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Your Observer | All

"I love candy canes," says Steve Hensell, who relishes his time as Santa. "I pass them out to every kid I see."
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2012
Santa Claus brings cheer to East County schools

Steve Hensell is the face of Santa to Manatee County school children.

  • East County
  • News
Students, faculty and administrators surprised Nolan Middle School teacher Carrie Rainwater with the news she had been named a district finalist for the Outstanding EdVantage Educator of the Year award.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 19, 2012
District honors its best

Nolan Middle School science teacher Carrie Rainwater is one of four finalists in the district for the Outstanding EdVantage Educator of the Year award.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2012
News Briefs

Manatee County holiday closures and trash collection schedule; Atlanta homebuilder buys sites in east Manatee

  • East County
  • News
A 9-year-old at Sea of Strengths Academy, Max Collado suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia and post-traumatic stress.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 19, 2012
Local support group helps families with ADHD

Max Collado and his mother, Alexandra, fight ADHD together.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2012
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
The Braden River High girls basketball team has taken a new approach to the game this season — focusing solely on playing together as a team, in hopes of making a name for itself and reaching the postseason for the first time.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2012
Team Unity: Braden River High girls basketball

The Braden River High girls basketball team won six of its first seven games this season and now has its sights set on making a name for itself as one of the top teams in Class 7A-District 11.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2012
Dominant Defender: Amanda Baar

Lakewood Ranch High senior defender Amanda Baar has helped lead the Lady Mustangs to a 12-1 record, including seven shutouts, so far this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2012
JUST THE STATS

4 - Number of players who scored goals in the Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team's 5-0 victory over Venice Dec. 10.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 19, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Elise Spiller

Lakewood Ranch High freshman Elise Spiller scored a game-high 17 points to lead the Lady Mustangs to a 42-30 victory over Palmetto in their Class 6A-District 12 opener Dec. 7. The 14-year-old guard has helped lead Lakewood to a 6-2 start this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2012
SIDELINES

Riley-Hawkins wins Memorial Tournament; Cardinal Mooney tames Braden River with victory; Lady Pirates ride six-game streak; Lady Mustangs draw even with Lady Indians; Mustangs boys soccer blanks Venice Indians

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 19, 2012
March election date changes

The town of Longboat Key will hold its municipal election March 12 with one week of early voting at Town Hall the week before.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The news came after the Longboat Key Town Commission held an executive session with Bullock and the town labor attorney Dec. 14, to discuss a an agreed upon contract.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 19, 2012
Firefighter contract receives support

The town of Longboat Key and the Longboat Key Fire Rescue union have agreed to consider a contract for ratification.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Protesters gathered near Publix along Gulf of Mexico Drive Sunday afternoon for approximately two hours. Photos courtesy of Rabbi Jonathan Katz.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 19, 2012
Workers group protests Publix

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers wants Publix to pay tomato pickers an extra penny per pound.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 19, 2012
Season of Sharing donations continue to grow this year

As the campaign comes to a close, contributions are still coming in, but donations are slightly behind last year.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
Jeremy Gandon tees off on the first hole of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. The 29-year-old Frenchman carded six under par in the third round.
  • April 4, 2026
Race tightens in third round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
2
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding welcomes guest speaker Longboat Police Chief Russ Mager to update members about his approach to leadership since he assumed the role last autumn at the April 2 meeting.
  • April 4, 2026
Longboat police chief talks digital security with Kiwanians
3
Lakewood Ranch's Jerry and Marilyn Schneider, who have been married for 63 years, enjoy the live music at Music on Main April 3.
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4
St. Regis at Longboat Key is a gulf-facing resort and condo development on the barrier island of Longboat Key. The Unicorp-developed property opened in 2024 at the former site of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
  • April 4, 2026
St. Regis on track to receive permanent certificate of occupancy, eyes tennis courts
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The Fruitville Townhomes site plan to replace the vacant former Sarasota Lanes bowling center.
  • April 4, 2026
Fruitville bowling alley submits plans to redevelop into 4-story townhomes

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