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Your Observer | All

Lynnette Beecher and Gunilla Imshaug, members of the Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club, check out a photo of a baby alligator that was taken moments before.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch photography club preserves moments in time

The club was founded in 2004 and works to bring together photographers of all interests and skill levels.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Justin Gomlak helps bring big city glamour to the Sarasota stage in "A Very Broadway Christmas," which plays Monday, Dec. 22, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 17, 2025
The Van Wezel wants you to have 'A Very Broadway Christmas'

Broadway veterans who now live in Sarasota and St. Petersburg are staging the holiday spectacular.

  • Arts + Culture
Online romance ends in trespassing warning
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2025
Online romance ends in trespassing warning

Boy meets girl online; boy gives girl credit card number; girl has surprise child and "cousin"; boy lets girl move in; boy finally figures it out. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Cyclists utilize the bike lanes on Gulf of Mexico Drive along the newly completed Country Club Shores turn lane project portion of the street. The 0.84-mile segment marks the first example of the town’s Complete Streets vision.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 17, 2025
Longboat Key chips away at Complete Street(s) goal

The first project in the plan is done on the south end, and the second is planned on the north end, but making Gulf of Mexico Drive a "complete street" will require a lot more work.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County administrators address the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Dec. 8. From left to right: Deputy county administrators Corey Stutte, Bryan Parnell, Courtney De Pol and County Administrator Charlie Bishop.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 17, 2025
Convention Center expansion tops 'state of Manatee County' presentation

County administrators spoke to the Manatee Chamber of Commerce at its December luncheon.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 661 Mourning Dove Drive was built in 1996 and has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,618 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 17, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 1-5 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home on Bird Key on Mourning Dove Drive tops the week’s sales at $6.8 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Braden River Library is one of seven locations in the Manatee County Public Library System.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 17, 2025
Library Advisory Board needs 2 new members

Manatee County is accepting applications for the board until Monday, Jan. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A Goodwill bookstore and donation center will occupy the new outparcel building at 3160 Gulf of Mexico Drive by the end of the year.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 16, 2025
Goodwill to open Dec. 18 on Longboat Key

The used bookstore and donation drop-off location will hold a grand opening with a local author signing and giving away books.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Sixth grader Stella Schechter holds up a finished craft for David Stone.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2025
Emanu-El students celebrate Hanukkah with Aviva Senior Living residents

Temple Emanu-El's religious school visits the senior living development each year, to allow kids the opportunity to celebrate the holiday together.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bo O'Daniel poses for a photo on Dec. 15 at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The senior had three touchdown catches for the Cougars in the Dec. 10 FHSAA Class 2A state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 16, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Bo O'Daniel

The wide receiver concluded his Cardinal Mooney football career as a two-time state champion.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Richard Thomas stars in "Mark Twain Tonight!" at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Dec. 19-20.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 18-24

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Kindergartener Santiago Perez checks out the crochet items.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2025
Holiday House SRQ now serves a fifth school, but holiday shopping costs rise

This year, the nonprofit provided its free holiday shopping experiences to five elementary schools, but rising prices for gifts pose a challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Pator Caleb Free's daughter JoJo Free attends Risen Savior Academy.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 16, 2025
Lutheran church brings more Christian education to Lakewood Ranch

Risen Savior Lutheran Church begins its expansion toward being a K-8 school in January.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High football coach Scott Paravicini looks on during an Oct. 30 game against Bayshore. Per the FHSAA's tentative classifications, the Mustangs are bound for Class 6A-District 12 after finishing the 2025 season at 4-6 in 6A-11.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 16, 2025
More reclassification won't help area football teams

Lakewood Ranch High and Braden River High might be facing an even tougher lineup of opponents in reworked districts.

  • East County
  • Sports
Check out the following options for holiday services this season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 16, 2025
Celebrate season's tidings at these Longboat holiday services

Longboat Key residents and visitors have no shortage of ways to celebrate their faith this holiday season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Cindy and Chris Common
  • July 23, 2026
Final Manasota Track Club beach run to memorialize late members
2
Sarasota Police Department K-9 Kodak seems ready for deployment with handler Officer Ryan Block.
  • July 23, 2026
Police work is dogged determinaton for SPD's K-9 Unit
3
Can you eat both halves of a corned beef sandwich? You can test your skills when Wolfie's Hand Cut opens at UTC late this year.
  • July 23, 2026
Can new concept earn the bread for Wolfie's at University Town Center?
4
This fall will be Anthony "Amp" Campbell's third year as the Sarasota High football coach. He's still searching for his first winning season with the Sailors.
  • July 23, 2026
Sarasota High football charts a course for the win
5
The home at 1204 Hillview Drive has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 7,687 square feet of living area.
  • July 23, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for July 6-10 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

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