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Sarasota

Kymistrii Young (left), Elijah Golden (center) and Macaiden Brown (right) listen to coach Jared Clark's speech during Cardinal Mooney's early signing period ceremony.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 3, 2025
Cardinal Mooney and Booker football celebrate 11 early signees

National Signing Day was Dec. 3 to mark the beginning of the NCAA's early signing period.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The first wave of participants in the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens groundbreaking scoop some sand.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 3, 2025
Selby Botanical Gardens breaks ground on Master Plan Phase 2

The $61 million Master Plan contains plans to bring a new conservatory complex, learning pavilion and key landscape features to the Sarasota campus.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A schematic drawing of a one-story clubhouse at Bobby Jones Golf Club.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 3, 2025
'Grandiose' Bobby Jones clubhouse design lands short of the green

More than a year after approving a two-story clubhouse at Bobby Jones Clubhouse, the Sarasota City Commission opts for a scaled-down version.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Man asked female lifeguard to treat private area
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2025
Man asked female lifeguard to treat private area

A male beachgoer asked a female lifeguard to administer first aid to a jellyfish sting on an intimate region. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Kevontay Hugan (10) and Le'Darien Smith (33) look to their sideline before a play during the regional final between Booker and Nature Coast Tech. The two seniors are part of a Tornado defense which has allowed only three touchdowns in its last six games.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 3, 2025
Department of Defense: Booker High football stands tall

Behind a lock-down defensive unit, the Tornadoes are two wins away from their first state title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota Police Department on Dec. 2 gave away $2,000 in gasoline at three city stores, first offering to take photos with unsuspecting patrons.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 2, 2025
Gas patrons fill up on Sarasota Police's giving spirit

Chief Rex Troche and several officers visited three stores, spreading goodwill and topping off people's tanks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Samuel Shamsey poses for a photo on Dec. 1 outside the entrance to Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The striker leads a senior-heavy pack of Cougars for the 2025-26 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Samuel Shamsey

The senior leads Cardinal Mooney boys soccer in goals scored entering December.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and General Director Richard Russell.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Opera artistic director will step down after 44 years

General Director Richard Russell will add artistic director to his role after Victor DeRenzi's departure in May.

  • Arts + Culture
Lyndon Usher speaks with Pastor Carl Jenks of Radiance Church of Sarasota.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2025
Community comes together to serve homeless during Thanksgiving

Numerous organizations were involved in helping to serve those in need at the Thanksgiving Wednesday Community Luncheon.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A pair of Crested Caracaras become roommates at Save Our Seabirds during ongoing renovations and, as keepers noted, seem to become fast friends.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 2, 2025
Learn how to safely handle wild birds with Save Our Seabirds

Save Our Seabirds invites anyone with a passion for helping injured animals to learn the techniques for keeping both birds and handlers safe at an upcoming workshop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 1310 South Lake Shore Drive is built in the style of a Renaissance mansion.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 1, 2025
$26.4 million Sarasota home evokes Renaissance styling

A Bayfront property in Oyster Bay Estates is listed at the highest asking price for a piece of residential real estate in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Siesta Key Oyster Bar co-founder Geno Pedigo, and Zach Steffen, prepare to ride out.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 30, 2025
Kids and families find cheer at Siesta Key Holiday Parade

The parade, which welcomed Santa Claus to Siesta Key, was preceded by a meet-and-greet with the big guy himself.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Inside the current overcrowded storage facility for the Sarasota County Clerk of Court and County Comptroller office.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 30, 2025
New county court records storage facility is on the way

The Sarasota County Commission approves a lease-to-purchase plan for a new, legal documents storage building closer to the downtown court complex.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mother-daughter team Lori and Chloe Harpsoe assist shoppers at Monkee's of Sarasota for Black Friday. The clothing boutique opened just in time for the annual shopping extravaganza last year after rebuilding from hurricane damage.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 29, 2025
St. Armands Black Friday seems less brisk this year

Some shop owners said they were surprised last year's Black Friday shopping seemed busier than this year's, despite hurricane challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sheltair has opened its newest fixed-base operator facility at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 27, 2025
Private aviation operator opens new facility at SRQ

Fixed-base operator Sheltair Aviation has marked the grand opening of its 16th facility at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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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