Your Observer

Pam Eubanks
May 5, 2010

Sarasota postpones decision on Villages

The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners continued the hearing for the Villages of Lakewood Ranch South until May 12.

East County
News

Pam Eubanks
May 5, 2010

Benderson: Business boom evidence of rebound

Since Jan. 1, nine businesses have opened their doors in Benderson Development's projects on University Parkway. More openings are expected by the end of summer.

East County
News

Pam Eubanks
May 5, 2010

Residents mobilize to battle Tara plans

The Twelve Oaks Advisory Committee has collected about 1,300 signatures in opposition to approvals sought by developer Lake Lincoln.

East County
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 5, 2010

IPOC will challenge code amendments

Attorney Michael Furen has prepared a petition challenge in the event the Town Commission approves code changes May 20.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
May 5, 2010

Longboat braces for Gulf oil-spill impact

Because oil leaking from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig could impact the Gulf Coast of Florida, local agencies prepare to help.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 5, 2010

Commission moves code changes forward

The commission forwarded code clarifications and changes suggested by the Longboat Key Club and Resort to a second reading Thursday, May 20.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 5, 2010

Town commission to review budget

On Wednesday, May 5, the Longboat Key Town Commission will review a year-to-date expenditure analysis and discuss police- and fire-department staffing levels.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 5, 2010

Larson questions employee benefits

Commissioner Lynn Larson wants the town to consider eliminating some of its employee contribution benefits.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
May 5, 2010

Commission to fight channel relocation

The commission believes a relocation of the Longboat Pass channel, as proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will have detrimental effects on the north end.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Special Report: Dueling Letters over Colony

In lieu of our weekly Opinion and Letters pages, we are reprinting letters sent last week to Colony Beach & Tennis Resort unit owners.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Michael Eng
May 5, 2010

FOREVER A MOM

Ever since her son, Josh Zawacki, was a little boy, East County mom Alison Almy promised him a sibling. On Josh's 21st birthday in 2008, she surprised him with news - she was having triplets.

East County
News

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

News Briefs 05.06.10

Courtney Starling, a 14-year-old student at Haile Middle School, died on the scene of a crash at 1:30 p.m., May 2, on Interstate 75 just south of I-275.

East County
News

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

April 22 Lager left behind 6:59 p.m. -- 100 block of GMD. Code Enforcement. A man told police that the cold can of Heineken beer sitting nearby was not his. He then raised it to his lips and said he would drink it anyway because someone had left it behind. He was issued a written warning for drinking a beer on the beach in front of police.

Longboat Key
Cops Corner

Pam Eubanks
May 5, 2010

Reading partnership promotes hands-on learning

Lakewood students worked with students at Freedom during the annual Winnie the Pooh and Shakespeare Too program.

East County
Schools

Jen Blanco
May 5, 2010

Mustangs fall in district final

Lakewood Ranch defeated rival Braden River 4-2 in a Class 4A-District 10 semifinal April 28 to advance to the district championship for the first time since 2007.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
May 5, 2010

Ranch honors scholar athletes

Lakewood Ranch High School recognized 294 athletes with a 3.0 GPA or above during its Scholar Athletic Awards Ceremony April 29.

East County
Sports

Robin Hartill
May 5, 2010

Christ Church members buddy up to young bookworms

Christ Church members have been building hope by reading with kindergarten and first-grade students.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Cops Corner 05.06.10

The suspect reportedly came into the store and was walking around. The complainant stated he looked suspicious, and as he walked out he noticed a big bulge in his shirt.

East County
Cops Corner

Adam Hughes
May 5, 2010

Rosedale home sells for $535,000

Arthur and Barbara Polk, Bradenton, sold their home at 4914 96th St. E. to James and Susie Lamy, Bradenton, for $535,000.

East County
Real Estate

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Business Observer 05.06.10

Monte Davis, of RE/MAX Alliance Group, was accepted as a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network.

East County
News

Jen Blanco
May 5, 2010

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Rachel Slowik

The Observer spotlights Lakewood Ranch softball star Rachel Slowik.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
May 5, 2010

OBSERVER TEAM SPOTLIGHT: Amanda Kessler

Each week, The East County Observer will introduce one player from the Miss Manatee Softball 12U Observer team.

East County
Sports

By Stuart and Lois Scheyer
May 5, 2010

Energetic Traveler: Memories in the Making

Longboat Key residents Stuart and Lois Scheyer learn travel problems fade quickly.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
May 5, 2010

Building Permits

These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of April 23 through April 29, in order of dollar amounts. (GMD = Gulf of Mexico Drive)

Longboat Key
Real Estate

Robin Hartill
May 5, 2010

Lido Beach home sells for $1,895,000

The sale was the largest of 24 transactions - more than any other week to date in 2010 - recorded on Longboat, Lido, St. Armands and Bird keys for the week of April 19 through April 23 at the Sarasota and Manatee county courthouses.

Longboat Key
Real Estate

Robin Hartill
May 5, 2010

Business Observer

LLSA Chamber announces small business nominees; Tax collector collects more than $1 million in April

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
May 5, 2010

Camps key to helping kids beat the heat

Longboat Key offers a variety of summer camps this season, from sports to marine-based camps, for kids of all ages.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

By Donna Swan
May 5, 2010

Deal Us In

Which four?

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
May 5, 2010

Citrus Sunset

Jack Iungerman submitted this sunset photo taken from Sutton Place. 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].