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Your Observer

Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
  • By Brian Gunnell
  • December 28, 2011
Bridge Bites: Eschewing the finesse

I cannot recall seeing the word 'eschew' other than in bridge books.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Karen Rawlings submitted this sunset photo, taken on Bradenton Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
Cool Today Winner: Sun sets on another year

Karen Rawlings submitted this sunset photo, taken on Bradenton Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Michael Wallace, Bob Schauer and Eric Walsh. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
University Park shines at charity ball

Members of the University Park Women's Club and their guests sparkled Dec. 10, during the club's seventh annual Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
Napier's canine needs good home

Elmer, this 3-year-old black/chocolate neutered male basset hound mix, is in need of a good home.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Each morning, the Lakewood Ranch anglers climbed aboard these boats with hopes of catching the big one. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 28, 2011
Anglers earn bragging rights, remorse about the ones who got away

As the first woman member of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club, Jeanette Wirz has had to keep her fishing skills finely honed, earning herself many fishing accolades over the years.

  • East County
  • News
Sydney Ashley and her family adopted their dog, Ky-Man, from the Sarasota County Humane Society. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 28, 2011
Sixth-grader gives cash to Lakewood Ranch rescue

Sydney Ashley bought toys for the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch using $130 she received for her 12th birthday.

  • East County
  • News
Wish: That Floridians appreciate what Gov. Rick Scott is doing for all Floridians' future. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
Our View: Wish list for 2012 ...

We might look back at 2011 and see it was the year where the tide turned back in favor of freedom, free enterprise and the bedrock American values that made the country great.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Read this week's Castaway Cartoon.
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • December 28, 2011
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Year in Sports

Enjoy some of the 2011 sport highlights of 2011 we captured on camera.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jen Blanco, Associate Editor
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 28, 2011
COMMENT: East County athletes impressive in 2011

It seems like only yesterday that I saw the Lakewood Ranch boys soccer team make school history, hopped in my car and drove halfway across the state to cover the softball state semifinals and watched another group of seniors bid farewell to their coaches and teammates.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Braden River High boys basketball team defeated rival Lakewood Ranch 38-37 in overtime of the Class 4A-District 10 championship Feb. 11 to capture the program’s first district title.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 28, 2011
YEAR IN SPORTS: A Look Back

The year 2011 was one of the most eventful in recent history for East County sports. In the past 12 months, we've celebrated local teams capturing district, regional and state championships. We've seen our talented athletes and teams make school history. And we've watched them overcome unexpected coaching changes.

  • East County
  • Sports
The current Longboat Key Publix store will close after Easter 2012 and re-open December 2012 if the application is approved. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 28, 2011
TOP STORY, JULY: Publix plans

Publix Super Markets Inc. submitted July 6 a preliminary application to the town outlining a teardown and rebuild of Avenue of the Flowers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rehabilitation of the Siesta north bridge is scheduled to begin in June 2012. Photo by Norman Schimmel
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • December 28, 2011
TOP STORY, JULY: Traffic, rainy delays top concerns with Siesta bridge project

Smooth traffic management and making sure the work is completed before tourist season begins in earnest: Those were the foremost concerns voiced July 7, when the Siesta Key Association board of directors hosted Florida Department of Transportation officials for a discussion of the 2012 north Siesta Key bridge rehabilitation project.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Saturated Sky: John Nesbitt took this sunset photo last fall from his back yard in Sabal Harbour.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 2011 Weather Winners

Naming a weekly winner became increasingly more difficult throughout the year, and it seemed each new submission was more beautiful than the last. We hope you enjoy this look at some of our favorite submissions from 2011. We'd also like to thank all of our contestants so far and invite you to continue submitting in the new year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Students at Rosaire's Riding Academy saddled up for a day full of horseback riding fun July 11. Published July 21, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: July, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The East County Observer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
For the last two years, business owner Mark Manges had his eyes set on a space in Lakewood Ranch's San Marco Plaza.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 28, 2011
TOP STORY, JULY: San Marco Plaza

With banks finally foreclosing on units in San Marco Plaza, business owners began snatching up spaces at reduced prices and increasing traffic to the plaza.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 27, 2011
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Chris Gallagher

Sarasota resident Chris Gallagher is the senior designer at Sarasota-based Jonathan Parks Architect and a member of the city's Planning Board.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Barb McRae received a personal hospital room visit and kisses from Kirby, who is part of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s pet-therapy program.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: June, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
He had not even signed his contract yet, but interim County Administrator Terry Lewis already was hard at work during a county budget hearing June 14. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 27, 2011
TOP STORY, JUNE: Lewis reports for duty ... again

Terry Lewis has delayed his retirement many times because he keeps getting called to duty. The latest call came from Sarasota County government.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Charles Chappell and his sister, Claudia, play in the sand in June at the Sea Gate Club during their vacation.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: June, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Longboat Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The New Pass Bridge tender was never notified by a 911 operator that an ambulance was approaching and needed to get off the island.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 27, 2011
TOP STORY, JUNE: Emergency-response issue arises

The New Pass Bridge log shows that the bridge tender was not notified in 17 different instances this year when an ambulance was headed toward the bridge to reach Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Stephen Leatherman — Dr. Beach — tells the approximately 4 million "Today Show" viewers that the best beach in the country for 2011 is the Siesta Key Public Beach. Photo by Norman Schimmel.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2011
TOP STORY, JUNE: Siesta Key Public Beach named No. 1 in the U.S.

Sarasota County officials were more than happy to join a crew from 'The Today Show' on the beach at 8 a.m. May 27 to celebrate Siesta's ascension to the No. 1 spot on the annual Top 10 Beaches list of Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
"I do believe in leading by example, showing respect and building relationships," Lakewood Ranch Town Hall's Executive Director Eva Rey said. "There isn't anything I would ask my employee to do that I wouldn't do myself."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 27, 2011
TOP STORY, JUNE: Eva Rey

The Villages' Eva Rey was chosen as Lakewood Ranch Town Hall's new executive director.

  • East County
  • News
Abigail Swindell fed Gertrude and Margilow in May at her home in Sarasota. CLUCK is a group that has lobbied for urban chicken keeping throughout the county.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: May, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A parking meter stood bagged in downtown Sarasota, with paid parking set to begin May 23.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: May, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Before he walked away from the commission table mid-meeting May 25, Jim Ley shook hands and hugged all five county commissioners, including Chairwoman Nora Patterson. Photo by Robin Roy.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 26, 2011
TOP STORY, MAY: 'Thanks' and 'goodbye'

Jim Ley had positive things to say about the residents and staff for which he served more than a decade as the chief executive of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Stan led his three cygnets for a swim in May around the Harbour Links pond.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: May, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Longboat Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Key Club attorney John Patterson said the DCA's lack of objections means the central argument of the Islandside Property Owners Coalition (IPOC) has been eradicated.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 26, 2011
TOP STORY, MAY: 'The end for IPOC'?

Attorneys for the town of Longboat Key and the Longboat Key Club believe a state report eliminates the Islandside Property Owners Coalition's central argument against the club's Islandside project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jim Ley, former County Administrator.
  • By Stan Zimmerman
  • December 26, 2011
TOP STORY, MAY: Ley tenders resignation to board

Sarasota County's procurement scandal appeared ready to claim its seventh victim May 24, as County Administrator Jim Ley tendered his resignation at the start of the County Commission meeting.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Braden River High School students hit the dance floor early for Prom May 13. Published May 19, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: May, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The East County Observer.

  • East County
  • News
Bob Hendel of the anti-incorporation group, the Friends of Lakewood Ranch, said incorporation would take away local control.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 26, 2011
TOP STORY, MAY: Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Debate

Pro- and anti-incorporation groups faced off Monday for the first Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Debate hosted by the East County Observer.

  • East County
  • News
Abandoned boxcars on the railroad track through Shade Avenue concerned nearby residents in April.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: April, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Sarasota Observer.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Barry Sullivan takes a trip on his new kayak with his dog, Justice.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: April, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Pelican Press.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Abandoned boxcars have been left on the railroad track that goes through Shade Avenue. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • December 25, 2011
TOP STORY, APRIL: Boxcar Battle

Fearing they're an invitation for trouble, residents are trying to get a railroad company to move about two-dozen railcars that have been parked in between two Sarasota communities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In April, developer Brian Kenney, with Juliani Kenney Investment Capital LLC, stood in front of Whitney Beach Plaza, which was 85% vacant at the time.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: April, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The Longboat Observer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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