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Your Observer

Officer Randy Warren said evidence, such video from a neighbor's security system, telephone calls, DNA recovered from the scene, and other information, is still being processed.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 12, 2012
Sheriff: Ranch homicide not random

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has found no evidence of forced entry to the residence of Ina Gross, who was found dead in her home Jan. 9.

  • East County
  • News
Cassandra Bradley is prodded by Alanna Allion to touch the squid they were dissecting as part of Mote's Home School Day on Wednesday, Jan. 12.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 12, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Getting Squiddish

Cassandra Bradley is prodded by Alanna Allion to touch the squid they were dissecting as part of Mote's Home School Day on Wednesday, Jan. 12.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 12, 2012
County adopts anti-fraud policy

Sarasota County has created an anti-fraud policy that provides a checks and balance system and prohibits fraudulent activity.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jonathan Bozer pulls out the squid’s beak
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Squid Dissection

Squids, like the short-fin squid the Children at home school day at Mote Aquarium on Wednesday, Jan. 11 got to dissect are members of the Cephlipod species. These squids are used to feed the fish and sharks at Mote and are most often used in calamari served at restaurants.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Johnson and Joelle Hamorit
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Democratic Club Meeting

'It's an exciting time for the Democrat Party,' according to Rod Smith, Chairman of Florida Democrat Party and speaker at the Democrat Club meeting on Jan. 9. The delegate selection is in June in Tampa and the national convention is in Charlotte, N.C in September. Smith discussed issues such as the reapportionment of Florida, talked about the Dream Act and what it means and gave reasons why he thinks the economy will be better in 2012.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Willis Elementary School first grade student Grace Haddock checks out an instrument used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration when it sends crews to fly into hurricanes.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 12, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Hurricane devices

Willis Elementary School first grade student Grace Haddock checks out an instrument used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration when it sends crews to fly into hurricanes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
We had a lot dating advice from match-maker and dating coach of Dream Bachelor and Bachelorette, Suzanne Oshima.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • January 12, 2012
VIDEO: The Observer's match-making services

Are you single? Lonely? Tired of restless nights on the couch with a pint of cookie-dough ice cream? Have you tried going to bars to meet people only to wind up standing in the bathroom line and pretending to respond to a message on your phone?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Carol Sparrow

Opera singer Carol Sparrow will host TENors, Tabbies and Terriers Sunday at Sarasota Yacht Club. Read more about her in our candid Q&A.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 12, 2012
Registration upcoming for TOPSoccer

The Braden River Soccer Club will hold registration for its TOPSoccer program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 14.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 12, 2012
Mustangs shoot past Rams

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team defeated Riverview 3-2 Jan. 10.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 12, 2012
SCORES: Pirates top Seminoles on Senior Night

The Braden River High boys soccer team defeated Southeast 2-1 Jan. 11

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
Sculptures start an up-roar

Here's what's hanging around outside of Zwiwwel (formerly Aria), a restaurant that, as of Jan. 9, is officially open for business and serving modern German cuisine.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kurt and Mitchell Weiss. Photo by Nick Friedman.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
Weiss shares experiences from the Holocaust

Kurt Weiss, father of Temple Beth Sholom Executive Director Mitchell Weiss, visited Sarasota Monday, Jan. 9, to speak about his experiences as a child living in Austria during the Holocaust.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
Matthes clear on where loyalty lies

Siesta Key Village Association President Russell Matthes was in a jovial mood early on the morning of Jan. 3 as he convened the organization's monthly meeting at the Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
Poyners mark 20th in Hawaii

Jonathan Poyner, the county's coordinator of events on Siesta Key Public Beach, and his wife, Christine, marked their 20th wedding anniversary Dec. 28 with a big trip - to Hawaii.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 12, 2012
Former first lady Laura Bush visits Mote

Bush got a behind-the-scenes tour of the laboratory during her recent visit to Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mayor Jim Brown, pictured last year with outgoing Mayor George Spoll, took the mayor's seat last March.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 12, 2012
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Jim Brown

Jim Brown holds the District 4 Longboat Key commission seat and became mayor in 2011.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 12, 2012
Bartolotta has support to stay put

Three out of five commissioners believe the city manager should not be fired or suspended.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 12, 2012
County moving ahead on Energy Economic Zone program

An economic zone that would attract clean-energy companies to Sarasota County continued to garner support from the Sarasota County Commission Wednesday, despite some concerns raised about program eligibility requirements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
Our View: Time for leadership

Ever since the retirement in March 2001 of much-liked Sarasota City Manager David Sollenberger - liked by taxpayers, city commissioners and city staff members alike, City Hall has hobbled along, a man with an iron leg - tentatively, unable to walk with a strong, steady, optimistic stride.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Wish List for 2012 draws opposing responses

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 12, 2012
Chen remembered as selfless

Friends of the Siesta runner killed Saturday say she was always thinking of other people.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
An aerial view shows the location on the south side of the Siesta north bridge that engineers say they expect a contractor to use for staging purposes during a sewer project this spring. Courtesy of Stantec Consulting Services.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 12, 2012
FDOT questions timing of city project

A Florida Department of Transportation engineer fears a city sewer project could hamper the start of renovations on the north Siesta bridge.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 12, 2012
Beach sign going up

County officials will gather at 10 a.m. Jan. 18, to dedicate a sign proclaiming Siesta Beach as No. 1 in the country - five months after it won that ranking.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 12, 2012
Commissioner asks for help with crosswalk visibility

The County Sarasota Commission Jan. 10 asked staff to investigate the possibility of improved lighting along Ocean Boulevard in the Village.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
News Briefs

Radar signs, new speed-limit signs up

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A Sarasota County diagram shows where the new, two-story Gulf Gate Library will be constructed on the site of the current facility, on Curtiss Avenue. Photo Courtesy of Sarasota County.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 12, 2012
Meetings kick off planning, funding of new library

Sarasota County library staff and Friends of Gulf Gate Library have begun planning to create a well-appointed, new facility.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 12, 2012
Sarasota County moving ahead on EEZ plans

The County Commission Wednesday agreed to an in-depth review over the next two months of plans for an Energy Economic Zone Pilot Program.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
  • By Lourdes Ramirez
  • January 12, 2012
My View: Haste on beach improvements plan could lead to loss of events

Sarasota County commissioners believe they have made the right choice in calling for expediting the improvements at Siesta Key Public Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 12, 2012
OBSERVED: FDOT responds to residents with a new crossing option

When a new mailing went out Dec. 23 to all condominium residents on Midnight Pass Road between the Beach Road and Stickney Point Road intersections, it contained a sixth option for improved pedestrian safety.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Read this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 12, 2012
CCNA elects board

Lido Key Residents' Association President Carl Shoffstall also stressed the importance of keeping the Lido Beach Pool and Pavilion open to the public.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 12, 2012
Palmer Ranch variance approved

Taylor Morrison won a county variance Wednesday to design one primary access road for a Palmer Ranch development it is planning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The City Commission is expected to review the project recommendation during one of its regular meetings in February.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 12, 2012
Main Street plans scaled back

The Downtown Improvement District is awaiting the Sarasota City Commission's response to a $4.6 million Main Street makeover.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Interim County Administrator Terry Lewis laughs during remarks Wednesday by County Commission Chairwoman Christine Robinson. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 12, 2012
Commissioners thank Lewis for a job well done

It took three tries, according to Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Barbetta, but the board Wednesday morning finally managed to surprise Interim County Administrator Terry Lewis with expressions of gratitude for his leadership.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 12, 2012
FDOT project to install median on U.S. 41 by Southgate Mall

A Florida Department of Transportation project under way includes the installation of a concrete median in the middle of U.S. 41 in front of Westfield Southgate Mall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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