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Your Observer

Lakewood Ranch High's Kristin Zarrella, Devin McDermott, Michelle Last and Olivia Ortiz
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
Just the Stats 5.05.11

See the Observer's by-the-numbers breakdown of the week in East County sports.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rhoda Tanui
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Rhoda Tanui (VIDEO)

Fifteen-year-old East County resident Rhoda Tanui returned from a shoulder injury to win the Girls 18 Spring Super Series Tennis Tournament April 23-24 at Countryside Golf & Tennis Club in Clearwater.

  • East County
  • Sports
Alex Long
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
OBSERVER TEAM SPOTLIGHT: Alex Long

Each week, The East County Observer will introduce one player from the Lakewood Ranch Little League Observer team.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
SPORTS BRIEFS

Pirates outfielder signs with HCC; Distance squad anchors Lady Mustangs; and Wave Runners post impressive results.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 3, 2011
Ranch's Premier to host national tryouts

The Clearwater Chargers and the Premier Sports Campus of Lakewood Ranch invite soccer players to the United States Soccer Federation Development Academy tryouts from 6-8:30 p.m., May 4, at the campus in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Public Works Director Juan Florensa is trying to prevent an aging pipe from failing under Gulf of Mexico Drive anywhere else.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 3, 2011
Pipe inspections to begin this summer

The town plans to inspect other areas of an aging wastewater pipe under Gulf of Mexico Drive this summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lynn Fletcher and his grandson, Max, enjoy watching Hugh and Buffett swim around Tuesday, May 3 at Mote Marine.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • May 3, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Manatee Mystique

Going to Mote Marine is always an exciting way to spend the day. Lynn Fletcher got to enjoy watching his grandson, Max, see his first ever manatee.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2011
Wave Runners post impressive results

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners sent 23 swimmers to the St. Petersburg Aquatics Long Course Meet April 15-16.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Out-of-Door Academy sophomore Alex Horan pitched a complete game, leading the Thunder to a district title.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: District Baseball Tournament

The Out-of-Door Academy captured its second district title in three years with a 1-0 victory over Shorecrest Prep in the Class 2A-District 11 championship game April 28. In Class 4A-District 10, Lakewood Ranch defeated rival Braden River 6-2 in the district semifinals April 27. The Mustangs went on to finish as the district runner-up with a 5-4 loss to Seminole Osceola April 29.

  • East County
  • Sports
The meeting will start at 9 a.m., April 5 at the county administrative building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 3, 2011
Commissioners to consider East County proposals

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday will hear proposals regarding several East County developments.

  • East County
  • News
McKenzie Mortiz, left, and her friend Cassie Wilson, right, got an autograph from Disney star Shane Harper. Photo submitted by Keri Moritz.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 3, 2011
Disney star visits Ranch Imagine

Disney Channel singer and songwriter Shane Harper made a special visit to Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch Monday.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Love bugs find a cozy corner on Main Street, between Orange and Lemon avenues.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • May 3, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Love is in the air

Also known as the honeymoon bug, kissing bug or double-headed bug, Love bugs seem to be everywhere lately.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Three lame-duck commissioners had wanted to make advisory board appointments during their final meeting.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • May 3, 2011
Sarasota commission delays Planning Board appointments

After an attorney threatens to sue over lame-duck appointments, commissioners delay a vote on Planning Board members.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 2, 2011
Commission grants Colony request

The Longboat Key Town Commission will allow the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association to re-open by Dec. 31, 2012.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
John Fain and Angela Massaro-Fain, of Grapevine Communications International Inc., received the award for 2010 Small Business of the Year.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • May 2, 2011
Sarasota Chamber announces small business awards finalists

Winners will be announced Tuesday, June 2, at the 2011 Frank G. Berlin, Sr., Small Business Awards luncheon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 2, 2011
Distance squad anchors Lady Mustangs to regional runner-up finish

The Lakewood Ranch High girls track team won all four of the distance events at the Class 3A-Region 3 meet April 28 at Charlotte High, propelling the Lady Mustangs to a second-place finish.

  • East County
  • Sports
IMG Soccer Academy goalkeeper Mike Mitchell saves a shot by RSL Florida's Jake Frahm.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Florida Youth Soccer Association State Cup Challenge Round of 16

More than 4,000 soccer players and their families from across the state converged for the Florida Youth Soccer Association State Cup Challenge Round of 16 April 30 through May 1 at the new Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch. Sixty-four teams ranging in age from U15 to U18 competed in the tournament, which was hosted by the Clearwater Chargers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Have you seen me and my alligator? Click "READ MORE" and leave your guess!
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • May 2, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Guessing game

Can you guess where in Sarasota this lifelike sculpture is located?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 2, 2011
Classic Cops of the Day

Enjoy this Classic Cops Corner entry from our archives.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Tim Thurman led the Longboat Key Turtle Watch group that found the first nest Sunday on the Manatee County side of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 2, 2011
Two turtle nests found on first day of season

Volunteers found the first loggerhead turtle nests of the season Sunday on Longboat Key. Volunteers also discovered a nest this morning on Siesta Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The commission also will consider a parking ordinance that prohibits parking in the state right-of-way along Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 2, 2011
Commission considers Colony request tonight

The Longboat Key Town Commission will decide whether to allow the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort to re-open by Dec. 31, 2012.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
If commissioners choose not to raise the business tax this year, they will have to wait until 2014 to do so again.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • May 2, 2011
Commission considers raising business tax

State law allows the city to increase the local business tax by 5% every two years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River High School's TSA team came home as state champions.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 2, 2011
Manatee students sweep TSA competition

Braden River High School's Technology Student Association team caputured the championship crown. Lakewood Ranch took third.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch student Julia Goldman loved reading her group's story to the Bashaw students.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • May 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: "Winnie the Pooh and Shakespeare, Too"

Lakewood Ranch High School students shared children's stories they wrote with students at Bashaw Elementary School during the annual "Winnie the Pooh and Shakespeare, Too" event April 29. The high-schoolers also created educational activities to go along with their stories.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The FCAT Fun Day featured a variety of inflatable bounce houses and obstacle courses.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • May 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Tara FCAT Fun Day

Tara Elementary School students enjoyed a day of bounce houses and games following the FCAT during the school's annual FCAT Fun Day April 29. The celebration gave all students a chance to relax following the test.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Twelve ladies from the Longboat Key Club were guests of the Welch Family Foundation.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 1, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: First Step of Sarasota 7th Annual Golf Classic

More than 100 golfers and volunteers spent a fun-filled day on the green during First Step of Sarasota's 7th Annual Golf Classic April 29 at the Legacy Golf Club. Players enjoyed a continental breakfast before hitting the course for a round of golf. Once they were done playing, participants gathered together for a buffet-style lunch, silent auction and raffles and a helicopter ball drop.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Samara Meshad and Ashtin Frank danced the night away.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 1, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: ODA Prom

Juniors and seniors at the Out-of-Door Academy danced the night away April 30 during the school's prom at the Palm Aire Country Club. The event, which featured caricatures and poker, as well as ice cream and dancing, was themed "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

  • East County
  • Schools
Susan Angerman, Coral Pleas and Mary King
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 30, 2011
American Business Women's Assocation Fundraiser Runway Party

American Business Women's Assocation Fundraiser Runway Party

  • Black Tie
Mary Ann Deacon with Anne and Tony Murfin
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 30, 2011
Consumer Tasting, Brunch and Tasting Auction

Consumer Tasting, Brunch and Tasting Auction

  • Black Tie
Sierra Yeomans gets ready to make a putt.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • April 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Dance Art Food Festival

The Dance Art Food Festival featured dance performances, unique art vendors and eight authentic cuisines prepared by Chef Paul Mattison and was held at Van Wezel.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marlow's owner brought him out to enjoy Siesta Fiesta.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • April 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Fiesta

The 33rd annual Siesta Fiesta returned to Siesta Key over the weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Anna Carreira, Morena Robinson, Kate Konecny, Colin Iverson, Cha Cha Bugatti and Kelsey Dow break it down on the dance floor.
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • April 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: RHS PROM

Dressed to impress in gowns and tuxes, Riverview High School seniors stepped into the Ritz-Carlton ballroom for a night they'd never forget -- prom! The event was themed "Tomorrow Never Dies."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Charlie Morse and Bill Robinson won the Puttin on the Ritz tournament last year.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Puttin on the Ritz

Dozens of members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance showed off their putting skills during the organization's annual Puttin on the Ritz event April 29. Members and their guests enjoyed a lunch and silent auction before hitting the course at The Ritz-Carlton Member's Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch. A trophy was awarded to the winning team and the winner of the putting contest received a new putter valued at $100.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lady Pirates celebrate after making school history with a win over rival Lakewood Ranch in the regional semifinals April 29.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 30, 2011
Lady Pirates rally to advance to finals (VIDEO)

The Braden River High softball team scored six unanswered runs to defeat rival Lakewood Ranch 6-4 in the Class 4A-Region 3 semifinals April 29.

  • East County
  • Sports
Officials broke ground around 8 a.m.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Cattlemen groundbreaking

Sarasota and Manatee County officials today broke ground on the extension of Cattlemen Road, just before the start of the Florida State Championship Regatta.

  • East County
  • News
Brittany Ann Ornsby currently is taking medication, which investigators say is a concern.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 30, 2011
Deputies searching for missing Lakewood Ranch woman

According to Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports, 18-year-old Brittany Ann Ornsby was last seen at her house on Tumble Wood Trail before 10:30 p.m. last night.

  • East County
  • News
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