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Your Observer

The Longboat Key Club opens up new pickleball gardens in its Tennis Gardens.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 4, 2023
Longboat Key Club opens new pickleball courts in Tennis Gardens

After being in the works for about two years, four pickleball courts are now open at Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ella Bryant, Rhema Stahlmann, and Ariana Hagaman
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 4, 2023
St. Armands Circle lights up for the holidays

Thanks to the Holiday Night of Lights, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County is accepting applications for the Library Advisory Board. The new Lakewood Ranch branch is expected to open the first week in January.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 4, 2023
Manatee County seeks additional Library Advisory Board members

East County residents are eligible to apply for all four of the newly created seats on the board.

  • East County
  • News
ESPN's Andy North said he is looking forward to seeing the course at The Concession Golf Club for the first time in person at the World Champions Cup.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 4, 2023
ESPN's Andy North shares thoughts on inaugural World Champions Cup

The two-time U.S. Open champ will be part of ESPN's coverage of the event, held Dec. 7, 8 and 10 at The Concession Golf Club.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences float makes its way down Main Street.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 3, 2023
Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade lets it snow community spirit

The parade brought together organizations and businesses throughout the community to celebrate a theme of “Christmas Around the World.”

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's John Rapp and Susan Rapp drop off 249 shoeboxes the Acts of Kindness Group at Grace Community Church made. The group more than doubled its donations compared to last year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2023
Community rallies to help seniors in need with Shoebox Collection

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee received hundreds of donated shoeboxes from community members and businesses.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tara's Dennis and Lisa Pyeatt are all aboard the Jiggs Express.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2023
Jiggs Landing shines bright with annual boat parade in east Bradenton

The Holiday Boat Parade is more than a celebration of the holidays to a Tara couple.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
What's the paperwork that led to a commissioner’s resignation?
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 3, 2023
What's the paperwork that led to a commissioner’s resignation?

The new financial disclosure form for elected officials requires disclosure of assets, liabilities, net worth and sources of income.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The iconic Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota's "Purple Palace," kicked off its delayed season with "Menopause the Musical 2," on Jan. 4.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 3, 2023
Van Wezel committee finalizes details for study of building's condition

The committee also approved a request for proposals seeking an engineering firm to provide input on the interim and possible permanent use as the city's primary performance venue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Robert Karlsson said he's expecting to be challenged by the three-team format of the World Champions Cup, held Dec. 7-10 at The Concession Golf Club.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 3, 2023
Robert Karlsson brings his analytical eye to World Champions Cup

The golfer known as "The Scientist" will play for Team Europe against Team USA and Team International.

  • East County
  • Sports
James Madden, Julia Mergen, Culver Casson and Steffen Robinson of The Christmas Carolers offer a performance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2023
Block party ushers in holidays in downtown Sarasota

This month’s Fresh Fridays event put a holiday spin on the food and entertainment.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Karen MacDougall and her granddaughter Sloane Johnson love Music on Main, especially in December. Sloane is dressed as an Elf on the Shelf.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 2, 2023
Lakewood Ranch's Music on Main hosts its holiday celebration

A long line of families waited patiently as Santa set up shop under the big Christmas tree.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Annette Codelia, executive director of elementary education; Braden River Elementary School Principal Joshua Bennett; Superintendent Jason Wysong; and School Board of Manatee County member Richard Tatum celebrate Bennett being named the district's Principal of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 2, 2023
Braden River Elementary principal named county's Principal of the Year

Joshua Bennett has served as the principal at Braden River Elementary since 2019.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Cardinal Mooney football team is headed to the Class 1S state championship game.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 2, 2023
Cardinal Mooney football earns trip to state championship game

The Cougars defeated North Florida Christian 41-14 in a Class 1S state semifinal on Friday night.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Two-story Italian restaurant to open on St. Armands in early 2024
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2023
Two-story Italian restaurant to open on St. Armands in early 2024

15 South by Napulè, a Neapolitan-inspired concept, will feature pizzas made in an authentic, gold-tiled oven.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2023
Three arrested in Friday morning armed robbery in downtown Sarasota

The robbery occurred shortly after midnight near the 1500 block of Main Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Christian Ziegler
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 1, 2023
Christian Ziegler under police investigation for sexual battery allegation

An investigation of Sarasota County State Committeeman and Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler has been underway for nearly two months.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse says his voice has remained the same since he was elected in 2020 and that it's the other commissioners' voices that have changed.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 1, 2023
Kruse doesn’t mind being lone dissenting vote on Manatee Commission

Commissioner George Kruse has been on the short end of 6-1 decisions but says he is offering the "community view."

  • East County
  • News
Rendering of the Legacy Trail crossing at Bee Ridge Road.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2023
Construction begins on two Legacy Trail overpasses

FDOT is building overhead bridges at Bee Ridge and Clark roads.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rotary Club of Longboat Key donated gifts for children to Stillpoint Mission in Bradenton.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 1, 2023
Rotary Club of Longboat Key donates holiday gifts to Stillpoint Mission

The club hosted a "wrap" party to wrap gifts for children in need and present donations to the local nonprofit.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Safe Children Coalition
  • November 30, 2023
Help Our Community’s Children Dream, Believe, Achieve

SCC – a community-based care agency - is a public/private partnership that worked with nearly 10,000 children across Sarasota, DeSoto and Manatee counties last year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Grinch rides in style at the Sarasota Holiday Parade on Dec. 3, 2022.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 30, 2023
Downtown Sarasota streets to close for annual holiday parade

Roads will be closed beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday. All parked vehicles must be removed or they will be towed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hodges Soileau
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 30, 2023
'The Baby-Sitters Club' cover illustrator recalls how he created his iconic work

Hodges Soileau, whose cover illustrations defined the series for a generation of readers, will visit Sarasota for an exhibition Dec. 1-2.

  • Arts + Culture
A condominium in Block 6 tops sales at $7.53 million. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,647 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 30, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 13-17 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Quay condominium tops the week's sales at $7.53 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Another hotel fight brews on Siesta Key
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 30, 2023
Another hotel fight brews on Siesta Key

The Sarasota County Commission took the first step toward allowing hotels to be built in Siesta Key Village.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Prine Elementary's Katie Bagley, Barbara A. Harvey Elementary's Joadie Durfee, Lakewood Ranch High's Debra McCarthy and Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary's Jessica Spence are finalists for Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 30, 2023
East County school employees named finalists for excellence awards

In east Bradenton, two teachers were named finalists Manatee County's Educator of the Year and two staff members named for Support Employee of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cardinal Mooney senior quarterback Michael Valentino transferred to the program from Charlotte High for the 2023 season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 29, 2023
Cardinal Mooney, Booker football teams claw way to state semifinals

With wins Friday night, the Cougars and Tornadoes will find themselves in their respective state championship games.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Superintendent Terry Connor, Bridget Ziegler and Karen Rose
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 29, 2023
Sarasota School Board appoints Karen Rose as chair

The Sarasota County School Board voted Karen Rose to the position of board chair and Tim Enos to the role of vice chair.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
‘Champs’ for children
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • November 29, 2023
‘Champs’ for children

Forty Carrots Family Center engulfed The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota once again Nov. 17 with its annual Bacchanalian fundraiser — Wine, Women & Shoes luncheon and fashion show.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Landlord sees power in dispute with tenants
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 29, 2023
Landlord sees power in dispute with tenants

The owner of a rental house sees electric current in a line and randomly shuts off power to a home. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Whether a parking attendant, Joseph's angel, a wise man's attendant, an angel or any other role, the Walmsley family loves coming together to participate in the living nativity each year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 29, 2023
Nativity tradition continues for East County family

Participating in the Tabernacle Church's annual living nativity is a tradition for the Walmsley family.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
These angels are made from magnolia seed pods. After spraying them for bugs, committee member Vicki Carvelli applies several coats of varnish to preserve the pods.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 29, 2023
Lakewood Ranch angel tree raises thousands for those in need

Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church parishioners raised $35,000 last year by making and selling Christmas ornaments.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Since he had a widowmaker heart attack in 2015, Sarasota artist Fabio Dal Boni has been seeking to recapture what he saw during that time.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 29, 2023
Artist's work represents his experience with a life beyond

Fabio Dal Boni says his paintings on aluminum are inspired by a visit to the afterlife in 2015.

  • Arts + Culture
The Village Idiots cycling group assembled May 19, 2021, to raise awareness of cyclists' rights to public roadways.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 29, 2023
Bike safety still a major issue in Manatee County

A study found that 805 of 9,472 road fatalities in Florida involved cyclists. Manatee County has had 34 bicycle fatalities since 2018.

  • East County
  • News
Raymond and Lisa Halbert, of Southlake, Texas, sold their home at 513 Yawl Lane to Mary Jo Burgiel, of Longboat Key, for $2,455,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 29, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 13-17 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Country Club Shores tops the week's sales at $2.46 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Bonnie Caulson, Jessica Braemer, Ellie Casebolt, Lora Bostick and Shadeed Wright are at Grace Community Church on Nov. 17. The church made a $25,000 donation to Better Together.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 29, 2023
Grace Community Church focuses on outreach

The Lakewood Ranch church has a hand in many community events and supports several local nonprofits.

  • 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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