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Your Observer

Ted Bogusz, far left, and Anila Jain, far right, organized a graduation party for Bill Mariotti Friday, Dec. 11, at the USFSM Culinary Innovation Lab in Lakewood Ranch. Rocky the bull made an appearance.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 6, 2016
Lakewood Ranch resident earns degree of perseverance

After 30 years, Bill Mariotti goes back to school at the University of South Florida to earn his diploma.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2016
People to Watch: Manfred Welfonder and Chuck Whittall

Whose development project proposal will Colony Beach & Tennis Resort unit owners select? All unit owner eyes are on Manfred Welfonder and Chuck Whittall in 2016.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bob Gault has plans to bury the wires in Country Club Shores.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2016
People to Watch: Bob Gault

Bob Gault is hopeful enough residents realize an effort to bury power lines on Longboat Key isn’t complete until a neighborhood and side street project is approved in March.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Braden River High School is currently 229 students over its capacity.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 6, 2016
Manatee County student overload should lead to construction

District's plans for new high school should be finalized in 2016.

  • East County
  • News
Student safety, finding additional revenue sources and alleviating overcrowding in county schools are items on Dr. Diana Greene's to-do list for 2016.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 6, 2016
People to watch

Manatee County Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene focuses on capacity and revenue issues in the New Year.

  • East County
  • News
Out-of-Door Academy Senior Class President Sierra Dickerson is adding another dance to the school's lineup and hopes to improve student-faculty dialogue with Town Hall-style meetings.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 6, 2016
People to watch

ODA Class of 2016 President Sierra Dickerson hopes to start up Town Hall-style meetings with school faculty members.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County School Board member John Colon hopes he can continue to help the board become more cohesive and cooperative.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 6, 2016
People to watch

The newest member of the Manatee County School Board, John Colon is focusing on school safety in 2016.

  • East County
  • News
Roy Lunn is known most for his design of the Ford GT-40.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 6, 2016
Your Town

Automotive innovator Roy Lunn honored at Lakewood Ranch Country Club luncheon; Lakewood Ranch High FCCLA students collect items for charity

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Crosby has served as the leader of Mote since 2013.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 6, 2016
People to Watch: Crosby prepares to capitalize on Mote's fundraising campaign

Mote Marine Laboratory CEO and President Michael Crosby will continue Mote’s $50 million fundraising drive as part of its 2020 vision plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 6, 2016
People to Watch: Kyanne Merrill

The director of the Community Activities Corporation started her position in April.

  • East County
  • News
Don and Vanessa Baugh, courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 6, 2016
Business Briefs 1.7.2016

Luhrsen Law Group relocates to Lakewood Ranch; Vanessa Fine Jewelry celebrates 10 years; California Pizza Kitchen leases spot at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 6, 2016
People to watch: Anne Ross

The new Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority Executive Director started in November.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 5, 2016
Lake Club home on Topsail Terrace sells for $1.85 million

Nelson Homes Inc. sold the home at 16027 Topsail Terrace to William and Monna Morton, of Atlanta, for $1,850,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
At a future meeting, city staff will bring back a negotiated land swap agreement for the commission's consideration.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 5, 2016
City explores downtown land deal with developer

To facilitate the construction of a roundabout at U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road, the city could agree to a land swap that would also facilitate the private development of nearby land.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Right of ways like this one on Ocean Boulevard could provide more parking, village merchants hope.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • January 5, 2016
SKVA renews hope in parking efforts

Chairman-elect will meet with county staff to continue discussion of a plan that could add approximately 300 spaces to parking in or around the village.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Manatee County graduation rates are up 2.2% from the 2013-2014 school year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 5, 2016
Manatee County graduation rate increases, surpasses state average

The Class of 2015 saw a 2.2% graduation increase from the previous graduating class.

  • East County
  • News
Ringling College of Art & Design President Larry Thompson, flanked by New College President Donal O’Shea and other university heads, announces the formation of the Consortium of Colleges on the Creative Coast.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • January 5, 2016
Multiversity Theory: College partnership receives $75,000 boost

Three foundations have announced support for the Consortium of Colleges on the Creative Coast, which will allow students to take classes at multiple local universities — among other goals.

  • Sarasota
  • News
There were 150 chairs placed throughout Town Hall Monday night to accomodate the crowd.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 5, 2016
Second referendum flickers forward

The Longboat Key Town Commission moved forward with a referendum to bury power lines in neighborhoods and side streets Monday night with a 5-2 vote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Residents raised concerns about the need for a signal at the entrance to Edgewater, on University Parkway, in 2013.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 5, 2016
Edgewater light nearly complete

Manatee County expects for a new signal on University Parkway, at the entrance to the Edgewater neighborhood, to go live Jan. 13.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 5, 2016
Archaeologists unearth Manasota period midden at Phillippi Estate Park

On the first day of a two-day excavation, experts find shells that reveal the diets of early Sarasotans.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School band students competed against 14 other schools in competitions leading up to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Dec. 31.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 5, 2016
Lakewood Ranch High bands earn awards at Peach Bowl competitions

The marching and jazz bands won the Grand Champion Award prior to performing at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Dec. 31.

  • East County
  • News
The five horses were confiscated Dec. 22. Photo courtesy of Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 5, 2016
Neglected horses healing at Manatee County Sheriff’s Office farm

Five horses were confiscated from a property in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River guard Deoni Cason was named to the Smoothie King Classic's All-Tournament team.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 5, 2016
Pirates finish 2-1 in Holiday Classic

The Braden River High boys basketball team finished fifth in the annual Smoothie King Classic Dec. 28 through Dec. 30.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch sophomore Faith Schyck scored the lone goal of the game.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 5, 2016
Lady Mustangs notch 10th shutout

The Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team edged past Riverview 1-0 Dec. 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
After more than 40 years as an artist, Palm Aire's Jaimie Bowes now specializes in pet paintings.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 5, 2016
SIDE OF RANCH: Jay Heater

Can't dog artist for going back to her roots

  • East County
  • News
Kris Brzostek points out an indent on a Quahog or hard-shell clam that could have been used as a tool by natives.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 4, 2016
Archaeologists dig up history at Phillippi Estate Park

Public is invited to observe experts unearth ancient tools and more Tuesday, Jan. 5.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Benderson Park will continue to host national and international events in rowing. In June, it hosted the the USRowing Youth National Championships. The Sarasota Crew Men’s Lightweight Youth 8+ attempt to hold off Orlando Area Rowing Society.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 4, 2016
SANCA has sky high goals for Nathan Benderson Park

Finish tower should be complete in 2016, boat house may be next

  • East County
  • News
The boards meet at Manatee County's administrative building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 4, 2016
Manatee County seeks board applicants

Openings remain on the Planning Commission and Healthcare Advisory Board.

  • East County
  • News
At today's meeting, the City Commission could direct staff to negotiate a land swap agreement with Palsar Developments Inc.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 4, 2016
U.S. 41 property owner proposes land swap with city

Palsar Developments Inc. submitted plans for an 18-story hotel and condo project at U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road, but the firm says a potential roundabout is complicating the process.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch goalkeeper Liam Bramley and his teammates will defend their home field against Venice Jan. 11.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2016
East County Sports Spotlight: 01.07.16

That's the ticket ...

  • East County
  • Sports
Stock photo by flickr.com user Steven Depolo
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 4, 2016
Could Taco Bell be coming to State Road 64?

A developer applied for a rezone for a property south of Carlos E. Haile Middle School.

  • East County
  • News
The second reading and public hearing for a neighborhood and side street project to bury above ground power lines could be a long agenda item at tonight’s regular meeting,
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 4, 2016
Crowd anticipated for undergrounding discussion tonight

The Longboat Key Town Commission seeks to move forward with a referendum to bury power lines in neighborhoods and side streets tonight.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Human rights activist Bassam Eid was interviewed by Lakewood Ranch graduate Jared Dipsiner after his presentation at the University of Central Florida.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 4, 2016
Lakewood Ranch graduate educates public with website

Jared Dipsiner's passion for Middle East news turns into journalistic endeavor

  • East County
  • News
Braden River's Deoni Cason (shootint) was named to the Smoothie King Classic's All-Tournament Team.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 4, 2016
East County High 5 Moments: 01.07.16

East County High 5 Moments: 01.07.16

  • East County
  • Sports
The Rye Preserve Nature Center highlights historical happenings of East County in the 19th and 20th centuries.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 4, 2016
Nature Center at Rye Preserve opens Saturday

The attraction will highlight East County's roots in the 19th and 20th centuries.

  • East County
  • News
Jeff Burkee, senior vice president Bank of Commerce, Bob Simon, president of development for SMR, Laura Adcock, WBRC Architects, and Crawford Construction owners Utahna Smith and Jeff Smith break ground.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 2, 2016
Crawford Construction breaks ground on new office space in Lakewood Ranch

Commercial construction company will have added exposure with new headquarters fronted by I-75

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

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John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center
2
The Citizen Tax Oversight Committee meets once a year to review expenditures of revenue brought in from the infrastructure surtax. The 2026 meeting lasted about 15 minutes on Thursday, April 2.
  • April 6, 2026
Longboat infrastructure tax spending plan comes up $6 million short
3
Bella Toscano is one of two Mustangs, as of April 3, hitting over .450, but also boasts the lowest ERA among her teammates.
  • April 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Toscano
4
DragonBoot Quartet performs the world premiere of Roger Zare’s “Gamma” for string quartet for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota on April 12.
  • April 6, 2026
Pine View grad solves for 'Gamma' in his latest music composition
5
Benderson Development's latest plans for the former Sarasota County Administrative Center property as presented to Laurel Park residents in December 2025.
  • April 6, 2026
Benderson begins trek through rezoning of 1660 Ringling Boulevard

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