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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Mandy Peebles

Mandy Peebles is a Braden River High School student graduating both college and high school this May. Read more about Peebles in our candid "Five Things."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Joe Bondi

Joe Bondi loves Longboat Key's easy living lifestyle. Read more about him in our candid "Five Things."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Police Department also made 372 more arrests in 2011, for a 9% increase.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 16, 2012
Police report drop in felonies, increase in arrests

In 2010, the city had 1,902 felony index crimes, compared to 1,803 felony index crimes in 2011. Those statistics reveal 99 fewer victims of those crimes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
Purdue player swinging big

Summerfield residents Rossana and Paul Schmidt have something to brag about - their daughter, Mara, a tennis player, is making a hit at Purdue University.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
Witt fathers complete makeover

Fathers at Gene Witt Elementary rolled up their sleeves for a weekend of hard work for the school, as they launched a 48-hour extreme makeover of the school's media center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
LLSA Chamber makes a challenge

The Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce will host the second Longboat Key Challenge this weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
The word from the waters

April 30 marked the birthday of four cygnets produced by swan parents, Alan and Beverly.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
Snowy plovers land on the Key

Mary Lou Johnson has photographed a snowy plover nest on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Police Chief Albert F. "Al" Hogle, of Sarasota, died Monday, May 14, in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina. He was 63.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 16, 2012
FULL STORY: Loss of a leader

Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle died this week in a motorcycle accident in North Carolina. In his wake, he leaves a department transformed by his commitment to service.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 16, 2012
Tennis Center returns to plan to sell alcohol

The Longboat Key Town Commission will revisit a proposal to allow wine and beer sales at the Public Tennis Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The new CVS store takes shape as contractors work toward a September opening
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 16, 2012
Publix gets its fill of construction

Currently, you'll see lots of it at the construction site

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association board voted unanimously Monday, May 14 to end its development agreement with Club Holdings Ventures LLC.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 16, 2012
Colony Association, Club Holdings end agreement

Colony Beach and Tennis Resort Association Board members voted to sever the relationship after Club Holdings officials expressed concerns about issues surrounding the property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 16, 2012
Discussion focuses on makeup of community center committee

The Community Center Advisory Committee will be a group of five that will hold public meetings. But, who will be part of the final five remains undecided.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Braden River High School senior Mandy Peebles also was named one of six finalists for the State College of Florida’s Outstanding Graduate Award. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 16, 2012
Braden River High School senior graduates high school, college

Mandy Peebles, 17, will graduate high school May 31 - after she earned her first college degree.

  • East County
  • News
Confiscated dogs were covered in feces and debris. Many, such as this one, were shaven upon their arrival at Honor. Photos by Cheryl Eason.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 16, 2012
Rescued dogs find shelter out east

Honor Animal Rescue took in 46 of the 263 dogs seized earlier this month in Venice.

  • East County
  • News
Rachel Weronik and Abby Misiura spent about one month making their duct-tape flowers before launching sales this month.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 16, 2012
Duct-tape flowers bloom for Honor Animal Rescue

Two Gene Witt Elementary School students have raised more than $200 selling flowers made of duct tape.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
The Lakewood Ranch High baseball team rushes the mound in celebration after earning a trip to the Class 6A state semifinals with a 4-1 victory over Winter Haven in the Class 6A-Region finals May 11.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 16, 2012
Lakewood Ranch baseball team's quest continues

The Lakewood Ranch baseball team will make its first appearance in the state Final Four since 2003 when it travels to Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie to face Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy in the Class 6A state semifinals May 17.

  • East County
  • Sports
New Pirate coach Curt Bradley turns 27 in June. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 16, 2012
Pirates name new head coach

Leesburg High defensive coordinator Curt Bradley was named Braden River High's new head football coach May 11.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 16, 2012
Comment: One loss won't mar Mustang season

I watched the Lakewood Ranch High softball team walk away from the National Training Center following its 4-0 loss to Pembroke Pines Charter in the Class 6A state semifinals together, I couldn't help but notice the dedication the Lady Mustangs showed not only for their sport but one another.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
News Briefs

Code Enforcement hears parking case; FPL to clear tree branches, limbs; Crosswalks, beach project on agenda

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
Our View: A good, good, good man

When our editors searched our archives for photos of Al Hogle, Executive Editor Lisa Walsh recalled the portrait of Chief Hogle published in October 2007, when he announced his candidacy for Sarasota County sheriff.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • May 16, 2012
LLSA Chamber gets down to business

The snowbirds are gone, and the humidity is taking over.

  • East County
  • News
The community will include an amenities center at which residents can swim or enjoy other activities. Courtesy photos.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 16, 2012
Neal breaks ground on Fairfield

Two model homes already are under construction in Neal Community's newest development, Fairfield, in the East County.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 16, 2012
Memorial parade rolls onto Main

Lakewood Ranch Main Street will host the Tribute to Heroes Memorial Day Parade May 27.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 16, 2012
Stoneybrook, CDD lawsuit continues

A judge did not grant the Heritage Harbour South Community Development District's motion to dismiss a lawsuit against it.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
News Briefs

Chick-Fil-A night to benefit missions team; Business world enters Manatee classes

  • East County
  • News
While most of the kids chose one or two colors, Lyric wanted all of them.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • May 16, 2012
Observed: Son's creativity knows no bounds

When our 4-year-old son, Lyric, was an infant, my side of the family took great joy in how much he looked like me as a baby.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Julie Aranibar, an East County resident, represents District 3 on the Manatee County School Board.
  • By Julie Aranibar
  • May 16, 2012
My View: My 'Words with Friends' play: P-R-O-M-I-S-E

As we begin the season of graduations and celebrations it is also the time for school boards across the state to prepare for next year's budget and schedules.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • May 16, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Donald "Duck" Dunn, right, performed with dozens of local musicians, including Tampa mainstay Ronnie Dee. Photo courtesy of Shellma Jackson.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 16, 2012
Donald 'Duck' Dunn dies at 70

Legendary bassist Donald 'Duck' Dunn, an East County resident, died May 13, in Tokyo.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Nate Benderson's legacy will continue

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Edmund Adams
  • May 16, 2012
My View: A call to duty for religious liberty

Catholic bishops call the contraception issue an 'unjust law.' As such, they are taking up their moral arms and vow to disobey it. And they should.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Commissioners need to fix what's broken

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 16, 2012
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Joe Bondi relaxes at his home on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • May 16, 2012
Neighbors: Joe Bondi

Joe Bondi - and his entire family - have an affinity for Longboat Key's easy living.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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