• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • 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
    • Red Tide Map
    • 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
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 11, 2013
State report threatens school district recovery

The Manatee County School District could see as much as a $7.2 million reduction in its general fund balance as a consequence of a report from the state's Auditor General's Office.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 11, 2013
Benderson Park continues transformation

While the park constructs facilities to host a multitude of sporting events, officials work to make it a hub for locals' recreational activity as well.

  • East County
  • News
IRISS owners Martin and Deborah Robinson always had ambitious plans for their business's Lakewood Ranch home, at 10306 Technology Terrace, but growth this fast even surprised them.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 11, 2013
IRISS to expand headquarters

Less than a year after making Lakewood Ranch its home, infrared-window manufacturer IRISS plans to grow its space, its staff and its product lines.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
News Briefs

Cheesecake Factory coming to Mall at UTC; Two appointed to Manatee County Planning Commission

  • East County
  • News
Quinones, center
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 11, 2013
Imagine School principal cleared of wrongdoing

The State Attorney's Office decided not to file charges against Selenia Quinones, the Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch principal accused of failing to report child abuse.

  • East County
  • News
Sandra Byers and Pete Vrinios join forces to create candy canes dipped in chocolate and sprinkles.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 11, 2013
Twist on tradition

A Lakewood Ranch business owner opens her doors to partner with a candy cane creator.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 11, 2013
Sarasota polo season swings into action

Athletes and the Sarasota Polo Club field maintenance team prepare for the upcoming season, which starts Dec. 15.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 11, 2013
McNeal Elementary teachers score highest in East County

Data released by the Florida Department of Education last week show McNeal Elementary has the largest percentage of highly effective teachers - 95.8% - for the 2012-2013 school year.

  • East County
  • News
Phil Woods, the new senior pastor for Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch, said he hopes to show Christianity can be intellectually credible and emotionally satisfying.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 11, 2013
Cornerstone welcomes new pastor

The Rev. Phil Woods finally is feeling settled in after becoming Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch's pastor in September.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
FAMILY FIESTA. Nolan Middle School student Jana Armstrong and her cousin, Grace Arthur, took their East County Observer on a recent cruise to Mexico. They made a quick stop at Fort George in the Cayman Islands.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com and click on the 'Contests' tab in the upper-right hand corner to submit your entries. We can't wait to see where The Observer will travel next!

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Zechariah Kendall
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 11, 2013
High Five Moments

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Twelve-year-old Abbey Siegel and her younger sister, Ari, 10, train for a couple of hours every day.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 11, 2013
Call of the court

Sisters Abbey and Ari Siegel have been playing tennis since they were about 2 years old.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Community Golf Scores

Golf scores submitted by East County golf courses.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch Marauders 8U travel baseball team
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 11, 2013
Sidelines

Mustangs wrestling trio goes 8-0; IMG Academy to add JV football; Lady Thunder, Lady Blazers tie; Cougars blank the Tornadoes; Baseball camp to be held at ODA

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 11, 2013
Just the Stats

The week in sports by the numbers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Submitted by Julie Becker. Casa del Mar Beach Resort. Owners and guests gathered Thursday, Dec. 5, to decorate the resort’s Christmas tree.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
You Observed

Here's a roundup of reader-submitted photos from events around the Key. To submit photos for this new weekly feature, email Robin Hartill at [email protected].

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Harriet Sokmensuer. Unit 10-S at St. Armands Towers, 101  Benjamin Franklin Drive, has three bedrooms, three baths, and 2,550 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.35 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 11, 2013
St. Armands Towers condo sells for $1.35 million

Gavriel and Catherine Salvendy sold their Unit 10-S condominium at 101 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Christopher and Susan John, of Norton, Mass., for $1.35 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 11, 2013
Real Estate Reports

RE/MAX Platinum Realty opens on St. Armands; SAR reports median sale prices rose in October; Premier Sotheby's attends Contemporary Art Sales

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Niki Muller submitted this sunset photo, taken on Holmes Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Weather: Longboat Key

Niki Muller submitted this sunset photo, taken on Holmes Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
1415 Westway Drive is listed at $8.5 million. Photos by Heather Merriman.
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • December 11, 2013
Home of the Month: 'Showplace'

Heroes and villains, con men and a pop star - they've all called this Lido Shores mansion home.

  • Arts + Culture
Amanda Sebastiano. This Concession home, which has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,543 square feet of living area, sold for $1,253,300.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 11, 2013
Concession home tops sales at $1,253,300

Yongyuth Nethongkome, of Miami Shores, and Kulnadda Nedtranon, of Palmetto Bay sold their home at 19461 Ganton Ave. to Chester Flake III, of Bradenton, for $1,253,300.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Todd Garrett submitted this sunrise photo, taken at Myakka Head.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Weather: East County

Todd Garrett submitted this sunrise photo, taken at Myakka Head.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Children First CEO and President Philip Tavill
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 10, 2013
The Good News: Children First

Children First hopes to raise funds to provide an appropriate space for waitlisted children as well as money to scholarship them, which costs between $9,000 and $10,000 per year, per student, for educational programs, screenings, family counseling and food.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Puppy Town on South Tamiami Trail is one area pet retailer that would be affected by the proposed ordinance.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 10, 2013
Commission delays decision on pet ordinance

Sarasota County commissioners delay advertisement of a public hearing for an ordinance banning the sale of commercially bred dogs, cats and rabbits.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Members of the public spoke in support of preservation of the Payne Park Auditorium Monday. The fate of the auditorium will continue to be unknown until at least February or March.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2013
Citizens speak out in support of Payne Park Auditorium

At a community workshop Monday, city staff and residents discussed the future of Payne Park, with several speakers encouraging the city to find a way to preserve the park's auditorium.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bob Simmons, Murray Blueglass, President of the Longboat Key Democratic Club, Marvin Morse, former President, and David Brenner
    By
  • Kelsey Grau
  • December 10, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Key Democratic Club

The Longboat Key Democratic Club assembled Tuesday, Dec. 10, for their monthly meeting at the Harbourside Clubhouse.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town Manager Dave Bullock and town staff say Colony buildings are a nuisance and a threat to the health and safety of the general public during a storm.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 10, 2013
Colony owners oppose teardown

Town Manager Dave Bullock suggests Colony structures be torn down as a condition to the property keeping the grandfathered tourism units on the site.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Firefighter/paramedic Brandon Desch, with Fire Chief Paul Dezzi, received the Chief's Award.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 10, 2013
Longboat Key Fire Rescue honors personnel

Firefighter/paramedics Brian Kolesa and Brandon Desch and Deputy Chief Matthew Altman received awards.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
At today’s 3 p.m. workshop, 215 Manatee Avenue W., Manatee County School District staff will present the report’s findings to the board.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 10, 2013
School board hosts workshop on state audit report

The Manatee County School Board hosts a workshop today to talk about a report from the state's Auditor General's Office that found misuse of funds and lack of controls during the 2012-13 school year.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Police have charged 59-year-old Leonard Rubinstein with attempting to practice medicine without a valid license.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 10, 2013
Sarasota Police raid cosmetic-surgery office

The Sarasota Police Department charges Leonard A. Rubinstein for operating his Siesta Drive practice with a revoked license.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dr. Vince Carroll, Elizabeth Vargus, Molly Carroll and Bruno Motta
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 9, 2013
Sonata a Due

Sonata a Due

  • Black Tie
Butch Amerson, Susan Kasow, Louanne Roy and Juliet Mullan
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 9, 2013
Designing Women Boutique's annual Gala: 'Designed to Give'

Designing Women Boutique's annual Gala: 'Designed to Give'

  • Black Tie
Sally Brown and Chris Anderson
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 9, 2013
Sarasota Orchestra Association Holiday Luncheon 'Holiday Prelude'

Sarasota Orchestra Association Holiday Luncheon 'Holiday Prelude'

  • Black Tie
Alice Berkowitz and Betty Levi
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 9, 2013
Women's Day with Campbell Brown

Women's Day with Campbell Brown

  • Black Tie
Sarasota County commissioners and Sheriff Tom Knight break ground on the new emergency operations center.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 9, 2013
VIDEO: Officials break ground on new county facility

Sarasota County dignitaries during a Dec. 9 groundbreaking ceremony announce the beginning of construction of the new 40,000-square-foot emergency operations center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 1196 1197 1198 1199 1200 1201 1202 1203 1204 1205 »
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
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe stars perform in the inaugural Weekend of Soul Dec. 27-28 at WBTT's Donelly Theatre.
  • December 23, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 25-31
2
Yvette Brown poses for a photo on Dec. 11 next to the trophy case by Booker's gym. Through the first six games of the Tornadoes' season, she led in points, rebounds and steals.
  • December 23, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Yvette Brown
3
Myakka City's Diane and Rich Bartoszek display a handmade ceramic nativity scene each year.
  • December 23, 2025
Decorating for Christmas with a personal touch in Lakewood Ranch
4
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
  • December 23, 2025
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
5
Chef Drew Adams recently took the helm as the new head chef at CW Prime, The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort's signature steakhouse. He brings his experience working on the Sarasota food scene.
  • December 23, 2025
Sarasota chef celebrates local ingredients at CW Prime

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 © 2025 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.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now