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Your Observer | All

Roberto Burlew dribbles down the turf at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch. The Sarasota Paradise signed the defender to their roster ahead of the team's first professional season in USL League One.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 3, 2025
Paradise defender parlays position change into a professional contract

The Sarasota Paradise team signs Roberto Burlew, a returning player from their semipro team.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lijana Wallenda perches on a chair balanced on a shoulder bar carried by her brother Nik Wallenda and Paul Matthew Lopez in the "Wonderland: Believe" circus, which runs through Jan. 4 in a big top near the UTC Mall.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 3, 2025
At the Wonderland circus, it's a Wallenda-ful life

Nik Wallenda brings his family and friends back to the UTC mall in a new theater-style tent.

  • Arts + Culture
An e-biker rides south on the sidewalk parallel to Gulf of Mexico Drive. The town of Longboat Key is having initial discussions about writing a new ordinance to regulate the use of e-bikes to increase public safety.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 3, 2025
E-bike regulation considered by Longboat Key

With the rise in popularity of e-bikes, Longboat Key is mulling an ordinance to manage the rising mode of transportation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 612 Mourning Dove Drive was built in 2022 and has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,886 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 3, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 17-21 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home on Bird Key on Mourning Dove Drive tops the week’s sales at $6.55 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Kevontay Hugan (10) and Le'Darien Smith (33) look to their sideline before a play during the regional final between Booker and Nature Coast Tech. The two seniors are part of a Tornado defense which has allowed only three touchdowns in its last six games.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 3, 2025
Department of Defense: Booker High football stands tall

Behind a lock-down defensive unit, the Tornadoes are two wins away from their first state title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Athletics and Aquatics Center at Premier Sports Campus North is pictured Oct. 17 under construction. Soon to offer the only long-course pool in Lakewood Ranch, it figures to be the main destination for the area's top swimming talents.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 3, 2025
Hey Santa, how about a finished Premier park for Lakewood Ranch?

The wish is for the long overdue park project to be finished in the next couple years.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County is getting its first landfill-to-renewable natural gas facility, a $50M project led by Nopetro Energy.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 2, 2025
Energy company plans to convert Manatee landfill waste gas into fuel

Nopetro Energy of Miami says it's moving ahead on a $50 million investment at the Lena Road site.

  • East County
  • News
The Shaelyn Band, which opens the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Dec. 6 at Waterside Place, is led by singer Shaelyn Mulberry.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 2, 2025
This musical soul search leads to Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest is back for its second edition with seven top bands at Waterside Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Anquan Polynice poses for a photo before a Dec. 1 practice at Braden River High School. Now standing at 5-foot-10, he averaged 15.0 points and 2.0 steals per game as a sophomore.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 2, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Anquan Polynice

The junior guard for Braden River boys basketball enters 2025-26 as the team's second-leading scorer from last year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota Police Department on Dec. 2 gave away $2,000 in gasoline at three city stores, first offering to take photos with unsuspecting patrons.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 2, 2025
Gas patrons fill up on Sarasota Police's giving spirit

Chief Rex Troche and several officers visited three stores, spreading goodwill and topping off people's tanks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Samuel Shamsey poses for a photo on Dec. 1 outside the entrance to Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The striker leads a senior-heavy pack of Cougars for the 2025-26 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Samuel Shamsey

The senior leads Cardinal Mooney boys soccer in goals scored entering December.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and General Director Richard Russell.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Opera artistic director will step down after 44 years

General Director Richard Russell will add artistic director to his role after Victor DeRenzi's departure in May.

  • Arts + Culture
Eddie Weaver, Madalyn McHugh and Jared Svoboda show them how it's done in Florida Studio Theatre's "Three Pianos."
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 2, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 4-10

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Lyndon Usher speaks with Pastor Carl Jenks of Radiance Church of Sarasota.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2025
Community comes together to serve homeless during Thanksgiving

Numerous organizations were involved in helping to serve those in need at the Thanksgiving Wednesday Community Luncheon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch writer Peter Moscovita found his passion for writing through a cancer diagnosis and encouragement from his wife.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 2, 2025
81-year-old writer combines history and fiction through his books

Lakewood Ranch's Peter Moscovita has published seven books and earned a Hollywood Book Review for his first book "The Following Storm."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Cynthia Keough is one of several Manatee County residents to step up to the podium June 4 and ask commissioners for more time to review the updated comprehensive plan.
  • June 6, 2026
Residents have 60 more days to review Manatee County comp plan
2
Steven High is retiring as executive director of The Ringling, a position he has held since 2011.
  • June 5, 2026
Steven High to retire as executive director of The Ringling
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  • June 5, 2026
33rd Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival
4
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County's Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund is meant to pay for immediate relief and long-term resilience efforts in the four-county area.
  • June 5, 2026
Patterson Foundation donates $500,000 for storm relief
5
A giant American flag has flown above Sarasota Ford since the 1970s.
  • June 4, 2026
American flag will fly high again over Sarasota Ford

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