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Your Observer

Heather Hooper’s gloved hand full of trash found during the Barefoot Wine Beach Cleanup Thursday, Sept. 8, at Ted Sperling Park.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 8, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Barefoot Wine Beach Cleanup

Barefoot Wine held a beach cleanup from 5 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8, at Ted Sperling Park. Around 20 people came out to help clean the beach and park areas. After the cleanup the participants were invited to head over to Daiquiri Deck on St. Armands for some wine and free appetizers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 8, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day

Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the East County Observer archives.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Residents spoke in favor and against the millage increase and the budget.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 8, 2011
Manatee School Board adopts budget

The Manatee County School Board on Thursday adopted a $598 million budget.

  • East County
  • News
Ghandi got lots of love from members of the local Chambers of Commerce. See more photos in the East Meets West photo gallery.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 8, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: PICTURE PURR-FECT

Ghandi is a tiger cub that lives at the Big Cat Habitat.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Firefighters believe the cause is an air-conditioning unit.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 8, 2011
Florida Cancer Specialists building evacuated

Florida Cancer Specialists at 1970 Golf St. was evacuated around 2 p.m. because of a haze in the building. Firefighters believe the cause is an air-conditioning unit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A car caught on fire at the intersection of Bahia Vista and U.S. 41, slowing traffic Thursday afternoon.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 8, 2011
Car fire on Bahia Vista and US 41

A car caught on fire at the intersection of Bahia Vista and U.S. 41, slowing traffic Thursday afternoon. No one was injured.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Several schools are holding special events in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 8, 2011
East County schools remember 9/11

Several East County schools this week are holding special events to commemorate the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

  • East County
  • News
A new art program will bring art from local artists to the Federal Building, 111 S. Orange Ave., Sarasota.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 8, 2011
City makes call to artists

The city of Sarasota will display works of public art from local artists in the Federal Building.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 8, 2011
County accepting applications for driver education assistance

Manatee County now is taking applications for enhancing driver education programs at public and private schools.

  • East County
  • News
The meeting, held at 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, will start at 5:45 p.m. The budget discussion is slated to start just before 6 p.m. and be voted on around 8 p.m.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 8, 2011
School Board to adopt budget

Board members are considering the adoption of a $598 million budget tonight.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 8, 2011
News Briefs

Bartolotta will hold weekly office hours; Ringling Fountain to be rebuilt

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 8, 2011
Board wants reports of contractor fraud

A city board established to combat contractor fraud wants residents who have been too embarrassed previously to report their fraud cases.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 8, 2011
Marina Jack trial could be a year away

A lawsuit filed by Marina Jack that disputes the claim the restaurant owes $1.5 million in back property taxes could take another year to go to trial.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • September 8, 2011
FWC to help protect canal manatees

Increased regular patrols in the Grand Canal and more ticketing of speeding boaters should serve as reminders about safe speeds, officers say.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Kevin Kenney
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • September 8, 2011
9/11: Securing the president

Two Sheriff's Office veterans reflect on the rapid change of plans on Sept. 11.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 8, 2011
UPDATE: Commission approves 5.3% millage hike

On a first reading Tuesday night, Sarasota city commissioners approved, by a 3-2 vote, a higher millage rate, 2.9249 mills, for fiscal year 2012.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Key business owners are happy to have some signage up to mark Siesta Beach’s No. 1 ranking in the country, but they hope to see better displays in the future.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • September 8, 2011
Residents lukewarm to No. 1 Beach signs

To get around zoning restrictions, county staff has created and erected at SCAT stops on the Key a version of a No. 1 Beach sign that business owners and the island's county commissioner find aesthetically displeasing.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sgt. Chris Laster, on Patriot, and Deputy Sean Brophy, atop Valor, patrol Nokomis Public Beach.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 8, 2011
Video: Horses bridge public and law enforcement

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Mounted Patrol is a specialized unit that serves neighborhoods, civic functions, holidays and special events.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 8, 2011
Cops Corner: Pelican Press

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner

  • Sarasota
  • News
Carla and Paul Barbosa.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • September 8, 2011
Siesta Chamber networks at luncheon

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce held a luncheon Sept. 2, at Capt. Curt's Crab and Oyster Bar. The members enjoyed seafood while they networked and escaped the hot summer sun outside.Â

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
After news about an overflowing Village garbage can reached Interim County Administrator Terry Lewis, county staff wasted little time in tackling the problem. Photo by Chris Kernan.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • September 8, 2011
Island Beat: Lewis stays true to promise to keep Siesta Village clean

Siesta Key Realtor Chris Kernan found out last week that Interim County Administrator Terry Lewis is serious about keeping the Village clean.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Siesta Gulf View Unit 501 condominium, which has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,345 square feet of living area, tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. It sold for $872,000. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 8, 2011
Siesta Gulf View home tops this week's sales at $872,000

Jeanine Procassini, of Holmdel, N.J., sold her Unit 501 condominium at 420 Beach Road to Alan and Francine Inbinder, Chicago, for $872,000.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Arlene Fortsch caught this early morning rain over Little Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 8, 2011
Weekly Winner: Morning Shower

Arlene Fortsch caught this early morning rain over Little Sarasota Bay.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 8, 2011
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Sgt. Chris Laster, on Patriot, and Deputy Sean Brophy, atop Valor, patrol Nokomis Public Beach
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 8, 2011
Horses bridge public and law enforcement

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Mounted Patrol is a specialized unit that serves neighborhoods, civic functions, holidays and special events.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Little hero marigolds bloom brightly.
  • By Rick Wielgorecki
  • September 8, 2011
Home & Garden: Pick the right plants

Here are some tips about what to look for when you're at the nursery choosing plants for your landscape. As you consider possible purchases, select cultivars with brightly colored leaves and/or flowers.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Unit 408 at Bay Plaza condominium, 1255 N. Gulfstream Ave. has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,055 square feet of living area. It sold for $650,000. Rachel S. O'Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 8, 2011
Country Club of Sarasota home sells for $1,025,000

Robert and Sandra Van Langen, Sarasota, sold their home at 3917 Spyglass Hill Road to Mark and Gail Welch, of McLean, Va., for $1,025,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
...
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • September 8, 2011
Auditions prepare student for role as filmmaker

Jessica Knight, a senior studying digital filmmaking at Ringling College of Art and Design, is currently holding auditions for her thesis film, "A Fair Exchange."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bruce Lehman submitted this sunset photo, taken near the Cà d’Zan mansion in Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 8, 2011
Weekly Winner: Majestic Moment

Bruce Lehman submitted this sunset photo, taken near the Cà d'Zan mansion in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 8, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Sarasota

Enjoy a classic Cops Corner entry from the Sarasota Observer archives.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Mike Aiello, Elizabeth Trent, Rob Lindsey and Jason Russ
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • September 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: East Meets West Chambers of Commerce

Local Chambers of Commerce gathered at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium for a fun networking event.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Moderator Judith Sedgeman poses with panelists Christopher Wenzel, Jackie Barron, Luke Bencie, Dan Hoffe and Bonnie Silvestri
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Triumph Over Tragedy event at USFSM

The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee honored the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with a program called Triumph over Tragedy: Remembering 9/11 a Decade Later, Wednesday, Sept. 7, inside Selby Auditorium.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Karin Buffett and Mitzie Henson’s daughters play volleyball together at ODA.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund Announcement

More than 50 supporters of the Taylor William Emmons Memorial Foundation and All Faiths Food Bank gathered together at the home of Lakewood Ranch residents Mike and Katie Emmons for a special announcement, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and conversation Sept. 7. During the event, Mike and Katie Emmons, whose son Taylor was killed in an accident in December 2010, announced a partnership between the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund and All Faiths Food Bank. Beginning in early December, the foundation will be selling holiday wreaths, as part of its Taylor's Trees program, with half of the proceeds going to the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund and the other half going directly to All Faiths Food Bank.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • September 7, 2011
ODA falls to Bradenton Christian

The Out-of-Door Academy volleyball team fell to district rival Bradenton Christian 25-15, 25-15, 25-22 Sept. 6.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Sarasota City Commission rescinded nine previously approved grants for three summer youth programs after the results of an audit revealed double billing practices.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 7, 2011
Summer youth programs questioned

An audit of the Newtown Summer Youth Program has prompted a criminal investigation and will lead to increased oversight from city staff.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Oscar, 2 1/2, and Emilia, 4 1/2, Estrada work on making sand castles Wednesday, Sept. 7 on Siesta Key beach. The Estrada family, from Bolivia, is on a 2-week family vacation.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • September 7, 2011
Photo of the Day: Playing on la playa

Vacationers continue to make their way to the no. 1 beach in the country even with the looming gray, cloudy skies. Oscar, 2 1/2, and Emilia, 4 1/2, Estrada enjoyed their Wednesday afternoon making sand castles.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
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