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Your Observer

Courtesy photos
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Ovations: Congratulations are in order

Do you know someone who has cause for celebration? The East County Observer wants to celebrate with you! Submit your Ovations news to Michael Eng, [email protected].

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Vice Mayor David Brenner gives his final remarks to a crowd of more than 50 people Tuesday.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 22, 2012
Brenner lays cards on the table at forum

Vice Mayor David Brenner wouldn't bet on a millage increase. And a recent reference to casinos? He says it's not in the cards.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Robin Hartill Arts Center Executive Director Jane Buckman spoke about the need for the Ringling College division to become financially viable.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 22, 2012
Residents seek voice in Arts Center future

The Arts Center has a plan that could bring in a larger audience. But some Village residents feel ignored in their own backyards.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town Manager Dave Bullock’s contract is set to expire Sept. 15. File photo.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 22, 2012
Larson raises contract questions

Commissioner Lynn Larson raised questions about whether Town Manager David Bullock's contract gives him sufficient independence.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 22, 2012
Cell tower at top of Comp Plan concerns

The Longboat Key Planning & Zoning Board voted to hold off on making recommendations for proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments until it can learn more about the findings of a wireless-communications study.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 22, 2012
License cameras moving slowly toward Key

Two years after Police Chief Al Hogle first began researching the camera systems, the town continues to move forward with the plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Deputy Chief Skip Falcone worked as a health teacher before becoming a firefighter more than 30 years ago.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 22, 2012
Retiring deputy chief leaves big boots to fill

Longboat Key Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Skip Falcone is retiring after 31 years as a firefighter. The former teacher has continued helping to educate others.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 22, 2012
Town to determine scope of code work

The commission directed Town Manager David Bullock to create a draft outlining the extent of work for the town's land-use regulations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Colony interests to give status update; Budget module now available; Bullock recommends three engineering firms

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Our View: Who will bomb Iran?

In the normal swirl of the days in our little bitty slice of the world, it's easy to become engrossed in such grave concerns as the harsh brightness of the new landscaping lights on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Ed Adams
  • February 22, 2012
My View: Solution: Make Longboat Key the world's 'tennis mecca'

I'm part of the problem, but I have a solution.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Letters to the Editor

'Smear tactics' unwelcome

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Dean Eisner devotes his time to education, business, recreation and the community.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 22, 2012
Neighbors: Dean Eisner

This retired businessman takes on a new job helping area students.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Condrick home incorporates a peacock theme. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 22, 2012
Garden Club hosts annual home and garden tour

HGTV has nothing on the Longboat Key Garden Club's 36th annual Home and Garden Tour. On Saturday, March 3, tour-goers will see expertly decorated homes with unique furniture pieces, private art collections and stunning views.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rummage Sale Chairwoman Mary Elizabeth Carey welcomed Steve Bigelow, who was first in line at last year’s rummage sale at St. Mary. File photo.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 22, 2012
Shoppers rush to the Key for annual rummage sale

It's that time of year again when people scramble to Stella Maris Activity Hall at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church for the Royal Rummage Sale. It's a day when not only the parishioners rejoice, but bargain shoppers join in.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 22, 2012
Signage standards delay enforcement

Changes in federal standards have delayed the Manatee County Sheriff's Office from increasing traffic enforcement in Lakewood.

  • East County
  • News
Principal Harpist Cheryl Losey will be among the featured performers. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 22, 2012
Musicians to accompany home tour

The 37th annual Masterworks Showcase Encore Out East: A Tour of Luxury Homes, which runs March 2-3, will feature five homes in the East County.

  • East County
  • News
Employees also will see an increase in employee health-insurance premiums of about 29%, among other measures.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 22, 2012
Board approves teacher pay cuts

After months of failed negotiations with the teacher's union, the school district Feb. 15 imposed 1.75% salary cut for its 2012 budget.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Sandy McIver said Palm-Aire is still a safe community.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 22, 2012
Observe & Report: Lakewood Ranch's additional security services

Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts currently pay $330,000 annually to have additional private security guards and patrols in the community. The private companies cannot make arrests, and the majority of their reports are responses to suspicious vehicles and vandalism.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 22, 2012
Mother organizes new dance

Jamie Foss is planning a special father/daughter dance for the community March 9. Reservations are required by March 2.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Background bolsters Fitzgerald's potential

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
JUST THE STATS

2 - The number of home runs the Lakewood Ranch High softball team hit in its 8-2 victory over Venice Feb. 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
News Briefs

Amputee inspires students at Braden River; Five-year-old airlifted after crash on University

  • East County
  • News
"We both like to win," Ryan Ockey, left, said of himself and his brother, Damon. "We've had a couple of races where we’ve both been on the podium, and that’s pretty cool." Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 22, 2012
Cardel Homes revved up for Payton

The homebuilder will auction off shotgun-seat laps in its Ferrari racecars to raise funds for the Payton Wright Foundation and another charity.

  • East County
  • News
Jim Youngblood, 79, is eager to offer members of Harvest United Methodist Church a peaceful place to think about God and remember their loved ones.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 22, 2012
Work begins on garden

Harvest United Methodist Church is constructing a memorial garden on its property.

  • East County
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mike Eng, Managing Editor
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 22, 2012
Observed: Decision devolves into shameful display

When members of the Manatee County School Board last week voted 3-2 to institute a 1.75% pay cut and furlough days - retroactive to the beginning of the school year, no less - they surely knew the outrage it would cause.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Rex Jensen is president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.
  • By Rex Jensen
  • February 22, 2012
My View: Give 'em the sleeves from our vest

Every one of us - young and old alike - has been dealt a bad, if not losing, hand by this economic crisis.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Jen Blanco, Associate Editor
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
COMMENT: Baseball a sign of springtime

Spring has officially sprung across the East County, and nothing signals the start of spring more than America's favorite pastime.

  • East County
  • News
Tampa Bay Rays Head Athletic Trainer Ron Porterfield, right, teaches wrist exercises to Braden River pitcher Brooks Nelson.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Rays trainer works with Braden River

Head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield has been working on strength and conditioning with the Pirates since October.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophomore Justin Otis scored seven points for Lakewood Ranch, including the team’s final two buckets. Photos by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball ends season in quarterfinals

The Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 57-32 loss to Tampa Sickles in the Class 6A-Region 3 quarterfinals Feb. 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 22, 2012
Sianna bests The Villages in SRQ Magazine Cup

Sianna defeated The Villages 8-7 in overtime to win the SRQ Magazine Cup Feb. 19.

  • East County
  • Sports
The East County Observer and Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient’s article will be featured on the restaurant’s wall.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Daniel Reyna

Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch seventh-grader Daniel Reyna scored five goals while helping lead the Sharks to a 2-1 record to open the season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Blake Riley-Hawkins hopes to take his wrestling career to Ohio State University, where his older brother, Kyle, went.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Lakewood Ranch High grappler returns to states

Lakewood High junior Blake Riley-Hawkins competed in the Class 2A state wrestling tournament for a second season, finishing 2-2 in the 132-pound weight class.

  • East County
  • Sports
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