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Your Observer | All

St. Regis Longboat Key Resort installed a stainless steel metal arch on a converted groin extending into the Gulf. Longboat Key town staff asked the hotel to take the arch down because it does not follow town code.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 9, 2025
St. Regis arched sign dispute enters next chapter

The Longboat Key Town Commission rescinded its earlier decision, directing town staff to take a fresh look at the town's sign code that might be more inclusive of the arch.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
More than $25,000 in cash was found as part of a drug investigation last week at a Sarasota home.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 9, 2025
Sarasota man arrested on drug charges following Public Works assist

A city crew helps Sarasota police officers in recovering evidence flushed down a toilet.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Seniors Gavin Moore, Abigail Frint and Ryan Johnson were among 12 students at Lakewood Ranch High School to set up and spread the word about the opportunities available at the new College and Career Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 9, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High's College and Career Center makes its debut

Set up by 12 of Lakewood Ranch's “brightest of the brightest" students, the center can help students explore their career choices.

  • East County
  • Schools
Paul Nicholas and David Cantor form an unlikely friendship in Florida Studio Theatre's "A Tailor Near Me."
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 11-17

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Martha McKlveen, a Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center volunteer and donor, is eager for Kitty City to be able to support more cats that are in need, just like the over 1,000 she has fostered since 2009.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 9, 2025
Kitty City built at Nate's Honor with $250,000 donation from volunteer

Martha McKlveen is passionate about cats, especially those who have issues that keep them from being adopted.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Officer Michael Pietron uses a radar to check speeds on the Ringling Causeway.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2025
State grant helps SPD focus on dangerous drivers

The Sarasota Police Department has received a $142,000 grant for a high-visibility traffic enforcement campaign.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jolly (Flynn Nolen, center) is surrounded by the other characters including Candy (Christiana Allison), Mrs. Claus (Jillian Hurley), Jangle (Ray Barber), Tinsel (Vanessa Smith), Jingle (Mareece Love) and Santa Claus (Dellan Short).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 9, 2025
'Deck the Halls' celebrates the holidays, Sarasota-style

The annual production by Florida Studio Theatre has become a holiday tradition for audiences.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Struggling artists on New York's Lower East Side hope for better days in Sarasota Players' production of Jonathan Larson's "Rent."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • December 9, 2025
'Rent' weaves a 'tapestry of music and story' at The Sarasota Players

Director Brian Finnerty talks about The Sarasota Players' reinvention of Jonathan Larson's musical.

  • Arts + Culture
Woman discovers she is being followed by PI in Longboat Key
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 9, 2025
Woman discovers she is being followed by PI in Longboat Key

A woman called police who helped identify the man following her in a gray sedan as a private investigator. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
A Wild Blue at Waterside home at 1058 Blue Shell Loop sold for $3.25 million. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,607 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 9, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 24-28 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Wild Blue at Waterside topped the week's sales at $3.25 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Four boys compete for Sarasota Scullers in the Plant High Winter Sprints on Dec. 6 at Nathan Benderson Park. The Scullers, founded in 1991, are hosting a fundraiser on Dec. 13 to build back from damages suffered during past hurricane seasons.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 9, 2025
Sarasota Scullers pursue 1 million meters

The youth rowing organization's presence exceeds its humble numbers and is hoping its upcoming fundraiser can fuel an even better future.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Santa Claus welcomes Ketia Alennsia Joachim, Henry Lerricia Jeanbaptiste and John Kerry Jeanbaptiste for a morning of family holiday fun at Stillpoint Mission. Longboat Island Chapel and other local groups helped make the Dec. 6 toy distribution happen.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 9, 2025
Stillpoint Mission brings holiday spirit to community

With the support of Longboat Island Chapel and other local organizations, the group delivered toys, clothes and fun.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rev. Brock Patterson raises his right hand as he is sworn in as Longboat Key Fire Rescue’s second ever chaplain at the department’s awards ceremony Thursday, Dec. 4.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 9, 2025
Longboat Fire Rescue welcomes new chaplain

The Longboat Island Chapel's Rev. Brock Patterson becomes a resource for first responders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Miracle League Board President Robyn Graham, Elks Golf Tournament Director Mark Liddell, Elk Sarah Davis and Miracle League Executive Director Chris Cushman celebrate the Elks' $1,500 donation to the league.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 9, 2025
The miracle of caring is celebrated at Longwood Park in Sarasota

The Miracle League of Manasota honors the late Joanne DiCarlo, a local Elks member who supported the program for years.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kirt F. Bopp (1950-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • December 8, 2025
Kirt F. Bopp

Kirt F. Bopp, 75, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in an accident while cleaning his windows at home—a task so characteristic of the care and pride he took in everything he touched.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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1
Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
2
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
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  • December 12, 2025
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  • December 12, 2025
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5
Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

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