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Your Observer

Fiscal 2016 will be Longboat Key Town Manager Dave Bullock's busiest year to date.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2016
People to Watch: David Bullock

The town manager has millions of dollars in capital project to oversee in 2016, but none are as important to him as obtaining permits to renourish the island’s shoreline.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2016
OBITUARY | Theodore Tilton

Theodore Lake Tilton Sr., 74, of Longboat Key, died Jan. 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2016
OBITUARY | Riva Kramer

Riva Kramer, 92, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key, died Dec. 24.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Welcome to the dais in March District 1 Commissioner elect Armando Linde and District 5 Commissioner elect Ed Zunz.Linde will serve in the seat Commissioner Lynn Larson will
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 6, 2016
People to Watch: Armando Linde and Ed Zunz

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

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2016
OBITUARY | Marguerite Coffey

Marguerite Coffey, 92, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key, died Dec. 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Carol Erker
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2016
People to watch in 2016: Carol Erker

Carol Erker, president of the Rotary Club of Longboat key, has helped raise money for Bayfront Park’s new off-leash dog park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Phillips
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2016
People to watch in 2016: Susan Phillips

Susan Phillips is assistant to the town manager, president and scholarship chairwoman of the Longboat Key Garden Club and scholarship chairwoman of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Maureen Burke did almost all the planting of her garden herself, with supervision from Sanders.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • January 6, 2016
East County master gardener: in this oasis, she rules

This gardener adds her personal touch to a world of uniformity.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bob Simmons
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 6, 2016
People to watch in 2016: Bob Simmons

As the chairman of the Longboat Key Foundation, Bob Simmons has helped pave the way for a new medical facility on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 570 S. Spoonbill Drive has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 6,846 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 6, 2016
Bird Key home sells for $3.88 million

The home at 570 S. Spoonbill Drive has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 6,846 square feet of living area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
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
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