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Your Observer

Photographer and nurse Gigi O'Dea photographs Hailey Cassella for her 1-year-old photo shoot, as her parents, Heather and David, watch. O'Dea reserves outside photo sessions for her neighbor's backyard and has brought props, including chicks and rabbits.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 22, 2016
Community snapshot: A friendship blooms

Country Creek neighbors mix their passions of photography, gardening.

  • East County
  • News
Black carts are reserved for members who lease them and can take them home.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 22, 2016
Golf cart issue scratches surface

Damage causes country club, Town Hall to take closer look at golf carts using prohibited gate.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch Commerce Park continues to expand. Developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch wants to intensify light industrial uses to create more jobs near homes.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 22, 2016
SMR expands light industrial plan

Developer hopes to add 700,000 square feet of industrial space to its commerce park.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 22, 2016
Study flushes $20 million project from Longboat Key budget

The island’s sole sewage forcemain to Manatee County has at least 20 more years of use, according to a study, but future issues loom in the pipeline.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 22, 2016
Commissioners balk at eroding beach funding

Bucking a town staff recommendation, Longboat Key town commissioners want to keep at least half of sales tax money generated for beach renourishment.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    A time to celebrate |
  • June 22, 2016
Just Married: Kelly and Michael

Kelly Martella and Michael Calamaras were married Feb. 27

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
Monsters U11 player Ramsey Choueiri attempts to maneuver the ball around a LB3 CP22 Boca U11 Select defender during last year's Rippin' at the Ranch tournament.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 22, 2016
That's the ticket ...

Check out this week's top East County sporting events.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch rising senior Sophia Falco won the emerging elite triple jump at the New Balance National Outdoor meet June 17, in Greensboro, N.C., with a school record jump of 40 feet, 5 inches. She also set a new school record in the 100-meter dash the
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 22, 2016
East County High 5 Moments: 06.23.16

East County High 5 Moments: 06.23.16

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 22, 2016
Water Club condo sells for $3.5 million

The Unit 1002 condominium at 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,435 square feet of living area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 22, 2016
Cops Corner 06.22.2016

Enjoy this week’s edition of Cops Corner!

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Cafe L'Europe owner Betsie Coolidge
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • June 22, 2016
Café L’Europe will change hands but not flavor

New owner Ron Milton plans to keep the same staff, menu and traditions of the 43-year-old restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch residents Chris and Jessi McComas will add a co-ed softball league to their MVP Sports and Social club in August.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • June 22, 2016
Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

Sporting league's primary goal is laughter

  • East County
  • Sports
Every morning, Vic Herbert visits each classroom to say hello to students and teachers.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • June 22, 2016
The final lesson: It's time to go

East Manatee County schools lose long-time administrators.

  • East County
  • News
Barry Eaton has worked for fisheries since the 1980s. A carp is supposed to be slimy, he said — the slime fish secrete help protect them from disease and bacteria. "If they're rough, like sandpaper, they're stressed," he said.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • June 22, 2016
Full-scale attack offers Tara Preserve ponds a fishy solution

Introduction of carp expected to control invasive plants.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • June 22, 2016
Cops Corner 6.23.2016

Comical crime reports from around the area.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 21, 2016
Mar Vista moves forward with expansion

The Longboat Key Planning & Zoning Board this morning approved the island restaurant’s plans for a second-story office and more outdoor seating.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
File photo
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • June 21, 2016
Don Hall resigns from Manatee County School District

The deputy superintendent of operations has held his position since 2013.

  • East County
  • News
A weather-worn roadblock sits at the intersection of Beach Road and Columbus Boulevard blocking thru traffic to the northern portion of Beach Road June 17, 2016. Sarasota County granted petitioners request to permanently vacate the road May 11.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • June 21, 2016
Beach Road covered in controversy

A Siesta Key resident is taking legal action against Sarasota County for vacating an untravelled portion of roadway near the beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The city will seek a state ruling on the legality of a potential resolution advocating for state and national gun control action.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 20, 2016
City Commission passes on gun control resolution

The board expressed its interest in advocating for restricted access to high-capacity military-style weapons, but it also feared a potential lawsuit if it took action on the subject.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Rev. Daniel P. Smith
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 20, 2016
Lakewood Ranch pastor dies

The Rev. Daniel Smith, of Our Lady of the Angels church, died suddenly.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 20, 2016
Longboat PD debuts new number

The Longboat Key Police Department is phasing out 316-1977, and encourages residents to use 316-1201 for non-emergency calls.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
File photo
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • June 20, 2016
Manatee County Animal Services seeks help for overcapacity

After taking in dogs from an ongoing animal case, the county shelter is running out of room.

  • East County
  • News
The meeting will be held at the county commission chambers, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 20, 2016
Tax on Manatee commission agenda

Will Manatee see a half-cent increase in sales tax?

  • East County
  • News
Signs prohibiting public vehicle access stand on either side of a portion of Beach Road that has inspired a lawsuit against the county.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • June 20, 2016
Siesta resident sues county for Beach Road vacation

Michael Cosentino believes Sarasota County is unlawfully vacating a portion of a public road on Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
G. Fried FlooringAmerica participates in last year's Freedom Fest parade.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • June 20, 2016
Cannons Marina to offer $500 Freedom Fest prize

Cannons Marina will offer a $500 prize for most patriotic business entry.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Sheriff's Office investigates shooting.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 18, 2016
Sheriff's Office investigates shooting in Bradenton

A 15-year-old male transported to hospital with non-life threatening gunshot wound.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 17, 2016
VBS sparks interest in science

Cornerstone's Vacation Bible School reels in fun with science.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • June 17, 2016
Bird Key Yacht Club christens kayak lift

Bird Key Yacht Club members celebrated the completion of a new kayak lift with a christening June 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • June 17, 2016
Kids on quest at VBS

Living Lord Lutheran hosted a 'Cave Quest' themed camp this week.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
In April, the Coon Key Bridge construction generated complaints from residents concerned about the timing of the work.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 17, 2016
FDOT hits pause on Coon Key Bridge construction

Beginning the week of June 19, both lanes of the westbound Coon Key Bridge will be open. The state agency plans to halt construction until after the Fourth of July.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Streets, Facilities Parks and Recreation Manager Mark Richardson is overseeing the Bayfront Park project.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 17, 2016
Longboat Key breaks ground on Bayfront Park

As the town of Longboat Key starts the $3.5 million revamp of the park, permitting remains uncertain.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A small pile of trash lays on Siesta Key Beach, half buried in sand on Siesta Key June 17, 2016. Residents and neighborhood groups are organizing efforts to decrease trash in preparation for the incoming Fourth of July crowds.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • June 17, 2016
Trash tops list of resident concerns for the Fourth

Holidays always bring more to the Key- more people, more traffic, more noise. But some residents aren’t as worried about what visitors bring, but what they leave behind.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Ed Chiles has been named a co-chairman of the 2017 World Rowing Championships at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 17, 2016
Pair named as chairmen for World Rowing Championships

Administrators from Sarasota and Manatee counties have picked Rod Hershberger and Ed Chiles to rally the community for the event.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota County Fire Department is battling a blaze in east Sarasota County.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 17, 2016
Fire engulfs buildings on Packinghouse Road in Sarasota

Firefighters are battling a six-alarm fire at a warehouse behind JR’s Old Packinghouse Cafe near I-75.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A “smart ball” — which uses a sensor to identify locations where corrosion may be affecting the pipe, which are then confirmed using ultrasonic testing — was recently used to test the pipe.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • June 16, 2016
Report: Longboat wastewater pipe has longer lifespan

The island’s sole sewage forcemain to Manatee County has at least 20 more years of use, according to a study.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo. Scott Anderson is vacated his position as Senior Philanthropic Advisor at Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • June 16, 2016
Scott Anderson vacates position at Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Scott Anderson accepts position with the Jewish Housing Council Foundation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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