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Your Observer

A Florida High Patrol report states Robert Torez, 19, was taken to Blake Memorial Hospital around 10 p.m. Feb. 23, after the scooter on which he was riding was struck by a vehicle behind him.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 24, 2012
Vehicle crushes scooter, injures driver

A 19-year-old man was transported to Blake Medical Center last night after the scooter on which he was riding was struck and run over by another vehicle.

  • East County
  • News
Marilyn and Ron Shapo's home provided the venue for this month's soiree.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 24, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Isles Soiree

Members of the Siesta Isles Neighborhood Association met for their monthly soiree Wednesday, Feb. 22 at Marilyn and Ron Shapo's home. Each month, association members take turns co-hosting the social event. This month, Marilyn and Ron Shapo hosted with Diana and Nevin Weiner and Judie Berger. Guests enjoyed food from the Village Cafe and celebrated the upcoming Oscar Academy Awards ceremony.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Born and raised in Sarasota, Smith grew up boxing with his father, China Smith Sr., and playing football.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 24, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: China Smith

'The People's Champ' is a native of Sarasota. Read more about him in our candid Q&A.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 24, 2012
SCORES: Lady Mustangs earn pair of victories

The Lakewood Ranch High girls tennis team improved its record to 5-1 with a pair of victories Feb. 21-22.

  • East County
  • Sports
Frankie Alvarez and Andhy Mendez
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Starry Night Dinner, highlighting 'Hamlet, Prince of Cuba'

Starry Night Dinner, highlighting 'Hamlet, Prince of Cuba'

  • Black Tie
Jean Abrams, Rosemary Saurber and Wendy Glasser
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Come Laugh With Gina Barreca

Come Laugh With Gina Barreca

  • Black Tie
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • February 23, 2012
FEB. 23: Daily Headlines Video

Join us as we observe and report today's stories from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota, and Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Braden River Elementary cafeteria staff put together a special rock star menu for the event.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 23, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Elementary School Cafeteria Rock Star Day

Students at Braden River Elementary School let the good times roll during the school's Cafeteria Rock Star Day Feb. 23. During their lunch periods, students enjoyed a special rock star menu and listened to rock and roll hits played by the Guitar Center's Stephen Miller and Jimi Gee. The event celebrated BRE's Learning Rocks school theme.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Abigail Schmitt, 6 1/2, enjoys her burrito, Thursday, Feb. 23, at El Restaurante Bay Haven.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 23, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: 2nd annual El Restaurante Bay Haven

Bay Haven Elementary held their second annual "El Restaurante Bay Haven" luncheon, Thursday, Feb. 23, in the cafeteria.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County commissioners Tuesday questioned whether staff was estimating too high a budget for the expenses.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 23, 2012
What does the upkeep cost?

County commissioners Tuesday debated the cost of Village upkeep, questioning whether county staff had over-estimated expenses for the current fiscal year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Approximately 100 people attended Buchanan's Longboat Key town hall meeting last March.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 23, 2012
Buchanan to host Longboat Key town hall meeting

The Longboat Key Republican will hold a meeting this Saturday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The meeting will be held in the Jack Geldbart Auditorium within the Selby Library, 1331 First Street, Sarasota.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 23, 2012
City hosts parking forum tonight

The city of Sarasota will host a parking management forum tonight to help prompt improvements within the parking system.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rick Obeid, of New Panel Homes, today caulks one of five new dog cottage at Honor Animal Rescue's Ranch on Lorraine Road. Volunteers from T.J. Maxx painted the structures Wednesday.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 23, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Building homes

Rick Obeid, of New Panel Homes, today caulks one of five new dog cottage at Honor Animal Rescue's Ranch on Lorraine Road. Volunteers from T.J. Maxx painted the structures Wednesday.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
An attempted suicide was thwarted by Sarasota police officers Tuesday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 23, 2012
Sarasota Police interrupt attempted suicide

Sarasota Police officers stopped a woman from committing suicide in her car via means of carbon monoxide poisoning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 23, 2012
Expert panel to discuss presidential leadership

'Leadership Lessons Learned: United States Presidents' will be held tonight, at Braden River High School

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
More newsracks coming to Siesta

Siesta Key Village Association President Russell Matthes reported recently to members that he is continuing to work on securing the installation of more modular newsracks on the Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
CB's receives customer kudos

CB's Saltwater Outfitters recently heard from a happy customer, a common, but no-less welcome trend for the Key business.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Claire Levin, Carolyn Ratner and Sondra Zemmel. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
TBS hosts sisterhood fashion show

The Sisterhood of Temple Beth Sholom held its annual fashion show and luncheon Feb. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Evan Collinsworth, Dan Sweeney and Bob Peterson. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Brain Trust honors Bob Peterson

A group of men known as "The Brain Trust" work on solving the world's problems as they dine together every Tuesday afternoon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Angus Rogers, CEO, Floridays Development Co.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 23, 2012
Two developers: Angus Rogers

The chief executive officers of Sarasota-based Floridays Development Co. and Atlanta-based Jebco Ventures Inc. have different visions for a downtown Sarasota hotel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jim Bridges, CEO, Jebco Ventures Inc.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 23, 2012
Two developers: Jim Bridges

The chief executive officers of Sarasota-based Floridays Development Co. and Atlanta-based Jebco Ventures Inc. have different visions for a downtown Sarasota hotel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 23, 2012
Commission approves search for new manager

The Sarasota City Commission has approved a $28,500 contract to start a national search for a new city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
North Tamiami Trail will see an economic boost south of University Parkway when a Walmart grocery store is built along the trail this summer. File photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 23, 2012
Revitalization plan pitched

Engaging residents about their visions for U.S. 41 north of downtown is the key to creating a master plan that will spur economic development, city commissioners say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bank of America at 1605 Main St. will likely close next year for a new Fruitville Road location. Kurt Schultheis.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 23, 2012
Big bank shifts its downtown presence

Bank of America will vacate its Main Street location. A space for a sign above the building soon will be available.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 23, 2012
County partnering with Chalk Festival grant process

The Sarasota County Commission this week agreed to partner with the Chalk Festival in applying for a highly competitive National Endowment of the Arts grant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
News Briefs

Jury scam reported; Old police station demolition set for Feb. 28; Detert reappointed to education board

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 23, 2012
Turner expects at least 40 city employee cuts

Another 40 city employees might have to be laid off, and employee benefits cut further, to balance the city's next budget, Sarasota Vice Mayor Terry Turner says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Our View: County subsidies: immoral

Maybe a a good roundhouse to their proboscises might knock some sense into them and awaken them.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Jan Schneider holds a law degree and a doctorate in political science. A former Democratic candidate for the District 13 congressional seat, she practices law and lives on Bird Key.
  • By Jan Schneider
  • February 23, 2012
My View:Mortgage settlement is hardly 'landmark'

While President Obama is hailing his $26-billion mortgage servicing settlement as "a landmark settlement" that will 'speed relief to homeowners" and "begin to turn the page on an era of recklessness," in truth, the deal affords only modest relief to homeowners and fails to address systemic flaws that precipitated the 2008 financial meltdown.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau has offered its assistance to keep tourism figures high on the Key beyond this season. File photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 23, 2012
SCVB wants to maintain No. 1 beach momentum

The Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau has offered to help Key businesses build on the No. 1 beach ranking Siesta won last year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Call it the 'little orphaned south end'; f you want change, add parking spaces

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 23, 2012
Street Teams to start in March

An agreement between the city of Sarasota and The Salvation Army should allow members of the homeless population to help clean up the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A chickee hut at Kissimmee State Park is the recreation of an 1876 "cow camp" structure. Courtesy of Florida State Parks.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 23, 2012
Homeowners warned about construction

County officials want to make sure homeowners understand that chickee huts must comply with certain government construction codes.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
New crosswalks coming to Midnight Pass Road will be more elaborate than the crosswalk from Beach Way to the public beach. File photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 23, 2012
County supports crosswalks plan

On Tuesday, the Sarasota County Commission unanimously agreed to support a Florida Department of Transportation plan for six pedestrian crosswalks on Midnight Pass Road.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 23, 2012
Florida Supreme Court to hear term-limits cases

The state's highest court will hear oral arguments April 10 in combined cases from Sarasota and Broward counties.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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