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Your Observer

The home at 6389 Hollywood Blvd., in Sarasota, has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 4,216 square feet of living area. It sold for $1 million. Photo by Rachel S. O’Hara.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 4, 2011
Home in The Oaks sells for $1.8 million

A home in the Oaks II subdivision tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Russell and Vivian Beckwith, Osprey, sold their home at 468 Walls Way to John and Suzette Lodge, Sarasota, for $1.8 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Recently awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, Urfer Family Park has also been nominated for “America’s Favorite Park.”
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • August 3, 2011
Urfer Family Park nominated for 'America's Favorite Park'

Sarasota's Urfer Family Park could win a $100,000 grant.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The project will install erosion-control structures on the north end of the island and deposit sand along high-erosion areas.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 3, 2011
Judge validates $16 million beach bond

The town can move forward with its beach project after a ruling from a Sarasota judge.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The incident occurred in the 7000 block of State Road 70 East, Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2011
Man arrested for selling marijuana

A 29-year-old man was arrested early this morning.

  • East County
  • News
Ken Thompson Park, near Mote Marine Laboratory, will hold a National Estuaries Day next month.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2011
National Estuaries Day planned

A National Estuaries Day celebration will be held Sept. 24 at Ken Thompson Park near Mote Marine Laboratory.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dancers show off their best moves for the judges Wednesday, August 3 during the Florida State DanceSport Championships at the Ritz Carlton Sarasota.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • August 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Florida State DanceSport Championships

Ballroom dancers from around the state of Florida came out to show off their stuff Wednesday, August 3 in the ballroom of the Ritz Carlton Sarasota for the Florida State DanceSport Championships.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Click inside to see one of our favorite Cops Corner entries from the archives.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day: Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Only programs that require at least 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training will be eligible.
  • By Rob Roy
  • August 3, 2011
Traffic tickets to help fund driver's education

A $5 surcharge on traffic fines will generate $235,000 for the school district to put toward driver's-education programs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Drivers along Lakewood Ranch Boulevard this morning viewed a picture-perfect rainbow after a brief rain shower.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Regal Rainbow

Scattered rain storms today created a picture-perfect moment.

  • East County
  • News
Tessa Sollom Williams
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2011
Key ballerina is recognized

Tessa Sollom Williams, former ballet coach for the pre-junior ballet students of Sarasota Ballet School, was recognized for her work by the Royal Academy of Dance, in London.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2011
Stolen pot issue buds on island

It seems Longboat Key has a pot problem. No, the town isn't going up in smoke.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 3, 2011
Timeline: The case for the Colony

1969 - Dr. Murray "Murf" Klauber and a business partner purchased the Colony for $3.5 million with plans to turn it into a 'tennis-centric' resort...

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Colony property has virtually stood empty since August 2010, after unit owners took possession of their units, and the hotel closed. Photo by Rachel S. O’Hara.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 3, 2011
Judge reverses bankruptcy rulings against the Colony.

Dr. Murray "Murf" Klauber could recoup damages from the Colony Association.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Beth Callans, president and owner of Beth Callans Management, in 2010.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 3, 2011
Callans management company misses payroll

The Longboat Key-based Beth Callans Management will close later this week, employees say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jim Eatrides and Kevin Barile estimate that their latest plan took more than 1,000 man hours to compile.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 3, 2011
Plan seeks to open lines of communication

Cell-phone tower plan calls for a 150-foot stealth cellular tower on the 4.5-acre Longboat Island Chapel property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 3, 2011
Town millage rate stays flat

The town 's recommended budget for fiscal year 2011-12 keeps the millage rate flat and includes a $52,400 budget surplus.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 3, 2011
Breakdown: What Judge Merryday said

The following is a breakdown of Tampa-based U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday's two orders that reversed the actions and rulings made by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge K. Rodney May in August 2009 concerning the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort bankruptcy hearings.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dr. Murray “Murf” Klauber, longtime Colony owner.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 3, 2011
Colony key players

These are the key players in the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort's future.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • August 3, 2011
Colony: What happens next?

Both sides in the ongoing Colony Beach & Tennis Resort bankruptcy litigation case differ on what recent federal appeals court rulings mean for the future.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2011
New church plans clothes giveaway

The Source Church will host its second City-Reach Clothing Giveaway beginning at 10 a.m., Aug. 13, at the church, 5412 S.R. 64 E.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2011
Ranch Chabad kids enjoy Camp Gan

Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch are helping kids create lifelong memories through its summer-long Camp Gan Israel.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The straw poll question will be : "Do you favor submitting a bill to the Florida Legislature to consider the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch as a city?"
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2011
Straw poll seeks Lakewood Ranch residents' opinion

Lakewood voters will receive straw poll ballots regarding incorporation beginning this week.

  • East County
  • News
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2011
Suspect's arrest relieves Lakewood residents

George Hand has been arrested in connection with an armed home invasion July 26 in Edgewater. Hand also is the key suspect in a similar incident.

  • East County
  • News
The park includes a fishing dock, volleyball courts, more than a mile of hiking trails, a multi-purpose field, a tree house playground and a picnic pavilion, as well as a canoe and kayak launch.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2011
Bennett Park nears completion

Manatee County officials hope to open the 180-acre Tom Bennett Park by early September.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee YMCA CEO Sean Allison said improvements will help meet the needs of existing members while providing increased capacity.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2011
Lakewood Ranch Y starts expansion

When complete, the improvements will create about 20,000 more square feet of space for YMCA programming.

  • East County
  • News
When school starts Aug. 22, children at Braden River will be wearing school uniforms for the first time.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 3, 2011
Braden River adopts dress code

When school starts later this month, children at Braden River Elementary School will be wearing school uniforms.

  • East County
  • News
Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 3, 2011
COMMENT: Joe Hills receives contract with Titans

I only had the opportunity to cover Joe Hills for one season before moving to the East County Observer, but at the time, I remember thinking how it wouldn't be long before I heard his name again.

  • East County
  • Sports
Olivia Ogles has set personal bests in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and the long jump since joining the Florida Express Track Club earlier this year.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 3, 2011
Haile student excels at long jump

Haile Middle School eighth-grader Olivia Ogles finished ninth in the long jump at the 15th annual Amateur Athletic Union Club Championship July 13-17, in Orlando.

  • East County
  • Sports
After 18 years behind the plate, Guy Vilt left today for his next umpiring job — the Little League Baseball Southeastern Region Tournament.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 3, 2011
Glenbrook resident will umpire for a Southeastern regional tournament

District 26 Little League umpire Guy Vilt was selected to umpire the Little League Baseball Southeastern Region Tournament Aug. 5-12, in Warner Robbins, Ga.

  • East County
  • Sports
  • By Rod Thomson
  • August 3, 2011
INCORPORATION: Costs in a new city

For more residents, the debate regarding becoming a city comes down to finances. However, without a crystal ball, the only source of that data is the criticized Hank Fishkind feasibility study.

  • East County
  • News
Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 3, 2011
Bishop heads home ... until next year

The Most. Rev. David Zubik, bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, has been spending one-week vacations on Longboat Key for years - 15, to be exact. During his visits, he leads Masses at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photo courtesy of Mary Lou Johnson
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 3, 2011
Tennis club ladies ditch their makeup for the day

Lady tennis players at the Longboat Key Club joined Makeup Free Mondays, a movement standing for much more than leaving off the eye shadow.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2011
Chef Jamie stands the heat in 'Hell's Kitchen'

On Monday's episode of 'Hell's Kitchen,' Chef Jamie Gregorich, sous chef at Euphemia Haye, proved she can stand the heat in the kitchen - by surviving another elimination.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • August 3, 2011
Fire destroys unit at Westchester

Mark Benjamin was working Thursday night, when a fellow Longboat Key Turtle Watch volunteer, who was on the beach for a turtle-nest opening, called him to say that Westchester condominium, where Benjamin lives, was on fire.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Letters to the Editor
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2011
Letters to the Editor: 08.03.11

I did not move here to live with other people's pets; Trial run for dogs on beach, Publix rebuild are great ideas; It's incorrect to say majority supports Key Club project

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Loris Birnkrant
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • August 3, 2011
Obituaries: Loris Birnkrant

Loris Birnkrant, 92, of Longboat Key and Birmingham, Mich., died July 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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