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Your Observer

City Manager Bob Bartolotta and Deputy Manager Marlon Brown confer during Friday's special meeting that brought up numerous accusations against them.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2012
Vote to fire Bartolotta fails

The Sarasota City Commission voted unanimously Friday to continue an investigation and refer findings to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Catherine Luckner, Siesta Key Association president. Photo by Rachel Brown Hackney.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 6, 2012
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Catherine Luckner

You might know Catherine Luckner as the Siesta Key Association President, but how much do you really know about her? Find our five interesting facts in our candid Q&A.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Suzanne Oshima, matchmaker & dating coach at Dream Bachelor and Bachelorette attended the Young Professionals Group's After Hours event in search of Sarasota's most-eligible bachelorettes.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Dream Bachelor and Bachelorette scouts single women in Sarasota

Suzanne Oshima, matchmakers & dating coach of NYC company Dream Bachelor and Bachelorette, brought her matchmaking talents to Sarasota in search of the most eligible young professional women looking for love. The Young Professionals Group's After Hours event provided an excellent scouting location. The Observer asked attendees why they would be a great bachelor or bachelorette.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Susan Scott. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 6, 2012
Scott named to lead Education Foundation

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County Jan. 5 announced the appointment of Susan Scott as the nonprofit's new executive director, following a special meeting of the organization's board of directors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dave Sparks talked with many groups of people at his goodbye party.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • January 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Goodbye party for Dave Sparks

Hundreds of people came out to celebrate and give their best wishes to Dave Sparks, Thursday, Jan. 5, at the Gulf Drive Cafe.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
James Barnhofen and Wendy Pearson
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 6, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Harris Private Bank shares new space with M&I Wealth Management

Harris Private Bank held an open house Thursday Jan. 5 at its new location at 240 South Pineapple Avenue. This marks the first time that Harris Private Bank and M&I Money Management have worked under the same roof in Florida. After being purchased by BMO purchased M&I, the two companies will share a location and resources. Guitarist Dean Miller provided live music for the open house.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2012
Artificial crochet coral reef exhibit opens

The Manatee County Natural Resources Department will open the exhibit during its 'Meet the Reef Festival' Saturday.

  • East County
  • News
Upon collision, driver Charles Robbert Orr's leg became pinned in the wreckage, which prevented him from accessing the brake pedal, the report states.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2012
UPDATE: School bus driver charged responsible for accident

Florida Highway Patrol authorities have charged the driver responsible for an accident that injured 21 students from Braden River Middle School yesterday with careless driving.

  • East County
  • News
iStock image, not a Half Oyster House dish. The Half Shell Oyster House will be open for lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch seven days per week.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2012
New downtown restaurant opens

A new restaurant called The Half Shell Oyster House is opening at 1991 Main Street and will hold a soft opening Monday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 6, 2012
Obituary: Jeanne Knatz Tigani

Jeanne Knatz Tigani of Wilmington, Del. and Longboat Key died January 1. She was 86.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota City Commission will meet 2 p.m. today at City Hall to discuss a forensic investigation.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2012
Deletion of emails discussed today

A forensic investigation of computers and the Information Technology Department has discovered potential Sunshine Law and criminal violations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Publix plans to tear down its existing Longboat Key store in April and reopen by December.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 6, 2012
Commission to discuss Publix plans Monday

The commission will discuss three outline development plans and a site-plan amendment for the proposed project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 6, 2012
Obituary: Jean Waterman Bender

Jean Waterman Bender from Longboat Key and formerly from Harrison, N.Y. died on January 2. She was 100.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 6, 2012
LWRLL registration upcoming

Lakewood Ranch Little League will hold registration for its upcoming spring season from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 6 and 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 7 and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Lakewood Ranch Ballpark.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 6, 2012
SCORES: Storm 98 softball team wins USSSA Snowball Classic

The Suncoast Storm 98 softball team went 7-0 to win the USSSA Snowball Classic Dec. 17-18 in Pembroke Pines.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 6, 2012
SCORES: Lakewood pulls even with Port Charlotte

The Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team tied Port Charlotte 2-2 Jan. 4.

  • East County
  • Sports
Paul and Carina Bowman
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • January 5, 2012
YMCA Foundation of Sarasota VIP Dinner 'Sensations from the Sea'

YMCA Foundation of Sarasota VIP Dinner 'Sensations from the Sea'

  • Black Tie
Bus 560 from Braden River Middle School crashed into a tractor-trailer around 4:30 p.m. today.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 5, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: Bus crashes into tractor-trailer

Twenty-three people, including 21 students from Braden River Middle School, were transported to local emergency rooms after a bus collided with a tractor-trailer.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • January 5, 2012
New College opens Optical Spectroscopy and Nano-Materials Lab

On Friday, Jan. 6, New College of Florida will officially open its lab, which was funded by a grant from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This coin is estimated to be worth around $10,000. It is one the International Coin Collectors Association purchased for $6,000 at its event at the Hilton Longboat Key.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • January 5, 2012
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Pot of Gold

This coin is estimated to be worth around $10,000. It is one the International Coin Collectors Association purchased for $6,000 at its event at the Hilton Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 5, 2012
Schools schedule open house events

Several East County schools have scheduled open house events as the district prepares for its open enrollment period.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 5, 2012
Horses OK following mishap at polo field

The Clydesdale wagon team is expected to return to the Sarasota Polo Club this Sunday.

  • East County
  • News
Eli Groner was appointed as Israel’s minister of economic affairs to the United States in August.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 5, 2012
Israeli economic affairs minister to speak at Beth Israel

Eli Groner will make one of his first public appearances since his appointment at Temple Beth Israel.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 5, 2012
Business groups form new not-for-profit

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce and its Economic Development Council have reorganized to form the Manatee Economic Development Corp.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Siesta Key

Enjoy an detailed preview of the 12 highly anticipated issues and people of 2012.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Sarasota

Enjoy an detailed preview of the 12 highly anticipated issues and people of 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 5, 2012
Two Manatee County high schools earn A on FCAT

School District officials say all seven high schools qualified for an A grade, but three did not because they failed to meet specific criteria regarding 'at risk' students.

  • East County
  • News
Cynthia Soulandros, Ruth Pines (seated), Jean Maxwell Catsakis and Kimberly Bonner. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
World War II veteran honored

Ruth Pines, who served in WAVES for 32 years and was a Navy nurse at the June 6, 1944, Normandy landings, turned 93 Jan. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nick Friedman
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2012
Nick Friedman named Observer community editor

The Sarasota Observer welcomed this week its new community editor, Nick Friedman. Former Community Editor Loren Mayo has been named Black Tie Editor - look for her column in Diversions and online at YourObserver.com.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini hired Sarasota-based The Sylint Group three months ago to perform a forensic audit of the Information Technology Department.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Investigation of city-owned computers reveals potential violations

A forensic investigation of computers and the Information Technology Department has discovered potential Sunshine Law and criminal violations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Main Street streetscape project is being debated among merchants and city officials.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Main Street

The City Commission will review a Main Street project proposal in February. Merchants worry about construction disruptions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jesse Biter wants future tenants of the Palm Avenue parking garage retail space to agree to stay open at night.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Jesse Biter

Entrepreneur Jesse Biter paid $1.6 million for the Palm Avenue garage retail space and has plans to interject nightlife into the downtown street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City commissioners hope City Manager Bob Bartolotta and City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini can resolve issues between them related to a computer investigation.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Tension at City Hall

City Manager Bob Bartolotta is still awaiting the results of a computer investigation of his computer more than three months after City Clerk and Auditor Pamela Nadalini ordered it.

  • Sarasota
  • News
"My New Year's resolution is to do whatever we can to help bring this community together toward a common view of our future," said Larry Thompson, president of Ringling College of Art and Design.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Larry Thompson

It's a Friday morning and Larry Thompson is between meetings. The president of Ringling College of Art and Design has much on his mind in terms of the college's projects and collaborations for 2012 and can't seem to spit it out fast enough.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Chris Brown

The Village property owner who has sued the county three times in the past four years wants all Key businesses to have the opportunity to prosper.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Photo by Rachel Brown Hackney.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • January 5, 2012
Delve into 12: Catherine Luckner

Near the end of her first year as the Siesta Key Association president, Catherine Luckner has built a reputation for Key collaboration.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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