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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2012
Volunteers needed for cleanup

Volunteers are welcome to help members of the Siesta Key and Siesta Key Village associations Feb. 18, when they gather for their quarterly Adopt-A-Road clean-up effort.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Senior forward Tommy Bernhardt scored 12 points and was one of three players who finished in double figures, as Braden River sailed to a 62-40 over Charlotte.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 9, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Playoff Bound

The Braden River High boys basketball team secured a spot in the regional tournament with a 62-40 victory over Charlotte in a Class 7A-District 11 semifinal Feb. 8. The top-seeded Pirates will play host to second-seeded Venice in the district championship game Feb. 10.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Whispering Sands condominium complex is located on the north end of the Key, with an entryway on Ocean Boulevard. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 9, 2012
$74,000 water bill being contested

Whispering Sands homeowners say they should not have to pay Sarasota County almost $74,000 because of a malfunctioning water meter that they reported two years ago.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Residents of Windward Passage say they have no desire for a pocket park to be created next-door to them. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 9, 2012
Residents oppose park proposal

Residents of an adjacent condo complex are fighting a proposal for an open Ocean Boulevard lot, with a view of the Gulf of Mexico, to be turned into a pocket park.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Although alcohol consumption is banned on many public beaches, it is legal on Siesta Key and other Sarasota County beaches. Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 9, 2012
Siesta Beach alcohol ban sought

Relatives of a Siesta runner who was killed by an allegedly drunk driver reportedly are planning to seek a county ban of alcohol consumption on the Siesta Public Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Residents of neighborhoods along the stretch of Midnight Pass Road between Beach Road and Higel Avenue are complaining about speeders, especially in the curve between Siesta Cove and St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 9, 2012
Traffic-safety measures urged for Midnight Pass Road

Residents along a northern stretch of Midnight Pass say new measures should be taken to slow speeders and prevent accidents.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 9, 2012
St. Armands, hospital could see meters

With parking meters operational downtown, city staff will explore the idea of meters for St. Armands and Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Gordon "Mike" Michalson says he'd like to see New College's enrollment continue to grow. After 11 years as president of the Sarasota school, he hopes to return to teaching, following a much-deserved break.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 9, 2012
New College president to retire

Dr. Gordon 'Mike' Michalson says he hopes to spend more time with his family after he retires from the school in July.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A $1.9 million Main Street project was approved by the DID Tuesday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 9, 2012
DID approves $1.9 million project

The Downtown Improvement District has approved a Main Street project that it intends to fund with a 20-year bond.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 9, 2012
Energy Economic Zone program parameters set

After spending more than two hours Wednesday in discussions about a controversial economic pilot program, the Sarasota County Commission voted 4-1 in favor of changes in the proposed ordinance for the program and asked staff to return with the document for another public hearing Feb. 22.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Michael Okun, Dr. Cynthia Fox and Dr. Dean Sutherland
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 9, 2012
Symposium focuses on research treatment

The 15th annual Suncoast Parkinson's Disease Symposium, held Feb. 4, drew nearly 1,000 patients, caregivers and physicians, who came to learn about the latest advances in Parkinson's studies and treatments.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 9, 2012
City commission combats graffiti

The Sarasota City Commission agreed at its Monday, Feb. 6 regular meeting the city would work to wipe graffiti clean from city buildings in a more efficient manner in the future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Property owners want oversight of any pressure-washing of the Village’s brick sidewalks, which were laid during the 2008-09 beautification project. File photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 9, 2012
Village upkeep under budget for fiscal year

Records show the county is on track to spend less than half of the $207,407 budgeted this year for upkeep of Siesta Village.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sarasota County is putting together a new enterprise zone to go along with several others around the state.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 9, 2012
Energy Economic Zone program parameters set

The Sarasota County Commission once again has held off on making a formal decision on an Economic Energy Zone program.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Pocorobbas in 1961. Courtesy photo.
  • By Mallory Gnaegy and Nick Friedman
  • February 9, 2012
Observer readers share their stories of true love

Turn on the Tony Bennett and pop open the rose-colored champagne. For this Valentine's Day, we asked readers to send in their love stories and letters. Apparently, Cupid has been busy over the years shooting his arrows in unexpected places -- including the Internet. So, fall in love with these stories, which could give Nicholas Sparks some inspiration.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2012
News Briefs

Talman offers 'not guilty' plea in Donna Chen case; Comp plan amendment workshop focuss on retail; County offers property owners notification system

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The FDOT is scheduled to present its roundabout recommendation in May.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 9, 2012
U.S. 41 roundabouts to be unveiled in May

Once built, two roundabouts planned for U.S. 41 at 10th and 14th streets are intended to slow traffic to 35 mph.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dogs roll in the dirt at Sarasota County’s 17th Street Paw Park. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 9, 2012
Dog washes no longer welcome at park

Dog owners are complaining about the county asking a mobile dog-washing business to stop coming to the 17th Street Paw Park in Sarasota.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Siesta Chamber VIP picnickers enjoy a July Fourth feast. File photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 9, 2012
Observed: Once again, collaboration produces positive results

Sarasota County officials worked to ensure the Key's fireworks show could continue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Jeffrey Weisman
  • February 9, 2012
My View: Halt those morning greetings from half-eaten chicken legs

For the most part, Siesta Key's streets appear very clean. But one's first impression is that the entryways to the Key, particularly on weekends, could stand some work.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 9, 2012
Police complaints committee feud grows

Members of the city's Police Complaints Committee have refused to accept a suggestion that briefer reports cannot be produced for their review, and they are questioning whether investigations into police misconduct are wasting taxpayer dollars.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2012
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Dean Kalahar
  • February 9, 2012
My View: 'Homeless' don't have right to harm property

Advocates who demand non-judgmental public policies out of a sense of guilt only lead vagrants into dependence.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Don't let us down; keep Southwest Airlines

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Candy Spaulding, president of the Alta Vista Neighborhood Association, wants to inspire more residents to get involved in the association.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 9, 2012
Alta Vista association focuses on grant, crime prevention

With elections approaching, members are hoping for more community participation on their projects.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2012
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Debra Jacobs, executive director of The Patterson Foundation
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 9, 2012
Patterson Foundation focuses on partnerships

During the first of seven scheduled sessions, Patterson Foundation Executive Director Debra Jacobs outlined Tuesday the specific partnerships and projects of the organization, with an emphasis on its guiding philosophy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brent Parker stands at the Sarasota bayfront, which his Sarasota Vision project hopes to one day connect to Main Street via a pedestrian walkway. Parker is a resident of Golden Gate Point.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 9, 2012
Neighbors: Brent Parker

A Sarasota architect has a unique vision for the future of downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Janice Howle has many fond memories of the hundreds of children she raised on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 9, 2012
Neighbors: Janice Howle

Janice Howle, better known as Miss Janice, opened the Key's first day-care center in 1950.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
This home at 528 Beach Road has two bedrooms, three baths and 2,016 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.5 million. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 9, 2012
Sarasota Beach home sells for $2.5 million

A home in Sarasota Beach tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Mi Playa LLC sold the home at 528 Beach Road to Resia L. Rinker Revocable Trust for $2.5 million.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Ed Schmidt is one of the co-coordinators of the Beach Ambassadors.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 9, 2012
Siesta Key Beach Ambassadors harbor passion for education

The organization helps visitors learn more about the area.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Nicole Parisi submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Nicole Parisi submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Unit 1506 at The Tower Residences, 35 Watergate Drive, has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,799 square feet of living area. It sold for $950,000. File photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 9, 2012
Tower Residences unit sells for $950,000

A condominium in The Tower Residences tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Justin Flagg
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 9, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Justin Flagg

Justin Flagg is one of the newest faces of CrossFit in Sarasota County. Flagg moved from Huntington Beach, Calif., to Sarasota with his wife, Stacy, and two little girls, Sloan and Hayden, in October 2011.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Richard Chen submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Richard Chen submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key beach.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kristi Bundrant, Betsy Shindlebower and Cindy Stuhley
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 8, 2012
Historic Spanish Point Annual Luncheon 'Pearls and Palate Pleasers'

Historic Spanish Point Annual Luncheon 'Pearls and Palate Pleasers'

  • Black Tie
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