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Sarasota

Plans are to replace the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in Newtown with a new building and convert the current structure into outdoor play space.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 16, 2025
After years of repairs, Boys & Girls Club plans to rebuild

The Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club plans to replace its existing Newtown facility, which will be converted to outdoor space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Zac Boone, 6, showcases his crystals.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 15, 2025
Children's Entrepreneur Market offers kids business experience

The organization has been active in Sarasota since April and gives kids space to host their business at community events.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2025
Stormwater, budget and spiffing up Siesta Key named county priorities

Sarasota County commissioners worked on their to-do list for the coming calendar year at their annual retreat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Golden Ticket arrives, and Olaf the snowman has been invited to the rooftop party.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 14, 2025
Sarasota Bay lights up with annual Holiday Boat Parade

A series of festively decorated boats sailed around Sarasota Bay during the Holiday Boat Parade supporting Suncoast Charities for Children.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joni Hill, Cate Douglas and Gaby Hayashi make their way across the beach.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 14, 2025
Holiday spirit gets moving at Sandy Claws Beach Run

The annual Sandy Claws Beach Run, which is held on Siesta Key Beach and brings a festive spin to running events, is now in its 49th year.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Lylah MacDonald, 6, hops along in the sack race.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 14, 2025
Holidays at The Bay brings Hawaiian twist to holidays

The event featured a "Holiday Hula" theme this year as families enjoyed fun activities and greetings with Santa Claus.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The building at the corner of N. Boulevard of the Presidents and Madison Drive may be the location of a revived Shore Restaurant on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 12, 2025
Shore Restaurant could return to St. Armands

A three-story mixed-use proposal includes the popular destination, which closed its previous Circle location after 2024's floods.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Andy Harshman of Sarasota High School was named the 2026 Sarasota County Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 12, 2025
Sarasota High science leader named 2026 Teacher of the Year

Andy Harshman works with advanced math and science research students.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Part of the renovation of Fruitville Library is a new History Center, replacing a building in Osprey a document calls "aging and inadequate to house the county's collections of historic artifacts.''
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 12, 2025
Fruitville Library renovations begin with Dec. 18 closure

The project, which includes a History Center, is expected to last until July.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney football gathers at midfield and poses for a photo. The Cougars scored on every single one of their drives in the FHSAA Class 2A state championship, piling up 52 points against the Bulldogs.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 11, 2025
Cardinal Mooney is state football champ again

The Cougars roar past Jacksonville Bolles to win their third title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Former Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier has drafted an updated noise ordinance for the city, which was approved by the City Commission on first reading.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 11, 2025
City asks: How much noise is too much?

In a long-awaited new ordinance, the Sarasota City Commission says if you can hear it from 100 feet away, it's too loud.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction of the Ritz-Carlton Residences II in The Quay. The project will add 78 condos to downtown.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 11, 2025
Thousands of new residences are planned now and soon in downtown

Cranes dot Sarasota's skyline as multifamily construction continues infill redevelopment with a growing trend toward rental units.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Kwanzaa display rests on the table during the event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 11, 2025
Kwanzaa celebration prepares community for the holiday

The Kwanzaa Community Celebration will be followed by the 7-Day Candle Lighting Ceremony and Celebration from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota city commissioners adopted an ordinance in 2021 to register and regulate vacation rentals in coastal communities.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 11, 2025
Are complaints worth additional vacation rental oversight?

The city of Sarasota investigates the costs of expanding its short-term rental rules to areas encompassing 82 known vacation rental units.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mason Jordan poses for a photo on Dec. 8 outside the entrance to Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The slot receiver is in his fourth and final season on varsity and is the second-leading pass-catcher for the Cougars.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 11, 2025
Family legacy endures with Cardinal Mooney wide receiver

Mason Jordan, a longtime starter for the Cougars, is the latest in a line of elite athletes.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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Latest in Sarasota

1
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.
  • December 18, 2025
Police foil developing bank scam as it unfolds
2
The home at 2834 Browning Street featured countless decorations and animated figures.
  • December 18, 2025
Sarasota homes light up for the holidays
3
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence
  • December 18, 2025
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence
4
Osprey play an important role in local ecosystems, and they seek out high perches on either designated nesting perches or, as in this case, power poles.
  • December 18, 2025
Ospreys get a home renovation
5
Sarasota County's beaches, which are consistently ranked among the nation's best, offer dramatic sunsets.
  • December 18, 2025
Tourism outlook expects visitors leveling off in 2026

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