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Your Observer

The Winn-Dixie store at 3500 N. Tamiami Trail had served North Sarasota for about 40 years, but the store was one of 30 "underperforming" stores the chain closed last fall. Wal-Mart is proposing a supermarket on the same spot to serve the community.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 2, 2011
Wal-Mart eyes former Winn-Dixie

North Trail residents and redevelopment leaders said they are happy to see a new grocery store planning to replace the shuttered Winn-Dixie supermarket.

  • Sarasota
  • News
George Davis
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2011
Resident makes some fast friends

George Davis, a resident at The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch, is good at making friends with just about anyone - and anything.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Walter Gavin and Rhonda Post, one of the dessert judges, enjoy some of the desserts.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2011
Family Promises hosts sweet event

Family Promises held its third annual "Just Desserts" event Friday, May 20, at Selby Garden's Great Room by the Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A woman walks on the perimeter of the Five Points roundabout between Selby Five Points Park and First Watch restaurant. Planters will be placed on the corner of the roundabout at First Watch to guide pedestrians to the proper crosswalk.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 2, 2011
Pedestrians fail roundabout test

Because more than 30% of people walking through the Five Points roundabout failed to navigate it properly, the city will pay about $11,000 to funnel people into the crosswalks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 2, 2011
Meter Reader

The new paid-parking system has both its supporters and detractors, but it has also puzzled some people trying to use it for the first time.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sheriff Tom Knight presents Army Staff Sgt. Eddie Peoples with a commendation award for his bravery in capturing a bank robbery suspect.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 2, 2011
Army officer chases down bank robber (VIDEO)

After a gunman threatens his son inside a bank, a vacationing U.S. Army staff sergeant chases down the crook and disarms him.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2011
News Briefs

DID plans to makeover historic district; Patterson Foundation assists tornado victims; Mote Marine receives $1 million pledge; and meetings & agendas.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jim Ley
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2011
OUR VIEW: The lesson from Ley

In the totality of his tenure, you can easily argue Jim Ley performed well as Sarasota County administrator. So his resignation last week - or to be more precise, the circumstances that led to his departure - should not forever or indelibly blemish his 14-year record.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Yolanda Vodila enjoys Parker's company while she rests in her room. Vodila has five dogs of her own at home and talked about how eager she was to get back to all of them.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • June 2, 2011
Creature Comfort

When Ginger, Alie, Finnegan, Parker, Kara and Kirby hear the phrase, "Time to go to work!" these canines know just what to do.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home at 3049 Bay Shore Road in Indian Beach has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,215 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.9 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 2, 2011
Siesta Key home sells for $4.5 million

Legacy Holdings Group LLC sold the home at 8588 Midnight Pass Road to Daniel Williams, of Newfoundland, Canada, for $4.45 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2011
Legacy Grill team creates new legacy with first-place win

The Central Sarasota Little League AAA team Legacy Grill was undefeated in the playoffs and won its championship game Thursday, May 26 against Atlas Insurance, with a score of 16-12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2011
Cops Corner

1400 block of Main Street. Animal Bite. A man in a pickup truck stopped a police volunteer to ask her about the new downtown parking meters. When she reached in his truck to hand him a brochure, his dog clamped down on her arm.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Paul Peterzell submitted this sunset photo overlooking Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 2, 2011
WEEKLY WINNER: Breathtaking Bay

Paul Peterzell submitted this sunset photo overlooking Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The meeting starts at 9 a.m., at the county administrative building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 2, 2011
County considers sign ordinance

Manatee County commissioners today will consider new signage regulations.

  • East County
  • News
Youths spent the night sleeping under the stars.
  • By Ina Bingham
  • June 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 30-Hour Famine

Youth and young adults at Faith United Church of Christ embarked on a 30-hour famine May 27-28 to experience some of the life experiences of children in Haiti.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 1, 2011
Burglars target closed Ranch restaurant

Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports state unknown suspect(s) stole about $27,000 in appliances from Stingray's Grill, which closed in February.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 1, 2011
Scott apponts three to SCF board

Gov. Rick Scott today announced the appointments of Charlene J. Neal, Ann Y. Moore and Dr. Craig A. Trigueiro to the District Board of Trustees, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
Part of a $1 million donation will be used for community outreach.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • June 1, 2011
Mote Marine receives $1 million donation

The contribution from two anonymous supporters will fund vital projects at the world-famous marine laboratory.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Norma Scott replaced retiring Principal Ronna Paris two years ago. Since then, 13 teachers and staff members have either left McNeal or had their roles changed at the school.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 1, 2011
QUESTIONABLE ACTIONS?

Parents concerned about the leadership of McNeal Elementary Principal Norma Scott petitioned Manatee County School District leaders for action. However, district officials, other parents and some McNeal teachers say they support Scott.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 1, 2011
Bank takes Lakewood bowling alley site

Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch said it still is committed to bringing an entertainment hub to the community.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 1, 2011
Gullett students help cancer patient

Parents Rob and Shari Elliott stood in amazement before Gullett Elementary School's third-grade class May 27.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Piper Hansen
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 1, 2011
Third-grader hosts bake sale

Nine year-old Piper Hansen, daughter of musician "Koko" Ray Hansen and Diana Bogan, of Lakewood Ranch, organized a Share Our Strength Great American Bake Sale event from May 21 at the Anna Maria Island Community Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Heritage Harbour South Community Development District Supervisor Lee Bettes opens up a budget workshop on the district's storm water management system.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 1, 2011
Heritage Harbour CDD tackles budget

Supervisors on June 2 will decide what programs to cut from their proposed storm water management program.

  • East County
  • News
One of two eaglets practices flying near its nest.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 1, 2011
LEARNING TO FLY

The collapse of the bald eagle's nest at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Community spurred two eaglets to fly. Now, they are headed north.

  • East County
  • News
Brittany Wenger hopes to refine her project this summer.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • June 1, 2011
ODA student programs computer to detect cancer

Sophomore Brittany Wenger won second place in the 2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

  • East County
  • News
Gullett Elementary School teachers Denise Touchberry and Charlotte Latham recently started an after-school STEM Club for students.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 1, 2011
News Briefs

Gullett launches science and engineering club; Manatee County cuts 54 positions; County allows buffer variance; Neal Communities joins tech adventure; and Pastries by Design moving to Main St.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 1, 2011
Cops Corner

5000 block of 72nd Street E. Petit theft ($100-$300). The complainant reported a theft from her yard. Unknown person(s) took two hammocks, which were hanging from a tree in her front yard.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
  • By Rod Thomson
  • June 1, 2011
MY VIEW: Reforms, not money, working

School reforms have led to dramatic education results in Florida, even in the face of budget cuts.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 1, 2011
OUR VIEW: Too soon for the petitions

We get it: When you're in a battle, you do what you have to do, and you be aggressive about it. No stone unturned, as the cliche goes.

  • East County
  • Opinion
"It's so cool to see it come to life from a piece of paper," said art student Shelby Gillam, left, who helped design the statue with Brittney Pearman, Amber Wimmer and Alyssa Lambert.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 1, 2011
Art installation symbolizes Lakewood school spirit

Engineering II students recently completed a mustang statue, which was installed on the Lakewood Ranch High School campus last week.

  • East County
  • News
This home in University Park Country Club features three bedrooms, three baths and 3,923 square feet.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 1, 2011
University Park home sells for $990,000

A home in Hyde Park tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Clayton and Donna DeSantis sold their home at 7306 Westminster Court to Lee and Deborah Hirschey of Hammond, N.Y., for $990,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Freshman John Handy is one of three running backs on the Mustangs roster.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 1, 2011
Mustangs honor one of their own

The Lakewood Ranch High School football team renamed its Spring Game the Adrian Shawn Littlejohn Memorial Spring Football Game in honor of 14-month-old Adrian Littlejohn, who lost his battle with cancer May 1.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 1, 2011
Brotherly Love

Three sets of brothers were named to Manatee Cal Ripken Little League at Heritage Harbour's All-Star teams this spring.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 1, 2011
Six bucks: A small cost to show love

When you think about it, the cost of a ticket to a prep football game really isn't so bad.

  • East County
  • Sports
Krista Wells
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 1, 2011
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Krista Wells

Braden River graduate Krista Wells recently was named Ave Maria University softball team's MVP and was chosen first team all-conference for the Sun Conference.

  • East County
  • Sports
Curt Vellenga took this photo last March from his backyard in the Lexington subdivision in Parrish.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 1, 2011
WEEKLY WINNER: Scarlet Stunner

Curt Vellenga took this photo last March from his backyard in the Lexington subdivision in Parrish.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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