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Your Observer

The Sarasota County School Board is currently in the middle of its budget process.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 22, 2015
Health care debate adds dose of uncertainty to schools budget

The Sarasota School District faces uncertainty about final revenue numbers as the Florida House and Senate wage battle over Medicaid expansion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The State Fire Marshall is investigating two suspicious fires that engulfed part of the old YMCA building on School Avenue and a nearby shed Tuesday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • April 22, 2015
School Avenue fire sparks arson investigation

The State Fire Marshall is investigating two suspicious fires that engulfed part of the old YMCA building on School Avenue and a nearby shed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Booker High School principal Dr. Rachel Shelley congratulates student Nani Turner.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • April 22, 2015
Students shine at Most Improved Awards

Teachers, sponsors and 40 students from Booker, Riverview, Sarasota and Venice high schools gathered to celebrate the 17th annual Most Improved Student Award Wednesday at Michael's on East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County commissioners asked Historical Resources staff to dig into the 3,760-acre site's history to help find a more suitable name. Photo courtesy: Sarasota County.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • April 22, 2015
Sarasota County commissioners reject proffered names for Walton Ranch site

The county received 18 suggestions during the submission period from Feb. 16 to March 16.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The one-level Applause model offers 2,110 square feet of living area, plus a two-car garage, lanai and entry for a total of 2,820 square feet. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Photos by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2015
Neal opens Magnolia Point

The 74-home gated community will target seniors who want low association fees and limited amenities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 22, 2015
School revitalizes arts with showcase

Lakewood Ranch High School shows its arts departments are alive and thriving

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The "Thunder Road" burger has applewood smoke bacon, American cheese, bourbon barbecue and a sesame bun.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2015
Burger & Beer joint opens at Mall at UTC

The location will be the company's fourth.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 22, 2015
High five moments of the week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Courtesy rendering
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2015
Making a splash

An Orlando-based partnership seeks to whet the appetite of a Manatee County committee to build a 20-acre water park at Tom Bennett Park.

  • East County
  • News
Signature Saks Rockstar faux leather cosmetic case, $28, at Saks Fifth Avenue Sarasota
    By
  • Heather Merriman Saba
  • April 22, 2015
Fashion Insider: All White Everything

The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is when we all love to wear white, although the urge starts a little early in Florida.

  • Black Tie
Phil Mancini presents Beatrice Friedman with her birthday cake. Photo by Cliff Roles.
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • April 22, 2015
Black Tie & Tales 4.23.15

Catch up on this week's social news with Black Tie & Tales.

  • Black Tie
This home at 5030 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $3.2 million. It has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,246 square feet of living area. Photo courtesy of Michael Saunders & Co.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 22, 2015
Gulf of Mexico Drive home sells for $3.2 million

A home on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Sarasota artist Tom Stephens painted the abstract over the sofa. It’s part of a series called “A Coat of Many Colors.” The two brown leather side chairs, right, are by 1970s master designer Milo Baughman.
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • April 22, 2015
Small space, big style

An apartment’s artwork displays the cream of several collections.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This home at 7510 Rigby Court has four bedrooms, four and a half baths, a pool and 4,596 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.15 million. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 22, 2015
Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch home sells for $1.15 million

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

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Chris Lynch, new owner Jason Burns and Ethna Lynch
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 22, 2015
Lynch sisters toast end of an era

Chris and Ethna Lynch head for a new destination: retirement.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
Letters to the editor

Key Club referendum: Leaning toward ‘no’; Vote ‘NO’ on Key Club referendum; Give us more truth

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Courtesy photo Although Josh Hill has only been practicing Parkour for three years, he has established a group of 25 students who attend weekly classes at his East County gym, Sarasota Parkour Facility. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 22, 2015
Motorcycle crash grounds Parkour instructor

The discipline of Parkour emphasizes speed, but for instructor Josh Hill, the road to recovery after an accident won’t be quick.

  • East County
  • News
Lauren Proctor, Natalia Vuckovic, Ashley Bongart, Selena Gomez and Jessie Kroupa won Lakewood Ranch High’s first state tennis title April 13 and April 14. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 22, 2015
State champs

The Lakewood Ranch High girls tennis team captured its first Class 3A state championship April 13 and April 14, in Altamonte Springs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch senior Sierra Schappacher inspired her sister, Denali, to start playing softball. Photo by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 22, 2015
Close bond drives outfielders

Sisters Sierra and Denali Schappacher played their final game together on the softball field April 14.

  • East County
  • Sports
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain believed he could trust and celebrated a signed agreement with Adolph Hitler that Britain and Germany would never go to war again. Will Barack Obama be our Neville Chamberlain? Courtesy photos
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
Our View: The parallels of history

Obama’s negotiating with the Iranians has many parallels to Neville Chamberlain and Adolph Hitler.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Frances Tiafoe and Lakewood Ranch senior Ashley Bongart warmed up together twice during the Sarasota Open. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 22, 2015
Meeting their match

Lakewood Ranch senior Ashley Bongart shares the court with rising star Frances Tiafoe at the Open.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sean Kennedy and Don French were co-assistant principals of Braden River High School April 17. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 22, 2015
BRHS student takes on principal role for a day principal for a day

Sean Kennedy, 16, rules the school for a day working alongside Braden River High Assistant Principal Don French.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
News briefs

North end coalition hosts forum; Commission approves attorney contract change; Commission OKs canal survey

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lee Wetherington, founder of Lee Wetherington Homes, pictured in front of the Windsong model that the company unveiled earlier this year. Wetherington was one of the original six homebuilders invited to build out Lakewood Ranch. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 22, 2015
Conversation with Lee Wetherington

Lee Wetherington, 68, started planning and designing homes in the mid-1970s, as co-owner of a small Jacksonville business.

  • East County
  • News
A community garden could grow someday in Greenbrook Adventure Park. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2015
CDD 4 considers growing support for Greenbrook garden

A landscape committee will discuss whether a community garden should take root at Greenbrook Adventure Park.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 22, 2015
Market becomes Main summer attraction

Eight months after it launched on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, Jen’s MarketPlace will be in bloom throughout the summer.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2015
LADDER UP: Welcome the 619

East Manatee Fire Rescue added a new $1 million truck with a 100-foot ladder to its fleet last week.

  • East County
  • News
David Novak cares for 15 swans at Harbourside and Islandside, including two breeding pairs that are currently in nesting mode. Photo by Kristen Herhold
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • April 22, 2015
Q+A with David Novak

Longboat Key is home to 15 swans, and new babies are on the way.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Planning and Zoning Board Member Andrew Aitken and four other current planning members so far plan to reapply for a new seven-member board the Town Commission will appoint in June. Photo by Kurt Schultheis
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 22, 2015
Musical Chairs

There are eight members of the P&Z Board left. But soon there will only be room for seven.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Map by Nicole Thompson
    By
  • David Conway
  • April 22, 2015
City to further explore Circle garage options

St. Armands Circle stakeholders are standing firm behind a plan to add a Circle parking garage.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Alicia Aeziman
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 22, 2015
Police arrest dog groomer for credit card theft

Police allege Alicia Aeziman used a customer’s credit card to pay for sunglasses and a restaurant bill.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rough draft concept drawn on a map by Tindale Oliver show potential locations for two-story retail and office space, a cultural center and two, two-story parking garages around a civic lawn with a pond and walking trails as potential town center options
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 22, 2015
Town center Concept hits speed bump

The commission won’t review a master plan for the area this month while the town seeks consensus from stakeholders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A Key location could have a small book store, like this Goodwill Manasota book store on 55th Avenue East, but would not have a major retail component. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 22, 2015
Goodwill still shopping for Longboat Key location

The nonprofit’s interest in the Key hasn’t dropped off. Now, it’s seeking goodwill from the town in hopes of building a donation center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Marine Police Officer Shawn Nagell, a 15-year veteran of the police department, has been trained as a 911 dispatcher and is receiving overtime for taking on dispatch responsibilities.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • April 22, 2015
Commission hangs up on dispatch discussion

A majority of commissioners have an answer to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office’s call for consolidation after two years on hold: Eliminate the Key’s police dispatch service.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
News briefs

Tokyo Olympic delegation visits park; County administrator outlines priorities; School District plans for 2015-2016

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch resident Barb Miller has been involved in caring for feral cats since she was a child. “A friend of mine said there is no out from rescue,” she says. “It’s like mafia. Death is (the out). Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2015
For the Love of the Cats

Barb Miller loves cats, and she’s on a quest to save the ‘wild’ ones — particularly a feral colony behind an East County apartment complex.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
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SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
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East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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