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Your Observer

Bob Stanley is managing broker of Coldwell Banker’s Longboat Key office.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 7, 2011
Coldwell sees increase in pending sales

Pending sales are up 38% from last June, while open sales increased by 26.5%.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
If Manatee County approves another $55,000 request, Longboat's marine patrol operations will be fully funded.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 7, 2011
Sarasota approves police funding

The Longboat Key Police Department will receive $55,000 in grant funding from Sarasota County.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The 3-2 vote came after commissioners heard from more than a dozen merchants, most of whom said that the meters, which went into effect May 23, have negatively impacted their businesses.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 7, 2011
Commission hits the brakes on meters

About 460 downtown parking spaces got some change at Tuesday's Sarasota City Commission meeting - and it wasn't in the form of coins. The commission voted to bag parking meters until Oct. 1 to allow the city to gather input from downtown business owners.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 7, 2011
Committee upholds police complaint rulings

In its second meeting, the Police Complaints Committee reviewed complaints against officers and found no fault with police actions. of police.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 7, 2011
Commission sends charter amendments to voters

On Nov. 1, Sarasota voters will head to the polls to vote on 23 amendments to the charter that could impact everything from commissioner pay to bond issues to the citizens' initiative process.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The bridge on Osprey Avenue, which spans Hudson Bayou, will undergo needed renovations during the road closure.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 7, 2011
Osprey Avenue closure schedule shifts

During construction of a new lift station, where U.S. 41 intersects with U.S. 301, a stretch of Osprey Avenue will now stay open during the winter months.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Urfer Family Park
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 7, 2011
Playgrounds may become tobacco-free

Tobacco use is already prohibited at many places around the county - beaches, baseball fields, Sarasota Memorial Hospital and county facilities, such as libraries and the Administration Center on Ringling Boulevard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2011
Sexy stilettos are talk of the town

Ladies (and some gentlemen) strapped on what they hoped would be the most comfortable "hiking" heels Saturday, July 2, for Sarasota's first 1 kilometer High Heel Hike to benefit autism.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 7, 2011
Community Golf Scores 06.22.11 to 07.06.11

East County golfers post amazing numbers on area courses.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kyle Klante watches as Chef James Besterre, of Annalida's, fries a crab-cake sandwich.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2011
Farmers Market offers seafood feast

Sarasota Farmers Market held its first Shrimp and Lobster Festival from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 2, in the parking lot on State Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2011
Observer seeks the dish on recipes

Does your chocolate-cake recipe truly take the cake? Or, maybe you have a saucy secret to the perfect spaghetti.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2011
New organization seeks to help military families

Longboat Key residents Joyce Rubin and Sheila Weiser grew concerned as they read the news reports about soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan - many who had depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

  • Sarasota
  • News
Coach Kirby Gallie, coxswain Arianna Robbins, Shawna Sims, Devin Norder, Cara Rawe, and Colleen Wohlrab
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2011
Scullers women take gold at competition

The Sarasota Scullers recently sent 16 rowers and five boats to compete against the country's most elite rowers in the U.S. Rowing Youth National Champions, in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2011
News Briefs

A home on Bird Key sells for $4.95 million; Siesta Key newsrack rules adopted; Sarasota County School District earns an 'A'; Robinson wins home-rule advocacy award

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2011
Our View: Sell Payne Park

The city of Sarasota is working diligently on a marketing and spending plan to get people to Payne Park, an underutilized city facility. In fact, the city is looking at many ways to attract people to the park, which since its opening four years ago has been a disappointment.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President Bobbi Larson with Jim Althouse of Infinity Technology Solutions
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 7, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Networking Social

Hundreds of local business professionals enjoyed an evening of networking during the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's monthly Networking Social July 6 at the Holiday Inn in Lakewood Ranch. Business professionals enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and drinks while networking and socializing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 7, 2011
Casey Key home sells for $3.05 million

The following residential real-estate transactions took place between June 20 and June 24. A home on Casey Key tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Sole Investments II LLC sold the home at 1215 Casey Key Road to Vincent and Donna Hartnett, of Chester Springs, Pa., for $3.05 million. Built in 1962, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,781 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $3,700,000 in 2005.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2011
Cops Corner

Backhanded compliment 12:02 a.m. - Main Street and Palm Avenue. Fight. Two acquaintances were having drinks at a restaurant bar. At some point in the evening, a third person told one of the men that he had an attractive girlfriend. That man's friend then added that she was much too attractive for him. The two friends began to argue, and the one who gave the backhanded compliment ended up with a torn shirt and a head butt to the face. He wants to press charges against his insulted friend.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Laurie Zak submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2011
Weekly Winner: Cloud Vision

Laurie Zak submitted this sunset photo, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 7, 2011
Heritage Harbour CDD cancels meeting

Supervisors still will meet at 2 p.m., July 14, at the River Strand Country Club, 7155 Grand Estuary Trail.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 7, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day

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

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 6, 2011
All-Star scoreboard for July 5

Braden River and Lakewood Ranch Little Leagues both came away with victories in the District 26 All-Star Baseball Tournament July 5.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day

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

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2011
McGonegal responds to criticism

Manatee Superintendent Tim McGonegal, whose contract was renewed through December of 2013 last week, has received criticism from constituents and even some board members in recent weeks.

  • East County
  • News
In the last three years, the district has cut $46 million from its operating budget and needs to cut at least an additional $11.16 million this year.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 6, 2011
Number Crunch

Superintendent Tim McGonegal is working on a budget that would include about $14 million in cuts.

  • East County
  • News
Robert Moates spent time working in the Florida Legislature before taking his teaching post at Lakewood.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 6, 2011
Batter Up

Lakewood Ranch baseball coach Robert Moates will run for a Manatee County School Board seat next year.

  • East County
  • News
Katie Brooks, Olivia Yaryura, Morgan LaMarc and Madelyn Kumar said they enjoyed meeting competitors from all over the world.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 6, 2011
Nolan students compete at international conference

Four students from Nolan competed for the first time in the Future Problem Solving Program International's International Conference in June.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2011
Calling all cute critters!

The Humane Society of Manatee County is looking for photogenic cats and dogs for its Pet Photo Calendar Contest. Pet lovers can enter the contest by linking to www.humanemanatee.org and clicking on the calendar website.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2011
Rotary inducts new officers, board

The Lakewood Ranch Rotary inducted its new board of directors and officers at a special dinner June 16, at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2011
Lakewood Ranch, Observer seek student essays

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, the East County Observer and Florida Bank are hosting a student essay contest to help commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2011
News Briefs

SCF hosts Workforce Forum; Manatee FCAT scores improve; We Care Manatee seeks donations

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2011
Cops Corner

7:52 p.m. - 6300 block of Rosefinch Court. Robbery by sudden snatching. The victim was robbed of $1,000 cash by sudden snatching. The victim received a telephone call from the suspect, who is a co-worker. The suspect told the victim he had two 54-inch TVs that he would sell to him for $500 each. The victim met the suspect, who asked to see the money. The victim pulled out the money to show him. The suspect snatched the money from the victim's hands and took off running. The victim got into his vehicle and chased after the suspect vehicle. The victim chased the suspect into Harbour Pointe Apartments before losing sight of the suspect.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2011
Our View: Re-think new house taxes

Building a new house in Manatee County will get a little more expensive beginning Oct. 1, thanks to the County Commission breezily approving a new impact fee schedule with nary a peep.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Rod Thomson
  • July 6, 2011
My View: Sarasota County got Benderson right

The Sarasota County Commission was right to eliminate the Benderson's affordable housing provision. But there is a bigger issue involved.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 6, 2011
Life After Incorporation

By far, the largest change under Lakewood Ranch incorporation would be a completely new governing body for the community. But, how would this affect residents in their day-to-day lives?

  • East County
  • News
Braden River and Lakewood Ranch competed in a best of five series, which Lakewood Ranch won July 2.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 6, 2011
Rivalry Showcase

Braden River and Lakewood Ranch Little Leagues were the only two teams in the 10- and 11-year-old division of this year's District 26 All-Star Baseball Tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
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