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Your Observer

  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 8, 2009
Principal search narrowed to three

Two original staff members and one out-of-state candidate remain contenders for the Lakewood High principal post.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Jessica Luck
  • July 8, 2009
Johnson leaves legacy of lifelong passion

Williams Douglas "Billy" Johnson, 86, of Longboat Key, died July 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 8, 2009
Neighbors rev up new auto shop

Chapin and Lewis Automotive is one of the first full auto repair shops east of I-75.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Bulletin Board

East County communities share announcements and events.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • July 8, 2009
Canine cares for owner

Longboat Key resident Dawna McDonough says her service dog, Ninja, a Doberman, helps her to lead a normal life.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 8, 2009
VFW installs new commander

The Plantations resident George Johnston will lead VFW Post 12055 in 2009-2010.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 8, 2009
Primrose debuts precious program

Children at the Lakewood Ranch school are learning about helping animals and proper pet care through its Precious Pets event this month.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Virginia Sanders
  • July 8, 2009
Number of turtle nests down in the last decade

It's a tough time for turtles. The number of loggerhead turtle nests on Florida beaches has dropped more than 40% in the last 10 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 8, 2009
Nursing grad takes national honors

Braden Woods resident Maureen Hyden, a recent nursing school graduate, took top honors in a medical spelling competition.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Ralph Ruark
  • July 8, 2009
Rudeness taints cell tower dispute

River Club resident offers perspective on proposed cell tower.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Cops Corner

For the fourth time this month, police responded to a boarded-up house because of a 911 hang-up call. Police determined there is a problem with the phone line.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 8, 2009
Sarasota Baptist starts preschool program

The Lakewood Ranch church is accepting applications for its Parents Morning Out, open to children ages 2-4.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 8, 2009
Freshman Mustang goes the distance

Kristin Zarrella qualified for her fifth trip to the Junior Olympics after winning the 1,500- and 3,000-meter dashes at the Amateur Athletic Union State Finals at the University of Florida.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Letters to the Editor

To send in your letters, please e-mail them to [email protected], or mail them to The Longboat Observer, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 34228. The Longboat 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.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 8, 2009
Braden River builds foundation for future

The Braden River High School coaching staff is hosting its first Freshman Athletic Foundations Camp this month.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 8, 2009
Athlete of the Week: Christian Lowe

The Observer spotlights Little League Minor's Division All-Star Christian Lowe.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Our View

The good, the bad and the ...

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Our View

That's the spirit

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 8, 2009
Town water receives top scores

All 151 water samples taken in 2008 were bacteria free. Town water also has acceptable levels of copper and lead.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Jessica Luck
  • July 8, 2009
LLSA Chamber names David Miller as chairman

Outgoing Longboat, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Marnie Matarese takes on new role.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
In Brief

Community News and Notes

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 8, 2009
Key property values drop again

For the second, consecutive year, taxable values on Longboat Key dropped 10%. Sarasota County is down 10.4%, and Manatee County values dropped 10.5%.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 8, 2009
Pipeline legal fees climb

If the $245,000 budget transfer is approved, the town will have spent $545,000 to dispute the placement of a natural-gas pipeline that affects sand sources.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Help name the bald eagle at Save Our Seabirds

A male bald eagle, found in Parrish, was brought to Save Our Searbirds for rehabilitation three months ago. After he was treated he was released, but he did not fly away.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Sarasota County's first turtle hatches

Sarasota County's first turtle nest of the season hatched Tuesday, June 30, on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2009
Boats on display at St. Armands Circle

The eighth annual St. Armands Fourth of July boat show took place Saturday, July 4, and Sunday, July 5, at St. Armands Circle Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 8, 2009
Town will dispute city roundabouts

Town Manager Bruce St. Denis received permission to hire a consultant to combat Sarasota's bayfront roundabout proposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 8, 2009
Maximum millage: 1.6 mills

Five of seven town commissioners want town staff to hold the millage rate at 1.5 mills and make more budget cuts.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 7, 2009
Boyfriend, others accused of home invasion

A woman victimized during a June 26th home invasion discovered it was her boyfriend who was allegedly responsible for the crime.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 7, 2009
Pirates kicker scores at National Kicking Combine Series

Braden River High kicker Kadin Kerns took home top honors in kickoffs at at the National Kicking Combine Series Regional Competition June 27 in Tampa.

  • East County
  • Sports
  • By Pam McTeer
  • July 7, 2009
Burglary suspect arrested at traffic crash

Bradenton resident Janet Fischer was arrested on an outstanding burglary warrant Monday after she rear-ended a Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputy at a red light on State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • July 6, 2009
Siesta Key's new vision reaches fruition

A ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, July 6 marked the completion of a streetscape beautification project that has given Siesta Key Village a new look.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • July 6, 2009
Effort to delay paid parking fails

Commissioner Terry Turner is alone in wanting to defer implementation of parking meters for at least a year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 6, 2009
Town commission regular meeting agenda

The Longboat Key Town Commission meets at 7 p.m. Monday, July 6, at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road. Visit YourObserver.com for updates during the meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 6, 2009
Sarasota to reexamine Ranch Villages

Sarasota County commissioners will reconsider the proposal at its meeting this Wednesday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 6, 2009
Longboat property values decline 10%

For the second, consecutive time in 20 years, taxable values dropped on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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