Your Observer

Jen Blanco
April 18, 2012

Comment: Mustangs, Pirates ready for postseason

For the first time in three years, their paths won't cross in the district tournament.

East County
Sports

Observer Staff
April 18, 2012

Observer Team Spotlight

MISS MANATEE SOFTBALL AND LAKEWOOD RANCH LITTLE LEAGUE

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
April 18, 2012

JUST THE STATS

148 - The number of yards of the the No. 8 hole at University Park Country Club, which Ane-Grethe Delaney aced April 8.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
April 18, 2012

East County youth kick way to Region C Cup title

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Twelve-year-old goalkeeper Trevor Mulqueen lay flat on his back in the middle of the field, staring up in disbelief.

East County
Sports

Michael Eng
April 18, 2012

Observed: An inspiring pair: Twin WWII veterans

Although they were only supposed to be guests to the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch's grant recipient luncheon April 5, Marian Boyer and Millie Dost - 91-year-old twin World War II veterans - received a long, well-deserved standing ovation after Rotary International District 6960 Gov. Denise Hearn introduced them to the crowd.

East County
Opinion

By Bob Delaney
April 18, 2012

My View: PTSD: Not all wounds bleed

Post-traumatic stress disorder has become a daily discussion in our society, because of the ravages and ripple effects of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

East County
Opinion

By Jorge Blanco
April 18, 2012

Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Observer Staff
April 18, 2012

Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

East County
Cops Corner

Jen Blanco
April 18, 2012

Imagine School of Lakewood Ranch launches K-Kids Club

K-Kids, the service program for elementary students under the Kiwanis Club umbrella, began last month.

East County
Neighbors

Pam Eubanks
April 18, 2012

Town Hall adds new system for hearing-impaired residents

Country Club of Lakewood Ranch resident Richard Williams lost his hearing suddenly in the late 1990s.

East County
Neighbors

Jen Blanco
April 18, 2012

Faith-based travel league expands out east

The East Manatee River Dawgs, which is affiliated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, added 9U and 13U teams.

East County
Sports

Adam Hughes
April 18, 2012

Lido Shores Westway Drive home sells for $7.1 million

James and Maryann Armour, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1255 Westway Drive to Borgelt Florida LLC for $7.1 million.

Longboat Key
Real Estate

Dora Walters
April 18, 2012

Athlete of the Week: Chantal Diem

Chantal Diem, a Village resident, played tennis growing up in France. Although she continued to play singles as an adult, it wasn't until she discovered doubles 12 years ago that she became passionate about the game.

Longboat Key
News

By Brian Gunnell
April 18, 2012

Bridge Bites: Smarter than a second-grader?

We learn to count in first- and second-grade, but, somehow, this basic skill deserts many bridge players in the heat of battle.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
April 18, 2012

Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Susan Feulner submitted this sunset photo, taken in Cortez and looking toward Longboat Key.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Adam Hughes
April 18, 2012

University Park CC home tops weekly transactions

A home in Grosvenor Gardens tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Transatlantic Capital Group LLP sold the home at 8339 Grosvenor Court to Geraldine Stevens, of Canfield, Ohio, for $650,000.

East County
Real Estate

Observer Staff
April 18, 2012

Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Teresa Alexander took this sunset photo in March.

East County
Neighbors

By Loren Mayo and Molly Schechter
April 18, 2012

Black Tie & Tales

A feast of fun; As many guests as years; Posh party plans

Longboat Key
News

Jen Blanco
April 18, 2012

Athlete of the Week: Hawkins-Smyk

Southeast High freshman ZoÃ« Hawkins-Smyk crossed the finish line in 6:09.10 to win the 1,600 meters and help lead the Lady Seminoles to a second-place finish at the Class 2A-District 10 meet April 12. The 15-year-old also anchored the 4x800 relay to a first-place finish. Here is an inside look at this week's Athlete of the Week.

East County
Sports

Mallory Gnaegy
April 17, 2012

Obituary: John Paul Mellon

John Paul Mellon, of Bradenton, died April 6.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
April 17, 2012

Obituary: Audrey June Sandberg

Audrey Sandberg, of Longmont, Colo., and formerly of Pike, Ohio, and Longboat Key, died March 31. She was 89.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
April 17, 2012

Obituary: Irving M. 'Itzy' Shuman

Irving M. "Itzy" Schuman, of Longboat Key and formerly of Buffalo, N.Y., died April 11. He was 79.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Mallory Gnaegy
April 17, 2012

Obituary: Robert L. White

Robert L. White, of Longboat Key and St. Louis, died April 4, his birthday. He was 88.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Eddie Kirsch
April 17, 2012

April 17: 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

Pam Eubanks
April 17, 2012

Vehicles burglarized in Miramar

All vehicles had been left unlocked.

East County
News

Robin Hartill
April 17, 2012

Town of Longboat Key hires new PZ&B director

St. Lucie County Assistant Director of Growth Management/Building and Code Regulation Manager Robin D. Meyer will assume the role on May 14.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
April 17, 2012

Sarasota Ponzi scheme leader dies

Art Nadel, the downtown Sarasota money investment manager who bilked 400 area investors out of millions of dollars, died in a federal prison Monday.

Sarasota
News

Pam Eubanks
April 17, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: FCA Spring Banquet with Bobby Bowden

Gulf Coast Fellowship of Christian Athletes members gathered April 16, at the Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom, for the FCA's Annual Spring Banquet, this year featuring legendary coach Bobby Bowden.

East County
Sports

Pam Eubanks
April 17, 2012

PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Relay for Life

Students at the Out-of-Door Academy gathered April 13, at Upper School campus, in a fight against cancer, as ODA hosted its annual Relay for Life event.

East County
Schools

Jen Blanco
April 17, 2012

Former football coach's appeal rejected

The Second District Court of Appeal in Lakeland has refused to overturn former Braden River High football coach Josh Hunter's 10-year prison sentence for a 2009 drunk driving accident that killed his best friend and fellow coach Doug Garrity.

East County
Sports

Kurt Schultheis
April 17, 2012

BREAKING: Accident shuts down Mound Street

The Sarasota Police Department has closed Mound Street after a bicyclist that was injured by a vehicle this morning had to be airlifted to an area trauma center for severe injuries.

Sarasota
News

Pam Eubanks
April 17, 2012

Braden River Utilities to raise rates

Braden River Utilities plans to raise its rates for irrigation water to offset costs of an expansion project.

East County
News

Jen Blanco
April 17, 2012

Lakewood tennis teams advance to state tournament

The Lakewood Ranch High boys and girls tennis teams both won their respective regional finals April 12 to advance to the Class 3A state tournament April 17-20 in Altamonte Springs.