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Your Observer

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
Riverview High mourns loss of longtime principal Edward Brown Jr.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 14, 2023
Riverview High mourns loss of longtime principal Edward Brown Jr.

One retired teacher called Brown Jr. "The founding father of Riverview High School."

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
President Brittany Lamont, board member Keith Pandeloglou and Communications Coordinator Kristie Calandro prepare for the last meeting of the year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 14, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance puts focus on philanthropy

About 40 nonprofits showcased their services for alliance members at their last meeting of the year.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 14, 2023
71-year-old pedestrian critical after being hit by a pickup truck

The Bradenton woman was crossing at the intersection of Lockwood Ridge Road and University Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Terry Connor with 2024 Sarasota County Teacher of the Year Ronnique Major.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 14, 2023
Booker Elementary teacher named Sarasota's Teacher of the Year

Fifth grade teacher Ronnique Major was honored with the annual award by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Cardinal Mooney High football celebrates its first state championship since 1972.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 14, 2023
Senior class leads Cardinal Mooney football to state title win

The Cardinal Mooney High Cougars got key contributions from several members of the class against Trinity Catholic.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Nicolette Marks and Rebecca Kuse
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 14, 2023
The Market on Longboat Key is back for the season

After a one-year hiatus, the outdoor market returns with a variety of goods such as lobster rolls, cupcakes and artisanal gifts.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Team USA's David Toms and Brett Quigley look over the green on the No. 9 hole at The Concession Golf Club during the World Champions Cup at The Concession.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 14, 2023
Concession Golf Club makes a major statement during World Champions Cup

Could the 2031 PGA Championship now go to the Lakewood Ranch-area course?

  • East County
  • Opinion
The home at 1625 Landings Blvd. has five bedrooms, three-and-two-half baths, a pool and 3,928 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 14, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 27 to Dec. 1 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A home in The Landings tops the week's sales at $1.98 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Town canals were put into seven groups to help pursue funding sources.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 14, 2023
Town holds off on canal dredging program for another year

The need for new surveys and a search for ways to reduce costs were among key reasons for slowing down the project on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 14, 2023
Sarasota wrestles with definitions of drinking, dining establishments

A proposed zoning amendment would, in theory, clarify the definitions of restaurants, nightclubs, bars, etc. to establish different rules under which each may operate.

  • Sarasota
  • News
In 2021, developer Gary Kompothecras proposed a seven-story hotel with up to 120 rooms at 1260 Old Stickney Point Road.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 14, 2023
Repealed ordinance clears the slate for Siesta Key hotels

Sarasota County commissioners repeal comprehensive plan changes that led to county approval of hotels later ruled illegal in court.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The current design for the Premier Racquet and Aquatic Complex. The 25-meter by 25-yard pool (3) is being removed from the plans.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 14, 2023
Plans scaled back for aquatic complex in Lakewood Ranch

While the Premier Park design had included three pools, Manatee County commissioners voted to remove the 25-meter pool to cut costs.

  • East County
  • News
The Greater Sarasota of Commerce Golf Classic will be held Jan. 8, 2024 at Bobby Jones Golf Club.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2023
First Bobby Jones golf tournament sells out

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic is scheduled for Jan. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bonnie Chiseling, Paula Norwood, Barbara Eisenberg and Debbie Rand
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 13, 2023
Women's Golf Association of Longboat Key holds festive tournament

The Frosty Frolic was full of holiday spirit with groups dressed up as Elvis Presley in "Blue Christmas," festive flamingos and candy canes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Protesters hold signs during the rally.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 13, 2023
School board calls for Bridget Ziegler's resignation

Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler has been embattled by controversy but gave no indication that she would resign from her position.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service
2
Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
  • June 3, 2026
Panther Ridge mom hopes to make connections in District 5 school board seat
3
Maddie Baehr was hesitant to join Braden River flag football as a freshman. Now, she's a member of the Ireland Flag Football Women's National Team with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics just over two years away.
  • June 3, 2026
Braden River High graduate takes her dual athleticism overseas
4
Collin Purcell, Katie Blackwell and Brian Ott bring back the feel-good era of folk music in "Leaving on a Jet Plane."
  • June 3, 2026
Cool off this summer with Florida Studio Theatre's cabaret shows
5
The home at 6161 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $8 million. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,224 square feet of living area.
  • June 3, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for May 18-22 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

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