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Your Observer

Braden River junior Marcus Schade shoots over Lakewood Ranch senior Trey Holweger (24) during the 2022-23 season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 22, 2022
Braden River boys basketball team makes statement with early play

The Pirates are 6-2 as of Dec. 15 and beat local rival Lakewood Ranch High for the first time since 2014.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota High boys basketball sophomore Oliver Boyle.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 22, 2022
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Oliver Boyle

The Sarasota High sophomore scored 15 points Dec. 16 in the Sailors boys basketball team's 62-24 win over Lakewood Ranch High.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The property at 778 Siesta Drive last sold in 2014 for $3.6 million.
  • By Adam Hughes
  • December 22, 2022
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 5-9 for Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey

A Bay Island Shores home on Siesta Drive topped the week's sales at $6 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The town is working to accelerate the timeline for beginning construction of the roundabout.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • December 22, 2022
Town nears completion of design of north-end roundabout

Longboat Key town staff is hoping to accelerate the start of the project as much as possible.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key beaches were not crowded in early December.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 21, 2022
Health department drops red tide advisories in Sarasota

The bloom that affected the region since early November is now affecting the Pinellas shoreline.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center announced on Wednesday that it would build a $120 million, five-story tower on its Lakewood Ranch campus to expand services.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 21, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center announces expansion

The hospital will build a $120 million, five-story, 60-bed tower on its Lakewood Ranch campus.

  • East County
  • News
Former Braden River High star O'Mariah Gordon chats with former Florida State Coach Sue Semrau during her freshman season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 21, 2022
East County winter sports alumni excel at next level

These Lakewood Ranch area athletes have made the area proud with their play.

  • East County
  • Sports
Key Niners Janet Hartman, Pam Crowe, Joyce Welch and Mary Taylor
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 21, 2022
Generosity of Longboat organizations put them on the Nice List

Longboat Key residents don't take the season of giving lightly.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lights and ornaments decorate the Longboat Island Chapel's garden.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad, Lesley Dwyer
  • December 21, 2022
The best thing about the holidays on Longboat Key

Longboat Key residents tell the Observer about the best part of the holidays on the island — or wherever they celebrate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dad trades daughter to her mother for a cell phone
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 21, 2022
Dad trades daughter to her mother for a cell phone

An upset dad who wants more time with his daughter, and possessions return by her mother, holds the girl hostage until police arrive. This and other Sarasota police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Cars are driving south on Rye Road nonstop in the morning by Gene Witt Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 21, 2022
Gene Witt Elementary parents push for a signal light

With homes being built across the street, Gene Witt administrators and parents say a traffic signal is needed in front of the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Sanctuary is a gated community within the boundaries of the Longboat Key Club.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 21, 2022
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 5-9 on Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A Sanctuary condominium tops the week's sales at $4.4 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch's Cassidy David paints the face of Sarasota's 7-year-old Emily Gordon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 20, 2022
Hanukkah at the Green creates special event at UTC in Sarasota

Benderson Development co-sponsored the annual event along with Temple Emanu-El.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch junior Rylee O'Shea
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 20, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Rylee O'Shea

The Lakewood Ranch High junior had a goal and four assists in the girls soccer team's 6-1 win over Venice High on Dec. 15.

  • East County
  • Sports
  • By Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2022
Fruitville crash cleared, lanes reopen

Non-life threatening injuries were reported in a rollover incident.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Emma Weber will act as one of the clowns at Sailor Circus Holiday Special.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 20, 2022
Sailor Circus prepares for a whimsical holiday spectacle

The Circus Arts Conservatory's Sailor Circus Academy is getting ready to perform at next week’s Sailor Circus Holiday Special.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 20, 2022
East Bradenton students share their Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

From pets to hoverboards, scooters and more, Braden River, Tara and McNeal elementary first graders and kindergartners share what they want Santa to deliver.

  • East County
  • Schools
The town is working to accelerate the timeline for beginning construction of the roundabout.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • December 20, 2022
Town Commission contemplates contents of complete streets plan

Commissioners directed staff to seek out an FDOT study for potentially lowering the speed limit in front of Bayport Condominiums to 35 mph.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Residents said cars often speed through the intersection.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 20, 2022
CDD1 pushes for changes to Lakewood Ranch/Clubhouse signal plans

Some Summerfield and Riverwalk residents want additional turn lanes taken out of Manatee County's plan.

  • East County
  • News
A case of dock, dock, loose
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 20, 2022
A case of dock, dock, loose

Police recover a hazard to navigation, and other police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Bill Sadlo of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, Jamie Purmort, Danny Bilyeu and Wells Purmort — with a cameo by Tom Brady's head — on the jumbotron at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 20, 2022
Original Buccaneers 'crew' member honored by the team

Sarasota's Wells Purmort was honored by the Tampa Bay Bucs during Sunday's game for being a charter season ticket-holder and his work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi's new location is at 11627 E. State Road 70, Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 19, 2022
Tsunami Sushi targets late January opening in Lakewood Ranch

Construction delays resulted in the postponement of the restaurant's planned October opening on State Road 70.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    In Memoriam |
  • December 19, 2022
Ralph August Schroer

Bradenton, Florida - Ralph August Schroer, 85, of Bradenton, FL passed away on December 11, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Myakka City's Lily Wolfe, 9, and her rabbit, Smokey, are headed into competition at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 19, 2022
Important lessons by a not-so-silly rabbit in Myakka City

FFA and 4-H are important programs for sustaining our future farmers and ranchers in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Opinion
4. Leonardo Dal Boni received the 2022 USTA Florida Player of the Year Award on Dec. 16 at Payne Park Tennis Center.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 19, 2022
Sarasota tennis player wins USTA Florida Player of the Year award

Leonardo Dal Boni, the class of 2023's No. 52 player nationally according to the Tennis Recruiting Network, has won 90 singles matches and 20 doubles matches since November 2021.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    In Memoriam |
  • December 19, 2022
Marion Gordon Lyons, Jr.

On Friday, December 2, 2022, Marion Gordon Lyons, Jr. (Gordon), loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, passed away at age 84.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Debbie Trice (center) and Jen Ahearn-Koch being sworn in as city commissioners by City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 19, 2022
Debbie Trice discusses her first-year goals as a Sarasota city commissioner

Facilitating affordable and attainable housing, clearer communications with the public and generally learning the ropes are the primary ambitions of new Sarasota City Commissioner Debbie Trice in her first year at the dais.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tim Clarke has been a member of Sarasota Yacht Club since 1994.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 19, 2022
Sarasota Yacht Club commodore cherishes his new role

The Longboat Key bank and advertising executive calls his CEO-like volunteer responsibilities a "great honor."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Department receives thank you card from Riverview High School.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 18, 2022
Riverview students thank first responders

Riverview High School wrote handmade thank-you letters for the law enforcement agencies that responded to the Oct. 11 swatting.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Renourishment of Lido Beach will receive $1 million in state appropriations in 2023.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 17, 2022
City's 2023 legislative priorities include $5M for infrastructure

The Sarasota City Commission received and approved a report for 2023 legislative priorities and state appropriations that includes $1 million for Lido Beach renourishment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The annual Pineapple Drop in downtown Sarasota will bring street closures beginning Dec. 29.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 17, 2022
SPD warns about New Year's Eve street closures, illegal celebrating

Street closures for the annual Pineapple Drop in downtown Sarasota will begin on Dec. 29. Police also warn against illegal celebrations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The fire station received accolades for its safety measures and modern design.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • December 16, 2022
Longboat Key fire station receives national design awards

The station designed by Sweet Sparkman Architecture received awards from Firehouse Magazine and The Architect's Newspaper.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Outlined in red, the Progress at University site at 1400 Desoto Road is adjacent to the former Sarasota Kennel Club, where a 372-unit apartment complex is planned, and bordered on two sides by Tri-Par Estates, a residential community.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 16, 2022
Planning Board OKs plan for apartments under airport glide path

A 280-unit complex will sit directly beneath airplanes' path of descent at SRQ, but unlike the adjacent Aventon Sarasota, the airport cannot legally challenge its approval.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sid Friedman, Akasha Smith and Mayor Kyle Battie joins the crowd in listening to a live performance from Sarasota Music Conservatory.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 16, 2022
RADD Holiday Bash brings community together in Rosemary District

Guests celebrated an evening of holiday cheer while supporting the Boys & Girls Club at DreamLarge.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • December 16, 2022
Phyllis Zatkow Ploener

Phyllis Zatkow Ploener, born June 6th, 1934, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 13th, 2022 surrounded by her family in Pennsylvania.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Constant residential construction in downtown Sarasota since 2016, such as The Quay, is contributing to the region's continued rapid population growth.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 16, 2022
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton 34th fastest-growing metro in the nation

As the U.S. population growth rate shrinks to almost zero, those who are here are flocking to Florida metros, including North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, which ranks 11th among midsize and 34th among all metro areas in the country.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
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
2
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
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
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.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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