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Sarasota

Debi and Mike O'Leary take a look at the tree.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 6, 2025
Sarasota annual tree lighting takes place at Selby Five Points

Turnout was high for the event, which combined the Fresh Fridays block party with the lighting of the Christmas tree.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Devin Mignery (center) prepares to take the snap during the FHSAA Class 2A state semifinal between Cardinal Mooney and Cocoa. The senior quarterback was inserted for junior Davin Davidson and helped usher the Cougars into the state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 6, 2025
Cardinal Mooney football headed to state championship

In a feat of vengeance, the Cougars shut out the Tigers, continuing their hunt for a third state title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A rendering of Florida Studio Theatre's McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 6, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre receives anonymous $1 million gift

FST will use an anonymous $1 million gift to start a matching donation campaign for Phase 2 of its McGillicuddy Arts Plaza expansion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police on Monday recovered a sunken, capsized boat from Hudson Bayou that had been swamped for more than three years.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 6, 2025
Long-abandoned boat removed by Sarasota Police

The derelict vessel's owner is now responsible for recovery and demolition costs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs during a meeting of the Sarasota City Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota charter official evaluations begin this month

City commissioners evaluated the evaluation process forSarasota's top three officers and instruct the addition of a self-assessment narrative.

  • Sarasota
  • News
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade

The Saturday event down Main Street steps off at 7 p.m., but restrictions begin 12 hours earlier.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 4, 2025
Holiday display at Selby Gardens boasts over 2 million lights

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' "Lights in Bloom" illuminated extravaganza features a tree covered in dragonflies, train decorations and more to explore.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall

No hurricanes hit the continental United States in 2025, though the Atlantic hurricane season did see the second most Category 5 storms ever.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Shane Rawley poses for a photo on Dec. 2 at Shaner's Pizzeria with his three published books. From left: "A February Thaw: A Peter Cobb Adventure," "January Freeze: A Peter Cobb Adventure" and "Peter Cobb: Three Strikes You're Out."
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author

Shane Rawley, the owner of Shaner's Pizzeria since 1991, has published three fiction novels in his "Peter Cobb" series.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 4, 2025
SPD set to grow its city camera system

The Sarasota Police Department seeks to expand its network of cameras into businesses and outside of homes with its SRQ City View initiative.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A floating day dock has been built along the refurbished south seawall in the 10th Street boat basin as part of The Bay park Phase 2.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 4, 2025
Parking fees coming to new day dock slips at The Bay park

The Sarasota City Commission approves fees of $2 per hour and a five-hour maximum to tie off at the new floating day dock in The Bay park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 1718 Bay St. was built in 1997 and has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,015 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 4, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 17-21 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A home in Hudson Bayou on Bay St. tops the week’s sales at $3,875,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Laura Oliff-Maxey and Barbara Braun
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 4, 2025
Mothers Helping Mothers strengthens its toy drive effort

The Sarasota organization has taken on an additional 50 families this year, which brings its total to 350.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eighth grader Mikayla Ross works with teacher Joseph Conner.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 4, 2025
Tutoring nonprofit helps raise students' success rates

Laurel Civic Association, which tutors Sarasota County children after school in addition to providing numerous other services, is currently planning to construct a new 48,000 square-foot facility.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota City Y is a Vital Part of the Community
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • December 4, 2025
Sarasota City Y is a Vital Part of the Community

It’s that kind of lifelong connection—the feeling that the Y is home—that Raker hopes every Sarasota resident can experience.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Debi and Mike O'Leary take a look at the tree.
  • December 6, 2025
Sarasota annual tree lighting takes place at Selby Five Points
2
Devin Mignery (center) prepares to take the snap during the FHSAA Class 2A state semifinal between Cardinal Mooney and Cocoa. The senior quarterback was inserted for junior Davin Davidson and helped usher the Cougars into the state championship.
  • December 6, 2025
Cardinal Mooney football headed to state championship
3
A rendering of Florida Studio Theatre's McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.
  • December 6, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre receives anonymous $1 million gift
4
Sarasota Police on Monday recovered a sunken, capsized boat from Hudson Bayou that had been swamped for more than three years.
  • December 6, 2025
Long-abandoned boat removed by Sarasota Police
5
Sarasota City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs during a meeting of the Sarasota City Commission.
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota charter official evaluations begin this month

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