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Your Observer

Under the new process, the School Board will act as the primary information-gathering body and will hold workshops to discuss budget-related issues and gather information from staff, departments and the community.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 22, 2011
Superintendent announces new budget process

A new budget development process is being implemented for the Manatee County School District's 2012-2013 school year.

  • East County
  • News
Van and Diana Neely and Mickey Gager
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 21, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Pioneer Day Fish Fry

The Historical Society's Pioneer Day Fish Fry begged the question: Grouper or Mullet? But pioneers and other Longboat Key Residents seemed to enjoy both equally on Friday, Oct. 21 at Mar Vista. Mar Vista served the seafood along with other southern comfort foods: fried green tomatoes, okra and cheese grits.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Joe Barbetta poses with Linda and Bob Long and Norma Roembke Friday, Oct. 21, at St. Boniface's.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 21, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Oktoberfest at St. Boniface

St. Boniface and the Siesta Key/Greater Sarasota Republican Club enjoyed an evening full of bratwurst, pork tenderloin, apple strudel, beer and live German music Friday, Oct. 21, at St. Boniface's.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Commissioner Phill Younger holds one of two at-large seats on the Longboat Key Town Commission.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 21, 2011
Future charter committee to address Younger suggestion

A future charter review committee will discuss Commissioner Phill Younger's suggestion for reconfiguring the commission.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Alise Mirikitani, 8, proved she had a good reach.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 21, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: YMCA Fall Festival

East County residents gathered Oct. 21 at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA for the Y's annual Fall Festival event. Children and their families enjoyed carnival-style games, music and other festivities.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High football team improved to 3-0 in Class 6A-District 7 with a 35-21 victory over Dixie Hollins Oct. 21.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 21, 2011
Mustangs remain perfect in district

The Lakewood Ranch High football team scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to secure a 35-21 victory over visiting Dixie Hollins in a Class 6A-District 7 Oct. 21.

  • East County
  • Sports
Valerie Byford submitted this sunset photo, taken near Marina Jack in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 21, 2011
Weekly Winner: Boater's Paradise

Valerie Byford submitted this sunset photo, taken near Marina Jack in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The suspects stole $40 cash and a $150 metro PCS phone. They returned to their vehicle and fled the area.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 21, 2011
Man robbed at gas station

A Sarasota man was robbed at gunpoint at a gas station in the 2800 block of University Parkway Oct. 20.

  • East County
  • News
Cindy Kaiser, outgoing executive director of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 21, 2011
Kaiser departing Education Foundation

Cindy Kaiser, executive director of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County since 2007, is leaving the organization to handle long-term family health issues, the foundation announced Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents and visitors may still use the Turtle beach area, but are urged not to wade, swim or participate in any other water recreation event until the advisory is lifted. It is still safe to fish and consume fish caught in this area. File photo.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • October 21, 2011
Beach water advisory issued for Turtle Beach

Sarasota County Health Department officials discovered an elevated level of enterococci (enteric) bacteria from beach water samples.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Mark Smith, president of the board of directors of All Faiths Food Bank.
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 21, 2011
IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Mark Smith

President of the board of directors of All Faiths Food Bank; he has been a member of the board since 2006.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 21, 2011
COMMUNITY SPORTS TIPS: Grip

This week, Tara Golf & Country Club PGA Golf Professional Melissa Williams shares tips on improving your grip.

  • East County
  • Sports
Max Goldner enjoys the beach on Long Island but is currently prohibited by town codes from visiting Longboat Key’s beaches.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 21, 2011
Committee to sniff out dog beach issues

The Longboat Key Town Commission agreed that a committee should discuss ways to compromise on allowing dogs to access a small section of the island's beaches.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sally Schule, Gwen MacKenzie, Kyla Weiner, Susan Jones and Alex Quarles
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 20, 2011
Key to the Cure 'The Pink Party'

Key to the Cure 'The Pink Party'

  • Black Tie
Dr. Janet Whitlock was surprised by all the people who were in the hospital to greet her and wish her a happy birthday and congratulate her on 30 years as a veterinarian at Beneva Animal Hospital.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • October 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Surprise party at Beneva Animal Hospital

The Beneva Animal Hospital held an open house and surprise birthday and anniversary party on for Dr. Janet Whitlock, Thursday, Oct. 20 at the hospital. Whitlock has been the owner and main veterinarian at the facility for 30 years.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Women’s Club of Lakewood Ranch members Linda McGrath and Gunnel Nilsson both live in Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY:Lakewood Ranch Women's Club Bazaar, Boutique and Luncheon

Members of the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club enjoyed an afternoon of socializing and shopping during the club's fifth annual Bazaar, Boutique and Luncheon Oct. 19 at Fete Ballroom at the Polo Grill and Bar. Guests enjoyed perusing the various boutiques and vendors who were displaying a variety of items, including quilts, light boys, children's toys, scrapbooking accessories, handmade doll clothes, plants, jewelry and more, before sitting down to lunch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
These doves found a comfy perch on Lakewood Ranch Main Street today.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 20, 2011
PHOTO OF A DAY: Birds of a feather

These doves found a comfy perch on Lakewood Ranch Main Street today.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rev. Dean Taylor
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 20, 2011
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Rev. Dean Taylor

Rev. Dean Taylor arrived this month at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, do you know these things about him?

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 20, 2011
IDA approves positions, website

The Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority today approved plans to hire several part-time employees and to create a new governance website.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 20, 2011
Sheriff to step up DUI enforcement

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office will increase DUI enforcement Oct. 25 through Nov. 1.

  • East County
  • News
Pictured are Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, Dr. Andre Renard, School Board member Julie Aranibar and County Commission candidate Vanessa Baugh. Photo courtesy of Michael Polin.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: LECOM hosts gala

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton on Oct. 15 hosted a fundraiser.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Owen Comora
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 20, 2011
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT: Owen Comora

Do you know the senior senior bird naturalist at Myakka River State Park, Owen Comora?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Photo courtesy of Samantha Ramon
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 20, 2011
USF student crowned countess

Samantha Ramon, a senior criminology major at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, was recently crowned the 2011 Homecoming Countess.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 20, 2011
Prairie dog digs his new burrow

He's known for getting into all kinds of riffraff beneath the Bobby Jones Golf Club. But Putter the prairie dog has settled into his new digs at Sarasota Jungle Gardens and will be officially welcomed during a homecoming celebration by the gardens, Mayor Suzanne Atwell and the city of Sarasota at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Next month, when 3 million US Airways passengers pick up their in-flight magazine, they’ll be thumbing through 50 pages jam-packed with pictures and text — all about Sarasota.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 20, 2011
Sarasota to fly sky-high

What started out as a 14-page advertising section featuring Sarasota's cultural organizations has more than tripled in size.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 20, 2011
News Briefs

Walmart on schedule for North Trail site; SCVB and Sarasota Chalk Festival partner; City creates business welcome packets

  • Sarasota
  • News
Michelle Zirkle works on her serve during her tennis lesson with pro Michael Skwira on a court at the Siesta Key Public Beach. Photo by Rachel S. O'Hara
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 20, 2011
Siesta Key tennis court rumors prove untrue

County staff has reassured Key residents that tennis courts will be available at all times when work begins on the planned Siesta Public Beach improvements.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 20, 2011
Commissioners confident about candidate timeline

The majority of the Sarasota County commissioners believe they are allowing ample time to receive applications for a new county administrator. If they do not find the applicant pool adequate, they will extend the process.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City Manager Bob Bartolotta has denied allegations of impropriety.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 20, 2011
Bartolotta denies allegations of computer scrubbing

The city manager emphatically called the charge of computer scrubbing 'completely unfounded.'

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Rachel Brown Hackney
  • October 20, 2011
School board to consider other district advertising policies

The Sarasota County School Board will wait six months to see how other Florida districts develop advertising policies before deciding on action.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 20, 2011
FULL STORY: Police pensions safe for now

The Sarasota City Commission Monday agreed night to table a proposal to force police officers into a 401(k) plan.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Ford-Coates
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 20, 2011
News Briefs

Citizens Academy enrollment open; Ford-Coates honored for finance operations; School district to host 2011 Fall College Night; Sheriff's Office receives forensics grant

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 20, 2011
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 20, 2011
Ranch CDDs to meet

Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts and the Inter-District Authority Board will discuss a new governance website, among other topics, at a meeting today.

  • East County
  • News
It’s an overcast, breezy day out at the Celery Fields, and Owen Comora is leaning against his SUV with a set of binoculars draped around his neck.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 20, 2011
Neighbors: Owen Comora

As the senior bird naturalist at Myakka River State Park, Owen Comora has devoted more than 4,000 volunteer hours to his passion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 20, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Kudos to truth on occupiers and tea party; Occupy and tea party differences backward; What happened to just working hard?; More questions about county arrogance

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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