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Your Observer

Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables

Work to replace the modular speed humps at St. Armands Circle with asphalt speed tables will begin mid-January.

  • Sarasota
  • News
All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2025
New north Sarasota park draws major collegiate softball tournament

Six Division 1 softball programs will participate in the inaugural Sarasota College Softball Classic in early 2027.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man

The local victim was the woman's ex-husband, but a second ex-husband also was found dead in Tampa.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2025
Police foil developing bank scam as it unfolds

The Sarasota Police Department's Real-Time Operations Center quickly solves a scam involving a bank, credit card and ride share driver.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 2834 Browning Street featured countless decorations and animated figures.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 18, 2025
Sarasota homes light up for the holidays

Some of the highlights in Sarasota include the homes at 2834 Browning St. and 3059 Jamaica St.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Capri Finan, 7, Madelyn Finan, 9 and Maverick Finan, 3, pose with Santa after telling him what they want for Christmas, which includes a doll house and a trampoline.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 18, 2025
Braden River High transforms into Winter Wonderland

The annual event was organized by the school's Student Government Association.

  • East County
  • Schools
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 18, 2025
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence

The Sarasota County Schools Board will gather public comment Jan. 20 on a new policy that will make the window to excuse an absence consistent across schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Osprey play an important role in local ecosystems, and they seek out high perches on either designated nesting perches or, as in this case, power poles.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 18, 2025
Ospreys get a home renovation

The city of Sarasota recently straightened out an osprey perch on City Island that was damaged by Hurricane Milton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County's beaches, which are consistently ranked among the nation's best, offer dramatic sunsets.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 18, 2025
Tourism outlook expects visitors leveling off in 2026

Visit Sarasota County predicts a "flat" 2026 after years of declines from the COVID highs with spending still outpacing pre-pandemic levels.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Beverly Sutton introduces Santa Claus, who made an appearance at the Reading Buddies Christmas party on Dec. 11 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 18, 2025
Christ Church Reading Buddies celebrate Christmas

Children enjoyed cake, presents, a reading hour and an appearance from Santa Claus at the Christmas party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Renovations and construction of new concessions in Concourse B at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport are nearly complete.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 18, 2025
Airport's growth in 2025 sets the stage for 2026 planning

After spending some $200 million on expansion, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport sets its sights on more improvements, including a parking deck and new baggage claim system.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 265 Cedar Park Circle was built in 1959 and has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,455 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 18, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 1-5 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Cocoanut Bayou home on Cedar Park Circle tops the week’s sales at $7.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Emily Chana, 10, rehearses the swinging trapeze.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 17, 2025
Sailor Circus Academy students prepare for 'Winter’s Dream' show

The holiday performance by the youth circus program features eight shows from Friday, Dec. 26 through Monday, Dec. 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
St. Armands Circle was several feet underwater following hurricanes Helene and Milton.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 17, 2025
St. Armands receives $13.5 million to address flooding concerns

The Sarasota County Commission allocates just more than half of the $24.5 million the city requested for storm mitigation projects on St. Armands Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
At a Junior Achievement "Discovery Center'' in Tampa, elementary-aged students run a mock city.Two similar facilities are proposed to be set up at Emma Booker Elementary and Booker Middle schools in Sarasota.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 17, 2025
Rejections sent to Manatee, Sarasota Schools of Hope requesters

Manatee and Sarasota counties say no to a pair of companies seeking campus space. But that might not be the end of it.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch senior forward Gabriel Lara (11) chases after the ball during a Dec. 15 game against Braden River.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 17, 2025
LRHS's boys soccer team races to an unbeaten start through 10 games

The Mustangs reached the regional finals in 2024-25 but want to go further this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Wild pigs look for food near Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 17, 2025
Manatee County's River Club has a pig problem

Neighbors and the homeowners association have hired trappers to reduce the number of wild hogs.

  • East County
  • News
LaRon Foye, a senior safety/wide receiver, points to his right ring finger following his game-sealing interception against Jacksonville Bolles.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 17, 2025
Cardinal Mooney football has undergone all-time turnaround

The Cougars had their ups and downs in the past, but in the past three years, they have been one of the state's undisputed best.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lynnette Beecher and Gunilla Imshaug, members of the Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club, check out a photo of a baby alligator that was taken moments before.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch photography club preserves moments in time

The club was founded in 2004 and works to bring together photographers of all interests and skill levels.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Online romance ends in trespassing warning
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2025
Online romance ends in trespassing warning

Boy meets girl online; boy gives girl credit card number; girl has surprise child and "cousin"; boy lets girl move in; boy finally figures it out. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Cyclists utilize the bike lanes on Gulf of Mexico Drive along the newly completed Country Club Shores turn lane project portion of the street. The 0.84-mile segment marks the first example of the town’s Complete Streets vision.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 17, 2025
Longboat Key chips away at Complete Street(s) goal

The first project in the plan is done on the south end, and the second is planned on the north end, but making Gulf of Mexico Drive a "complete street" will require a lot more work.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County administrators address the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Dec. 8. From left to right: Deputy county administrators Corey Stutte, Bryan Parnell, Courtney De Pol and County Administrator Charlie Bishop.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 17, 2025
Convention Center expansion tops 'state of Manatee County' presentation

County administrators spoke to the Manatee Chamber of Commerce at its December luncheon.

  • East County
  • News
The home at 661 Mourning Dove Drive was built in 1996 and has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,618 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 17, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 1-5 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home on Bird Key on Mourning Dove Drive tops the week’s sales at $6.8 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Braden River Library is one of seven locations in the Manatee County Public Library System.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 17, 2025
Library Advisory Board needs 2 new members

Manatee County is accepting applications for the board until Monday, Jan. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A Goodwill bookstore and donation center will occupy the new outparcel building at 3160 Gulf of Mexico Drive by the end of the year.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 16, 2025
Goodwill to open Dec. 18 on Longboat Key

The used bookstore and donation drop-off location will hold a grand opening with a local author signing and giving away books.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Sixth grader Stella Schechter holds up a finished craft for David Stone.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2025
Emanu-El students celebrate Hanukkah with Aviva Senior Living residents

Temple Emanu-El's religious school visits the senior living development each year, to allow kids the opportunity to celebrate the holiday together.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bo O'Daniel poses for a photo on Dec. 15 at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The senior had three touchdown catches for the Cougars in the Dec. 10 FHSAA Class 2A state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 16, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Bo O'Daniel

The wide receiver concluded his Cardinal Mooney football career as a two-time state champion.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kindergartener Santiago Perez checks out the crochet items.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2025
Holiday House SRQ now serves a fifth school, but holiday shopping costs rise

This year, the nonprofit provided its free holiday shopping experiences to five elementary schools, but rising prices for gifts pose a challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Pator Caleb Free's daughter JoJo Free attends Risen Savior Academy.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 16, 2025
Lutheran church brings more Christian education to Lakewood Ranch

Risen Savior Lutheran Church begins its expansion toward being a K-8 school in January.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch High football coach Scott Paravicini looks on during an Oct. 30 game against Bayshore. Per the FHSAA's tentative classifications, the Mustangs are bound for Class 6A-District 12 after finishing the 2025 season at 4-6 in 6A-11.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 16, 2025
More reclassification won't help area football teams

Lakewood Ranch High and Braden River High might be facing an even tougher lineup of opponents in reworked districts.

  • East County
  • Sports
Check out the following options for holiday services this season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 16, 2025
Celebrate season's tidings at these Longboat holiday services

Longboat Key residents and visitors have no shortage of ways to celebrate their faith this holiday season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River High School junior Mystique Quinones shakes hands with Dave Daily, post commander for VFW Post 12055, as she receives her $100 reward for her essay which answered the question “How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?”
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 16, 2025
Essay contest winners named by VFW Post 12055 Braden River

Of the seven winners for this year's Voice of Democracy essay contest, six of them are Braden River High School students, and five are part of JROTC.

  • East County
  • Schools
Joan M. Durante Community Park, Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 16, 2025
Longboat Key's Durante Park reopens after hurricane repairs

Fourteen months after the 2024 hurricanes, boardwalks on the 1.4-mile walking trail have been repaired, and the park has reopened to visitors.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Plans are to replace the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in Newtown with a new building and convert the current structure into outdoor play space.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 16, 2025
After years of repairs, Boys & Girls Club plans to rebuild

The Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club plans to replace its existing Newtown facility, which will be converted to outdoor space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat man calls cops on suspected cheating wife
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 16, 2025
Longboat man calls cops on suspected cheating wife

A man followed his wife to a house and called the police to document an expected affair. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
A Lake Club home at 15315 Anchorage Place sold for $5.45 million. Built in 2024, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,997 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 16, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 1-5 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in The Lake Club topped the week’s sales at $5.45 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
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