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Your Observer

Join Mallory Gnaegy for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 15, 2012
May 15: 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
Chris Wallner, Shardul Soni, Tyler Wagnon and Shawn Heikens pose together out in front of Central Church of Christ, Tuesday, May 15.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 15, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: PUSH America in Sarasota

Chris Wallner, Shardul Soni, Tyler Wagnon and Shawn Heikens pose together out in front of Central Church of Christ, Tuesday, May 15.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 15, 2012
Mustang athletic teams to host garage sale

The Lakewood Ranch High athletic teams will hold an Athletics Wide Garage Sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 19 in the school's gymnasium, 5500 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 15, 2012
Authorities seeking info on hit and run

The Florida High Patrol is seeking information regarding a hit and run that occurred outside the Geckos restaurant in Twelve Oaks Plaza May 14.

  • East County
  • News
Local residents looking for a non-stop flight to New York will get their wish in December.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 15, 2012
SRQ adds non-stop service to New York LaGuardia

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is adding daily non-stop service to New York LaGuardia International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The service begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, at Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Rd.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 15, 2012
Sheriff's Office to hold Law Enforcement Memorial Service

The 27th annual event will recognize the men and women who serve and protect the community and those who have been killed in the line of duty.

  • Sarasota
  • News
RJ McLaughlin gets ready to make a run for second base while first baseman, Chase Harmon, watches closely.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Ashton Elementary's Fifth Grade World Series

The fifth graders at Ashton Elementary enjoyed a day out on the ball fields, Friday, May 4, as part of the annual Ashton Elementary World Series field trip to Twin Lakes Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle, pictured in 2007. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 14, 2012
Police Chief Al Hogle dies in motorcycle crash

Longboat Key's police chief died this afternoon of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Join Loren Mayo for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 14, 2012
May 14: 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
Shanear Shuler sang “Dynamite.”
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Bay Haven's Got Talent

Students packed the Bay Haven cafeteria Friday, May 11, for the Bay Haven's Got Talent show. Students took turns performing acts including karate demonstrations, hula hooping songs and dances.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight today announced the capture of 31 suspects as part of a six-day child predator sting operation.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 14, 2012
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrests 31 in child predator sting

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested 31 as part of a sting operation aimed at rounding up child predators.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 14, 2012
Women Helping Women Luncheon raises $49,000

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County announced a two-to-one matching opportunity up to $10,000 made possible by an anonymous donor.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort closed in August 2010.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 14, 2012
Colony unit owners to discuss Club Holdings tonight

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association will discuss options for moving forward with redevelopment.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kate Honea, Ricardo Graziano, Hillary Steele, Danielle Brown and Ricki Bertoni
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Our Season of Dreams Luncheon

Friends of the Sarasota Ballet held a luncheon and panel discussion about the 2011/2012 ballet season, Monday, May 14, at Michael's on East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pearce Rouwhorst and Jessie Boswell
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Booker High School Prom

Booker High School students and their dates gathered at Michael's on East Saturday, May 12, to dance the night away at prom. The night was Paris-themed, and guests enjoyed food, drink and dance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kai Cameron enjoys a snow cone.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Phillippi Shores Spring Fling

Students and their families gathered at Phillippi Shores Elementary Friday, March 11, to celebrate spring in style. The playground was transformed into a carnival featuring bounce houses, rock climbing walls and various games and booths.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Janet Weidner, Harlee Johnson and Kayley Smith
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences Toracon

Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences held its first annual anime and gaming convention, called Toracon, Saturday, May 12. Students joined vendors and visitors from the community, as they dressed in costumes, played games, attended demonstrations and shared their interest in anime. Organizer Liz Smith said the idea for Toracon came from SSAS student's desire to hold their own convention, much like the larger ones held across the state.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Northwest kicks off the festival with its set.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Harvey Milk Festival

The third day of the Harvey Milk Festival kicked off with live music Saturday, May 12, in Five Points Park. Community members gathered to remember the life and political career of Harvey Milk and enjoy art, music, film and vendors.

  • Arts + Culture
Derek McGarvey, 49, of Clearwater
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY & VIDEO: FIT International Triathlon

Approximately 600 people competed in the FIT International Triathlon, Saturday, May 12, out on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 14, 2012
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Melissa Robinson

GreyHawk Landing resident Melissa Robinson, a roller derby player, has been on a primarily raw-food diet for about two months.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune may soon be looking for a new publisher if H-T Publisher Diane McFarlin is selected to be a dean at her alma mater at the end of the month. File photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 14, 2012
Sarasota Herald-Tribune publisher seeks college dean position

The publisher of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune confirmed for employees last week she's in the running for a dean position at the University of Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The effort is being spearheaded by Lakewood Ranch resident Gene Sweeney.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 14, 2012
Golf tourney to raise funds for 9/11 memorial

Lakewood Ranch resident Gene Sweeney is leading efforts to establish a memorial for individuals lost in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in Venice.

  • East County
  • Sports
If patrons can't find the material, instead of paying a fine they may bring in a 20-pound bag of dog food or some blankets to benefit shelters.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 14, 2012
County library offers week of fine forgiveness

The Manatee County Library System this week will take overdue books without penalty to patrons.

  • East County
  • News
The meeting is from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 15 at the Landings Administration Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 14, 2012
Sarasota County School Board to get business partner update

The superintendent, board and staff will be updated on implementation of an advertising policy and the other counties doing the same.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lori Black and Claire Fornshell
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • May 14, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sister Keys Island Cleanup

Sarasota Bay Watch, a nonprofit group dedicated to protecting and restoring Sarasota Bay's ecosystem, stayed true to their mission with a Sister Keys Island cleanup. Over 100 participants met at Mar Vista Saturday morning, May 14, rolled up their sleeves and got down to business. They were wet, sandy and sweaty but all were smiling because they collected a whole dumpster's worth of trash bags.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Alicia Stevens leads the class in a stretch, Thursday, May 10, during Vinyasa & Vino at the Hyatt Regency.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 13, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Third Annual Vinyasa & Vino

More than 30 people attended the 3rd annual Vinyasa & Vino event, Thursday, May 10, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Local yoga instructor Alicia Stevens organized the yoga and wine event.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Michael Neuman, 9, and his mom, Michelle, pick out sweets from the dessert table, Sunday, May 13, at the Selby Gardens Mother’s Day Brunch.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 13, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Mother's Day Brunch at Selby Gardens

Mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers were treated to a lavish brunch with their loved ones, Sunday, May 13, at Selby Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Melody Ramos, 8, works on properly placing her “hikae” into her arrangement.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 13, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Ikebana class at Gulf Gate Library

Members of Ikebana International Sarasota taught more than 40 students the basic elements of creating Ikebana flower arrangements from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, Saturday, May 12, at the Gulf Gate Library. The children each made their own arrangements and took them home to present to their mothers as Mother's Day gifts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sophomore Arely Bonilla and senior Sebastian Ramirez danced the night away.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 13, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRHS Prom

Students at Braden River High enjoyed an evening Masquerade May 11, as they celebrated Prom at the Bradenton Auditorium.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Participants suit up to clean up; mechanical grabbers are the weapons of choice.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Adopt-a-Road pick up

The Siesta Key Association and the Siesta Key Village Association sponsored a road cleanup Saturday, May 12. The group of 14 collected a total of 22 bags, nearly breaking a record from a previous outing.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Megan Dehn, Dana Catalfomo, Ashley Kinder and Rachel Hinojosa dance the night away.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: LRHS Prom

Upper classmen at Lakewood Ranch High School stepped into "an evening in the Grecian garden," May 11, as they celebrated Prom, at the Sarasota Hyatt.

  • East County
  • Schools
Isabella, Jonny and Angelina Ortiz spend most of their time on the dance floor.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Father/Daughter Dance

Girls at McNeal Elementary School enjoyed special time with their dads May 11, during the school's Father/Daughter Dance.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ray Rini, 5, drinks his tea with his mom, Alison, Thursday, May 10.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Pre-K Mother's Day Tea

The pre-k students at Out-of-Door Academy had a Mother's Day tea, Thursday, May 10.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Ava Gracia, 6, enjoys dressing up in cowgirl attire.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Art & Music Festival

Families at Bashaw Elementary School celebrated the arts and culture May 11, during the school's annual Art and Music Festival.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brandon King, Justin Greenaway and Bryan Vanvranken celebrate after taking a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 12, 2012
Mustangs headed back to state semifinals

The Lakewood Ranch High baseball team is headed back to the state semifinals for the first time since 2003 when the Mustangs won the program's first state title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mary Jane and Stan Antrim
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • May 11, 2012
Hurricane Bash Golf Tournament and Celebrity Chef Showcase

Hurricane Bash Golf Tournament and Celebrity Chef Showcase

  • Black Tie
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