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Your Observer

    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 20, 2009
ODA Thunder silenced in regional final

The Out-of-Door Academy saw its historic dream season come to an end May 16 with a 4-0 loss to Cambridge Christian in the Class 1A regional finals.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 20, 2009
Pirates set sail under new coach

Braden River High offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ed Volz was named the Pirates' interim head coach April 30 after the resignation of Josh Hunter.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 20, 2009
McNeal Book Club inspires reading

Third-grade teacher Carolyn Winget started a voluntary book club for her students three years ago.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2009
Shirts spread the word about event

The annual Longboat Key Historical Society Old Time Fish Fry isn't until October, but its members are already spreading the word via its T-shirts.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2009
County approves impact fee relief

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners on May 19 voted 6-1 to approve to reduce transportation impact fees by 50% for the next two years, starting July 27 and ending July 27, 2011.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • May 20, 2009
Economy claims Atlanta Bread Co.

Mike and Cindy Snowball closed the franchise on University Parkway after losing their lease.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • May 20, 2009
SMR executive leaving Lakewood Ranch

Tim Martin is moving to Georgia to start his own company.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2009
Bulletin Board

Communities share announcements and events.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2009
It's read (online) everywhere

It's read (online) everywhere

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2009
Hebrew School hosts celebration

Beautiful displays of Judaic themed topics filled the Chabad Jewish Center as the Chabad Hebrew School gathered for its Torah Fair and End of Year Celebration May 17.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2009
Mill Creek restores ponds

About 20 people assisted the Mill Creek Homeowners Association Board of Directors in its Mill Creek Pond Restoration Project May 16.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Pam McTeer
  • May 20, 2009
Ed's Tavern organizes Memorial Day parade

Owner John Breiner will repeat history when he holds the Salute to Heroes Parade May 24.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Pam McTeer
  • May 20, 2009
Good Earth announced Main Street anchor

The Bradenton-based store will fill part of the space once claimed by Morton's Gourmet Market.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 20, 2009
Geckos run Florida Keys 100

Five Willis Elementary teachers, along with distance runner Matt Holley, competed in the 100-mile ultramarathon from Key Largo to Key West.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 20, 2009
Town sets sight on signs

Town residents and planning board members are urging the state to take out some of the signs in the Gulf of Mexico Drive right of way.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 20, 2009
Pet rules all bark, no bite

A Spanish Main pet committee will explore various pet-related rules, which some owners say have not been enforced.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 20, 2009
LLSA Chamber re-schedules golf tournament

The 21st annual Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce golf tournament will take place Friday, May 29.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • May 20, 2009
Swan family gets two new members

Two cygnets from Stan and Wendy's nest hatched Friday, May 15, at the Harbour Links golf course at the Longboat Key Club and Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2009
Adventure Park gets new turf

The playground at Lakewood Ranch's Greenbrook Adventure Park is closed through May 29 as the community installs new turf.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2009
4-H, Tropicana honor student orators

East County students from Nolan and Haile middle schools and Willis Elementary School were among the winners at 40th Annual 4-H/Tropicana Public Speaking Manatee County Competition May 9 at the Manatee County Agricultural Center in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • May 19, 2009
Police apprehend burglary suspects

The Longboat Key Police Department has linked two suspected burglars that were caught breaking into the Waterfront Restaurant Tuesday, May 19 to the Longboat Key burglaries May 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Roy
  • May 19, 2009
Downtown Partnership, merchants to merge

The two downtown groups will once again join forces after a rancorous split seven years ago.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    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
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