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Your Observer

Cardinal Mooney High girls basketball junior Kali Barrett.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 20, 2023
Athlete of the Week: Kali Barrett

The Cardinal Mooney junior is averaging 12.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 20, 2023
Siesta Key hoteliers bounce back from spring staff shortages

As the holidays approach, hotel owners and managers say staffing and labor are returning to normal.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
A loggerhead hatchling being released.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 20, 2023
Turtle nesting strong in Sarasota, Longboat despite high disorientation

This season saw a record number of green sea turtle nests, but artificial lights on beaches remain a challenge.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rams senior Jayden Dudash goes up for a jump shot against Manatee High. Dudash finished with 14 points.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 20, 2023
Don't count out Riverview boys basketball in first year under new coach

Coach Brandon Knecht said the Rams boys basketball team (4-4) is realizing the power of commitment.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Stuart Campbell of the North South Wealth Management/Ranch Hand team waves to the crowd during the opening parade of the 2023 Sarasota Polo Club season on Jan. 1, 2023.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 20, 2023
Sarasota Polo Club season opens Dec. 31 in Lakewood Ranch

Construction slowdowns will keep James and Misdee Miller from building a new clubhouse until after the season.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Florida Power & Light Company
  • December 20, 2023
Be Jolly and Bright This Holiday Season with FPL’s Energy-Saving Tips

Try implementing the energy saving tips below and read on about how you can use FPL’s Energy Manager to stay on top of your energy use.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Chloe Marino, 7, meets Santa Claus at the Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade on Dec. 2, 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 19, 2023
Sarasota Santa shares what it takes to wear the red suit

Mark Welikci, who has been a fixture of the Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade, explains what makes the perfect "Ho, ho, ho," his favorite cookie flavor, and the heart and soul of being Santa Claus.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This Winding River home at 14111 11th Terrace N.E. sold for $2.1 million. It has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,059 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 19, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 4-8 in Lakewood Ranch

A Winding River home on 11th Terrace tops the week's sales at $2.1 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Where do Longboaters get their Christmas trees?
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 19, 2023
Where do Longboaters get their Christmas trees?

With no on-island tree lots, town residents share their approaches to the Longboat Key tree dilemma.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch residents Mary and Tom Noon are the founders of Pure Dink.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 19, 2023
Lakewood Ranch entrepreneurs launch pickleball accessory brand

Pure Dink offers pickleball jewelry, bags, eyeglass holders and cocktail glasses.

  • East County
  • Business
Aviana Ritchey, Kayden Joseph, Nahla White, instructor Alicia Richardson, Jaylon Phelps, Kyrie Smith, Taniyah Sloan, Camila Juan Lopez and Giovanna Mosca
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 19, 2023
Suncoast School for Innovative Studies students write letters to Santa

The second and third graders told Santa what they hoped to receive and what they were thankful for.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Town of Longboat changes operating hours for season
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 19, 2023
Town of Longboat changes operating hours for season

The new pilot program begins on Jan. 2 and will change most town department operating hours to adjust for traffic during peak season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Reported burglary turns out to be a case of misplaced items
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 19, 2023
Reported burglary turns out to be a case of misplaced items

A resident unable to locate her package, purse and suitcase accidentally took them to a different unit. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Celery Fields is a mecca for birders and other nature lovers.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2023
Interactive tool offers virtual guides through Sarasota nature areas

The story maps developed by Sarasota County allow visits to parks, gardens and more without leaving home.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County bought 68 acres along the Manatee River as part of a preservation effort.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2023
County buys 68 acres of Manatee River waterfront property

Manatee County is buying a 68-acre parcel of riverfront land in Parrish in order to preserve it.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High sophomore Nicolas Dieter and freshman Landen Chandler said the soccer field is their happy place.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 18, 2023
Braden River High JV soccer players fight cancer to retake the field

Landen Chandler and Nicolas Dieter continue to play the sport they love while undergoing treatment for medical conditions.

  • East County
  • Sports
  • By JFCS of the Suncoast
  • December 18, 2023
Help Us Create a Path of Hope and Success for All Local Families

JFCS is a leading Mental Health and Human Services Agency providing support to youth and families through Counseling and Financial Assistance.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Lian Guerra Lopez, Luis Posso and Ember Aberegg are first graders at Myakka City Elementary School. The Myakka Co-op partnered with the school on a Christmas card fundraiser.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 18, 2023
Myakka students decorate Wallace the Warthog cards to raise funds

The Myakka City Elementary students embellished more than 300 Wallace the Warthog holiday cards to raise money for their school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Christian Ziegler
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 18, 2023
State GOP leaders unanimously vote to censure Christian Ziegler

A vote of the full executive committee to remove Ziegler as chairman is set for Jan. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The top Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton light displays to see this holiday season
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer, Liz Ramos, Ryan Kohn
  • December 18, 2023
The top Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton light displays to see this holiday season

Residents get into the holiday spirit with vibrant decorations.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Taylor Galford
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 18, 2023
Music Compound now offers virtual, hybrid guitar instruction

The Sarasota music school's new course, “Introduction to Guitar Fundamentals: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide," was launched in early December.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Christmas in the Garden at Longboat Island Chapel
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 18, 2023
Longboaters make Christmas in Garden an inclusive community

Local organizations, businesses and residents share the meaning behind the trees they donated to Christmas in the Garden at Longboat Island Chapel.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Town's internet upgrade means faster performance, big savings
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 18, 2023
Town's internet upgrade means faster performance, big savings

Longboat Key’s IT department is working on switching town government to a faster, in-house network.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Lake Club's Maureen Cozzi, Fran Berg and Joy Stone wrap gift cards to give to families at the Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 17, 2023
Lake Club residents grant Manatee children's Christmas wishes

The Lake Club Santa's Sleigh Project supports 80 children in need at the Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A holiday lights tour on Longboat Key
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 17, 2023
A holiday lights tour on Longboat Key

These are the best spots to see some extra holiday spirit illuminated on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Fire Rescue ensures crew can handle the heat
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 17, 2023
Longboat Fire Rescue ensures crew can handle the heat

The Longboat Fire Rescue Department completed its second live fire training of the year, reviewing breathing techniques, saving victims and fighting fires.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Island Chapel
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 17, 2023
Where to worship this Christmas on Longboat Key

Whether you're a resident or a visitor, here are some options for where to celebrate this season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A laser light show will cap New Year's Eve festivities at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2023
Laser light show will highlight New Year's Eve party in Lakewood Ranch

Waterside Place will host 150 drones to create an impressive welcome to 2024.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 683 Mourning Dove Drive sold for $11.5 million.
    By
  • James Peter
  • December 16, 2023
Clothing tycoon buys record-setting Bird Key home for $12M

At $11.5 million, 683 Mourning Dove Drive surpasses the previous record set in June of this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 16, 2023
Former state prosecutor arrested on fraud charges

Sherry Lee Ellis, 65, is charged with stealing nearly $113,000 from her Alzheimer's patient boyfriend.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mason Rivera, 7, meets The Grinch (Debbie Maxa).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2023
Southside Baptist Church becomes a Christmas town

The celebration brings together the Grinch and Santa Claus along with activities like snowball throwing.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The flag on the No. 9 green at Bobby Jones Golf Club.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 16, 2023
Bobby Jones Golf Club officially reopens

Discussed since 2015, the restored golf course opens to a wet and windy weekend.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The new trail system will include routes along former railroads, such as Parrish Spur northeast of Palmetto.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 16, 2023
140 miles of new trails planned for Manatee County

The Manatee County Commission approved the master plan for a $130 million countywide trail system project.

  • East County
  • News
Johanna Davis, Diego Villa and Natalia Van Genderen
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 15, 2023
St. Mary's Christmas concert features musicians from around the world

The annual concert had carols, a sing-a-long and great deals at the Women's Guild Christmas Bazaar.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Temple Emanu-El celebrates Hanukkah with giant menorah
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2023
Temple Emanu-El celebrates Hanukkah with giant menorah

The synagogue’s gathering also included time for children to write letters to young people displaced from their homes in Israel.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The planning board has approved the site plan for Calypso Sarasota on North Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 15, 2023
Concerns over 'factory appeal' of Tamiami apartments give way to approval

By a 3-2 vote, the 224-unit Calypso Sarasota on Tamiami Trail and 42nd Street can be built with conditions that include raising the foundation above street level.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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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