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Your Observer

Spend the holidays with people who value you. Let go of the guilt, and the stress will fade away, too.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • December 13, 2023
Here's a simple recipe for happy holidays

Relax and pamper yourself. Do something healthy. These are your holidays too.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 13, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center hires new COO

Philip Reber's goal is to make LWRMC the hospital of choice for local residents.

  • East County
  • Business
Some East County residents are opposed to more development. PulteGroup is seeking to add another 1,100 homes east of the Future Development Area Boundary.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 13, 2023
Lazy C Ranch clears hurdle toward 1,100 new homes in Manatee County

Pulte Homes is one step closer to building the residential project, which is mostly east of the county development boundary.

  • East County
  • News
Tami Andrews Charlton, of Glenville, North Carolina, sold her home at 554 Jessmyth Drive to MCJR Property Holding LLC for $2.6 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 13, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 27 to Dec. 1 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Longboat Key Estates home on Jessmyth Drive tops the week's sales at $2.6 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Hayleigh Vuong, Sriya Ashok, Marguerite Barnett, Imelda Pallen Berry, Francis and Malloy McCaffrey, Romal Boldadora and Aegean McCAffrey perform at the Asian Talent and Fashion Show in 2023.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 13, 2023
Education, philanthropy key goals of the American Asian Women's Association

Women from any ethnicity with an interest to learn about Asian cultures and traditions are welcome to join the Lakewood Ranch nonprofit.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Police awaken residents in response to false kidnapping call
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 13, 2023
Police awaken residents in response to false kidnapping call

Officers surrounded a home during an early morning raid before determining the 911 call was fake. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
A Wilco Electrical LLC employee works on the town's underground utilities project along Gulf of Mexico Drive.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 13, 2023
Longboat's overhead power lines to be removed in early 2024

With all materials in hand for Phase 2, the utility project team is optimistic about completing final conversions by the end of the calendar year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Accreditation assessors question Officer Joshua Connors about the marine patrol vessel.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 13, 2023
Longboat Key Police Department nears possible accreditation

After performing well in the initial assessment, all that’s left is to go before the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement in February 2024 for final review.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sailors boys basketball Head Coach BJ Ivey always gets the most out of his teams.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 13, 2023
The storylines of the early winter sports season

These high schoolers have taken their game to a new level in 2023-2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Biden administration policies ignore the data
  • By Guy Bentley, Adrian Moore
  • December 13, 2023
Biden administration policies ignore the data

New proposed "solutions" take on problems that don’t exist or don’t have evidence that they will provide a fix.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
IMG Academy girls golfer Alana Kutt.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 12, 2023
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Alana Kutt

The Sarasota-area golfer signed with Coastal Carolina University in November.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A conceptual rendering by Sweet Sparkman Architecture and Interiors of Sarasota shows a reimagined New College East Campus on land the college plans to acquire from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 12, 2023
New College agrees to purchase 31 acres from SRQ airport

New College of Florida's East Campus sits on land it leases from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. The lease is set to expire in 2056.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This Isles home at 8327 Redonda Loop sold for $1,825,000. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,346 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 12, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 27 to Dec. 1 in Lakewood Ranch

An Isles home on Redonda Loop tops the week's sales at $1.83 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
    By
  • James Peter
  • December 12, 2023
Sarasota author’s book to be featured in Times Square display

Ritu Anand’s children’s book “Kara’s Dreams” won recognition in the 2023 New York City Big Book Award contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
River Club's Douglas Whitney, an architect for 43 years, always has loved drawing by hand. He is the only one in WBRC's Lakewood Ranch office to still have a drafting table.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 12, 2023
Lakewood Ranch architect retires after 43 years

From Main Street restaurants to Tidewell Hospice House to R.E. Crawford Construction headquarters, Douglas Whitney has made his mark on Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Habitat restoration zones help protect plants and wildlife, while offering park visitors superior wildlife viewing opportunities thanks to reduced human-related disturbances.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • December 12, 2023
Habitat restoration zones help stabilize natural environment

These areas give wildlife and vegetation a chance to flourish free from human disturbances.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 12, 2023
Attempt to return batteries to grocery store ends in trespass warning

A civil disturbance broke out at a store after a woman tried returning batteries without a receipt. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Xavier Uhlinse made 20 of his 25 shots to win the Boys 12-13 division of the Elks Hoop Shoot event held Dec. 6 at Haile Middle.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 12, 2023
Elks Hoop Shoot lets local athletes in on national free throw competition

Six winners from a local event at Haile Middle will advance to the district stage of competition.

  • East County
  • Sports
Pickleball deserves tennis-like support
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • December 12, 2023
Pickleball deserves tennis-like support

A Longboat Key resident makes the case for more pickleball courts at Bayfront Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Golf legend Nick Price tells the crowd about what went into planning the golf course and what it will be like to play the course.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 12, 2023
Soleta Golf Club plans to put Myakka City on the map as golf destination

Golf legends Nick Price and David Leadbetter are part of the team behind the Soleta Golf Club.

  • East County
  • News
The building located at 540 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 12, 2023
Tidewell Foundation puts Longboat office building on market for $3M

The office building currently houses The Paradise Center, Fitness Quest Longboat Key and medical offices.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    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
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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
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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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