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Your Observer | All

  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • December 18, 2025
Oar & Iron: Where Every Guest Will Find Something They Love

Now Open in Parrish too!

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2025
Police foil developing bank scam as it unfolds

The Sarasota Police Department's Real-Time Operations Center quickly solves a scam involving a bank, credit card and ride share driver.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 2834 Browning Street featured countless decorations and animated figures.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 18, 2025
Sarasota homes light up for the holidays

Some of the highlights in Sarasota include the homes at 2834 Browning St. and 3059 Jamaica St.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Paul Nicholas and David Cantor star in "A Tailor Near Me" at Florida Studio Theatre through Feb. 15.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • December 18, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre's 'A Tailor Near Me' stitches threads of friendship and art

An altered suit leads to altered lives in the regional premiere of Michael Tucker's play.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 18, 2025
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence

The Sarasota County Schools Board will gather public comment Jan. 20 on a new policy that will make the window to excuse an absence consistent across schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Osprey play an important role in local ecosystems, and they seek out high perches on either designated nesting perches or, as in this case, power poles.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 18, 2025
Ospreys get a home renovation

The city of Sarasota recently straightened out an osprey perch on City Island that was damaged by Hurricane Milton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County's beaches, which are consistently ranked among the nation's best, offer dramatic sunsets.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 18, 2025
Tourism outlook expects visitors leveling off in 2026

Visit Sarasota County predicts a "flat" 2026 after years of declines from the COVID highs with spending still outpacing pre-pandemic levels.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Beverly Sutton introduces Santa Claus, who made an appearance at the Reading Buddies Christmas party on Dec. 11 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 18, 2025
Christ Church Reading Buddies celebrate Christmas

Children enjoyed cake, presents, a reading hour and an appearance from Santa Claus at the Christmas party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Renovations and construction of new concessions in Concourse B at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport are nearly complete.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 18, 2025
Airport's growth in 2025 sets the stage for 2026 planning

After spending some $200 million on expansion, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport sets its sights on more improvements, including a parking deck and new baggage claim system.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 265 Cedar Park Circle was built in 1959 and has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,455 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 18, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 1-5 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Cocoanut Bayou home on Cedar Park Circle tops the week’s sales at $7.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Emily Chana, 10, rehearses the swinging trapeze.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 17, 2025
Sailor Circus Academy students prepare for 'Winter’s Dream' show

The holiday performance by the youth circus program features eight shows from Friday, Dec. 26 through Monday, Dec. 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
St. Armands Circle was several feet underwater following hurricanes Helene and Milton.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 17, 2025
St. Armands receives $13.5 million to address flooding concerns

The Sarasota County Commission allocates just more than half of the $24.5 million the city requested for storm mitigation projects on St. Armands Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
At a Junior Achievement "Discovery Center'' in Tampa, elementary-aged students run a mock city.Two similar facilities are proposed to be set up at Emma Booker Elementary and Booker Middle schools in Sarasota.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 17, 2025
Rejections sent to Manatee, Sarasota Schools of Hope requesters

Manatee and Sarasota counties say no to a pair of companies seeking campus space. But that might not be the end of it.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch senior forward Gabriel Lara (11) chases after the ball during a Dec. 15 game against Braden River.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 17, 2025
LRHS's boys soccer team races to an unbeaten start through 10 games

The Mustangs reached the regional finals in 2024-25 but want to go further this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • December 17, 2025
Animal interactions and private experiences at Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Get friendly with some flamingos, take your picture with a parrot. Touch a tortoise.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
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Sponsored Content
1
  • December 18, 2025
Oar & Iron: Where Every Guest Will Find Something They Love
2
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
  • December 18, 2025
Police foil developing bank scam as it unfolds
3
The home at 2834 Browning Street featured countless decorations and animated figures.
  • December 18, 2025
Sarasota homes light up for the holidays
4
Paul Nicholas and David Cantor star in "A Tailor Near Me" at Florida Studio Theatre through Feb. 15.
  • December 18, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre's 'A Tailor Near Me' stitches threads of friendship and art
5
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence
  • December 18, 2025
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence

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