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Your Observer

Shannon Staub made an emotional farewell speech to her constituents and fellow commissioners today.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • September 15, 2010
Staub announces retirement

In a tearful statement, County Commissioner Shannon Staub announces she's leaving her post at the end of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ross Alander
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 15, 2010
Subcommittee makes final selections

A subcommittee formed to review operations at Town Hall selected six Longboat Key residents to interview department heads in September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota commissioners are expected to vote today to clarifying the definition of a strip club to specifically prohibit full nudity.
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • September 15, 2010
Final vote expected on strip-club rules

Some adult-business owners felt the vague wording of the current ordinance allowed them to have fully nude employees.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 15, 2010
Briefs

Briefs

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Owners Bill and Judy Carman stand in front of the three-story Carman’s Shoes & Handbags store on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 15, 2010
Carman's Shoes on Circle to close

After 45 years on the Circle, the shoe-and-handbag store will close.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 15, 2010
Town tax rate to rise 25.8%

The Longboat Key Town Commission voted 6-1 to pass a fiscal year 2010-11 budget on first reading that includes a tax rate of 1.8872 mills; the current rate is 1.5 mills.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County funds about one-third of the cost for Longboat Key's trolley route.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 15, 2010
Key trolley service questioned

The Manatee County Commission will make a decision later this week on its $285,000 portion of funding for the Longboat trolley route.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2010
Neal to host golf fundraiser

Neal Communities will hold its second Neal Communities Golf Challenge, a four-person golf scramble beginning with a shotgun start at 1 p.m., Sept. 25, at University Park Country Club, 7671 The Park Blvd.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2010
Mooney writers study in NYC

Cardinal Mooney High School juniors Lauren Ditaranto and Megan Runge recently returned from a three-week creative writing course at Columbia University in New York.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ashlie and Ryan Fulmer welcomed their baby, Easton, to his new Florida home on Aug. 23.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 15, 2010
Home, Sweet Home

Woodland church members Ryan and Ashlie Fulmer recently returned from Ethiopia with their 5-month-old son, Easton.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Ron Hirst, left, said Bashaw Elementary is in good hands under new Principal Joshua Bennett.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • September 15, 2010
Bennett assumes Bashaw's top post

Joshua Bennett, 33, is the youngest principal in the East County.

  • East County
  • News
Tara resident Joe Palacio Jr. came out to oppose the changes.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 15, 2010
Manatee planners support Tara residents in development battle

Proposed changes to the Tara development of regional impact now will head to the Manatee County commission. More than 1,200 residents have signed a petition against the project.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 15, 2010
Three amendments worth a 'yes'

The Longboat Observer looks at three of the six amendments on the upcoming ballot.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 15, 2010
Report reveals Colony renovation options

A project feasibility report performed by Karins Engineering Group Inc. states Colony unit owners could occupy the units again if they agree to pay $600,500.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Robert Strasser
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • September 15, 2010
Hospital board candidates tackle finances

Only two of six hospital board races are contested in the general election. Although it may not be top of mind to many voters, the hospital board races are an important part of Election Day, because the board has a significant say in how taxes are collected. Bad debt (patients not paying bills) is on the rise, and the board may have a debate on whether to raise the tax rate to balance the books.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 15, 2010
Cops Corner

Sept. 4 Family feud 10:45 p.m. - 500 block of Sutton Place. Domestic Violence. Two sisters were arrested for domestic battery after they began throwing punches at each other and breaking objects in a condominium. One of the sisters accused the other one of texting too much on her cell phone.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The furniture inside each of the resort’s 237 units remains.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 15, 2010
Colony Lender claims furniture

Colony Lender LLC and U.S. bankruptcy trustee William Maloney have reached an agreement to sell the Colony's furniture; unit owners continue to lay claim to the property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The furniture inside each of the resort’s 237 units remains.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • September 15, 2010
Colony Lender claims furniture

Colony Lender LLC and U.S. bankruptcy trustee William Maloney have reached an agreement to sell the Colony's furniture; unit owners continue to lay claim to the property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sue Wolverton, dressed as Sooner the horse, with her husband, Woody.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 15, 2010
Horsing around fulfills lifelong dream

Sue Wolverton crossed an item off of her bucket list when she performed as the University of Oklahoma's mascot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 15, 2010
OBITUARY: James Michael 'Mike' Callans

OBITUARY: James Michael 'Mike' Callans

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key's beaches were quiet on a recent Tuesday morning in September, typically the slowest month of the year on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 15, 2010
Coast is clear

During the early months of summer, Longboat hotel officials worried that misconceptions about the BP oil spill would impact tourism. Now, most report that summer business remained stable.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 15, 2010
Building Permits

These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Sept. 3 through Sept. 9, in order of dollar amounts. (GMD = Gulf of Mexico Drive)

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
This home at 1475 John Ringling Parkway in Lido Shores has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a pool and 3,937 square feet of living area. It sold for $2 million.
  • By Jessica Luck
  • September 15, 2010
Lido Shores home sells for $2 million

The top real-estate transaction for the week of Aug. 30 to Sept. 3 occurred in the Lido Shores subdivision.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
  • By Donna Swan
  • September 15, 2010
Deal Us In: Making a grand slam

In duplicate bridge, minor suits have become second-class citizens. Players tend to ignore the minor suits in favor of higher scoring notrump and major-suit contracts. Although that is a sound tactic at the game level and below, when it comes to slams, safety should be a concern.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Friends and family were there to witness Marie Thompson's first haircut in 23 years.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 15, 2010
LOVELY LOCKS

Lakewood Ranch Town Hall employee Marie Thompson cut her floor-length hair for Locks of Love.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Christian Church Pastor Jeff Weaver, a resident of Mill Creek, is eager for the church to get more involved in the community.
  • By Michael Eng and Pam Eubanks
  • September 15, 2010
Church growth continues out east

Four East County churches are taking big steps to widen their ministries in the community.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2010
News Briefs 09.16.10

A team of volunteers from Honor Sanctuary Animal Rescue this weekend launched the Fall Festival of Felines, a kitten adoption event.

  • East County
  • News
The complainant reported some information on a white male who could be involved in some vandalism activities that happened at the address.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2010
Cops Corner 09.16.10

The complainant reported some information on a white male who could be involved in some vandalism activities that happened at the address.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 15, 2010
University Place home tops weekly transactions

David and Annette Hall, DeBary, sold their home at 7642 Heyward Circle to Paul and Kathleen Cuviello, University Park, for $367,500.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Kadin Kerns says his father, assistant coach Greg Kerns, is his biggest role model.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • September 15, 2010
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Kadin Kerns

Braden River kicker Kadin Kerns was selected to IMG Madden Football Academy's All-Madden Team. He was one of only 27 players from across the country to earn the distinction.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2010
SPORTS BRIEFS 09.16.10

The Lakewood Ranch High School swim team will host a Parents Night Out fundraiser from 7:30-9:30 p.m., Sept. 22, at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre, 3333 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2010
Weather: Blues Clues

Frederico Bustos submitted this sunset photo, taken on Lido Beach. Please send your sunset (or sunrise) photos to The Longboat Observer, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Fla., 34228, or e-mail them to [email protected].

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Glenn Oster, Curly and Phyllis Jameson and Ruth Oster enjoyed the evening.
  • By Lee Bettes
  • September 14, 2010
Stoneybrook residents enjoy monthly potluck

Residents of Stoneybrook in Heritage Harbour gathered Sept. 10 for a "No Frills Italian Potluck." Attendees feasted on an assortment of Italian-themed food, while enjoying Italian music and photos from the recent vacation of residents Ken and Nancy Lively to La Bella, Italy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ten-year-old Noah Frantz thoroughly enjoyed dinner.
  • By Angel Birch
  • September 14, 2010
Freedom families feast on fun

Families of Freedom Elementary School gathered Sept. 10 for a special PTO pasta dinner, as well as a chance to hear about the school's curriculum and attend a book fair.

  • East County
  • Schools
Billy Bartens enjoyed lunch with his grandparents, Patricia and Richard Crispi, left, and Carol Bartens, right.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • September 14, 2010
BRE shows love for grandparents

More than 150 grandparents flocked to Braden River Elementary School Sept. 13 for the school's special Grandparent's Day luncheon. Braden River's Parent-Teacher Organization gave out special treats to grandparents who participated in the red hat and red tie contests.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • September 14, 2010
OBITUARY: George Raymond Devine

George Raymond Devine was a practicing dentist and oral surgeon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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