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Your Observer | All

This giant Santa is new to the University Town Center's holiday display.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 17, 2024
University Town Center holiday lights get bigger and brighter

A 25-foot Santa and 15-foot snowman, imported from Italy, are new to this year's display.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Suspicious man dancing in the street 'just enjoying his time'
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 17, 2024
Suspicious man dancing in the street 'just enjoying his time'

The man was later found playing his drum and down in the dumps. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
A laser light show will cap New Year's Eve festivities at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 17, 2024
Biggest Lakewood Ranch holiday events ready to kick off

Everything you need to know about the upcoming Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's celebrations this season in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Junior Ava Collins was one of the leaders for the Lakewood Ranch High volleyball team, which finished the season with a 15-9 record. Collins, an outside hitter, led Lakewood Ranch in kills with 228.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 17, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Ava Collins

The junior outside hitter was a force on the Lakewood Ranch indoor volleyball team this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota High sophomore outside hitter Liza Collier lead the indoor volleyball team in kills in 2024.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 17, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Liza Collier

The Sarasota High sophomore was a force to be reckoned with on the girls varsity volleyball team this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
This Country Club home at 6935 Westchester Circle sold for $2,225,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,081 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 17, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 2-6 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Westchester Circle and a Country Club East home on Kendleshire Terrace top the week's sales at $2,225,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
City of Sarasota announces holiday closures
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2024
City of Sarasota announces holiday closures

Garbage/recycling and yard waste collection schedules will not be affected by the holidays.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dennis Bosch said his 1964 356C was the car he wanted when he first started driving in that same year.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 17, 2024
Porsche enthusiasts gather for 20th anniversary of St. Armands show

Porsches in the Park 2024 drew a crowd of car lovers admiring the lineup of new and vintage porsche on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 17, 2024
Airport seeks independent permitting for construction projects

Lying in three jurisdictions, SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo asks the Sarasota legislative delegation to sponsor a bill to help expedite capital improvements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Chief of Police George Turner said leading the department to its first accreditation in 2023 was his proudest moment with the department.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 16, 2024
Longboat Chief of Police George Turner to leave department in January

Turner's departure was announced to police department personnel on Dec. 12, though specific reasons behind the change remain unclear.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The "Lotus" yacht arrives with a "Joy to SRQ" theme.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2024
Holiday spirits shines at Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

The event, organized by Suncoast Charities for Children, featured vessels decked with holiday lights and decor.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dennis DeWitt, Bob Keagy, Jeff Murphy and Jeff Barlow
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 16, 2024
Bird Key Yacht Club lights their docks at annual event

The Blessing of the Fleet wished members safe travels with a history that dates back to World War II.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Michelle Heera Kim and Rona Figueroa star in "The Heart Sellers," which runs through Feb. 16 at FST's Keating Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • December 16, 2024
FST's 'The Heart Sellers' gives voice to the voiceless

Kate Alexander directs a heartwarming tale of love, friendship and the American immigrant experience.

  • Arts + Culture
Kira Kirilina, 10, her sister Mia Kirilina, 5 and brother Robert Kirilina, 8 meet Santa Claus.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2024
Holidays at The Bay offers a party where the community is invited

The event featured fun and games, activities by Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, a movie screening and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
East County first graders write letters to Santa
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 16, 2024
East County first graders write letters to Santa

With Santa soon on the way, East County children are sending off their letters to the North Pole in the hope that a wish or two is granted.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Larry Debb of GSP Development with a scale model of Saravela at the development's sales center.
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City staff instructed to develop condo-hotel policy
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Danae Tran plays the violin for Longboat Island Chapel attendees of the July 19 morning service before she and fellow scholarship recipient Michelle McLeod move to greet guests at the award reception.
  • July 24, 2026
Scholars celebrated at Longboat Island Chapel award reception

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