's goal is to reduce 'leakage' 3.8% annually over the next five years.

Siesta Key
News

Alex Mahadevan
June 28, 2012

Beach Road drainage fix faces delay

The $2.8 million improvement project that will replace an outdated system was delayed after changes were made to the design.

Siesta Key
News

Observer Staff
June 28, 2012

Our View: Unbondable credibility

Sarasota City Hall watchers have been clattering a lot lately over the inability of the city to obtain a bond on City Auditor/Clerk Pam Nadalini.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Rod Thomson
June 28, 2012

My View: Hunt them hogs!

The problem appears to be hogs tearing up thousands of acres of publicly owned land in Sarasota County and destroying natural habitat.

Sarasota
Opinion

Alex Mahadevan
June 28, 2012

Vendors gather for primer on Village maintenance

Eleven of 16 lawn-maintenance firms remained potential bidders for an annual contract for the upkeep of Siesta Key Village after a five-hour tour and forum.

Siesta Key
News

Alex Mahadevan
June 28, 2012

Gulf Gate Library receives commission's blessing

Commissioners say the design for the new Gulf Gate Library could use some shade but gave the project the go-ahead.

Siesta Key
News

Alex Mahadevan
June 28, 2012

Board celebrates appeal victory

Attorney Art Hardy will have five minutes in front of the Florida Department of Education July 17, to solidify the win.

Siesta Key
News

Observer Staff
June 28, 2012

News Briefs

County repeals incentive resolution; First lighting demo disappoints; Commission delays grant talks

Siesta Key
News

By Dr. Kumar Mahadevan
June 28, 2012

My View: Mote Marine Laboratory: Take a Closer Look - The Gulf of Mexico

As a young graduate student studying marine science in India, I first learned of Mote Marine Laboratory by reading scientific papers published by some of the lab's greatest scientists.

Sarasota
News

Nick Friedman
June 28, 2012

Father-and-son team up to capture life on Siesta

Ryan and Shawn McLaughlin have teamed up to create a website that will showcase videos related to Siesta Key.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

By Rich Swier Sr.
June 28, 2012

My View: Israel: The Masada Paradigm

During my recent trip to Israel I visited many historical sites. One site that struck me was Masada (Hebrew for fortress). Masada embodies the spirit of Israel. It is located in the Southeastern part of Israel near the Dead Sea.

Sarasota
Opinion

Observer Staff
June 28, 2012

Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

Sarasota
Cops Corner

Pam Eubanks
June 28, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Vacation Bible Camp

East County children set up camp inside the sanctuary of Sarasota Baptist Church this week, as part of the church's Vacation Bible Camp.

East County
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
June 28, 2012

New head football coach for Booker introduced

Carlos Woods, former assistant coach for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts, was introduced via Skype Tuesday evening, at Booker High School.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Nick Friedman
June 28, 2012

Neighbors: Shawn Mcloughlin

Local painter Shawn McLoughlin shows it takes different strokes to complete life on Siesta Key.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Alex Mahadevan
June 28, 2012

Reid seeks honest procurement director

Sarasota County Administrator Randall Reid backed his zero-tolerance ethics policy with Procurement Official Mark Thiele's resignation. Now he hopes to fill the position before August.

Siesta Key
News

Nick Friedman
June 28, 2012

Runners light their fuses for the Second Annual Firecracker 5k

The second Firecracker 5k and 1-Mile Fun Run on Siesta Key Beach might actually be the first. Despite a large turnout, last year's inaugural run was called off at the last minute due to inclement weather.

Siesta Key
News

Observer Staff
June 28, 2012

Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Cheryl Dobbins submitted this sunset photo, taken overlooking Sarasota Bay.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
June 28, 2012

Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

Sarasota
News

Rachel S. OHara
June 28, 2012

Athlete of the Week: Eric Delaney

Eric Delaney, 25, got into CrossFit two years ago when a friend told him about a new workout he was doing.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
June 28, 2012

Just The Stats

18 - Place Nicholas Caldwell came in during Monday's opening 400-meter freestyle at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials at the CenturyLink Center, in Omaha, Neb.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
June 28, 2012

Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Ronald Owens submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Adam Hughes
June 28, 2012

Beau Ciel condominium sells for $1.2 million

A condominium in Beau Ciel tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Jeffrey and Bonnie Lawenda, trustees, sold the Unit 904 condominium at 990 Blvd. of the Arts to Michael and Faith Goldman, of Wilmington, Del., for $1.2 million.

Sarasota
Real Estate

Adam Hughes
June 28, 2012

Big Pass Lane home sells for $1.6 million

A home on Big Pass Lane tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Richard and Margie Trumbull, of Siesta Key, sold their home at 149 Big Pass Lane to W. David and M. Denise Sanders, of Bristol, Ind., for $1.6 million.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
June 27, 2012

New Sarasota stores set opening dates

A new Costco is set to open in Sarasota Square mall in August and a Trader Joe's is opening September 7.

Sarasota
News

Eddie Kirsch
June 27, 2012

June 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

Observer Staff
June 27, 2012

Monthly Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner: June

Congratulations to Mena Lisa Kates, our June monthly winner!. Kates submitted this photo, taken over Pansy Bayou in Lido Shores.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
June 27, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: Deb-istation on Longboat Key

Tropical Storm Debby took a toll on Longboat Key. The Longbeach Village was waist-high in water Sunday and fish were swimming up to villager's back doors. High winds brought limbs down all along Gulf of Mexico Drive where Public Works Department employees worked non-stop. And waves crashed through turtle-nests carrying beach chairs down stretches of Longboat Key beach.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
June 27, 2012

2012 Small Business Awards 10 employees or fewer winner: G.Fried Flooring

G. Fried Flooring has been located off of Tamiami Trail for 40 years.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Eddie Kirsch
June 27, 2012

Bank robber stopped within two hours of crime

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office caught John Velasquez, 58, within two hours after he committed a bank robbery.

Sarasota
News

Pam Eubanks
June 27, 2012

Upper Manatee River Road reopened

Upper Manatee River Road west of Rye Road was reopened this morning.

East County
News

Alex Mahadevan
June 27, 2012

Gulf Gate gets go ahead

Sarasota County commissioners yesterday voted unanimously to support the continuation of the Gulf Gate Library project after seeing initial renderings.

Siesta Key
News

Observer Staff
June 27, 2012

Welfonder secures book contract

Longboat Key resident and USA Today bestselling author Sue-Ellen Welfonder signed a new four-book contract with Grand Central Publishing/GCP (former Time Warner Books).