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Your Observer

Carson Bise, of TischlerBise, explains how school impact fees are determined.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 7, 2016
Manatee County Commission OKs school impact fees

Starting in April, the school board will again collect fees on new development.

  • East County
  • News
Station 17 is located on DeSoto Road, just east of Honore Avenue.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 7, 2016
Sarasota County opens new fire station

Sarasota County Fire Station 17 will serve the area along University Parkway and generally east of Interstate 75.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 7, 2016
Guns make you safer

Few people would agree with that idea, or with two bills that would allow guns to be carried in the open. But there’s a legitimate case for how open carry can improve safety.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Riverview junior Adi Trifka was credited with an assist Jan. 6.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 7, 2016
Second-half surge sparks Rams

The Riverview High boys soccer team beat Sarasota Military Academy 3-1 Jan. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 7, 2016
Tryouts upcoming for area AAU hoops teams

Liberty Edge Youth Basketball will hold tryouts for its travel basketball teams Jan. 16 and Jan. 17.

  • East County
  • Sports
Austin Katz and his Sarasota YMCA Sharks teammates have been ranked No. 11 in USA Swimming's Club Excellence Program.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 7, 2016
Sarasota Sidelines: 01.07.16

Sarasota Sidelines: 01.07.16

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney's Emmanuel Lambright was named to the Suncoast Holiday Classic's All-Tournament team.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 7, 2016
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 01.07.16

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 01.07.16

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Riverview alum Richie James scored three touchdowns for Middle Tennessee State University in the Bahamas Bowl Dec. 24.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 7, 2016
Sarasota Just the Stats: 01.07.16

Sarasota Just the Stats: 01.07.16

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Caitlyn Klein battles Riverview's Gabrielle Levy during the Lady Mustangs' 1-0 victory Dec. 18.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 7, 2016
Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

No breaking these Mustangs in January

  • East County
  • Sports
Former Sarasota Crew coxswain David Wyant started announcing regattas at Nathan Benderson Park five years ago.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 7, 2016
Man of Mystery

Sarasota resident and Sarasota Crew coxswain coach David Wyant has been announcing regattas at Nathan Benderson Park for five years.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Frescura, fresh off the plane from a Chicago winter, enjoying the sun in the heart of the village.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • January 7, 2016
People to watch: Ann Frescura

The incoming Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce executive director brings a unique perspective.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Guitarist and vocalists Joey Bravo performs for the band Lazy Bonez.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 7, 2016
Sarasota calendar 1.7.16

Sarasota and Siesta Key events for the week of Jan. 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. Jane the otter.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 7, 2016
New Mote residents: Otterly adorable

Meet Huck, Pippi and Jane the resident otters for the "Otters & Their Waters" exhibit.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Volunteer Roxanne Williamson holds up a 10-pound bag of shells found on the grounds of Phillippi Estate Park.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2016
WHAT'S HAPPENING: Consortium of Colleges, City land swap

WEEK OF JAN. 7 2016

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jack Short
  • January 7, 2016
People to watch: Rick Piccolo

What does Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport CEO Rick Piccolo see for growth in 2016 and beyond? The sky’s the limit.

  • Sarasota
  • News
As CEO of Jebco Ventures, Bridges is spearheading two hotel projects and three residential developments, among other efforts.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2016
People to Watch: Bridges builds up development resume

Jebco Ventures CEO Jim Bridges has a full docket of ongoing projects throughout Sarasota, and he's embracing every challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Entrepreneur David Chessler said he wants the future of the Main Plaza complex to reflect the desires of Sarasota residents.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2016
People to Watch: Main Plaza developer strives to reflect community vision

David Chessler, one-third of the entrepreneurial team overseeing the redevelopment of Main Plaza, wants the project to represent the desires and needs of Sarasota residents.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Urban Design Studio Director Karin Murphy is working intently with staff on assembling resident input and synthesizing it into a final product for the new form-based zoning code.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2016
People to Watch: Murphy readies new zoning code

Urban Design Studio Director Karin Murphy will finish her work on a new form-based code for the city of Sarasota — but not before it gets a thorough vetting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Doug Logan, the city's homelessness director, plans to unveil a new organization focused on housing homeless individuals in early 2016.
    By
  • David Conway
  • January 7, 2016
People to Watch: Logan crafts strategy for addressing homelessness

City homelessness director Doug Logan believes Sarasota can make significant strides toward addressing a long-standing issue in 2016 — as long as politics don’t get in the way.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The first major project when Marie Selby Botanical Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki arrived was to repair the mangrove walkway. The new Steinwachs Family Foundation Mangrove Walkway opened in November.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 7, 2016
People to Watch: Jennifer Rominiecki

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki sees the opportunity to grow both the gardens and its revenue sources.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 7, 2016
Harbor Acres home sells for $4.2 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between Dec. 14 and Dec. 25.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2016
Cops Corner: Sarasota 01.07.16

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Currently, Lakewood Ranch Boulevard dead ends in the Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park. Schroeder-Manatee Ranch officials say its extension south to Fruitville Road will be open in late 2017.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2016
Affordable housing key to expansion

The Villages project creates affordable housing and a new road network joining Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • East County
  • News
Life Enrichment Coordinator Sonja Carpenter brought in some of her finished king cakes.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 6, 2016
Windsor residents learn the art of king cake

The assisted living residence held a demonstration on the colorful culinary tradition.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Developer Pat Neal (right), and his son, John (left)
    By
  • Jack Short
  • January 6, 2016
Neal carves out a small chunk of Palmer Ranch

The developer submitted a pre-application proposal to build up to 50 homes where five stand.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County School Board members hope to reinstate impact fees at 50%, 75% and 100% of the maximum recommended amount.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 6, 2016
Manatee County Commissioners to decide on school district impact fees

After the district in November approved reinstating impact fees, commissioners will put the final seal on bringing back the builder fees.

  • East County
  • News
The Retter Wing at Sarasota Memorial Hospital comes down to make room for a 44-bed Rehabilitation Pavilion.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • January 6, 2016
Sarasota Memorial makes room for rehabilitation pavilion

Demolition of the former Retter wing starts on the site for the new rehabilitation pavilion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Town Commission meeting Monday started with overflow capacity — 36 residents seated in the Town Hall foyer.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 6, 2016
Fair and equitable

How to pay for underground utility lines in Longboat’s neighborhoods is a perplexing dilemma. But commissioners were right deciding to let the voters decide.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch's Sam Hester goes up for a layup in the first half.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 6, 2016
Mustangs topple rival Pirates in district play

The Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team beat Braden River 74-51 Jan. 5.

  • East County
  • Sports
Starbucks has other locations in Manatee County, including one near Interstate 75 and State Road 64, as well as one on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. File photo from Flickr.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 6, 2016
Starbucks has plans for new East County location

Benderson Development has submitted plans to develop a Starbucks on Lockwood Ridge Road and State Road 70.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High's new facility will house 10 cattle and cost more than $100,000 to construct.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 6, 2016
Braden River High opens new livestock facility

The school's new pole barn cost more than $100,000 to construct and will house 10 cattle.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 6, 2016
Cops Corner 1.7.2016

Crime reports from around the area.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Lakewood Ranch Main Street celebrated its 10-year anniversary this year.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 6, 2016
Getting ready for growth: Main Street choosy about new tenants

With only one retail unit unfilled, Lakewood Main Street stocked and ready to serve an expanding population.

  • East County
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2016
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 1.7.16

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

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Marsha Panuce with Kelly, a cockatoo, at 2015’s Save Our Seabirds Sunset Soiree.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2016
10 events in '16

Check out the 10 events on our radar for 2016.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Florence Katz celebrates her 100th birthday in July 2015. She told the Longboat Observer as she prepared to celebrate a century, “I’ve loved every day.”
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2016
Katz, 100, was small in stature, yet larger than life

Florence Katz died Dec. 26. Her magnum opus is her decades of service throughout the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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