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Your Observer

    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 15, 2009
Jaleski wants electronic agendas

Commissioner Gene Jaleski says the town will save both money and time by using electronic agendas.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 15, 2009
SMR wins approval in Villages revote

Sarasota commissioners approved the Lakewood Ranch developer's requests to change the county's Comprehensive Plan July 8.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 14, 2009
Suncoast Storm seeks additional players

The Suncoast Storm is looking for additional players for its 2009 12U team.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 14, 2009
Fast convicted of stepmother's murder

More than two years after the brutal slaying of Tara resident Susan Fast, her murderer has been sent to prison for life.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 13, 2009
Ranch Rotary installs officers

The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch held recently its Annual Induction Dinner at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club to install new officers and members of the board of directors.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 13, 2009
Manatee schools receive $1.7 million grant

History education in Manatee County Public Schools received a substantial boost through a nearly $1.7 million grant from the federal government to fund a "Teaching American History Grant."

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 13, 2009
First-time buyers push home sales 8.9%

The Manatee Association of Realtors today reported a sixth consecutive month of sales gains thanks to first-time home buyers taking advantage of the most favorable conditions.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 10, 2009
City to charge for special events

More than $220,000 in man-hours was spent last year to process event permits at no charge to the event organizers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • July 10, 2009
Help clean the reefs, ocean and beach

It doesn't matter whether you dive, swim, wade or walk. The Suncoast Reef and Lido Beach cleanups need volunteers to rake these sites of debris Saturday, July 11.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • July 10, 2009
Heavy metal

Driving east of I-75, just after Proctor and Clark roads merge, the Observer spotted this and several other freestanding abstract sculptures sunbathing in a front lawn.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 10, 2009
Main Street to host first car show

Team AfterHours Car Club will display autos of all kinds this Sunday on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 9, 2009
Harbor Acres home sells for $1.9 million

A home on Flower Drive tops all sales in this week's real-estate transactions. Margaret Varner and E. Billue Guignard, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1808 Flower Drive to Julie Campbell, of Sarasota, for $1.9 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
Cops Corner

A fire broke out in a bathroom stall in a movie theater restroom. The theater manager said the flames nearly rose above the stall walls, but the fire was quickly extinguished

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
Peace River readies for hurricane season

Peace River Electric Cooperative is asking its 35,000 members to review the contact information on file for their electric account should a major storm occur.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
Letters to the Editor

To send in your letters, please e-mail them to [email protected], or mail them to The Sarasota Observer, 1517 State Street, Sarasota, 34236. The Sarasota Observer gives priority to letters of local interest and about local issues. The Observer will print all letters to the editor if it feels they are of general interest, but only if the letter is signed and the author's street address and phone number are given. The editor reserves the right to condense letters.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
Our View

Undermanned? Under siege?

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
Manatee seeks affordable housing volunteer

Manatee County is seeking to fill a vacant seat on its Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, a group that helps county commissioners decide on affordable housing issues.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • July 9, 2009
Young professional launches fencing club

Sarasota resident Rich Georgia is 'on guard' to help his students also develop a lifelong passion for fencing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 9, 2009
Casey Key group fights incorporation

U.S. Rep. Doug Holder said if the 243 petitions are verified, it could make him less likely to pursue Casey Key incorporation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
In Brief

Community News and Notes

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 9, 2009
Farmers market stakeholders speak

The City Commission will decide if the market will stay under the guidance of Sarasota's Downtown Partnership, where it's been for 30 years, or be put into the hands of the vendors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 9, 2009
Veterans seek 'unconditional' support

The head of the Sarasota County Veterans Commission seeks the City Commission's blessing to keep the sculpture, 'Unconditional Surrender,' on the bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
SYC shows red, white and blue spirit

July 4 was a family affair at Sarasota Yacht Club. Grandparents, parents and their little ones were clad in patriotic colors galore to celebrate the holiday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2009
A bloody good time

You've probably seen them on the Discovery Channel series 'Deadliest Catch.' On Tuesday, July 6, Time Bandit captains Jonathan and Andy Hillstrand stopped by Hyatt Place for a meet-and-greet reception and to give Sarasota a taste of Captain John's Bloody Mary mix.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 9, 2009
East County Little League All-Stars in full swing

Braden River and Manatee East Little League's Majors and Juniors squads victorious in opening games.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 9, 2009
SEC: Morgans boast about fleeing to Europe

SEC investigators acquired an e-mail in which John and Marian Morgan claim to still be working on investments, which a Tampa judge had forbidden.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 8, 2009
Parking department on track for loss

The city division is projected to be operating at a loss by 2011, but Susan Dodd, parking general manager, said that is not the reason it is building a parking garage and considering parking meters.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 8, 2009
Manatee East Minors extend perfect season

Manatee East Little League's 9-and-10-year-old All-Stars advanced to the district championship game with a 10-9 victory over North River National July 7. The team will play in the district championship at 6 p.m., July 9.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 8, 2009
Community Golf Scores 06.27.09 to 07.07.09

East County golfers post amazing numbers on area courses.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Weather

Weather

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Donna Swan
  • July 8, 2009
Deal Us In: Planning Defense

Against the four-heart contract, West leads the ace of spades. You follow after looking at the dummy with the king of spades.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Kent Chetlain
  • July 8, 2009
Water Club II unit sells for $2.2 million

Sales recordings rebounded on the keys during the fourth week in June, jumping from seven the week before to 12 for the week of June 22 through June 26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 8, 2009
Ranch home tops residential transactions

John and Gloria Sweeney, Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 6930 Brier Creek Court to Guy Selph and Lynda Sikora, Bradenton, for $575,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Cops' Corner 07.09.09

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

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • July 8, 2009
Iconic Installation

New York-based iconographer George Filippakis is installing artwork in the dome at the center of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church's sanctuary.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Obituaries

Donald James Roosa, 80, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key and Lansing, Mich., died June 27.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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