Your Observer

Robin Roy
July 28, 2011

Cops Corner: Pelican Press

July 18 Punchy Drunk 2:44 a.m. - 5200 block of Calle Menorca. Battery. Sheriff's deputies were called to a home where two men were fighting. Two friends were drinking and began arguing about girls. The victim told the deputy his friend grabbed him and threw him to the ground. The suspect had a different version of events: He said he was trying to get the victim to go inside the house, so his yelling wouldn't disturb the neighbors. The suspect said he grabbed his friend just to try to calm him down, and in doing so, they both ended up on the ground. The victim didn't have any visible marks and decided not to press charges.

Sarasota
News

Pam Eubanks
July 28, 2011

Manatee sheriff's office earns accolades for campaign

The Florida Department of Transportation recently awarded the Manatee County Sheriff's Office for its performance in the Click It or Ticket Challenge.

East County
News

Adam Hughes
July 28, 2011

Beach Villas condo tops sales at $1.375 million

A condominium in Beach Villas at the Oasis tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Rachel Brown Hackney
July 28, 2011

Island Beat: Bus stop proposal draws condo residents' wrath

With many details yet to be decided about the final Siesta Public Beach improvements, more residents are letting county commissioners know about aspects of the plan they don't like.

Siesta Key
News

Rachel S. OHara
July 28, 2011

Island Oasis

Exotic touches from the owners' travels complement the native flora in their garden.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
July 28, 2011

Alley Cat

Beth Owen-Cipielewski has been bowling since she was a child, but a recent renewed focus on her game has earned her a spot in a major international competition.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 28, 2011

Pelikids

Pelikids is a monthly feature highlighting the work of Sarasota County students. This month's offerings are from students at Southside, Gulf Gate and Lakeview elementary schools, along with Bay Haven School for Basics Plus.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 28, 2011

Weekly Winner: Far Horizons

TO SUBMIT WEATHER PHOTOS: Please send your photos to the Pelican Press, 1970 Main St., fourth floor, Sarasota, Fla., 34236, or email them to [email protected]. Please include where you took the photo when submitting photos, as well as your mailing address.

Siesta Key
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
July 28, 2011

Food Fight

The relationship between the owner of Patrick's Restaurant and Tavern and his landlord soured, which prompted a move down the street earlier this year.

Sarasota
News

Robin Roy
July 28, 2011

Assembly area to enhance cemetery

The Patterson Foundation has pledged millions of dollars to construct a large, shaded stage and seating area for special events, gardens and war memorials to honor veterans year-round.

Sarasota
News

Robin Roy
July 28, 2011

School budget drops by $225 million

The Sarasota County School Board will achieve savings in next year's budget mainly through reductions in capital projects and employee benefits.

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
July 28, 2011

City manager employs office hours

In an attempt to streamline efficiencies with the city's permitting process, office hours for the public will be held to address any concerns they have with city government operations.

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
July 28, 2011

DSA wants to attract more people downtown

The Downtown Sarasota Alliance has revamped its website and is launching an aggressive marketing campaign. to attract more people downtown.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
July 28, 2011

Future Girl Scouts suit up

Forty Carrots got a special visit Thursday, July 21 from the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
July 28, 2011

Riverview grad is England-bound

Riverview graduate Hunter Leeming is headed to the 2011 Junior World Rowing Championships beginning Aug. 3, in Eton, England.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
July 28, 2011

Seventh-graders keep tabs on campaign

Modeled after the movie, "Paperclips," seventh-graders at Temple Sinai launched a campaign to make the deaths of 6 million Jews in the Holocaust more tangible.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
July 28, 2011

Hair designer employs more than one creative channel

On the Diane K Salon & Spa website, hair designer/colorist John-Norman Tuck's bio says that: "Tuck loves to paint masterpieces with his clients' hair."

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
July 28, 2011

News Briefs

Road vacated for Selby Gardens project; City street resurfacing begins this week; Patterson Foundation pledges its support

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
July 28, 2011

Commission moves around meters

City commissioners agreed to move meters around and remove some altogether to appease business owners.

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
July 28, 2011

City ratifies Teamsters' Union three-year contract

A compromise on pensions allowed the city to come to terms on a new three-year contract agreement.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
July 28, 2011

Our View: A grand parking solution

Most rational people agree that parking is not free. Whether it is downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle or Westfield Southgate Mall.

Sarasota
Opinion

By David Merrill
July 28, 2011

My View: Schools: a vision renewed?

Something went wrong with the promise to use the extra school tax Sarasota County voters approved to make the school district "world class." The money poured in, but the scores declined.

Sarasota
Opinion

Rachel Brown Hackney
July 28, 2011

Summer brings honors, possibilities for CB's

The Siesta Key business has found itself in the national spotlight at the same time it weighs plans for a site it just bought on the Key.

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
July 28, 2011

Cops Corner

Dead on arrival? 11:06 p.m. - 4000 block of North Tamiami Trail. Suspicious Person. A man was found lying on the front doorway of a funeral home. No, he was not a delivery. He was just loitering and was asked to leave.

Sarasota
Cops Corner

Rachel S. OHara
July 28, 2011

Memorable Reunion

Riverview High School's class of 1991 celebrated its 20-year reunion Saturday, July 23, at Michael's On East.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Loren Mayo
July 28, 2011

Brother, sister duo to compete at CanAmMex Games

Last August, McKayla Taaffe, a senior at Pine View School, claimed her first gold medal at the 2010 U.S. Rowing Club National Championship, in Oak Ridge, Tenn. This August, she and her younger brother, Travis, a Pine View sophomore, are planning to take home the gold when they compete in the CanAmMex Games, in Canada.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Rachel S. OHara
July 28, 2011

Reverend follows his heart for trip

Rev. Michael Mansperger, of Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, plans to take a sabbitical for the first time in his more than 30-year career.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Adam Hughes
July 28, 2011

Casey Key home sells for $7.6 million

A home on Casey Key in Treasure Island Shores tops all real-estate transactions from July 11 to July 15. Ermon and Linda Pickard, of Savannah, Tenn., sold their home at 1011 Casey Key Road to Kenneth Rowe Investments Limited Partnership for $7,575,000. Built in 2004, it has six bedrooms, six baths, four-half baths, a pool and 10,291 square feet of living area.

Sarasota
Real Estate

Observer Staff
July 28, 2011

Business Observer

Community Foundation names new chief of staff; SMH opens Stickney Point Urgent Care Center; New Sarasota shop celebrates fine wine; USF Sarasota-Manatee appoints council members

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 28, 2011

Weekly Winner: Sky Light

T. Richard Chen submitted this sunset photo, taken in Palmer Ranch.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Observer Staff
July 28, 2011

Classic Cops of the Day: East County

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

East County
Cops Corner

Robin Roy
July 27, 2011

County adopts roadside memorial-marker policy

To memorialize people killed in car crashes, families can ask the county to create a personalized memorial sign to place near the site of the accident.