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Your Observer

Bill Freund has written his first children's book.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 2, 2012
Neighbors: Bill Freund

One Siesta Key resident puts his money where his pen is and writes a children's book.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The public can review educational materials on display at City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota, during Black History Month.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • February 2, 2012
City Hall celebrates Black History month

A local Black History Month Display is on display at City Hall through Feb. 29 during the workweek.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This home at 464 Island Circle has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,230 square feet of living area. It sold for $325,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 2, 2012
Melaleuca Way home tops sales at $380,000

A home in Siesta Properties Inc. tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Margaret Fuesy, Sarasota, sold her home at 7372 Melaleuca Way to Marina Costanza, Chicago, for $380,000.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Craig Crossley submitted this sunset photo, taken near Shell Beach on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Craig Crossley submitted this sunset photo, taken near Shell Beach on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Meet this week's athlete, Eric Traver
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 2, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Eric Traver

Eric Traver not only holds down a 4.7 grade point average as a student in the prestigious International Baccalaureate program at Riverview High School, but he also is leading the Rams' boys' basketball team in every statistical category.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2012
JUST THE STATS

10 - The number of three-pointers Booker High's boys basketball team sank in its 61-57 win over Southeast Jan. 30.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Unit 1208 at 1350 Main St. sold for $548,000. File photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 2, 2012
Harbor Acres home sells for $1.1 million

A home in Harbor Acres tops all transactions in this week's real estate. J.B. Baldwin sold his home at 1510 Harbor Place to Richard and Tina Biter, Sarasota, for $1.1 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sheryl Vieira submitted this sunset photo, taken near the Ringling Bridge in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Sheryl Vieira submitted this sunset photo, taken near the Ringling Bridge in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Susan Borozan and Chris Osbourne
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 1, 2012
Town Hall Lecture Series featuring Roland Fryer

Town Hall Lecture Series featuring Roland Fryer

  • Black Tie
Lakewood Ranch High senior Gabriella Diaz-Granados scored 14 points in her final game in a Lady Mustangs uniform.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 1, 2012
Lakewood Ranch falls in district semis

The Lakewood Ranch High girls basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 58-40 loss to Palmetto in the Class 6A-District 12 semifinals Feb. 1.

  • East County
  • Sports
ODA senior Daniel Pivonka looks to give the Thunder a spark late in the second half of a Class 1A-Region 2 quarterfinal Jan. 31.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 1, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY:Class 1A-Region 2 quarterfinal: ODA at Indian Rocks Christian School

The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer team saw its season come to a close with a 4-0 loss to Indian Rocks Christian School in a Class 1A-Region 2 quarterfinal Jan. 31.

  • East County
  • Sports
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • February 1, 2012
FEB. 1: 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
Matt Orr, Diane McFarlin and Matt Walsh
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 1, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Tiger Bay Club Meeting

The Tiger Bay Club met at Michael's On East Wednesday, Feb. 1 to discuss the current landscape of the media. The panel of local media leaders had a positive outlook on the future of the industry, which many worry is on the decline.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 1, 2012
Longboat voters pick Romney

Mitt Romney received 69.26% of votes cast on Longboat Key in the Jan. 31 Republican presidential primary.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Walkers make their way down to the shore to participate in the Senior Beach Walk, Wednesday, Feb. 1, on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 1, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Senior Beach Walk

New Balance Sarasota and Sarasota County Parks and Recreation is sponsoring the Wednesday Senior Beach Walks taking place on Siesta Key Beach and Nokomis Beach from February 1 - March 29.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Eric Weinstein, Ravi Parent, Bryan Paine, Jack Famiglietti, Sam Armington, Jason D'Agostino, Brian Firth, Jim Zeller, Sophia Schultz and Jennifer LePatourel pose together with their trophy.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • February 1, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Youth Multihull team practice

The Sarasota Youth Multihull team, part of the Sarasota Youth Sailing Squadron, recently won the Youth Multihull Championship during the Tradewinds Regatta 2012 that was held Jan. - 15 in Islamorada.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
No injuries were reported, but smoke and heat damage will necessitate the closing of the restaurant for up to four weeks, owner Chris Brown told the Pelican Press Wednesday morning.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • February 1, 2012
Fire to close The Hub Baja Grill for several weeks

A kitchen fire reported shortly after 12:30 a.m. Feb. 1 caused at least $200,000 in damage to The Hub Baja Grill in the Village, according to the Sarasota County Fire Department.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
"Can You See Me Now?" is a photo of a jellyfish on Longboat Key beach. Photo courtesy of Mary Lou Johnson
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
International exhibition on display

Longboat Key resident and photographer Mary Lou Johnson's work was displayed in the collection of Professional Photographers of America's 2011 International Photographic Competition.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
Wood stork visits Summerfield lake

Summerfield resident Gary Miller caught this image of a wood stork that took a break on the lake at the intersection of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Clubhouse Drive.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
Critter Corner

Leebo, a 18-month-old neutered male pointer/dane mix, needs a loving home.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 1, 2012
FULL STORY: Pedestrian, 73, dies in GMD crash

A woman visiting from Illinois died Friday night after being struck by a car while attempting to cross Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
"It's kind of a bittersweet thing," Kenneth Gill said. "I've had some good years in the community. But now, it’s time to move on."
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 1, 2012
Gill resigns from Longboat Island Chapel

The Rev. Kenneth Gill resigned as senior minister Friday, two days before the congregation was scheduled to vote on his future with the church.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 1, 2012
Planning effort generates ideas for island's north end

The 40 stakeholders who participated in a Saturday workshop were encouraged to share ideas for northern Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lenny Landau, a mechanical engineer who still does consulting work for General Electric, has compiled his findings into a Power Point presentation.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 1, 2012
Resident's study provides data for town to utilize

Key resident Lenny Landau uncovered findings about the town's utility system in his effort to understand the Key's population cycle.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Andy Mele, executive director of Sarasota Bay Watch, Tanner Stults, Judd McKean, director of Carefree Learners, and Larry Stults, father of Tanner and board member of Sarasota Bay Watch
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 1, 2012
Riverview senior identifies local environmental need

Using a boat, a waterproof camera and a small grant for printing fees, Tanner Stults created a field guide for Florida's coast; bays that includes more than 50 photographs. It's a project that took the now Riverview High School senior one-and-a-half years to complete.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
News Briefs

Publix to go before the Town Commission; Town, Key Club file appeals; Citizens decreases its maximum coverage limit

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • February 1, 2012
Marvin Danto leaves lasting local legacy

Marvin Danto and his wife, Betty, were avid supporters of local organizations such as the Sarasota Ballet.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
St. Armands Circle Association Executive Director Diana Corrigan said some Circle merchants are experiencing January traffic that could exceed that of January 2005. Photo by Mallory Gnaegy.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 1, 2012
Longboat Key sees healthy start to season

We may not be the No. 1 beach, according to Dr. Beach, but we're still getting a healthy dose of tourism.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
Our View: The 'seen' and 'unseen'

When we saw the front-page-sized view of the architect's rendering of a redeveloped Bayfront Park, including a new 18,000-square-foot community center on the bayfront, we couldn't help but say: "Wow. That would be great."

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
David Bullock
  • By David Bullock
  • February 1, 2012
My View: 2012 brings year of town-changing agenda

It has been 80 days since my appointment as Longboat Key town manager.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 1, 2012
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Chris Tatreau is a history buff and currently reads books on World War II during long international flights for work.
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • February 1, 2012
Neighbors: Chris Tatreau

From Japan to Singapore to Boston and Chicago, Chris Tatreau works behind the scenes to organize some of the world's most prestigious fitness events.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Richard Williams, a supervisor on the Lakewood Ranch CDD 6 board, recently was appointed to the Inter-District Authority board.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 1, 2012
Neal begins transition to residents

Within the gates of the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch, residents in Country Club West are preparing to run their own community development district.

  • East County
  • News
Violist Jan Gruning talked about how hearing quartets as a youth inspired him to play music professionally.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 1, 2012
Quartet inspires east students

The award-winning Ariel String Quartet inspired student musicians in the East County as part of the Perlman Music Program/Suncoast Jan. 19-25.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 1, 2012
Residents consider new safety precautions

Riverwalk Hammock residents say they hope to make a presentation to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office following the murder of Ina Gross.

  • East County
  • News
In an exclusive interview with The Observer, Gov. Rick Scott says he is staying true to his core principles and goals of putting the state back to work even as he altars how he handles Tallahassee and the media. Photo by Rod Thomson.
  • By Rod Thomson
  • February 1, 2012
Gov. Scott stays on track

Despite surprising decisions to spend more money on education and Everglades restoration, Gov. Rick Scott is sticking to his principles of shrinking government and growing the economy.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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