Your Observer

Jen Blanco
January 20, 2010

Pirates search for new coach

Braden River High head football coach Ed Volz announced his resignation Jan. 12 and was later named the coach at Sarasota.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
January 20, 2010

Wrestling rivals hit the mat

The Lakewood Ranch High wrestling team dominated rival Braden River 58-9 Jan. 13.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
January 20, 2010

Sports in Brief

Junior golfer wins championship.

East County
Sports

Jen Blanco
January 20, 2010

Athlete of the Week: Sarah Miller

Lakewood Ranch High midfielder Sarah Miller scored nine goals in the team's three final games this season. Here is an inside look at this week's Athlete of the Week.

East County
Sports

Robin Roy
January 20, 2010

Referendum may settle baseball suit

The plaintiffs say they'll settle their lawsuit with the city and county if the county lets voters decide whether taxes should fund a new stadium.

Sarasota
News

Pam Eubanks
January 20, 2010

Windsor to host annual art show

The Windsor of Lakewood Ranch will host its Third Annual Invitational Art Show Jan. 22-30.

Arts + Culture

Robin Roy
January 20, 2010

Surveillance camera installation on hold

A new requirement to pay $2,800 for an engineering study has delayed the placement of the security camera at Five Points Park.

Sarasota
News

Loren Mayo
January 20, 2010

Church responds to Haiti's call for help

Faith Lutheran Church will hold a community prayer service for Haiti with the Rev. Joseph Livenson Lauvanus of the Lutheran Church of Haiti as guest preacher.

Sarasota
News

Kurt Schultheis
January 20, 2010

Opposing Key Club project groups face off

Positive Change for LBK and The Islandside Property Owners Coalition clashed Wednesday, Jan. 20 over whether the Longboat Key Club and Resort's Islandside renovation-and-expansion project was right for the community and whether it can be approved as proposed.

Longboat Key
News

Pam Eubanks
January 20, 2010

Buchanan introduces bill to try terrorists in military court

The bill requires terrorists to be tried as enemy combatants instead of common criminals.

East County
News

Kurt Schultheis
January 20, 2010

Candidates submit contribution reports

With five days to go until the town's Tuesday, Jan. 26 preliminary election, campaign contributions and expenditures are mounting. Listed are the names of contributors to District 1 preliminary election candidates through Dec. 31, as well as candidates' expenditures. Contributions and expenditures are also listed for the other contested races that will be determined March 16, in the town's municipal election.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
January 20, 2010

Leatherback turtle released after two days of rehab

Mote Marine Laboratory's Sea Turtle Hospital treated one of its largest patients ever recently. Lizzy, a 787-pound leatherback sea turtle rescued from Lee County, came to Mote for rehabilitation after stranding Tuesday, Jan. 5. She was released more than 20 miles off the coast of St. Petersburg two days later.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
January 20, 2010

Historic discounts offered on merchandise

Pining for a peacock T-shirt? Then become a member or renew your membership at the Longboat Key Historical Society and receive 10% off all merchandise at the group's museum, 6826 Gulf of Mexico Drive. But act now. The deal is history Feb. 1. Visit longboatkeyhistory.org.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
January 20, 2010

Briefs

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
January 20, 2010

Kiwanis Club seeks 2009 Citizen of the Year nominees

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key is accepting nominations for its 2009 Citizen of the Year Award.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
January 20, 2010

Circle tenants wonder what's in store

Three of four tenants in the former Maus & Hoffman building, on St. Armands Circle, said they were given notice of termination of their leases in November.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
January 20, 2010

On cold night, special hat is one hot item

On Jan. 6 at Harry's Continental Kitchens' wine tasting, more than one person asked Gary Steinman to sell the hat off his head.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
January 20, 2010

Mote seeks supplies to benefit cold-stunned turtles

The Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital continues to treat turtles affected by cold weather.

Longboat Key
News

Dora Walters
January 20, 2010

Water baby

Brisk winds and a chilly water temperature didn't deter 13-month-old Jordan Atkins, who splashed in the surf at the north end of Longboat Key Jan. 19. Jordan's mom, Kayle, said Jordan loves the beach and that he keeps trying to swim while in the bathtub.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Robin Hartill
January 20, 2010

Longboat BP to go postal

The gas station will also serve as Longboat Key's only contract post office.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
January 20, 2010

Canines think it's doggone cold, too

Last week was doggone cold. So when Romeo, a Great Dane, went for his Wednesday walk on the north end of Longboat Key with his owners, Amanda and Joe Sikorski, he bundled up in his red sweater.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
January 20, 2010

Jewfish dock in jeopardy

A decision by two boards to postpone a dock-variance request could put Jewfish Key's main dock, one residents depend upon to get to and from the island, in jeopardy.

Longboat Key
News

Kurt Schultheis
January 20, 2010

Early voting continues this week

The town of Longboat Key is holding early voting for a town-wide preliminary election for District 1 candidates Lynn Larson, Lee Pokoik and incumbent Mayor Lee Rothenberg through Friday, Jan. 22, at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Observer Staff
January 20, 2010

Larson, Pokoik: Win either way

Three good candidates. Incumbent Mayor Lee Rothenberg and challengers Lynn Larson and Lee Pokoik. They are vying for the Longboat Key Town Commission District 1 seat because they want to protect and improve your quality of life.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Kurt Schultheis
January 20, 2010

Harry's attains some outdoor seats

The Planning and Zoning Board's approval Tuesday allows Harry's Continental Kitchens to convert its 16 seats, used as a waiting area, under the restaurant's roof overhang into outdoor dining.

Longboat Key
News

Robin Hartill
January 20, 2010

Jewels on the bay

This year's tour features two homes on Longboat Key to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Kurt Schultheis
January 20, 2010

Club attorney sees no issues

Longboat Key Club attorney John Patterson said town staff has told the Town Commission the town has the authority to approve the Islandside project as presented.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
January 20, 2010

Letters to the Editor

Longboat Key
Opinion

Observer Staff
January 20, 2010

Club attorney sees no issues

Sarasota
News

Observer Staff
January 20, 2010

Cops Corner

Under Investigation -- Jan. 6 9:15 a.m. -- 700 block of Broadway. Security Check. A man told police that he heard voices coming from the house next door, which he thought was vacant. Police found the rear door of the home open and unsanitary living conditions inside. The home was littered with trash. The code enforcement department recently tagged the property.