• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

This week's FYI Friday features news about a lost ferret and a Christmas miracle, an update on downtown Sarasota's nightlife and more!
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2014
FYI Friday - Your weekly news roundup

Catch up on the week's most important and most interesting news stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County with FYI Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The playground, installed in December, was created for children ages two to 12.
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 18, 2014
Joan M. Durante Park installs new playground

The playground is made from post-consumer recycled materials.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Courtesy photo, Nolan TSA students Naomi Burg and Amanda Boccarossa paint a little library to be installed at Greenbrook Park in Lakewood Ranch in January.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 18, 2014
Sarasota County installs Little Free Libraries in parks

The stand-alone lending libraries are a part of a national program that encourages communities to share literature.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The construction sector shed 400 jobs in November in the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota metro area, while the retail sector added roughly 1,600 positions for an increase of 4% from October.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 18, 2014
Local unemployment rate continues tumble

The North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota metro area added more than 4,000 jobs in November, while Sarasota County's unemployment rate fell to 5.3% from 5.6% the previous month.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools earned “A” grades for the third consecutive year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
East County high schools excel in graduation rates, school grades

Two East County high schools received "A" grades and had high graduation rates in the 2013-2014 school year, a Florida Department of Education report shows.

  • East County
  • News
A garden of lights blooms down one of the walk ways at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Lights in Bloom display.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Lights in Bloom at Selby

Guests were invited to enjoy an early preview of Lights in Bloom Thursday, Dec. 18 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ajanique Jones and Chloe Corleto dance to the music.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Middle Snowcoming Dance

Sixth- through eighth-grade students put on their formal gowns and suits for the Snowcoming Dance, Dec. 18, in Braden River Middle School's cafeteria.

  • East County
  • News
Jan and Gene Albrycht show off their gingerbread house — a staple in the parade.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Horseshoe Cove Christmas Golf Cart Parade

Residents of Horseshoe Cove lined their golf carts with ornaments, lights and other holiday decorations for the 16th annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade Dec. 18. Participants drove their themed vehicles around the community for an excited audience who photographed the unique carts from the sidelines.

  • East County
  • News
Girl of the Year recipient Isabelle Crotsley, Girls Inc. Distinguished Board Chair Donna Ogilvie and National Girls Inc. Champions for Girls award recipient, Sherry Watts.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Girls Inc. Celebrates Girl of the Year

Today called for a celebration at Girls Incorporated Girl for the Girl of the Year award and the first ever National Girls Inc. 'Champions for Girls' award.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club resident Ron Jarvis pointed out the community doesn’t have a clear cut policy in place to prevent gators from being trapped and killed.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 17, 2014
Gator policy still floats

Despite a legal opinion from legal counsel stating the Ranch shouldn't create a gator policy, Town Hall officials are working to create an educational presentation that help the reptiles stay put.

  • East County
  • News
First Friday festivities mean new musical acts for attendees of free Music on Main events.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Future Music on Main acts set

Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty announced its Music on Main series of acts performing through June.

  • East County
  • News
Ethan Frizzell, Ernie Withers and Sue Frizzell. Photos by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Sound of hope

The holiday season hasn't officially started until our favorite bell ringers return to their posts.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
John Brady and Carol Pettengill, right
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Holiday harmonies

Shoppers and residents were treated to some holiday harmonies by the Senior Friendship Centers' group, the Second Wind Harmonica Players, in Downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Our View | Learn from others' models

Michael Klauber, longtime Sarasota restaurant entrepreneur and now chairman of Visit Sarasota, probably knows firsthand now what it means 'to herd cats.'

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By Rodger Dowdell
  • December 17, 2014
My View | Grand juries have lost their independence

Recent grand jury decisions in Missouri and New York have sparked national protests.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Cops Corner: Sarasota

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Christmas worship services

The Observer shares local Christmas worship services.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Senior Ryan McMahon is shooting 64% from the floor and 57% from behind the arc this season for the Cougars. Photo by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2014
Controlling the court

Cardinal Mooney senior Ryan McMahon is averaging 26.7 points per game this season while leading the Cougars to a 6-0 record.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2014
High Five Moments of the Week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2014
Sidelines

Eagles win inaugural Army vs. Navy tournament; Sarasota Christian earns back-to-back wins; Sarasota grapplers win invitational; Late goal propels Thunder soccer team to a win; Longwood Athletic Club announces Men's Open

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2014
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
1884 Morris St.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 17, 2014
Light up the night

These Sarasota Christmas lights are worth the ride around town.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This home at 7102 Point of Rocks Circle has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,582 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.2 million. Photo by Amanda Morales
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 17, 2014
Point of Rocks home sells for $3.2 million

A home in Point of Rocks tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Wayne Johnson submitted this sunrise photo, taken at Sarasota National Cemetery.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Weather: Sarasota

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover.*

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mote Marine Laboratory (top) and the Sarasota County History Center (right) both have subsidized leases with the city of Sarasota for their properties on city-owned land. Each organization pays $10 or less a year.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2014
City leases land scrutiny from Chapman

Vice Mayor Susan Chapman wants to re-examine city lease agreements that charge organizations such as Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium $10 a year or less in rent.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mike Tisdale and Florikan employees find sections of the fence pushed down or cut.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 17, 2014
Property owner concerned with homeless

After dealing with vandalism, theft and damage, property owner Mike Tisdale wants the county to help deter a nearby homeless camp.

  • Sarasota
  • News
File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2014
Commissioners come to Chapman's defense

The two new additions to the City Commission could sway it to reverse course and once again pay for Vice Mayor Susan Chapman's defense in an ongoing Sunshine Law case.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2014
In the zone

Although Laurel Park residents have praised the neighborhood's zoning rules, questions linger about the effects those regulations have had on the area.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
News Briefs

Bayfront group works to refine principles; Downtown Sarasota attracts more nightlife options

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jennifer Rominiecki said Selby Gardens could benefit from offering more of a "museum experience" — something that could attract repeat visitors. Photo by Jessica Salmond
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2014
New Selby Gardens CEO sees room to grow

Jennifer Rominiecki, who spent 15 years at the New York Botanical Gardens, says her goal for Selby is not just to attract visitors. It's to keep them coming back.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Several bricks are missing from multiple stretches of the 1400 block of Main Street, an issue caused by growing tree roots along the sidewalk. Photo by David Conway
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2014
Damages arise on downtown brick sidewalks

Damages to brick-paved sections of Main Street haven't caused alarm among merchants and residents - one small piece missing here, a dislodged brick there - but, taken together, they've added up to become an issue the city is exploring how to fix.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 17, 2014
Residents, commission lobby for traffic management

Sarasota County commissioners requested Ryland Homes add a turn lane into a future Osprey development.

  • Sarasota
  • News
President Sydelle Pittas and board member Andy Sawyer
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Rotary Club holiday party

Members of Longboat Key's new Rotary Club gathered on Dec. 14 for a monthly meeting and holiday party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This year's menorah was filled with 90,000 coins.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Hanukkah Celebration

Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch welcomed the public and Jewish community to a special Hanukkah celebration Dec. 17, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gerry Sullivan and Barbara Bellamente
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Harbourettes celebrate the holidays

The Longboat Harbourettes held its annual holiday luncheon on Dec. 17 at the Lazy Lobster.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brady Theisen plays Santa and surprises the audience at the end of the production.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: December Celebrations: A Tour Around the World

Gene Witt Elementary kindergarten students sang and played instruments during the December Celebrations: A Tour Around the World production, Dec. 17, in the school's cafeteria. Fourth- and fifth-grade students who are members of the school's "Orff"estra kicked off the play with drums and other instruments they played for their audience.

  • East County
  • News
« 1051 1052 1053 1054 1055 1056 1057 1058 1059 1060 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
No good deed goes unpunished
  • May 28, 2026
No good deed goes unpunished
2
Cash grab in Manatee, too
  • May 28, 2026
Cash grab in Manatee, too
3
Benderson Development is wrapping up its latest phase of construction at the business and industrial park off Toledo Blade Boulevard.
  • May 28, 2026
County economic development agency contract approved for 2027
4
A Kobi Karp Architecture rendering of the 18-story Adagio luxury condo tower as viewed at the northwest corner of South Palm Avenue and Ringling Boulevard.
  • May 28, 2026
Adagio receives partial staff sign-off; adjustments still required
5
James Bacigalupi and Trevor Garofalo give Harry Noordzy a lift, just as they did five years ago at Station 12.
  • May 28, 2026
Myakka's Station 12 remains a part of Harry's world

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free