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Your Observer

One witness said 63-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident Louis Klinger told her to “leave him alone” before driving his car to the center of Ringling Bridge and jumping to his death Monday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 9, 2015
SPD identifies Ringling Bridge jumper

Lakewood Ranch resident Louis Klinger, 63, died after jumping from the Ringling Bridge Monday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 9, 2015
Fire district honors employees

The East Manatee Fire Rescue District recognized 22 employees during the Board of Fire Commissioners meeting last night.

  • East County
  • News
Last year, the Manatee County School District's total revenue increased $15.50 million from 2013.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 9, 2015
Manatee County School Board to review 2014 financial statements

At its meeting at 5:45 p.m. Feb. 10, the Manatee County School District will discuss its financial standings, through Dec. 31, 2014.

  • East County
  • Schools
Observer Media Group Editor/CEO Matt Walsh, pictured at last year’s debate, will moderate tonight’s forum.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 8, 2015
Observer to host candidate debate tonight

All four candidates for the Longboat Key Town Commission will participate in tonight's event.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County first began studying the watershed, which extends diagonally from Manatee County to Dona Bay, off of Nokomis.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • February 8, 2015
County to consider Dona Bay project

Sarasota County wants to restore the 98-mile watershed draining into Dona Bay back to a natural state after years of man-made changes altered the system.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
One of three demo flower baskets located at Main Street and Palm Avenue, the first option offered by the Downtown Improvement District features a hanging basket off the arm of a light pole.
    By
  • David Conway
  • February 8, 2015
UPDATE: DID seeks public input on flower baskets

The Downtown Improvement District has set up three flower baskets for display on light poles at Main Street and Palm Avenue, hoping for feedback on the best option from residents.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The state has blamed an “aggressive coastal environment” for deteriorating the Stickney Point Bridge, and aims to fix the connected seawall, the control house and moveable spans of the bridge, among other repairs.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 8, 2015
FDOT plans Stickney Point Bridge lane closures

The Florida Department of Transportation begins preliminary work on a $4 million rehabilitation project Wednesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Model Bennie Dods
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • February 8, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Christ Church fashion show

Longboat Key residents became models at Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian on Feb. 9 at its annual fashion show.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 8, 2015
Waterline Road project approved

An revised site plan shows increased buffering but not less units.

  • East County
  • News
(Photo courtesy of Sarasota Police Department) An unidentified man jumped from the Ringling Bridge before 9:15 a.m. Monday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 8, 2015
Body recovered after plunge from Ringling Bridge

An unnamed man jumped from the bridge this morning after being involved in a hit-and-run accident near the intersection of North Tamiami Trail and University Parkway.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Bill Anderson and Kathy Hedden with Art and Bev Cavazzi
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 8, 2015
Sarasota Newcomers Club Mardi Gras Gala

Sarasota Newcomers Club Mardi Gras Gala

  • Black Tie
A necklace from Glass Garden Jewelry on display at the Siesta Key Craft Festival.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • February 7, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Siesta Key Craft Festival

From industrial sculptures to pottery, vendors had a variety to offer for the annual Siesta Key Craft Festival on Saturday and Sunday in Siesta Key Village.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Party planners Mandy Brewer, Carla Ogburn, Vickie VanMeier and Sharla Gambrell
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • February 7, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Twin Shores welcome back party

More than 80 residents of Twin Shores gathered on Feb. 8 for the neighborhood's welcome back party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Owner Judy Fryer, manager Amy Blair, owner Philip Needs and operations director Bruce Flynn
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • February 7, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Old Salty Dog 25th birthday party

The Old Salty Dog on City Island celebrated its 25th birthday on Feb. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Wafa Danner and Daphne Walker
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • February 7, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: All Angels by the Sea brunch

All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church held its annual meeting and parish brunch at Bird Key Yacht Club on Feb. 8.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Rev. Norman Pritchard and Bill Buckley
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • February 7, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Christ Church Kirkin' O' the Tartan service

Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian, looked a little 'kiltish' on Feb. 8 during its Kirkin' O' the Tartan service, when the St. Andrews Pipes & Drums of Tampa Bay performed.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Al Hixon, Tim Robinson and Dick Hamilton perform “Amazing Grace.”
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • February 7, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Island Chapel Jazz Worship Sunday

The Longboat Island Chapel held its 22nd annual Jazz Worship Sunday on Feb. 8.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Keffie Lancaster and her dog, Koukla, enjoy a breezy afternoon and a polo match.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 7, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: SMR Cup

Tailgaters enjoyed a breezy afternoon of cookouts, cold drinks and a sideline view of the Schroeder-Manatee Ranch Cup, held Feb. 8, at Sarasota Polo Club.The tailgate theme for this week's polo match was Valentine's Day.

  • East County
  • News
The luncheon honors sisterhood members Laura Zalkin, Dorothy Quint and Cindy Gilburne for outstanding service.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 7, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood Honors Luncheon

Members of Temple Emanu-El's Sisterhood group converged for drinks, food, socializing and musical entertainment by local musician Chris Eisenberg at the Sisterhood Honors Luncheon, Feb. 8, at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club. This year's honorees were Cindy Gilburne, Dorothy Quint and Laura Zalkin.

  • East County
  • News
Runners approach Gulfstream Avenue from the John Ringling Bridge during the Sarasota Music Half Marathon.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • February 7, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Music Half Marathon

Participants sprinted, jogged and danced across the finish line for the inaugural Sarasota Music Half Marathon Feb. 8 starting at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kent and Aimee Anderson
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • February 7, 2015
The Palm Ball at Bay Preserve 'A Passion for Conservation'

The Palm Ball at Bay Preserve 'A Passion for Conservation'

  • Black Tie
Christine Gianoplus leads the Hellenic folk dancers before an audience.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 6, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: 31st annual Greek Glendi Festival

The Greek Glendi returned for its 31st annual festival Feb. 4 through Feb. 8 at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.

  • East County
  • News
Melanie Murphy and Julia Patten love spending time with each other and their dads.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 6, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Witt Father/Daughter Dance

Girls at Gene Witt Elementary School danced the night away with their friends and fathers Feb. 9, during the school's 'Under the Sea' themed father/daughter dance.

  • East County
  • News
Brad Gemme twirls his daughters, Madilyn, let, and Chelsea, right.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 6, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: BRE Fairy Tale Ball

Girls at Braden River Elementary School enjoyed a magical evening with their fathers Feb. 6, during the school's annual Fairy Tale Ball.

  • East County
  • News
Kevin and Anne Muzzillo try to stay warm beside Barbara Blatz.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 6, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Music on Main

Music on Main goers bundled up for a chilly night of food, drinks, games and a live performance by Paisley Craze, Feb. 6, at Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • News
This week's FYI Friday features nerdy news about Sarasota, traffic troubles, tourism and more!
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 5, 2015
FYI Friday - Your weekly news roundup

Catch up on the week's most important and most interesting news stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County with FYI Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Fourth-grade student, John Collins, crafts an animal out of cauliflower, lettuce and other vegetables.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 5, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Play with Your Fruits and Vegetables Day

To encourage creativity and healthy eating habits, William H. Bashaw Elementary and other county schools participated in Play with Your Fruits and Vegetables Day, Feb. 6. Bashaw students crafted banana-made dolphins, cucumber lakes and other edible arrangements.

  • East County
  • News
Katherine Harris, Executive Chair of the Sarasota-Bradenton Modern Pentathlon, speaks Friday at Nathan Benderson Park about the upcoming 2015 Modern Pentathlon World Cup No. 1
  • By Jason Clary
  • February 5, 2015
Nathan Benderson Park to host a modern pentathlon

The 2015 Modern Pentathlon World Cup No. 1 will bring more than 330 international pentathletes and dignitaries to the Sarasota-Bradenton area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ben Walker, a representative for HNTB, the architecture and engineering firm working with FDOT, answers questions about the roundabout and signaled right turn lane renderings.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • February 5, 2015
SKA questions roundabout, signal intersection changes

Florida Department of Transportation representatives updated the Siesta Key Association on possible changes to the Beach Road, Midnight Pass Road intersection at last night's meeting.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 5, 2015
FDOT closes lane on S.R. 70

A lane of State Road 70 at 44th Street East will be closed starting today.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Ryan Guendjoian and Brennan Maguire, as the March Hare and the Mad Hatter,  celebrate a non-birthday together.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 5, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: 'Alice in Wonderland Jr.'

Students at Nolan Middle School bring to life the tale of Alice in Wonderland with performances of "Alice in Wonderland Jr." tonight and Saturday. Tickets cost $5.

  • East County
  • News
Christi McDowell-Cameron, International Baccalaureate Coordinator for Brookside Middle, asked for hugs after awarded Middle School Teacher of the Year. Michelle McGuire, 12, was first.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • February 4, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Teacher of the Year Awards

Sarasota County School Board members, district staff, past winners and Education Foundation members delivered the 2015-2016 Teacher of the Year awards to three finalists.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Abbey Widmer enjoys muffins with her son, Tyson, 7.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 4, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: Muffins with Mom

The Willis Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization carved out some special mother-child time Feb. 5, during its Muffins with Mom event before school.

  • East County
  • News
Pajama factory workers hold a rally.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 4, 2015
PHOTO GALLERY: "The Pajama Game"

The Lakewood Ranch High School theater department opened "The Pajama Game" tonight. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. through Feb. 7, and at 2 p.m. Feb. 8, at Lakewood Ranch High.

  • East County
  • News
Edith Barr Dunn was known for her signature Stetson hats. (File photo)
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • February 4, 2015
Local icon Edith Barr Dunn dies at 94

Edith Barr Dunn was known on Longboat Key and Sarasota for her success in the restaurant business and support of charities throughout the community.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Superintendent Gene Witt, 85, died Feb. 5.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • February 4, 2015
Gene Witt namesake dies

Former Superintendent Gene Witt died Feb. 5. He was 85 years old.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
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