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Your Observer

    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 18, 2012
Commission endorses Circle BID extension

St. Armands Business Improvement District Chairman Marty Rappaport's suggested changes for a 10-year BID extension received approval Monday night.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • April 18, 2012
Dry Dock owner to pursue second-floor expansion

Eric Hammersand plans to apply for a zoning text amendment that would reduce the required waterfront setbacks for three properties on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2012
News Briefs

Commission to discuss community center; Town receives 10 board applications; Kyle promoted to deputy chief

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Larysa Switlyk shows off two wels catfish she caught in Spain. These are the same fish she’ll be fishing for in the World Catfish Classic in May. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • April 18, 2012
Longboat Key resident to compete in World Catfish Classic

Larysa Switlyk turns her passion for hunting and fishing into a career.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2012
Our View: Who is he to decide 'fairness'?

We received the following letter on Tax Day from the owner of a local business:

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2012
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2012
Ranch children visit food bank

hildren of the MOMS Club of Lakewood Ranch saw their philanthropic efforts come full circle April 9, as they visited the Food Bank of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2012
Veterans group forges into East County

A local non-profit that helps remedy high levels of veteran unemployment nationwide is seeking the public's support.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Volunteers Mary Bilkie and Barb Grundy said they look forward to packing the backpacks for the children and make sure to schedule their other activities around it.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 18, 2012
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks feeds students

The Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks is feeding students on weekends through the Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies program. School officials say the program is helping keep students focused in the classroom.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 18, 2012
Planning commission endorses Rye Road project

Medallion Home is seeking a rezone and preliminary site plan approval for a 35-acre project on Rye Road.

  • East County
  • News
Over the last few years, Joe Comforto’s mailbox has become a receptacle for things he never ordered — and never wished to find.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 18, 2012
East County resident battles identity theft

East County resident Joe Comforto has been battling identity theft for five years. This year, however, the thieves used his information to commit tax fraud.

  • East County
  • News
The Rev. Aaron Klein and his wife, Nicole, are eager to serve the community.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 18, 2012
New church makes waves in Lakewood

Lakewood Ranch residents Aaron and Nicole Klein and their children recently started Current Community Church.

  • East County
  • News
Gregg Ellery and his wife, Valerie, left, enjoyed an all-access tour of Tropicana Field with Rays Scouting Administrator Nancy Berry. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 18, 2012
Bayside director inspires Tampa Bay Rays

Bayside Community Church Director of Events Gregg Ellery delivered a motivational message to the Tampa Bay Rays organization the day before the 2012 season began.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 18, 2012
Rolling on sunshine

East County-based American Pride Golf Cart Services recently unveiled its line of solar-powered golf carts.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 18, 2012
Sarasota County 911 reporting system temporarily offline until April 19

The server that processes reports of calls to the Sarasota County 911 Center is offline temporarily through Thursday, April 19. This interruption of service does not impact the ability of the public to reach 911 Emergency Services at any time.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Richard Gailey Jr. said he learned much about politics by watching his mother, Donna Hayes. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 18, 2012
Commissioner Hayes' son to run for District 5 Volusia County Council

Commissioner Donna Hayes' son, Richard Gailey Jr., is jumping into the political arena in Volusia County as his mother nears retirement.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2012
News Briefs

Benderson tweaks mega-mall proposal; Manatee district puts land up for sale; Business Alliance announces endorsements; District 2 School Board race heats up

  • East County
  • News
As a freshman, Nathan Kirkman watched Braden River’s Tevin Bryant capture the school’s first state title. Now, he hopes to bring another championship home to the Pirates.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 18, 2012
Nathan Kirkman: Raw Determination

Nathan Kirkman will compete in the Class 2A state meet April 21, after winning the 199-pound weight class of the Class 2A state qualifier April 4. Fellow Pirates Tyler Pittman and Tyler Linde earned at-large bids.

  • East County
  • Sports
Don Purvis’ resignation came as a surprise to Braden River Athletic Director Bob Bowling, his fellow coaches and players. File photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 18, 2012
Pirates' football coach resigns

Don Purvis resigned from both his coaching and teaching positions April 5. Offensive line coach Greg Williford was named the interim head coach.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • 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
Nathalia Vega
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2012
Observer Team Spotlight

MISS MANATEE SOFTBALL AND LAKEWOOD RANCH LITTLE LEAGUE

  • East County
  • Sports
11 — The number of medals the Sarasota Crew collected en route to winning the FSRA State Sculling Championship April 15. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • 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
Center midfielder Aristotle Zarris, 12, plays for the Lakewood Ranch Chargers U12 team. File photo.
    By
  • 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
Marian Boyer and Millie Dost, twin World War II veterans, will visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., as part of Honor Flight.
    By
  • 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
Bob Delaney, a Lakewood Ranch resident, is a former New Jersey state trooper and National Basketball Assocation referee.
  • 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
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2012
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • 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
Jim Scott, owner of Complete Hearing Solutions, said the system at Town Hall delivers clear and consise sound.
    By
  • 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
The 9U River Dawg team is one of two teams that formed this year.
    By
  • 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
The home at 1255 Westway Drive has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 6,618 square feet of living area. It sold for $7.1 million. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • 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
    By
  • 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
Susan Feulner submitted this sunset photo, taken in Cortez and looking toward Longboat Key.
    By
  • 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
This Grosvenor Gardens home, which has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,004 square feet of living area, sold for $650,000. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • 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
Teresa Alexander took this sunset photo in March.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 18, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Teresa Alexander took this sunset photo in March.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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