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Your Observer

The exterior of the home at 5762 Carriage Drive is pristine—even the lawn has been kept up. Inside, however, fell into ruin.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 22, 2015
Nightmare on Carriage Drive

A Mote Ranch house is undergoing an extreme home makeover.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
At 6'5, Chris Loftus says he's the "shrimp" of his cousins, all of whom are 6'8 and taller.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 22, 2015
Conversation with Chris Loftus

​After a career on the soccer field, Chris Loftus traded his cleats for a career in the medical field. He is now the new chief operating officer of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

  • East County
  • News
This Country Club East home at 15324 Helmsdale Place sold for $647,000. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,478 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 22, 2015
Richmond Park home sells for $860,000

See the top transactions in your neighborhood.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Bashaw Elementary Principal Josh Bennett hopes the renovation and implementation of STEAM curriculum will bring the East County school up to speed with other area schools.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 22, 2015
Bashaw Elementary prepares for first-class makeover

An expanded cafeteria and a possible building addition that would house 10 classrooms are part of a $10 million renovation.

  • East County
  • News
San Marco Plaza President Barb Smith said the plaza may host a "Rock Around the Clock Tower" event, as it did Christmas 2011, once the plaza's anchor space secures a new tenant.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 22, 2015
San Marco gains momentum

The summer has proved an eventful time for tenants in San Marco Plaza.

  • East County
  • News
Mixon Fruit Farms owners Janet and Dean Mixon will be in Washington, D.C. this week lobbying for tighter regulations on agricultural imports.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 22, 2015
Farmers lobby for regulations

Following an incident at Port Manatee, Mixon Fruit Farm owners Dean and Janet Mixon this week will lobby for stronger protections for farms against pests.

  • East County
  • News
Members of the Inter-District Authority Board vote on their 2015-2016 budget.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 22, 2015
IDA holds costs down

The budget adoption paves the way for Lakewood Ranch CDD budget adoptions next month.

  • East County
  • News
Of the 65 Manatee Elementary students who participated, they voted the Cookies and Cream ice cream flavor as the most liked.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 22, 2015
East County school hosts taste test

Freedom Elementary teams up with RaceTrac to provide frozen yogurt for campers at Manatee Elementary.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Marina and Bill Schmidt, owners of the Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch, received the President's Circle Award a few weeks ago.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 22, 2015
East County school receives leadership award

Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch earned The President’s Circle Award at a national Kiddie Academy Conference.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 22, 2015
Cops Corner East County 7.23.15

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • July 22, 2015
OBITUARY | ​Herbert Kellner

Herbert Kellner died Jan. 21

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Lieutenant and lead union negotiator Jason Berzowski spends a third of his life on Longboat Key with firefighter/paramedics he calls his brothers.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 22, 2015
A Conversation with Jason Berzowski

Longboat Key Fire Rescue Lieutenant and lead union negotiator Jason Berzowski, 37, is an eight-year employee of the town who trains rookies, sits at the negotiation table this summer to discuss contract negotiations and even cooks dinner at the fire house

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 21, 2015
In Bloom: Selby Gardens–Butterfly Garden Curator

Barbara Feinberg volunteers as the Butterfly Garden curator for Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The city will consider replacing some grass in shaded areas of the park with other plants, such as ferns.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 21, 2015
DID mulls future of Five Points Park landscaping

As the city prepares to replace worn-down turf at Selby Five Points Park, officials could cut down on the grass footprint to allow for healthier overall growth.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The project is slated for completion in spring 2017.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 21, 2015
$6.9 million Myakka River Bridge repair to proceed this week

One lane will remain open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

  • East County
  • News
Samantha Bisceglia submitted this photo of a least tern and its baby chicks, taken on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 21, 2015
Sarasota photo contest winner: July 23

Samantha Bisceglia submitted this photo of a least tern and its baby chicks, taken on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Angie Stringer will serve as the new executive director of Girls Inc. beginning Aug. 31.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • July 21, 2015
Girls Inc. welcomes new executive director

Angie Stringer will serve as the new executive director of Girls Inc. beginning Aug. 31.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 21, 2015
Longboat Key photo contest winner: July 23

Jeffrey Jones submitted this photo, taken on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch resident Lynn Nagle Flood submitted this photo of a bird of paradise, taken at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 21, 2015
East County photo contest winner: July 23

Lakewood Ranch resident Lynn Nagle Flood submitted this photo of a bird of paradise, taken at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
TripAdvisor names Mote Aquarium the fifth best aquarium in the U.S. and 15th best in the world. Reviews on the website particularly mention Mote's limited-time exhibit Oh Baby, which focuses on baby marine animals.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • July 21, 2015
TripAdvisor names Mote the fifth best aquarium in the U.S.

TripAdvisor listed Mote Marine Aquarium the fifth best aquarium in the U.S. and 15th best in the world in its 2015 Travelers’ Choice awards.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Angie Stringer will serve as the new executive director of Girls Inc. beginning Aug. 31.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • July 21, 2015
Girls Inc. welcomes new executive director

Angie Stringer will serve as the new executive director of Girls Inc. beginning Aug. 31.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sixteen dogs, including great danes, are Nate's Honor Animal Rescue's newest residents.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 21, 2015
East County rescue needs supplies

Towels, dog beds, toys and paper towels: Nate's Honor Animal Rescue needs donations after taking in 16 animals over the last two days.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 21, 2015
Mustangs score with hoops camp

Eighty-three boys and girls, entering second through ninth grade, hit the court for the final week of Lakewood Ranch High’s summer basketball camp July 13 through July 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • July 21, 2015
Pirates enjoy summer slugfest

Braden River High held its third annual softball and baseball summer camp July 13 through July 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
Moore’s Stone Crab Restaurant at 800 Broadway in Longbeach Village sold for $3.2 July 7.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 21, 2015
Moore’s Stone Crab Restaurant fetches $3.2 million

It will take at least a year for the new Longboat Key restaurant owners to get a new restaurant approved and built at 800 Broadway.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 21, 2015
SRQ airport lands new airline

Calgary-based WestJet plans to serve SRQ Airport with nonstop service to Toronto twice a week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This home at 524 N. Spoonbill Drive has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,425 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,670,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 21, 2015
Three-bedroom Bird Key home sells for $1,670,000

The home is on 524 N. Spoonbill Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Dana Laganella Gerling has owned a legal firm in Sarasota for eight years.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 21, 2015
East County lawyer receives elite reward

Dana Laganella Gerling, of Affordable Attorney, Gerling Law Group Chartered, has been selected to the 2015 Super Lawyers List.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key residents have rallied against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' plans to dredge Big Pass.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 20, 2015
Siesta Isles survey reveals opposition to Big Pass dredge proposal

A survey by the 297-home Siesta Isles Association came back with 98% of respondents agains the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to mine Big Pass to shore up Lido Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • July 20, 2015
Jebco plans North Trail condo project

Fresh off development of the Q townhomes on Ringling Boulevard, Jebco Ventures has submitted preliminary plans for more than 150 condominiums on North Tamiami Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kids practice ball handling during the morning basketball session.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 20, 2015
Kids warm up with Risen Savior's Mega Sports Camp

The East County Lutheran Church held its sports camp July 20-24.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Five contestants battled it out for bragging rights, and $50.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • July 20, 2015
Hungry contestants devour hot dogs

Wolves Head Pizza and Wings held its first annual hot dog eating contest Saturday, July 18.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo. Jack Levick with Carol Papa at his retirement celebration.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 20, 2015
First Presbyterian music director retires

Jack Levick served as music director for First Presbyterian Church for 11 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Are you prepared to hunker down at your home during a hurricane? CERT is offering a free information session on which tools can safeguard homeowners from storms this hurricane season.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • July 20, 2015
Lakewood Ranch team offers tips on storm preparedness

The Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team will discuss necessary tools to safeguard homeowners from hurricanes.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key Rotary Club members Bob and Teresa accepted the award July 15.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • July 20, 2015
Longboat Key Rotary Club receives grant for food pantry

From January through May, the Longboat Key Rotary Club supplied 13,556 pounds of food and 11,296 meals to needy Sarasota families.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Marc Pelz pours a sauvignon blanc and chardonnay blend from Binyamina Yogev Wines.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • July 19, 2015
Temple Emanu-El unwinds with tasting

Members of Temple Emanu-El enjoy wine tasting event at Fresh Start Cafe.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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