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Your Observer | All

The Florida Highwaymen exhibit will be on display at Sarasota City Hall beginning Jan. 8.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2023
Florida Highwaymen exhibit debuts at Sarasota City Hall

A collection of work from Black roadside painters will be on display at Sarasota City Hall beginning Jan. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • News
East County: 2023 Through the lens
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2023
East County: 2023 Through the lens

Here’s a taste of what the East County Observer saw through the camera lens during a fascinating 2023.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River senior wrestler Jessey Colas captured the Class 2A title in the 182-pound division March 4 at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 25, 2023
The top 10 moments of the East County high school sports scene

In a year full of triumph and growth, these 10 made the biggest impact.

  • East County
  • Sports
Remembering a trio of arts titans that Sarasota lost in 2023
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 25, 2023
Remembering a trio of arts titans that Sarasota lost in 2023

Two local arts advocates and one Sarasota-bred superstar left the stage in 2023.

  • Arts + Culture
Top residential real estate sales for 2023 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 25, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for 2023 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home on Bird Key tops the year's Longboat-area sales at $11.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A look back at 2023 on YourObserver.com
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2023
A look back at 2023 on YourObserver.com

The past year was packed with news in our area. Here are readers’ favorite stories from YourObserver.com.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sailors boys basketball Head Coach BJ Ivey always gets the most out of his teams.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 24, 2023
Unforgettable Sarasota sports stories in 2023

A big-time swimsuit partnership, a coach's lesson about love and a new soccer league left an impression on the Observer's sports columnist.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
This home at 8423 Lindrick Lane sold for $5.65 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 24, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for 2023 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in The Concession tops the year's Lakewood Ranch sales at $5.65 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Sarasota County Starter Kit is available online.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2023
Sarasota County introduces free tool to guide new residents

The online program offered by the UF/IFAS Extension offers free education tools and guides for living in Southwest Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tessa Paulson, Lyn Sky and Mary Katherine Wellborn at Make-A-Wish Southern Florida's Cooking For Wishes on Feb. 23, 2023.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2023
2023: Best of Black Tie

It was a year filled with the three F's: fun, fashion and fundraising. Here are some of our favorite moments from the area’s social scene in 2023.

  • Black Tie
LaDazhia Williams was rated a five-star player by ESPN coming out of Lakewood Ranch High in 2017.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2023
Columnist's favorite East County sports moments of 2023

These big-time events and conversations highlighted a wide-ranging 2023 sports year for the area.

  • East County
  • Sports
East Bradenton students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 22, 2023
East Bradenton students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

These Gullett, Willis and Gene Witt elementary students can't wait to see what's under their tree Christmas day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The upper floors of Obsidian would offer bayfront views to the east and downtown views to the west.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 22, 2023
Controversial high-rise condos to be reconsidered for downtown Sarasota

A marathon meeting is expected as the 342-foot Obsidian condominium tower makes its first foray into the public process on Jan. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Loree Pogue, Midge Saint, Lori Zandi and Jane Imperiale were bell-ringers for the Salvation Army in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 22, 2023
Salvation Army bell-ringers shatter fundraising goal in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch crew of Salvation Army bell-ringers smashed their goal of collecting $10,000 at Publix this holiday season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • December 21, 2023
Julie Marie Harrington

Julie Best, 82, died peacefully at her home in Longboat Key, Fla. on Dec. 9, 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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Riverview High baseball player-mentors pose for a photo on Dec. 9 with their kindergarten mentees at Southside Elementary School. Danielle Sobolewski, a kindergarten teacher at Southside, asked for some silly faces.
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Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2 Learning Pavilion Interior rendering.
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The Unit 111 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail was built in 2000 and has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,186 square feet of living area.
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