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Your Observer

    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 12, 2023
Sarasota County Schools earns 'A' grade from Department of Education

The district maintains the rating for the 20th consecutive year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Caragiulos opened in Mira Mar in 1989.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 11, 2023
Caragiulos restaurant plans to move to Ringling Boulevard

The Italian American eatery will vacate its space in the Mira Mar building on Palm Avenue after 35 years.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Steve Stricker, Jerry Kelly, Billy Andrade, Jim Furyk, Justin Leonard, Brett Quigley and David Toms hold the World Champions Cup trophy aloft after winning it as Team USA.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 11, 2023
World Champions Cup aces another shot at impressing the golf world

The Concession's general manager said the event's return in year two remains a possibility.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota School Board member Bridget Ziegler speaks to the Republican Club of Longboat Key on April 12, 2022.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 11, 2023
Sarasota School Board to request resignation of Bridget Ziegler

The Dec. 12 Sarasota County School Board meeting follows accusations of hypocrisy against Ziegler for the admission of a tryst with her husband and another woman.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Brown Eyed Girl, captained by Cooper Tholmes, gives a wave to the audience.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 11, 2023
Sarasota decks the hulls for Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

Held in support of Suncoast Charities for Children, the 37th annual event featured 27 boats and a tribute to "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joshua Bennett, the principal at Braden River Elementary School, listens as fourth grader Raelynn Wilson explains her assignment.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 11, 2023
Braden River Elementary principal supports students and teachers

Recently named School District of Manatee County’s Principal of the Year, Joshua Bennett makes his mark by transforming schools and supporting students and teachers.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota EcoSummit tackles development, pollution and water quality
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 11, 2023
Sarasota EcoSummit tackles development, pollution and water quality

Nearly 8 acres of open land is lost to development per hour in Florida, says a panel moderator.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Team USA pops bottles of champagne to celebrate winning the first-ever World Champions Cup, held at The Concession Golf Club.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 10, 2023
Team USA wins first World Champions Cup at The Concession

The American team trailed Team International for much of the final day before making a late comeback.

  • East County
  • Sports
Reverend David Mashall with Carol and Bob Erker
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 10, 2023
All Angels Church hosts first Christmas tea and concert

Music director David Stasney and members of All Angels Church threw a high tea with a harp and soprano concert to celebrate the Christmas season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jim Grimes, Forest Parker, Robert Martini, Sarah Schulz, Nicole Rissler, Greg Steinberg, Megan Timchula
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 10, 2023
Siesta Key holiday tradition continues at Sandy Claws Beach Run

Runners of all ages turned up for 1-mile fun run and 5K at Sandy Claws Beach Run.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rabbi Stephen Sniderman with Oliver and Isaac Lutkoff
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 10, 2023
Temple Beth Israel celebrates Hanukkah with dinner party

The Beth Israel Women held a dinner party after services with a variety entertainment.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Inflatable Santas line up in front yards of homes on Hidden Oaks Loop.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 10, 2023
Sapphire Santas light up the neighborhood in east Bradenton

More than 45 14-foot inflatable Santas make their mark on Sapphire Point.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Donald Ross course at Bobby Jones Golf Club works in harmony with adjacent wetlands to contain and filter stormwater.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 10, 2023
Bobby Jones Golf Club grand reopening set for Dec. 15

The first rounds on the restored Donald Ross layout will begin at 7 a.m. on Dec. 16 when the course and nature park open to the public.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Team USA's Justin Leonard tees off on the No. 9 hole at The Concession Golf Club on day two of the World Champions Cup. Leonard and teammate Jerry Kelly would par the hole during the day's Six Ball session.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 9, 2023
World Champions Cup changes Sunday schedule

The final rounds, held Sunday at The Concession Golf Club, will now begin at 8 a.m.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney High football celebrates its first state championship since 1972.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 9, 2023
Cardinal Mooney football wins FHSAA Class 1S state championship

The Cougars scored with less than a minute remaining to secure a 31-27 win over Trinity Catholic.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Team USA Captain Jim Furyk poses with Gene Storm and Emily Storm at the World Champions Cup block party at Waterside Place. Emily Storm is on the golf team at Lakewood Ranch High.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 9, 2023
World Champions Cup fans get close to the players at block party

Ernie Els, Jim Furyk among the PGA Tour Champions stars who took photos with the fans at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 9, 2023
23-year-old Bradenton man dies in Rosedale accident

A Friday evening crash on 87th street east in Bradenton is under investigation.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key residents attend the final class of the Citizens Academy of Government program at the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department on Feb. 19.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 9, 2023
Citizens Academy teaches how Longboat Key's government works

The seven-week course will explore the inner workings of local government and highlight the town's goals for the future.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mike Moran
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 9, 2023
Moran named chair of Sarasota County Commission

The District 1 commissioner was selected during the board's annual planning retreat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Team Europe's Robert Karlsson gives a disappointed look after his shot onto the No. 8 green at The Concession Golf Club on day two of the World Champions Cup. Karlsson and teammate Miguel Angel Jimenez would birdie the hole during the day's Six Ball session.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 8, 2023
Team International leads World Champions Cup by half point

Team USA is just a half point back with a struggling Team Europe in third at The Concession.

  • East County
  • Sports
A combination of a comprehensive plan amendment and waiver of a 12-month resubmission ban for rejected projects could put the Calle Miramar hotel in Siesta Village back in play.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 8, 2023
Denied Siesta Key hotel proposals could be reconsidered by Sarasota County

The Sarasota County Commission approved moving forward on a study of a comprehensive plan change that would allow high-intensity hotels on the island.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Main Street is overtaken by bubbles on Dec. 7 for Chanukah on Main Street.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 8, 2023
Hundreds celebrate Chanukah on Lakewood Ranch Main Street

The annual event featured live music and the Spheres Bubble Show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • December 8, 2023
Jeanne Bigelow Auten

With great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved Mother and Grandmother on December 5th in Bradenton, FL.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Sarasota Chamber president and CEO Heather Kasten and Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 8, 2023
Sarasota Chamber connects school officials with business community

"You would be amazed at the heroes that are leading, working in our schools," Superintendent Terry Connor says.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Team USA's David Toms and Brett Quigley look over the green on the No. 9 hole at The Concession Golf Club. The pair earned nine points for Team USA during the Scotch Sixsome session on day one of the World Champions Cup.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 7, 2023
Europe takes narrow lead after first day of World Champions Cup

Team Europe captain Darren Clarke and partner Colin Montgomerie sparked a big morning round, but Team USA charged in the afternoon round.

  • East County
  • Sports
Longboat Harbour hosted its annual Lighting of the Docks on Dec. 2.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 7, 2023
Longboat Harbour lights up its docks with holiday cheer

Residents go all out for the Lighting of the Docks at Longboat Harbour with angel displays, hand-painted nutcrackers and Florida Santa.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lights in Bloom is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 7, 2023
See Lights in Bloom illuminate Selby Gardens

The display is made up of 2 million individual lights across the botanical gardens' downtown Sarasota campus.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A look at where Manatee County plans to build the amenities at Premier Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2023
Manatee County still dragging its feet at Premier Park

Land purchased in 2017 and 2018 is still waiting for the first amenity to open.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Longboat Key Turtle Watch volunteers presented checks to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium on Dec. 1.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 7, 2023
Longboat Key Turtle Watch donates $15,000 to Mote

The donation made in Freda Perrotta’s memory will help fund necessary purchases across Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s sea turtle departments.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Andy Alvarenga and Frank Petrone appreciate the paid on-the-job training they receive and additional instruction they receive as part of their electrical apprenticeship with Manatee Technical College.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 7, 2023
MTC offers apprenticeship programs to advance careers

Apprentices work full time while attending courses at Manatee Technical College to further their careers and fill gaps in various industries.

  • East County
  • Schools
Payne Park Townhomes' design reflects the Sarasota School of Architecture.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 7, 2023
Townhome development proposed for site beside Payne Park

The development on U.S. 301 in Sarasota is planned to include 50 rental townhomes and 9,100 square feet of retail space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Mira Mar Beach property at 117 Beach Road built in 1940 topped sales at $2.63 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 7, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 20-24 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key property on Beach Road tops the week's sales at $2.63 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Mooney senior defensive back Zeshon Casimir blocks an NFC punt in the first quarter. Senior linebacker Jacob Brown would return the blocked punt for a touchdown.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 7, 2023
Cardinal Mooney High football is ready for Class 1S state championship

The Cougars said they have been working all season for this opportunity.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Spencer Bryant and Vickie Oldham
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 7, 2023
Celebration of Newtown history intertwines with holiday season

The historic Leonard Reid house will be home to music, lights and holiday spirit as a Christmas tree at UTC shares the stories of Newtown.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A conceptual street level view from Adams Lane of Artists Court.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 7, 2023
Towles Court neighborhood braces for coming apartment complex

With 242-unit development Artists Court Residences proposed across the street, property owners in Towles Court ponder whether to cash in or stay put.

  • Sarasota
  • News
River Club's Lynn Hague and Bob and Pearl Taboh ring in the holiday season together at River Club's first Jingle Ball.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 6, 2023
River Club hosts its first Jingle Ball

The Jingle Ball gave neighbors an opportunity to meet and reconnect in a formal and fun setting.

  • East County
  • 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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