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Your Observer

The Unit 111 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail was built in 2000 and has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,186 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 25, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 8-12 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Bay Acres home on Bayshore Drive tops the week's sales at $5.35 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
  • By Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor
  • December 25, 2025
FINANCIAL FOCUS® Managing Risk at Different Stages of Life

What sort of risk should you take when you're investing? It depends on where you are in life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Lakewood Ranch's Rich Vannucci still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 24, 2025
After five decades, this Lakewood Ranch Santa continues to spread joy and more

Rich Vannucci, who still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago, isn't ready to put a wrap on his career.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jay Heater, Lesley Dwyer, Jack Nelson, Madison Bierl
  • December 24, 2025
All I want for Christmas for the Lakewood Ranch area …

Observer readers talk about things that could make our home an even better place to live.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Livia Zamperlini-Ramos (left), Anna Chop (center) and Bailey Loring (right) share some joy while singing "Last Christmas."
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 24, 2025
Lakewood Ranch wrestlers give back to their community through caroling

The Mustangs traded singlets for singing at Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living.

  • East County
  • Sports
Howard Tipton, Irwin Pastor and Susan Goldfarb stand beside the newly installed sign for The Education Center on Bay Isles Road. The center starts its winter term of programs Jan. 5.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 24, 2025
Explore French art, cinematic history and more this winter

The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel's upcoming term promises plenty of exciting new programs at classes starting Jan. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Two overnight parties on consecutive nights leave women fighting in the street
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2025
Two overnight parties on consecutive nights leave women fighting in the street

Only two blocks apart, officers are dispatched to settle disputes resulting from too much late night into early-morning revelry. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball fans cheer from the stands at RP Funding Center in Lakeland. They witnessed the Cougars bring home the first state championship in program history last season, and now, can watch the team vie for a holiday tournament title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 24, 2025
Holiday hoops make for a merry time

The area's high school basketball teams will travel across the state and beyond for tournament play.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A group from Wilkinson Elementary gathers that includes Quinn Doan, 8, Elise Aponte, Jody Osceola, Jayden Doan, 4, Maya Perez, 12, Nikolas Perez, 8, Lucas Perez, 14, and Jennifer Perez.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 24, 2025
Nonprofit provides Christmas trees to those in need

The emerging nonprofit Thanks for Giving Trees, which honors the legacy of Joshua Morris, gave away its 1,000th tree on Dec. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Irrigation systems that source from groundwater on barrier islands can lead to salinity issues during droughts as sea water seeps into the aquifer.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 24, 2025
Drought can salt lawns, impact irrigation on barrier islands

As the area enters a severe drought, irrigation practices can worsen the cycle of depleting freshwater in aquifers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Country Club member Bob Smith, Lifestyle Director Tonya Jansson, and General Manager Ryan Glenn show a check for $102,200 raised through Heritage Cares' Lakewood Ranch Cares — Five Days of Giving initiative.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 24, 2025
Lakewood Ranch comes forward as a community of giving

A lot of good done by area nonprofits and organizations goes unnoticed.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The home at 560 Cedar St. sold for $655,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 24, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 8-12 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Sleepy Lagoon Park on Lyons Lane tops the week’s sales at $1.1 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Yvette Brown poses for a photo on Dec. 11 next to the trophy case by Booker's gym. Through the first six games of the Tornadoes' season, she led in points, rebounds and steals.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 23, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Yvette Brown

The senior guard has put her stamp on a winning start for Booker girls basketball.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Myakka City's Diane and Rich Bartoszek display a handmade ceramic nativity scene each year.
    By
  • Jack Nelson, Lesley Dwyer, Madison Bierl
  • December 23, 2025
Decorating for Christmas with a personal touch in Lakewood Ranch

East County residents share their personal stamps on the holiday season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 23, 2025
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025

The Observer sports columnist reflects on the area's champions, record-breakers and competitors who stood above all others.

  • East County
  • Sports
Chef Drew Adams recently took the helm as the new head chef at CW Prime, The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort's signature steakhouse. He brings his experience working on the Sarasota food scene.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 23, 2025
Sarasota chef celebrates local ingredients at CW Prime

Drew Adams, the former chef of acclaimed Sarasota restaurant Adeline, is bringing his vision to the St. Regis Longboat Key steakhouse.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboaters share their treasured holiday traditions, large and small
    By
  • Dana Kampa, S.T. Cardinal
  • December 23, 2025
Longboaters share their treasured holiday traditions, large and small

From faux sleigh bells to tacos for Christmas dinner, residents serve up a heaping of their memories and rituals.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Todd Mathes of Benderson Development explains the company's plans for reimagining of the former Sarasota County Administration Center site during a December 2025 community meeting.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 23, 2025
Laurel Park residents question plans for Sarasota County's former base

A community meeting brought many questions about Benderson Development's upcoming request to rezone 1 acre of the Ringling Boulevard property downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 1151 Blue Shell Loop sold for $4,225,000. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,652 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 23, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 8-12 in Lakewood Ranch

A Wild Blue at Waterside home on Blue Shell Loop topped the week's sales at $4.23 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Staff at the 12th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem program sort through the delivery of presents for children up to 18 years of age.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2025
Gift donations break record at Sarasota Sheriff's Office

Nearly 3,000 toys and gift cards were delivered to agencies for distribution.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cindy Ritchell, Ann Quackenbush, Brenda Korthauer, Beverly Sutton and Kit Torchia all lend a helping hand in packing seeds to send internationally to farmers who need them. Quackenbush is a driving force behind Hope Seeds, a charitable ministry through Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 22, 2025
Longboat's Hope Seeds nears 10 years of giving back

Volunteers with the group credit organizer Ann Quackenbush with knowing how to get the job done.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo

The senior midfielder/forward is the leading scorer for The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer through nine games.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County commissioners approve reducing speed limits throughout the county.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 22, 2025
Speed limits reduced on nine roads in Manatee County

Manatee commissioners voted to reduce speeds due to safety concerns.

  • East County
  • News
The library will be constructed on the light green area depicted on this map within Longboat Key's Town Center Green. The entire library would be around 11,230 square feet with the possible enhancements.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 22, 2025
Buchanan's $1 million donation formally accepted for library

Longboat Key's planned facility will be named for U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and his wife, Sandra.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 22, 2025
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

Students at three of Sarasota's schools share their Christmas wishes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love

From Barbies and dogs to roller skates and cyber trucks, elementary students in the Lakewood Ranch area make sure Santa knows what they want.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family

Sue Wertman, among her numerous other contributions to the community, has been ringing the bell for the Salvation Army on Longboat for 12 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial

Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute at Sarasota Memorial Hospital is seeking candidates diagnosed with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer for global clinical trial.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids

River Club's Guy Vilt has fun bringing technology into his Christmas display.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

Pastor Phil Derstine and his fellow carolers bring hugs and music to taverns on Christmas Eve.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust

Demond L. Smith, 33, is charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor, including trafficking in cocaine.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening

Shoppers explore offerings from the 13,000 books at the retail location, which also includes beach towels, decorative pieces and games.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

Sarasota and Longboat Key both experienced traffic tie-ups during the lunch hour.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Artist JC Wayne hangs the ninth and final piece in her series "Atomic Universe," the latest installation at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. The display will be up throughout the holiday season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 19, 2025
Artist delves into ideas of existence at Longboat exhibition

JC Wayne, All Angels' latest featured gallery artist, merges themes of spirituality, science and art in her series of paintings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade

This year's Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade was the original organizers' "swan song," who hope new blood will take on the parade and keep the Christmas spirit alive.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair

Ron Cutsinger will serve as chair of the Sarasota County Commission in 2026 and Mark Smith will serve as vice chair.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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