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Your Observer

    By
  • Robin Roy
  • May 28, 2009
Pastor turns tragedy into hope

After his daughter was killed in a car accident in 2007, the Rev. Joseph Davis vowed to lead a 'more effective life.' The purchase of an abandoned sports bar is his way of doing that.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • May 28, 2009
Farmers Market eyes fresh ideas

Downtown Farmers Market managers have created a list of improvements they hope will generate some buzz at the downtown 30-year-old Saturday morning tradition.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2009
World-class volunteer gives 40 years

Lorraine Rusek has dedicated the past 40 years to volunteering at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary next January.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2009
Sarasota samples just the desserts

There was chocolate, chocolate, everywhere! Family Promise of Sarasota, Inc. held its first 'Just Desserts' fundraiser Saturday, May 23, at the Bayfront Community Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 28, 2009
St. Thomas More models get dolled up

With a little fashion advice from Dillard's stylist, Daniel Hancock, the ladies of St. Thomas More hit the runway.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • May 28, 2009
Roundabout central

Where better to see if the much-talked-about traffic device actually makes cars flow more smoothly than Carmel, Ind., home to 42 roundabouts?

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Car chase ends in Lakewood Ranch

An East County man was taken into custody following a car chase that began in West Bradenton and ended in Lakewood Ranch Wednesday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 27, 2009
Longboat sidewalk project begins

Gaps in the sidewalk on the west side of Gulf of Mexico Drive will be filled in as part of a $298,864 project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Ranch student earns scholarship

Congratulations to Lakewood Ranch High School student Sydney Yoder, who is one of 10 local students to receive a scholarship from the Peace River Electric Cooperative's charitable foundation, Operation Round Up.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Pam McTeer
  • May 27, 2009
Ranch senior wins National Merit Scholarship

Lakewood Ranch High School senior Juntao Zhu was recently awarded a National Merit Scholarship from the University of Florida.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • May 27, 2009
BRE celebrates 20 years

Braden River Elementary officials pulled out old scrapbooks and photographs for viewing at a special celebration May 21.

  • East County
  • Schools
  • By Pam McTeer
  • May 27, 2009
Harborage home up for raffle

Dream House Charity will raffle off a home in The Harborage to benefit Manatee Children's Services. The raffle begins June 1.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • May 27, 2009
Building industry: Reduced fees give Manatee a 'competitive edge'

Manatee officials last week lowered transportation impact fees by 50% for the next two years.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Bulletin Board

Communities share announcements and events.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Gullett kids raise $2,700

Students at the East County Elementary school raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through their Pasta for Pennies fundraiser.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Kiddie Academy earns two awards

Kiddie Academy of Bradenton received two awards at the Kiddie Academy National Conference in Philadelphia, Pa.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 27, 2009
GreyHawk mom uploads new Web site

Rachel Branson's site, freeinmanatee.com, offers visitors a calendar of free events, opportunities for deals and a listing of free or low-cost kids meals.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 27, 2009
CDD considers proposals for sidewalk snafu

The Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 4 Board of Supervisors voted to continue their public hearing regarding sidewalk assessments to June 11.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • May 27, 2009
County approves two-lane concept for Fort Hamer

The decision means a privately owned toll bridge will not be used to cross the Manatee River.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • May 27, 2009
Merchant repairs silenced bells at San Marco Plaza

After more than a year of silence, bells are chiming through San Marco Plaza each hour. The ringing started on Easter Sunday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 27, 2009
Setting An Example

Lakewood senior Michael Ohlman will close the book on his high school career when he takes the field for the Florida Athletic Coaches Association's All-Star baseball weekend May 28-30.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 27, 2009
Pirates, Mustangs strap up for spring ball

Associate Editor Jen Blanco gives a preview of next fall's Braden River and Lakewood Ranch football teams.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Weather

Weather

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Donna Swan
  • May 27, 2009
Deal Us In: Making good defensive play

Deal Us In: Making good defensive play

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 27, 2009
Athlete of the Week: Kristin Swindell

The Observer highlights Braden River High golfer Kristin Swindell.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Scoreboard

Scoreboard

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Business Observer

Business Observer

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Birth Announcements 05.28.09

The East County Observer would like to congratulate all the parents who celebrated recently the births of their new bundles of joy. All of the following babies were born at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Cops' Corner 05.28.09

The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
  • By Kent Chetlain
  • May 27, 2009
Key Real Estate

L'Ambiance I condo sells for $1.2 million

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • May 27, 2009
Children of the Opera

New Gate School's annual children's opera fosters growth and imagination.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Obituaries

Obituaries

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Worship Services

Worship Services

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Community Calendar

Community Calendar

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 27, 2009
Plot thickens at annual mystery conference

Mystery. Mayhem. Murder. It's all coming to the Lido Beach Resort Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6, when mystery readers and writers from across the state converge for the fifth annual Mystery Florida conference.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2009
Cops Corner

Cops Corner

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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Latest News

1
Staff at the 12th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem program sort through the delivery of presents for children up to 18 years of age.
  • December 22, 2025
Gift donations break record at Sarasota Sheriff's Office
2
Cindy Ritchell, Ann Quackenbush, Brenda Korthauer, Beverly Sutton and Kit Torchia all lend a helping hand in packing seeds to send internationally to farmers who need them. Quackenbush is a driving force behind Hope Seeds, a charitable ministry through Christ Church of Longboat Key.
  • December 22, 2025
Longboat's Hope Seeds nears 10 years of giving back
3
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo
4
Manatee County commissioners approve reducing speed limits throughout the county.
  • December 22, 2025
Speed limits reduced on nine roads in Manatee County
5
The library will be constructed on the light green area depicted on this map within Longboat Key's Town Center Green. The entire library would be around 11,230 square feet with the possible enhancements.
  • December 22, 2025
Buchanan's $1 million donation formally accepted for library

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