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Your Observer

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.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K

The event supports the Big Bill Foundation and the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire

Frank Rubino started his law enforcement career in 1980 and served Longboat Key for more than a decade.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

Chemistry and Environmental Science Teacher Alexandra Wilcoxson put together an event that showcased the school's brightest minds.

  • East County
  • Schools
Marilyn Wolf Schwartz (1924-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • December 12, 2025
Marilyn Wolf Schwartz

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family in Sarasota on November 23, 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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
Greenbrook's David, Hannah and Jaime Marco all had a part in creating Jaime Marco's new book “Unfunkt: Quiet the Noise. Ignite the Light.”
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 12, 2025
Readers can shed the funk with Lakewood Ranch author's 'Unfunkt'

Greenbrook's Jaime Marco wrote the book to let others know they can make a positive impact on their lives.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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
Beth Stewart and Christine Parseghian joined in the festive fun of the Frosty Frolic golf tournament on Dec. 9 at Harbourside Golf Course.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 11, 2025
Ladies dress to impress at Frosty Frolic

The toy drive-centric golf tournament invited members of the Women's Golf Association and the Key Niners to compete in six-person teams.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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
The team including Rick and Josie Bertie and Paul Christenson won second place overall and the award for best "docktail" at the Lighting of the Docks on Dec. 6 at Longboat Harbour.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 11, 2025
Longboat Harbour light competition delights viewers

Attendees who judged and voted upon this year's Lighting of the Docks entrants at Longboat Harbour loved the model train and other intricacies of this year's docks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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
Many holiday events took place the first weekend of December, but there are still plenty of opportunities for festive fun to have on the keys.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 11, 2025
Catch Santa on Longboat Key before Christmas

It's not too late to share those holiday wishes with Saint Nick before Christmas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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
The Unit 1106 condominium at 1155 N. Gulfstream Ave. was built in 2017 and has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,701 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 11, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 24-28 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on North Shell Road tops the week’s sales at $3,542,800.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
  • By Florida Power & Light (FPL)
  • December 11, 2025
Florida Families Can Help Neighbors and Celebrate an Energy-Efficient Holiday

Tips to Save Energy All Season Long and a Chance to Win Holiday Energy-Efficiency Kits for 80 Floridians

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By The Sarasota Ballet
  • December 11, 2025
Monday’s Child is Fair of Face

The Sarasota Ballet performs Jazz Calendar, Divertimento No. 15, and Mozartiana - December 19 & 20 at the Sarasota Opera House.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Cannons Marina is at 6040 Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key. The 70-plus year-old business started as a fish camp in the late 40s opened by Ernie Cannon.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 10, 2025
Cannons Marina boats burglarized of more than $40,000 of equipment

The boat dealership, rental company and service center had GPS devices stolen from five boats overnight.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
SMR's new coffee table book, "Lakewood Ranch — A Legacy of Living with the Land" is available locally and on Amazon.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 10, 2025
'Lakewood Ranch — A Legacy of Living with the Land' is a fun history lesson

The coffee table book, written by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, documents the development of a successful, southwest Florida community.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Carrie Walden, the Project Edge classroom instructor, is teaching 10 students including Mia Pardella and Justin Torres in the Project Edge program at MTC East.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 10, 2025
MTC program teaches students with disabilities skills to enter workforce

At Manatee Technical College, Project Edge is transitional program for students with intellectual disabilities to learn foundational skills.

  • East County
  • Schools
Samara Williamson has been at the Lake Club for more than four years, moving to her general manager position from that of assistant general manager in 2023.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2025
Lake Club manager named tops in her field

The honor was part of November's Lakewood Ranch Community Appreciation Awards.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gabriella Rawles holds a Fighting Irish tennis ball and poses for a photo at Notre Dame Stadium. The senior at ICL Academy online is headed to South Bend, Indiana, in January as an early enrollee.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 10, 2025
Notre Dame commit rekindles love for tennis after recovery from a shoulder injury

Gabriella Rawles was once unsure if she'd ever return to the sport after the injury caused her passion to fade.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Tides of Longboat is one of several condo complexes in Manatee County where the first floor units saw a significantly reduced property tax assessment despite being undamaged by the 2024 hurricanes due to the first floor units’ elevations.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 10, 2025
Town of Longboat has questions after property valuations decrease

Drastic reductions in property appraisal evaluations for undamaged condo units have raised the alarm for Longboat leaders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Firefighter paramedic Aaron Maness and Training Captain David Eggleston raise their hands to recite an oath before receiving their badges. The two had already completed their training but had not officially received their badges in a ceremony. Maness was later awarded the Medal of Honor by Fire Chief Paul Dezzi.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 10, 2025
Longboat firefighter receives rare Medal of Honor award for action

Given only twice in the past 15 years, the medal was one of several awards given out at the Longboat Key Fire Department's annual program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Unit 154 condominium at 556 Spanish Drive N. sold for $385,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 10, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 24-28 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A condominium in The Water Club at Longboat Key on of Mexico Drive tops the week’s sales at $2,375,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Harbor58 volunteers and Manatee County commissioners put the first shovels in the ground Nov. 17.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 10, 2025
Harbor58 breaks ground on $4.5 million housing project in Manatee County

The East County nonprofit supports young adults who have aged out of foster care.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Director of Government Relations Stephanie Garrison leads the work session Dec. 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 10, 2025
Changing millage review process a top priority among Manatee commissioners

Finding a way to cut taxes is a top priority, but finishing improvements on Lorraine Road is not.

  • East County
  • News
An example of what a downtown Sarasota point-to-point shuttle might look like.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 10, 2025
Short rides pitched to solve downtown Sarasota's parking woes

A condo group representative advocates for point-to-point transit options to make it easy for nearby residents to frequent businesses downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
SR 64 grocery store, storage facility denied by Manatee commission
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 10, 2025
SR 64 grocery store, storage facility denied by Manatee commission

The proposed site is located next to Neal Communities' Palm Grove development.

  • East County
  • News
Paisley Binswanger poses for a photo. The four-year varsity player hopes to reach 1,500 points and 300 assists by the time her career with Sarasota High girls basketball concludes in February 2026.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 10, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Paisley Binswanger

The senior guard leads the Sailors in several statistical categories and signed with Samford in November.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota Deputy Police Chief Scott Mayforth delights a young shopper at a previous Shop with a Cop event.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2025
Shop with a Cop event returns Saturday

The annual Shop with a Cop will pair 125 underprivileged kids with Sarasota Police Department officers for an early morning shopping spree on Saturday, Dec. 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 10, 2025
Water and sewer fee increases considered on Longboat Key

The town of Longboat Key considers simplifying the process to raise fees to keep up with rising costs of hookups for the services.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Clogged toilet plunges landlord and tenant into eviction
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2025
Clogged toilet plunges landlord and tenant into eviction

A renter threatens to zip-tie a property owner over a plumbing issue in an ongoing whirlpool of discontent. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest News

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
Sponsored Content
3
  • December 12, 2025
ANNIE
Sponsored Content
4
  • December 12, 2025
“Catskills After Dark”
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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