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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2012
First lady kicks off literacy

To kick off the statewide program, Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! first lady Ann Scott paid a visit Monday, Jan. 23, to Sarasota Middle School.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2012
Cops Corner

Cops Corner

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2012
Letter to the Editor: Stop trying to reinvent downtown Sarasota

Letter to the Editor: Stop trying to reinvent downtown Sarasota

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Rachel Brown Hackney
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 26, 2012
Observer: At long last, a sign marks the site of No. 1 beach

Rob Lewis probably felt as though he had given birth last week. For months, Lewis, the county's executive director of planning and development services, was the person in charge of getting a photogenic sign up at Siesta Key Public Beach, something proudly proclaiming what Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman told a national TV audience last May: Siesta is the No. 1 beach in the country.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 26, 2012
Maintenance Corp. ordinance set for hearing

The County Commission this week approved a Feb. 21 public hearing on a new Maintenance Corp. ordinance for the Village.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The property leased by Blu Que Island Grill (formerly Blu Smoke), in the Village, is one of the parcels owned by Chris Brown that he contends Sarasota County staff singled out for an excessively high 2011 parking assessment.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 26, 2012
Village property owner's lawsuit back in Circuit Court

A U.S. District Court judge agrees that a Village property owner's latest lawsuit against the county hinges on issues that should be tried in Circuit Court.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 26, 2012
Sarasota Planning Commission gains three new members

The County Commission Jan. 24 appointed three new members to the Sarasota County Planning Commission: Joseph Gessner, Robert Morris III and Terry J. Richardson.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2012
News Briefs

SCVB wins top award for US Airways insert; State to host information session for condo owners

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Residences on Siesta Key Beach opened in 2009. Units in the six-story building range in size from 1,700 square feet to 2,600 square feet, and are priced from $785,000 to a little more than $2 million. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 26, 2012
Gulf Coast real-estate arms with a new strategy

The recession crushed the first go-around of a $100 million luxury condo project on the Gulf Coast. A New York real-estate firm now will take its turn, armed with a new strategy.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 26, 2012
Sarasota School Board tables budget decisions

Although the Sarasota County School Board took its first look last week at budget projections for the 2013 fiscal year, the board will not make any decisions about the spending plan until spring at the earliest, Chairwoman Caroline Zucker said this week.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 26, 2012
Commission enacts new ethics policy

The policy stipulates duties and responsibilities of all Sarasota County employees and the County Commission regarding the prevention and reporting of fraud.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Tanja Hoffman and her son, Robin, say they love operating their new bakery on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 26, 2012
German family introduces authentic tastes to Key

Tanja, Maneul and Robin Hoffman moved from their home country to open A Taste of Germany on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 26, 2012
JAN. 25: 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
Construction on a roundabout at Pineapple Avenue and Ringling Boulevard is expected to last until June at the latest. Photo by Norman Shimmel.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 26, 2012
Burns Square businesses eye construction effects

Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown announced that the city Jan. 29 will close Ringling Boulevard from Orange Avenue to U.S. 41.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Senior city planner Steve Stancel told the DID board Tuesday that this latest offer would be much easier to sell to the City Commission.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 26, 2012
DID will pay for $1.9 million project

The Downtown Improvement District has reversed course, agreeing to pay for all of a Main Street project that resides within its district.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sewer lines that cross four city bridges will be replaced as part of a $2.1 million infrastructure project. Map courtesy of the city of Sarasota/Google.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 26, 2012
Aging sewer pipelines to be replaced

This year, aging city sewer pipelines running over the tops of four bridges and beneath bodies of water are scheduled to be replaced.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 26, 2012
City refuses Childers settlement

The City Commission has opted to proceed with a trial on a case involving the 2009 firing of a city police officer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 26, 2012
County expects record turnout for primary

So far, 3,791 Republicans registered in Sarasota took advantage of early voting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2012
News Briefs

SCVB wins top award for US Airways insert; New principal named

  • Sarasota
  • News
Randall Reid
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 26, 2012
New county administrator receives warm welcome

New Sarasota County Administrator Randall Reid received a standing ovation Tuesday morning after board Chairwoman Christine Robinson introduced him to the audience, which filled more than two-thirds of the Commission Chambers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Terry Lewis accepted the position of interim city manager Jan. 20, at the unanimous request of the City Commission.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 26, 2012
Lewis starts work at City Hall

Interim City Manager Terry Lewis will have to deal with the ongoing computer investigation as well as budget meetings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 26, 2012
Term-limits case bumped up to high court

The Second District Court of Appeal has asked the Florida Supreme Court to combine a Sarasota County case with a term-limits case it already has agreed to hear.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A modern-day Renaissance woman, Tanya Weinberger has spent her career in various artforms.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 26, 2012
Neighbors: Tanya Weinberger

From animation and film to books and jewelry, Tanya Weinberger has done it all.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joseph Holt. Photo by Nick Friedman.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 26, 2012
Q&A with Joseph Holt

The longtime principal pianist for the United States Army Chorus will perform on Siesta Key this weekend.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Akila, Bay Haven
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2012
Pelikids

Pelikids is a monthly feature highlighting the work of Sarasota County students. This month's offerings are from students at Bay Haven, Pineview and Lakeview Elementary School.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Unit 602 at The Phoenix, 136 Golden Gate Point, has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms and 3,785 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.35 million. Photo by Nick Friedman.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 26, 2012
Phoenix condo sells for $1.36 million

Donald and Carol Stephens, Lakeland, sold their Unit 602 condominium at 136 Golden Gate Point to Hal Hartle and Lane Hartle, trustees, Boca Grande, for $1.35 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
David Caplan submitted this sunrise photo, taken from Golden Gate Point near downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

David Caplan submitted this sunrise photo, taken from Golden Gate Point near downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This Siesta Manor home, which has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,338 square feet of living area, sold for $975,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 26, 2012
Siesta Manor home sells for $975,000

Ray Delaney, Sarasota, sold his home at 311 Avenida Madera to Mark and Susanne Hogan, of Crystal Lake, Ill., for $975,000.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mote Marine Laboratory volunteer Norma Pennington captured the roll of the waves during a beautiful sunset at the Venice South Jetty.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 26, 2012
Weekly Weather Photo

Mote Marine Laboratory volunteer Norma Pennington captured the roll of the waves during a beautiful sunset at the Venice South Jetty.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The dining room of the home at 1524 Bay Point Drive was designed by Joyce Hart,of J Hart Interior Design.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 26, 2012
Jewels on the Bay tour to showcase historic roots

This year's Showhouse will feature a Craftsman bungalow and a 1950s ranch. Money raised will benefit programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee and Sarasota counties.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police are investigating the shooting of Sarasota resident Jeffrey L. Hill, 34, in the 1800 block of 23rd Street, during a failed robbery attempt.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 25, 2012
First homicide for the city of Sarasota in 2012

A failed robbery attempt resulted in the shooting of a man in the 1800 block of 23rd Street this morning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Maria Sharapova would reclaim the No. 1 world ranking if she wins the Australian Open.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 25, 2012
Sharapova advances to Australian Open semifinals

Maria Sharapova will face reigning Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova tonight.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kevin Cooper and Cheryl Gaddie
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Business Awards

Brad Stewart, manager of Captain Curt's Crab and Oyster restaurant on Midnight Pass Road, which his family owns, was named Business Person of the Year Tuesday by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Newt Gingrich speaks as his wife, Callista, looks on, Tuesday, Jan. 24.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 25, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Newt Gingrich rally

Presidential contender Newt Gingrich spoke to a crowd of 4,700 people, Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Dolphin Aviation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2012
Women's Club makes donations

Four local charities are off to great start for 2012 thanks to the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 25, 2012
Ranch drivers pause for pelicans

The '80s had A Flock of Seagulls.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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