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Your Observer

    By
  • Cliff Roles
  • October 8, 2015
Goodwill Ambassador of the Year Awards Dinner

Goodwill honors ambassadorsof the year

  • Black Tie
Manatee Technical College's main campus can now take footage of weather in real time.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • October 8, 2015
Manatee Technical College opens weather station

The East County school can now track the weather in real time and make weather predictions with the help of a weatherSTEM station they received for free.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team won its Tri-Match Oct. 7.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 8, 2015
Mustangs post pair of wins

The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team won its Tri-Match Oct. 7.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lisa Bohn follows Tim Tuohey’s lead on the floor at the monthly Contra dance in March at Fogartyville Community Media & Art Center.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • October 8, 2015
Sarasota Calendar 10.8.15

Sarasota and Siesta Key events for the week of Oct. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • October 8, 2015
This week in history 10.8.15

A glimpse of the way things were from the archives.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. Whitney Stewart.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • October 8, 2015
Congratulations, Cadet

Sarasota Military Academy alumna Whitney Stewart named Boys & Girls Club of America National Youth of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rick Carlisle was named the president and CEO for the Community AIDS Network in April.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • October 8, 2015
Conversation with Rick Carlisle

Rick Carlisle stepped into the position of President and CEO for the Community AIDS Network in April.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Garden Club selected the St. Armands Lutheran Church for their incorporation of green space into the campus.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • October 8, 2015
Sarasota Garden Club awards curb appeal

The Civic Beautification Awards celebrate 50th anniversary and properties that have maintained their green spaces.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The city will review the final report to see if any red flags are present, but so far, the Army Corps is still confident in the plan to dredge Big Pass.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 8, 2015
City unfazed by critical review of Big Pass dredge

A draft of an independent peer review raised issues with plans to renourish Lido Key and dredge Big Pass — but the city and Army Corps say their confidence in the project isn't sunk yet.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The owners of the Ringling Shopping Center have a year to decide which course of action they would like to take when attempting to redevelop the property.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 8, 2015
City cuts a deal with Ringling Shopping Center owners

After two years of legal action, the city and the owners of the Ringling Shopping Center have reached a settlement agreement. Now what?

  • Sarasota
  • News
A home in Cocoanut Bayou tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 8, 2015
Cocoanut Bayou home sells for $3 million

The following residential real estate transactions took place between September 21 and September 25.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Wayne Applebee, county director of homeless services, and consultant Robert Marbut provided updates on the county’s initiatives this summer. Marbut was critical of the inability to construct a come-as-you-are shelter for chronic homeless individuals.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 8, 2015
City, county hope to work past differing homelessness strategies

The city and county will meet next month to discuss regional homelessness issues. Can the two sides, pursuing distinct strategies, find any points of compromise?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lynn Larson, who serves on the SBEP board and the Longboat Key Town Commission.
    By
  • Jack Short
  • October 8, 2015
District votes to end funding for estuary program

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is being rebuked for management and finance problems.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jack Short
  • October 8, 2015
Honore to receive another roundabout

Prepare to slow down when you drive the intersection of Honore Avenue and Central Sarasota Parkway.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 7, 2015
Cops Corner: Sarasota 10.08.15

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
SANCA president Paul Blackketter
    By
  • Jack Short
  • October 7, 2015
SANCA decides to keep Blackketter

The nonprofit organization agreed to retain President Paul Blackketter, and agreed to a third-party investigation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • October 7, 2015
Bird Key Sea Gals soar to season

The women of Bird Key Yacht Club gathered for Sea Gals on Oct. 7.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • October 7, 2015
Chamber members gather at Café L’Europe

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce held its monthly networking luncheon at Café L’Europe on Oct. 7.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Chairwoman Betsy Benac asked the audience to wave hands instead of clapping to avoid a noisy room.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 7, 2015
Commissioners choose to uphold quality of life standards for East County communities

Manatee County commissioners voted to keep speed limits on Whitfield Avenue and Tara Boulevard the same and take no action on proposed restrictions to golf cart usage.

  • East County
  • News
Mall General Manager Octavio Ortiz and Benderson Development Executive Director of Leasing Mark Chait chat following the press conference.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 7, 2015
Celebration sheds light on Sarasota mall's future

The Mall at UTC leaders noted prosperous first year during an event this morning, and said they envision an optimistic future.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Christian celebrated its five seniors Oct. 6.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 7, 2015
Lady Blazers victorious on Senior Night

The Sarasota Christian volleyball team beat Keswick Christian 3-0 Oct. 6.

  • East County
  • Sports
William Pope, 8 bicycled two miles with his brother, Andrew, and dad, Robert.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2015
Families use pedal power to promote safety

Braden River Elementary School families participated in the national Walk and Bike to School Day today.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lorenzo Jr., left, is a member of the Sheriff's Office; Cory, right, has joined the Bradenton Police Department.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 7, 2015
Sheriff's Office captain retires after 36 years of service

Lorenzo Waiters leaves behind legacy of solid county police work. Now, he’ll watch his sons take his place.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2015
Tree removal prompts more questions

Creekwood resident Elizabeth Sullivan questions the value of the new diverging diamond interchange under construction.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The home, at 423 Polk Drive, has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,886 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 7, 2015
John Ringling Estates home sells for $950,000

The home, at 423 Polk Drive, has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,886 square feet of living area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The two-bed, two-bath 2,336-square-foot home, at 7155 La Lenaire Drive, is for sale for $1.5 million.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • October 7, 2015
Jewfish Key home for sale

The two-bed, two-bath 2,336-square-foot home, at 7155 La Lenaire Drive, is for sale for $1.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Last year’s Grand Marshal and World War II veteran Lee Auslander, then 100, with Andy Hooker and Andy Sawyer.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • October 7, 2015
Rotary Club to honor veterans

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key will host its second annual Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Carol Erker volunteers at Tuttle Elementary School’s food panty, a biweekly event organized by the Rotary Club of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • October 7, 2015
Conversation with Carol Erker

Carol Erker serves as the Rotary Club of Longboat Key's president.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Union Vice President Keith Tanner, firefighter/paramedic Jose Rivera Jr., Firefighter Lt. and union negotiator Jason Berzowski and firefighter/paramedic Brandon Desch make up the fire union's negotiation team.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 7, 2015
Town, firefighters play numbers game

Longboat Key firefighters like the extra $312,546 in wages the town proposes. But they say the town must subtract the 11% retirement contribution they pay toward a frozen plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Police Sergeant Lee Smith and Officer Ray Bergeron activated their squad car lights in the 5400 block of Gulf Of Mexico Drive Sept. 30, which started a chase on the north end of the Key.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 7, 2015
Car theft suspects arrested after chase

A reminder to anyone driving a stolen vehicle: Longboat Key has license cameras. Just ask the four people who were arrested last week after a high-speed chase.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Back row: Ryan Yates, Ashley Scalzi, Megan Lee and Trey Osborne. Front row: Matthew Banta, Alexia Yates, Ella Kraft, Skylar Lee and Nathan Inverso
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 7, 2015
Bunnies 4-H Club hops into the winners circle

Hare-raising experience teaches members how to breed, show and care for rabbits

  • East County
  • News
Tables available for $20 per seat will be lined up along Sarasota Bay at Bayfront Park for the town's 60th anniversary party Nov. 14.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • October 7, 2015
Longboat Key at 60: Get ready to party

The free event will have no admission at the door and will foster community spirit by allowing residents to bring blankets and their own food and beverages. Cost for the town? $13,765.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Kyle James is the new part-time receptionist at Town Hall.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 7, 2015
Conversation with Kyle James

The 21-year-old is taking lessons learned at Disney and applying them to Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority board members noted in a Sept. 30 meeting that Anne Ross “shoots high above the rest" on paper.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 7, 2015
Ross is the LWR post front-runner

Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Anne Ross is one of two finalists being considered for the Lakewood Ranch executive director position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Masengale said he used to care a lot about what other people thought; now, however, he's comfortable being himself.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 7, 2015
Mr. Crazy Pants: Bradenton resident promotes self-confidence with clothing

Three years ago, Gary Masengale got a leg up from a cotton candy-colored pair of pants and has continued his collection.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • October 7, 2015
Cops Corner 10.7.15

Crime reports from around the area.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
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