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Your Observer

Lakewood Ranch High School Band Director Bob Schaer, left, said he knew almost immediately he wanted Ron Lambert to succeed him as the head of the Mustang band program.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • May 9, 2012
Ranch band director to retire

Bob Schaer, who launched Lakewood Ranch High School's nationally recognized band program, will step down in June.

  • East County
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2012
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
A pink shirt signifies Susan Levine’s life-changing breast-cancer survival.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • May 9, 2012
Neighbors: Susan Levine

Levine dedicates her time to promoting grassroots efforts and women's issues.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2012
Obituary: Stanley A. Macbeth

Stanley A. Macbeth, of Longboat Key, and Avon, Conn., died April 29. He was 85.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2012
Obituary: Pamela Chapman

Pamela Chapman, of Sarasota, and formerly of London and Longboat Key, died May 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Katherine Alexandra was named music director at the Longboat Island Chapel earlier this year.
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • May 9, 2012
Katherine Alexandra takes on role as music director

Russian-born Katherine Alexandra is a talented vocalist; she has won numerous honors as a concert pianist.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Larry Bustle raised the flag during the opening of Bennett Park. File photo.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • May 9, 2012
Observed: In defense of Larry Bustle

It must have been a really slow news day for Fox 13 investigative "reporter" Doug Smith.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • May 9, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Angry encounter shocks teen cyclist

  • East County
  • Opinion
MTI student Jennifer Pies cleaned the teeth of Braden River Elementary School student Alexis Carrillo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 9, 2012
MTI students brighten smiles

Students in Manatee Technical Institute's Dental Assisting program provided free dental care to school children during a special clinic.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior Devin McDermott anchored the Lady Mustangs 4x800 relay to a first-place finish at the Class 3A state meet May 4, in Jacksonville.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 9, 2012
Lady Mustangs' Devin McDermott anchors in state title

Lakewood Ranch senior Devin McDermott anchored the Lady Mustangs 4x800 relay to a first-place finish at the Class 3A state meet May 4, in Jacksonville.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch High softball team celebrates after scoring the final run of its 10-0 victory over New Port Richey River Ridge to earn its first trip to the state semifinals. Photos by Brian Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 9, 2012
Lady Mustangs slide into states

The Lakewood Ranch softball team will make its first appearance in the state semifinals after defeating New Port Richey River Ridge 10-0.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 9, 2012
Comment: 2012 proves to be Lakewood's 'Year of the Champion'

Whether it's setting a personal record, winning a championship or moving on to play at the next level, each individual athlete has his or her own idea of what it means to be a successful athlete.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood senior pitcher Seth McGarry, who suffered an elbow injury in the offseason, made his third start of the season, leading the Mustangs to a 8-1 victory.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 9, 2012
McGarry hurls Lakewood Ranch to regional semis

The Lakewood Ranch extended its season with a 8-1 victory over Tampa Sickles in the Class 6A-Region 3 quarterfinals.

  • East County
  • Sports
ODA junior Alex Horan pitched the first inning of the Thunder's 6-1 loss to St. Petersburg Catholic May 2.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 9, 2012
Thunder's season ends in regional quarterfinals

The Out-of-Door Academy baseball team lost 6-1 to St. Petersburg Catholic.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 9, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Huntyre Elling

Lakewood Ranch High senior Huntyre Elling recorded her eighth shutout of the season, allowing three hits and one walk, while striking out seven en route to leading the Lady Mustangs to a 10-0 victory over New Port Richey River Ridge in the Class 6A-Region 3 finals May 1.

  • East County
  • Sports
This home at 611 Mourning Dove Drive has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,326 square feet of living area. It sold for $3 million. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 9, 2012
Gulf of Mexico Drive home sells for $3.3 million

A home in Longboat Key Bayfront tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Frank and Ellen Kaman sold their home at 5200 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Joseph and Clare Welch, of Plymouth, Mich., for $3.3 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
  • By Brian Gunnell
  • May 9, 2012
Bridge Bites: Voyage of discovery

Forgive the grandiloquent title: We are not talking here about Lewis and Clark, nor the HMS Beagle, nor even Christopher Columbus.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dawn DiLorenzo submitted this sunrise photo, taken overlooking Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Dawn DiLorenzo submitted this sunrise photo, taken overlooking Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Country Club of Lakewood Ranch home, which has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, a pool and 3,743 square feet of living area, sold for $835,000. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 9, 2012
Country Club of Lakewood Ranch home tops week's sales

A home in the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Katalin Volgyi took this sunset photo from the Robinson Preserve’s Observation Tower.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Katalin Volgyi took this sunset photo from the Robinson Preserve's Observation Tower.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 9, 2012
Braden River Middle teachers pucker up for student rewards

Several faculty members had to kiss a pig May 7, as a reward to students.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Scott Anderson and Kelly Gardner
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • May 8, 2012
Fashions Without Barriers

Fashions Without Barriers

  • Black Tie
Jill Evans and Suzanne Kreis
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • May 8, 2012
Laughter Unlimited Luncheon

Laughter Unlimited Luncheon

  • Black Tie
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • May 8, 2012
May 8: 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
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2012
Obituary: Richard H. Hall

Richard H. Hall, of Bradenton, and formerly of Cape May Point, N.J., and Longboat Key, died May 1. He was 85.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Julia Thielen
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2012
Observer Team Spotlight

MISS MANATEE SOFTBALL AND LAKEWOOD RANCH LITTLE LEAGUE

  • East County
  • Sports
Tim Mulqueen is the Lakewood Ranch director of sports.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 8, 2012
In The Public Eye: Tim Mulqueen

A little more than a year and a half ago, Lakewood Ranch resident Tim Mulqueen had a vision to bring youth and national athletics to the East County.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kevin Mattoni made a birdie for his team on their first hole, Monday, May 7, at the Ritz Carlton Members Club.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 13th Annual SKCC Golf Tournament

The 13th Annual SKCC Golf Tournament had 90 participants come out to play, Monday, May 7, at the Ritz Carlton Members Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • May 8, 2012
Sarasota Chamber announces Small Business Awards finalists

Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small Business Awards ceremony will be held June 5.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Diane Martin-Gaillet and Bernard Gaillet
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • May 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BKYC Cinco de Derby

Bird Key Yacht Club decided not to choose which holiday to celebrate and went with a joint theme on May 5. While some went for the best sombrero, others went for the most creative Derby hats. Even the menu was dual-themed and featured southern comfort food as well as Spanish-themed.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Joan and Lee Schoenherr and Karen Gallagher
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • May 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BKYC Cinco de Derby

Bird Key Yacht Club decided not to choose which holiday to celebrate and went with a joint theme on May 5. While some went for the best sombrero, others went for the most creative Derby hats. Even the menu was dual-themed and featured southern comfort food as well as Spanish-themed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The algae isn't related to red tide or the BP oil spill nor is it the result of a boater dumping sewage into the water. Photo by www.MaryLouJohnsonPhotography.com.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 8, 2012
Harmless algae surfaces along Key shore

The gunk-like substance is no cause for alarm - it is the result of warm weather and moves with the tide and wind.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 8, 2012
Planning Commission to meeting Thursday

The Manatee County Planning Commission Board will meet at 8:30 a.m. May 10.

  • East County
  • News
One group wrote out “40 Years Of Sand Sculpting” and incorporated it into their piece, Saturday, May 5.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 8, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 40th Annual Sand Sculpting Contest

The 40th Annual Sand Sculpting Contest took place, Saturday, May 5, out on Siesta Key Public Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
This condition of the municipal parking lot located in Siesta Key Village created some parking problems during the Siesta Fiesta.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • May 8, 2012
Village lot gets chance at new paint

The municipal lot behind Siesta Market in the Village, which is maintained by Sarasota County, will be included in a $500,000 omnibus transportation bill that will be voted on this summer.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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