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Your Observer

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2009
Manatee OKs scaled-down Fort Hamer Bridge

The Manatee Board of County Commissioners today approved the concept of a two-lane Fort Hamer Bridge that Manatee County Public Works Department says can be built for less than $30 million.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 19, 2009
Community Golf Scores 05.13.09 to 05.17.09

Area golfers post impressive scores on East County courses.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2009
Youth Ranch honors LECOM

Students and staff at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton mentoring club were honored for their volunteer efforts this year at the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • May 19, 2009
Sarasota to honor the brave on Memorial Day

The theme of Sarasota's Memorial Day parade and ceremony this year is "Never forget." The parade starts at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, at Main Street and Osprey Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • May 19, 2009
McGonegal proposes school cuts

The cuts include eliminating assistant principals in some schools, 36 reading coaches, a mandatory four-day furlough and more.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 19, 2009
Repavement project continues to the south

The repavement project on S.R. 789 continued Monday from Bird Key Drive to Ken Thompson Parkway.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2009
Dog missing on Longboat

Maggie, a 40-pound Siberian husky, was last seen Friday night at the Longboat Key Publix. Her family is still searching for her.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • May 18, 2009
Roundabout becomes top priority

Because a traffic-notification-sign program would require a city staff position that is not available, funding for that program was shifted to a proposed downtown roundabout.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • May 18, 2009
Foundation awards $1.48 million in grants, scholarships

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County approved $959,907 for grants and $526,350 for scholarships for 252 students.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 18, 2009
Lakewood hospital names new board member

Brian Kennelly, president of Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty, is the newest member of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's Board of Governors, the hospital announced this afternoon.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 18, 2009
Ranch officials: real estate market is recovering

According to a press release issued today, the East County community enjoyed strong numbers in the first quarter of 2009 and is projecting a 35% increase in closings in its second quarter.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 18, 2009
Sarasota Scullers hosts summer rowing camp

Summer rowing camps will provide teens with the opportunity to learn a new sport, meet new friends and spend time outdoors while having fun, staying fit and becoming part of one of the Florida's growing team sports.

  • East County
  • Sports
  • By Pam McTeer
  • May 18, 2009
Commission to consider impact fee relief

East County developers may soon see some financial relief from county impact fees, a move county officials hopes will spur the economy.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • May 18, 2009
City may create Newtown historic district

Commissioner Fredd Atkins requested the city hire a consultant to help craft the district.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 18, 2009
Resident receives waiver request

A waiver from the town’s daylight plane ordinance allows a Key resident to expand onto a home that already has 3,940 square feet of space.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 18, 2009
Soccer Club announces tryouts

The Braden River Soccer Club will begin holding tryouts for all competitive boys and girls teams ages 8-18 at 6 p.m., May 26.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 18, 2009
Robber hits East County bank

Manatee County Sheriff's Office detectives are searching for a man they believe robbed an East County First Bank this morning.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • May 18, 2009
Lido Beach makes national 'best of' list

The beach is one of six to be recognized as the best-restored beaches in the nation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 18, 2009
Manatee County revives Planning Task Force

For the first time in several years, Manatee County's Planning Task Force will meet today to discuss Manatee County's development review process and related topics.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 18, 2009
Sheriff's office conducts underage drinking sting

Six East County businesses were charged with selling/serving alcohol to a person under 21 during a Manatee County Sheriff's Office underage drinking operation May 15.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 15, 2009
Storms delay regional final

The second game of The Out-of-Door Academy baseball team's regional final versus Cambridge has been suspended until tomorrow.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 15, 2009
Two Braden River High seniors earn athletic scholarships

The Braden River High School Athletic Boosters recently awarded $1,000 scholarships to seniors Chris Garcia and Kayla Kerns.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 15, 2009
Armitage elected as Mote chairman

Bird Key resident Arthur Armitage was recently elected chairman of Mote Marine Laboratory's board of trustees.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • May 15, 2009
Good Earth coming to Lakewood

After a deal with Ada's Natural & Organic Foods fell through several months ago, Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty has secured a lease with Good Earth Natural Food Store. The deal was finalized Thursday.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 15, 2009
Mill Creek to restore community ponds

The Mill Creek Homeowners Association Board of Directors needs volunteers to assist the community in its Mill Creek Pond Restoration Project at 8 a.m., this Saturday, at ponds 15 and 16 near 602 137th St. NE.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • May 14, 2009
Sarasota Military Academy students share poetry

Sarasota Military Academy held its Beatnik Poetry Cafe Thursday, May 7.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • May 14, 2009
$72 million bus system advances

SCAT's rapid-transit project gets past the first federal-government hurdle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • May 14, 2009
Police eye surveillance system

The high-tech system could monitor suspicious activity from a half mile away.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Rod Thomson
  • May 14, 2009
Osprey teen wins congressional art contest

The winner will travel to Washington, D.C. to see her painting put on display.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Ken Chetlain
  • May 14, 2009
Five of 10 Key sales surpass $1 million

Not only are there encouraging signs in the area, state and nation but also right here on the keys, because sales recordings for the week of April 27 through May 1 rose from six the week before to 10.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 14, 2009
Prudential Palms April numbers up 30%

Short sales account for part of the 30% increase in activity in April '09 compared with April '08.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2009
Obituaries

Obituaries

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Dora Walters
  • May 14, 2009
Five Irish sisters, one 'father' reunite

Parishioners at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church enthusiastically welcomed the Rev. Gerry Finegan's five sisters, all visiting from Ireland, at a reception after Mass May 3.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 14, 2009
Longboat residents gear up for Bike MS

Arthur Wood was in pain the first time he rode in a National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society: Bike MS event.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2009
Community Calendar

Find out what's happening on the Key and this week's "Don't Miss" event.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2009
Cops Corner

Cops Corner

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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