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Your Observer | All

Hans Ocampo, Oliver Ocampo, 2, Yahoira Ocampo and Dominic Ocampo, 4, meet Santa Claus.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 9, 2024
Community spirit goes on display at Sarasota Holiday Parade

The annual parade features many local organizations and businesses.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch CERT Director of Community Outreach Jim Curran said he wants the organization to be more involved in the community to spread awareness before disaster strikes.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 9, 2024
Busy hurricane season enforces need for community aid

Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team will focus on growing awareness before disasters hit.

  • East County
  • News
Pat Marschke poured Prosecco for Connie DiMaggio.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 9, 2024
Longboat Harbour put new twists on its annual Lighting of the Docks

Holiday cheer spread across the docks at Longboat Harbour Condominiums with friendly competition, festive decorations and many Florida-themed Santas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota volunteer Ken Junkins helps stabalize the RE/MAX balloon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 9, 2024
Hot air balloons come to Sarasota in Balloon Glow & Laser Show

The event showcased hot air balloons, giving the community a chance to enjoy something rarely seen in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dave and Shannon Eakle join Mary and Al McNicola at the River Club's Rockin' Reindeer Ball Dec. 8 at University Park Country Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 9, 2024
Rockin' Reindeer Ball brings River Club residents together

The semi-formal event, held this year at University Park Country Club, is a purely social affair.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Rev. Robert Dziedziak, Rev. Kenneth Blyth, Rev. Julia Piermont, Rev. David Marshall, Rabbi Stephen Sniderman, Rev. Brock Patterson and Rev. Jeffrey Nunes processed together in the church for the Interfaith service.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 9, 2024
Where to worship on Longboat Key for the holidays

The Interfaith Ministerium of St. Armands and Longboat Keys host services for all Longboaters to celebrate the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Florida Studio Theatre Arts Plaza will be built next door to the current building on First Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 9, 2024
FST's expansion has first meeting before city staff

Florida Studio Theatre is proposing apartments, hotel rooms, parking deck and new performance spaces in its new Arts Plaza.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch boys golf seniors Henry Burbee, Parker Severs and Luke Wilson led the team to a second place finish in the state championship golf tournament at Mission Inn Resort and Club on Nov. 20.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 9, 2024
3 seniors keep Lakewood Ranch High a dominant golf program

The Mustangs finish second in the state tournament for the second consecutive year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Naples' Kaata Mrachek and Bradenton's Laurence Lederer dance to the beat during the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival Dec. 7 at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 8, 2024
All smiles after blues festival in Lakewood Ranch

Top talent, perfect weather leaves music fans thrilled at Waterside Place.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lauren and Kim Smith, visitors from Pennsylvania, pose for a selfie in front of the tree.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 8, 2024
Downtown Sarasota lights new Christmas tree

The "Light Up The Night" Fresh Fridays event offered live music, a giant snow globe and more, but the focus was the new, larger Christmas tree at Selby Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ashton Tatangelo, Kym Copeland, Mary Gratehouse, Virginia Harshman and Kristin Oldham
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • December 8, 2024
Women in Philanthropy honor 12 at Inaugural Soiree

The fundraiser at Katherine Harris's house was the first for the new organization.

  • Black Tie
The vehicle crashed into the side of the office around 4 p.m. on Sunday.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 8, 2024
Car crashes into side of Main Street office building

The crash took place around 4 p.m. Sunday at an office space occupied by First Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Kyle Battie, Santa Claus, Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch and the Marketing and Events Director for the St. Armands Circle Association Rachel Burns counted down together to light the St. Armands tree.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 8, 2024
St. Armands Circle hosts annual holiday tree lighting

Santa Claus counted down locals and visitors to light the 60-foot Christmas tree in honor of the end of hurricane season and the start to the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jerry Downs ran his 5K with a Santa hat on during a brisk Saturday morning at The Haven of Sarasota.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 8, 2024
Local runners show their holiday spirit at the Jingle Jog 5K in Sarasota

The 27th annual event supports The Haven and is presented by the Manasota Track Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of Longboat Key Turtle Watch met Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium staff to present this year's donations to the facility.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 8, 2024
LBK Turtle Watch donates $10,500 to Mote for education, research

The local organization raises money throughout the year through various programs to help its partners at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Vittoria Ferrisi Alvarez, Gracie Nichols and Sawyer Nowicki, all seventh graders at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, created the book called "Snowball's Iceberg Incident" to compete in the Children's Stories event for Technology Student Association.
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Cardinal Mooney football was stocked with star athletes in 2025 en route to the FHSAA Class 2A state title. The Cougars, though, were far from the only local high school athletic program to achieve big things.
  • June 10, 2026
Best of the Best: Sarasota's top high school athletes of 2025-26

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