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Your Observer

Rob Oglesby, the development director at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue, is thrilled to see the nonprofit's expansion project nearing its end. The project is expected to be complete in April.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 28, 2023
Animal rescue expansion completes in April for increased care

Nate's Honor Animal Rescue has been able to boost its intake and services as its expansion project nears completion.

  • East County
  • News
See Sarasota's 2023 in photos
    By
  • James Peter
  • December 28, 2023
See Sarasota's 2023 in photos

Classroom lizards, high-flying hoopsters, knights in shining armor and dancing reindeer made 2023 a year to remember in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The building located at 540 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 28, 2023
Tidewell Foundation's Longboat building no longer listed for sale

The property was listed without the executive board's knowledge and all options are still being explored, according to an official from the organization.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Cops Corner: The Best of 2023
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 27, 2023
Sarasota Cops Corner: The Best of 2023

Family feuds, getaway drivers on tricycles and a foursome fracas — all that and much more from this year's reports of the Sarasota Police Department.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The penthouse in the Epoch building offers 1,700 square feet of outdoor living space on two levels.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 27, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for 2023 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in Epoch tops the year's sales at $11.15 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Longboat Key: 2023 in photos
    By
  • James Peter
  • December 27, 2023
Longboat Key: 2023 in photos

Let's take a breath to appreciate where we've been.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch library is located at 16410 Rangeland Parkway.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 27, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Library set to open Jan. 12

The public is invited to attend the grand opening celebration at 10 a.m. Jan. 12.

  • East County
  • News
Words for 2024
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 27, 2023
Words for 2024

At the start of each year, we pick a word to live by. We asked others to give us their word for 2024. They all make persuasive cases.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Longboat Key Cops Corner: The Best of 2023
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 26, 2023
Longboat Key Cops Corner: The Best of 2023

Dogs on the beach, snakes indoors, tracking devices and an engagement announcement — these are just some of the calls that Longboat Police responded to in 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Cardinal Mooney High football celebrates its first state championship since 1972.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 26, 2023
The top 10 moments of the 2023 Sarasota high school sports scene

In a year full of triumph and growth, these 10 moments made the biggest impact.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Florida Highwaymen exhibit will be on display at Sarasota City Hall beginning Jan. 8.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2023
Florida Highwaymen exhibit debuts at Sarasota City Hall

A collection of work from Black roadside painters will be on display at Sarasota City Hall beginning Jan. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • News
East County: 2023 Through the lens
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2023
East County: 2023 Through the lens

Here’s a taste of what the East County Observer saw through the camera lens during a fascinating 2023.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River senior wrestler Jessey Colas captured the Class 2A title in the 182-pound division March 4 at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 25, 2023
The top 10 moments of the East County high school sports scene

In a year full of triumph and growth, these 10 made the biggest impact.

  • East County
  • Sports
Top residential real estate sales for 2023 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 25, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for 2023 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home on Bird Key tops the year's Longboat-area sales at $11.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A look back at 2023 on YourObserver.com
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2023
A look back at 2023 on YourObserver.com

The past year was packed with news in our area. Here are readers’ favorite stories from YourObserver.com.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sailors boys basketball Head Coach BJ Ivey always gets the most out of his teams.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 24, 2023
Unforgettable Sarasota sports stories in 2023

A big-time swimsuit partnership, a coach's lesson about love and a new soccer league left an impression on the Observer's sports columnist.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
This home at 8423 Lindrick Lane sold for $5.65 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 24, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for 2023 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in The Concession tops the year's Lakewood Ranch sales at $5.65 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Sarasota County Starter Kit is available online.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2023
Sarasota County introduces free tool to guide new residents

The online program offered by the UF/IFAS Extension offers free education tools and guides for living in Southwest Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • News
LaDazhia Williams was rated a five-star player by ESPN coming out of Lakewood Ranch High in 2017.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2023
Columnist's favorite East County sports moments of 2023

These big-time events and conversations highlighted a wide-ranging 2023 sports year for the area.

  • East County
  • Sports
East Bradenton students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 22, 2023
East Bradenton students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

These Gullett, Willis and Gene Witt elementary students can't wait to see what's under their tree Christmas day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The upper floors of Obsidian would offer bayfront views to the east and downtown views to the west.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 22, 2023
Controversial high-rise condos to be reconsidered for downtown Sarasota

A marathon meeting is expected as the 342-foot Obsidian condominium tower makes its first foray into the public process on Jan. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Loree Pogue, Midge Saint, Lori Zandi and Jane Imperiale were bell-ringers for the Salvation Army in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 22, 2023
Salvation Army bell-ringers shatter fundraising goal in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch crew of Salvation Army bell-ringers smashed their goal of collecting $10,000 at Publix this holiday season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • December 21, 2023
Julie Marie Harrington

Julie Best, 82, died peacefully at her home in Longboat Key, Fla. on Dec. 9, 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    In Memoriam |
  • December 21, 2023
Sylvia N. Turner

Sylvia N. Turner, “Dessert Queen Of Venice”, passed of natural causes at the age of 91 on December 11, 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The RoboRumble program teaches students how to build robots from Legos, leading up to a competition pitting the different teams' robots against one another.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 21, 2023
Student-designed Lego robots battle in Fab Lab competition

The inaugural Lego RoboRumble competition pits students’ robotic Lego creations against one another for awards, prizes and learning.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
5131 Jungle Plum Road in Siesta Key
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 21, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 4-8 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home in Hidden Harbor tops the week's sales at $9.33 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
AG Lafley helped lead the formation of the Bay Park Conservancy and the opening of the first phase of The Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 21, 2023
AG Lafley talks past, present and future of The Bay

The founding CEO explains the importance of waterfront dining and highlights the range of future options, including a food truck village.

  • Sarasota
  • News
River Club's Mark Sinclair puts the finishing touches on his mince pies.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer, Liz Ramos, Ryan Kohn
  • December 21, 2023
East County cooks share their favorite holiday recipes

Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton residents' recipes mix tradition and love to make the holiday season special.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball junior Kali Barrett (21) is the Cougars' leading scorer at 12.8 points per game as of Dec. 15.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 21, 2023
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball rebounds from early-season defeats

The Cardinal Mooney Cougars, who have gone to three straight Final Fours, are 5-4 in their first nine games as of Dec. 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Gene Witt Elementary School kindergartner Jace Sparks makes his way around the shop to see all his options before deciding what to buy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 20, 2023
Students use school holiday shops to surprise loved ones

The holiday shops allow students to buy gifts for family, friends and others without the help of their parents.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jerome Saganowich, known as Jerry Sags, is the Nasty Boys wrestling tag team with Brian Knobbs.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 20, 2023
Former WWF wrestler Jerry Sags reflects on his winding career

Lakewood Ranch's Jerry Sags, one half of the Nasty Boys tag team, paid his dues before his big break.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2023
Package thief arrested on grand theft, drug charges

A Sarasota woman was caught on video taking packages valued at more than $1,800. Cocaine was also found in her possession.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Asst. Chief Martin Szalbirak and Asst. Chief Jentzen Barton.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 20, 2023
Firefighters share 20-year fire service journey leading to Longboat

Longboat Key Fire Rescue assistant chiefs Jentzen Barton and Martin Szalbirak served in multiple fire departments together and now find themselves taking a new step on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 1-4 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 20, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 1-4 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Bird Key home on Mourning Dove Drive tops the week's sales at $11.5 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Early morning munchie run becomes a food fight
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2023
Early morning munchie run becomes a food fight

A couple's pre-dawn convenience store trip takes an ugly turn when a woman throws food from the car. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Luke Safford, Nancy Rozance and Shae Safford at Light Up Longboat on Nov. 25, 2023.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 20, 2023
From Santa to Wonder Woman, Longboater spreads cheer in costume

Rotarian Nancy Rozance is a costumed crusader who brightens smiles across the Key as Wonder Woman, Josh the Otter, the Easter Bunny and Santa.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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