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Your Observer

    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
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 12, 2012
City investigates cheaper ball-field cleanup remedy

The city of Sarasota is open to a clean-up remedy for Ed Smith Stadium that's cheaper to perform and less invasive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 12, 2012
Benderson Development planning unique, international rowing facility

Interest continues to grow in the Benderson Aquatic Center near University Parkway, a company official says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 12, 2012
Life in the Son holding services on Siesta Key

A new non-denominational church has begun holding weekly services in an office on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
South Key residents were alarmed over the New Year’s holiday when they saw residents building a concrete wall on top of a seawall at Point of Rocks Circle. The wall was removed after county staff intervened. Courtesy photos.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 12, 2012
Island Beat: County officials quickly handle a zoning violation

Thanks to quick action from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and Sarasota County staff, a serious zoning violation was halted near Point of Rocks during the New Year's celebration, Siesta Key Association President Catherine Luckner told members during their Jan. 5 regular meeting.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
"When I married my husband, he said I would never have to work again," she says. "In fact, he didn’t even want me to work."
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 12, 2012
Neighbors: Mary Ann Pelley

Breakfast hostess Mary Ann Pelley brings service and smiles to those who dine at Clayton's.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
This Cocoanut Bayou home, which has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,264 square feet of living area, sold for $1.1 million. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 12, 2012
Cocoanut Bayou home sells for $1.1 million

Geraldine Elliott, Sarasota, sold her Cocoanut Bayou home at 271 Cedar Park Circle to Robert and Wendy Shusko, Sarasota, for $1.1 million.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 12, 2012
Neighbors: Jean Ruff

Cancer survivor Jean Ruff used flower arranging as a way to cope with the effects of her chemotherapy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Meet this week's athlete: Jamie Mirikitani
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 12, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Jamie Mirikitani

Jamie Mirikitani grew up in Hawaii on the island of Oahu and was introduced to polo by his stepfather. Mirikitani played throughout high school and in college at Arizona State.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
JUST THE STATS

18 - The number of points scored by ODA freshman Jenna Bloch during the varsity girls basketball game against Imagine School, Tuesday, Jan. 3. ODA won the game 58-4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home at 1876 Oak St. has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,054 square feet of living area. It sold for $737,500. Photo by Nick Friedman.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 12, 2012
Cedar Cove home sells for $1.9 million

H. Monroe Warrington, trustee, Bradenton, sold the home in Cedar Cove at 7020 Captain Kidd Ave. to Warrington II Family Limited Partnership LLLP for $1.9 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 12, 2012
BUSINESS OBSERVER

Jewish foundation announces director; Center for Faith and Freedom accepting applications; Embracing Our Differences receives $15,000 grant

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Jack Wassiliauskas submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Technology students Stephen Husbands and Holden Scarbrough demonstrated how to make and test a balsa wood bridge.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Haile Open House

Haile Middle School showed off its students' talents Jan. 10 during the school's Open House Showcase.

  • East County
  • Schools
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