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Your Observer

"Sea... what you see," by Suzanne Tomlin
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 19, 2015
Suzanne Tomlin wins Observer photo contest

The grand prize is a $5,000 flooring makeover from Manasota Flooring Inc.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Town Manager Dave Bullock blames strong easterly winds for the arrival of thousands of dead fish floating in Key canals.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 19, 2015
Town seeks red tide fish kill cleanup

A town contractor will clean up dead fish floating on the top of Country Club Shores canals and in other waterways as soon as possible.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Selby House, Marie and William Selby’s original residence, was built in the early 1920s.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • November 19, 2015
Selby Gardens partners with Michael's on East

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens aims to reinvent its culinary offerings with a partnership with Michael's on East, which means better wedding accommodations and the possibility of a new waterfront restaurant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Riverview junior Austin Katz won four gold medals at the Class 4A Swimming and Diving State Championships Nov. 14.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 19, 2015
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 11.19.15

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 11.19.15

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney seniors Matt Garcia, Reagan Griffith and Taylor Garris all signed scholarships Nov. 11.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 19, 2015
Area athletes ink college choices

Thirteen local athletes signed national letters-of-intent Nov. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A condo unit at Beau Ciel tops all real estate transactions this week.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 19, 2015
Beau Ciel condo sells for $2.5 million

A condominium in Beau Ciel tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Jesse Biter and Eric Baird pose in front of the Hollywood 20 complex. They are part of a group of investors that purchased the property on Nov. 12 for $18.1 million.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 19, 2015
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Developer purchases Hollywood 20 complex, Siesta Key man arrested for drug trafficking

A look at what's going on the week of Nov. 19, 2015

  • Sarasota
  • News
Betsy Mitchell stands at the base of the ramp, where the dock at Blackburn Point Park is partially submerged. At high tide, she said, the water reaches the spot where she stands.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • November 19, 2015
Tides turn on accessible rowing dock

A Blackburn Point Park boat ramp made the bay accessible to disabled rowers until recently.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In 2005 Mark Spreen decided to return to his alma mater to continue the legacy of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • November 19, 2015
Conversation with Mark Spreen

Riverview High School Band Director Mark Spreen remembers when he wore the plaid Kiltie uniform and tries to uphold the same traditions of previous directors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Doris Leeper's "Garden Sculpture 3" sits on the corner of First Street and Orange Avenue.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • November 19, 2015
This week in history 11.5.15

A glimpse of the way things were from the archives.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • November 19, 2015
SMA Season's tidings

Sarasota Military Academy seeks funds and volunteers for Wreaths Across America at Sarasota National Cemetery.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Caroline Creevy performs with the group In Treble at the 2014 Rock for a Cause.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • November 19, 2015
Sarasota calendar 11.19.15

Sarasota and Siesta Key events for the week of Nov. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
CitySide developer Jay Tallman sat on the committee evaluating the expanded improvement district, which got a cold reception from other project representatives.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 19, 2015
Rosemary developers caution against improvement district

Representatives for three Rosemary District projects said they still view investment in the neighborhood as a high-risk proposition.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city hopes to transform Fruitville Road from an intimidating thoroughfare for pedestrians to a more friendly road.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 19, 2015
City gears up for Fruitville Road changes

With the city planning to design a more pedestrian-friendly Fruitville Road, residents and businesses offered their thoughts on how the street could evolve.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
When construction closes the Osprey Avenue bridge for up to a year, the engineering firm in charge of the project hopes to mitigate traffic issues. Image courtesy Google Street View.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 19, 2015
City maps out traffic plans during prolonged Osprey Avenue closure

Construction on Lift Station 87 will require the closure of the Osprey Avenue bridge for a year. How are the project managers working to mitigate the effects of the detour?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota resident Devin Rutkowski led a campaign against the city's backflow preventer policy, but officials were unswayed by his objections.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 19, 2015
Backlash doesn't change city's backflow preventer policy

Despite pushback from businesses who think the city’s regulations are too strict, the City Commission stood behind a system it believes is protecting Sarasota’s water supply.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cheryl Walstad, pictured, and her husband, Dave, are opening their second All Star Laundry location in Lakewood Ranch and will have a third in 2016.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 18, 2015
All Star Laundry hopes to clean up in Lakewood Ranch

Firm adds Portal Crossing opening in late December, then another location in 2016.

  • East County
  • News
Students sing and clap along to "Hoorah for Southside."
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • November 18, 2015
Southside Kindergarteners celebrate Thanksgiving through song

Kindergarten classes sing for parents and friends at Southside Elementary School Wednesday afternoon.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 18, 2015
The collective vs. individual

Elected officials typically gravitate to decisions favoring the collective. But in the case of underground utility lines, each neighborhood should have a choice.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 18, 2015
Country Club Village home tops sales at $1.53 million

A home in Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch topped all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
During her five years on the Manatee County School Board, Karen Carpenter has twice served as the chairwoman of the board.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • November 18, 2015
Manatee County School Board elects Carpenter, Kennedy as leaders

Karen Carpenter and Charlie Kennedy are the new chairwoman and vice chairman of the board.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch seniors Kyra Klarkowski and Maddie Biggs both will play softball in college next year.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 18, 2015
Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

Catcher steals spotlight, signs with Palm Beach Atlantic

  • East County
  • Sports
With his younger brother Drew Bavaro by his side, Vito Bavaro, right, signed a national letter-of-intent Nov. 11 to play hockey for Sacred Heart University.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 18, 2015
East County High 5 Moments: 11.19.15

East County High 5 Moments: 11.19.15

  • East County
  • Sports
Ashley Bongart played singles and doubles during the Dick Vitale Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic Nov. 13 through Nov. 15.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 18, 2015
The net effect

Former Lakewood Ranch tennis standout adjusts to college life.

  • East County
  • Sports
New IDA Executive Director Anne Ross likes to spend her free time camping and kayaking with her family. "We like to be outdoors," she said.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • November 18, 2015
Anne Ross steps up to fill Eva Rey's shoes

New Lakewood Ranch executive director plots course for the future.

  • East County
  • News
The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch will hold its first Bubble Ball Soccer Tournament Nov. 21. (courtesy photo)
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 18, 2015
Sports Spotlight: 11.19.15

That's the ticket ...

  • East County
  • Sports
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 18, 2015
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 11.19.15

Enjoy this week's edition of Longboat Key Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 18, 2015
Conversation with Michael Saunders

Michael Saunders, the woman whose local real estate empire surpassed $2 billion in sales last year, grew up barefoot on the north end of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longbeach Village peacocks that evade trappers will be shot with a tranquilizer dart.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 18, 2015
Commission seeks to reduce peacock population

A trapper could get a golden egg of $25,000 to cull the Longbeach Village peacock population to 12 males.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dave Bullock would rather have more paid time off on his boat to fish with his wife, Donna, and grandson Evan Ohern, 3, whom Bullock calls “a great fisherman.”
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 18, 2015
Bullock turns down 4% raise

Longboat Key Town Manager Dave Bullock is fine with his $180,000 salary, but the avid boater floats one request before the commission.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Bay Isles Master Association Board voted Monday afternoon not to allow the town to use the more convenient Bay Isles Beach Club as one of its access points for dump trucks bringing sand to the sand starved shoreline.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 18, 2015
Bay Isles denies town beach access

Despite pleas from the town, Bay Isles residents won’t open their private beach club to dump trucks for an upcoming project to replenish shores in need of sand.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
District 1 Commissioner Armando Linde
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • November 18, 2015
Commissioners Linde, Zunz: Sitting soon on a dais near you

Armando Linde and Ed Zunz will become the newest town commissioners in March, after the deadline for candidates to qualify passes without challengers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • November 18, 2015
Cops Corner 11.19.2015

Crime reports from around the area.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Lakewood Ranch High tuba players practice for an upcoming regional competition.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • November 18, 2015
Lakewood Ranch, Braden River high schools offer brass tactics

East County tuba players sound off about the heaviest, largest instrument in the marching band.

  • East County
  • News
Builders may have to pay 50% more to construct new homes in Manatee County.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • November 18, 2015
Manatee County School Board says impact fees make sense

Funds needed to build new schools or additions as expected population boom hits.

  • East County
  • News
Janyel Smith, 26, is the youngest agriculture instructor in Manatee County.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • November 18, 2015
Lakewood Ranch High teacher plows through stereotypes

Janyel Smith embodies Farm City Week's 'Women in Agriculture' theme.

  • East County
  • News
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Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
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Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
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Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
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Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

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