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Your Observer

The Sarasota Orchestra's proposal is for a new music center on Fruitville Road west of I-75.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 16, 2022
Orchestra's plans for new center approved by Planning Commission

The Fruitville Road site gains approval recommendation and heads to the County Commission for final consideration in January.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents spoke against the proposed Taylor Ranch development due to its proximity to two racetracks at the Dec. 15 meeting.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 16, 2022
Housing development plans advance despite dissent from racing community

Commissioners have sent the proposal for the 4,500-home Taylor Ranch community to the state for review despite their proximity to motorsports tracks.

  • East County
  • News
The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key meets for their montly meeting to discuss the Dec. 3 Lawn Party by the Bay.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 15, 2022
Kiwanis Lawn Party tops record

The Kiwanis Club met Thursday morning to discuss the results of their annual lawn party held on Dec. 3 at Ken Thompson Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kit Torchia, Wiley Osborn, Gordon Lenci, Nancy Smith, Jay Smith and Patty Buck
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 15, 2022
Christ Church packs seeds and spreads hope

Congregation members meet once a month to fill seed packets for Hope Seeds in Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bicyclists take the ceremonial inaugural ride on the Ringling Trail bike lane starting at Legacy Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 15, 2022
Ringling Trail complete street officially opens to bicyclists

The $2.7 million project to convert Ringling Boulevard from Lime to Pineapple avenues into a "complete street" is now open, providing a protected bike lane from Legacy Trail to downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lt. Ron Koper, Firefighter/Paramedic Tyler Anderson, Assistant Chief Mike Regnier, Lt. Tim Haas, FF/P David Oliger, FF/P Jason Berzowski, FF/P Daniel Martinez, FF/P William Lewis and Therapy Dog Hunter
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • December 15, 2022
Longboat Fire Department celebrates annual awards ceremony

Lt. Ron Koper received the department's award for Employee of the Year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Peyton Washington happily accepts his gift from Santa.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 15, 2022
Christ Church gives the gift of reading

About 40 children from the 13th Avenue Dream Center were treated to a feast, toys and a visit from Santa on Dec. 14 at Christ Church.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Two calls alleging a threat involving Braden River High School were reported Wednesday.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2022
Braden River High, Manatee Sheriff's Office investigate threat

Two calls alleging a threat involving Braden River High were reported Wednesday.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lourdes Capote-Dishaw, a Braden River High School junior, will continue to work with Bobbert during winter break to prepare for the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2022
Barn doors stay open during FFA students' winter break

Future Farmers of America students return to campus during winter break to care for their animals and prepare for the Manatee County Fair.

  • East County
  • Schools
Together, the two houses at 1906 Casey Key Road offer nearly 8,000 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 15, 2022
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 for Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis, Osprey

Two Casey Key properties topped the week's sales at a combined $8.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
A bit of whimsy combines with white-light restraint at the entrance gate to a property in the 4400 block of Bayshore Road in the Indian Beach area.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 15, 2022
Lights and sights around Sarasota

Decorations and displays abound in neighborhoods across the city.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Although he grew up in a Chicago suburb, Peter Vole learned to love agriculture after moving to Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 15, 2022
Peter Vole named Agriculturalist of the Year in Manatee County

His work with kids in 4-H, FFA and at the Manatee County Fair earned him the award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota High baseball Coach Greg Mulhollen spends some of his free time working as an area basketball referee.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 15, 2022
Sarasota baseball coach moonlights as basketball referee

Greg Mulhollen has learned a lot from the perspective shift.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Mark and Jane Imperiale have assembled a group of more than 50 bell ringers for the Salvation Army.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 15, 2022
Lakewood Ranch volunteers give a new ring to exit strategy

Salvation Army volunteers have fun while ringing the bell at a Publix location in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Rams junior Mairead Dempsey takes a shot on net against Manatee High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 15, 2022
Riverview girls soccer yet to lose through six games

The Rams are 4-0-2 and in good position to improve on last season's 9-8-2 record.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Bricks Smoked Meats at 1528 State St. has been among the restaurants leading the charge to preserve parklet dining as a permanent fixture in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 15, 2022
Sarasota considers permanent plan for parklet dining downtown

The city's pandemic-era policy that allowed restaurants to expand into downtown street parking has been extended through March.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Bayview Dental Associates
  • December 15, 2022
Cocktails, Carols & Smiles

We’ve put together a guide on the best and worst drinks for your teeth this holiday season, along with some top tips on maintaining good oral health throughout the festivities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Right step for SMH board
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 14, 2022
Right step for SMH board

Hearing the stories of families who lost loved ones during the pandemic was a gut-wrenching baptism for SMH’s new board members. But they responded the right way. Rather than look for blame, they chose to learn.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
DeSantis’ political future? It’s property insurance
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 14, 2022
DeSantis’ political future? It’s property insurance

Long after Gov. Ron DeSantis is gone from Florida politics, his legacy will be tied to the issue Florida legislators are addressing this week in Tallahassee: property insurance.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Riverview High girls soccer sophomore Rachel Paule.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 14, 2022
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Rachel Paule

The Rams girls soccer sophomore had a hat trick and three assists in the team's 9-0 win over Manatee High on Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Michael Nunes is the first to start painting.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 14, 2022
Longboat Chapel day trips to the Artful Giraffe

Church members spent the day painting ceramics.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County faces administrative challenge over Lakewood Ranch expansion
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 14, 2022
Sarasota County faces administrative challenge over Lakewood Ranch expansion

Two Bern Creek residents have filed the challenge over the planned Lakewood Ranch Southeast development, citing its impact on wildlife and traffic.

  • East County
  • News
District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said the straight road posed issues with safety and noise.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 14, 2022
Roundabout plans progress for Lorraine Road and Players Drive

Commissioner Vanessa Baugh says community meetings will be held to discuss details of the Lakewood Ranch project, which is set to enter more advanced planning stages.

  • East County
  • News
Char Creel, Jim Hanes, Bob and Pat O'Connell
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 14, 2022
Bird Key Yacht Club lights, blesses the fleet

The Bird Key Yacht Club celebrated the holidays with dancing and giving.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School's Audrey Weeks, Karen Tinoco, Skylar Cox and Samantha Rees compete in the rope bridge at the Raiders state championship. The team placed third.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 14, 2022
Lakewood Ranch, Braden River high schools win Raiders state championships

With more freshmen on the teams, Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high school JROTC Raiders members had to act as participants and coaches.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brennan Asplen came to Sarasota County Schools in 2020.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 14, 2022
School board's final vote ends Asplen's Sarasota tenure

Board member Tom Edwards was again the sole vote in support of the superintendent. Renouf will serve in the interim role until at least Jan. 17.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Myakka City's Larry Morris, who is 12, meets Santa and Mrs. Clause.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 14, 2022
Flight to the North Pole brings joy to Myakka boy

Myakka City's Larry Morris has been participating in the Flight to the North Pole since his kidney transplant in 2019.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sanctuary was built in 1991 at 545 Sanctuary Drive within the gates of the Longboat Key Club.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 14, 2022
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 on Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A Sanctuary condominium topped the week's sales at $3.45 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Woman suspects nemesis damaged vehicles at her home
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 14, 2022
Woman suspects nemesis damaged vehicles at her home

After a contentious encounter with a woman in downtown, a Sarasota woman suspects her rival damaged two vehicles in her driveway. This and other Sarasota police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The town of Longboat Key has started conversations for 2023 hurricane season preparations.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • December 14, 2022
Hurricane season wraps up on Longboat Key

The town spent about $645,000 in preparation and recovery from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A 21-year-old man fell from the 18th floor to the fifth floor at the Bayso construction site in The Quay. He later died at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 14, 2022
One Park plan meeting with opposition from Quay residents

A plan to build an 18-story condo tower spanning over Quay Commons, a primary road within The Quay, is challenged by residents claiming the developer of One Park is circumventing the public process.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Myakka City Elementary teacher named Manatee County's Principal of the Year
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 13, 2022
Myakka City Elementary teacher named Manatee County's Principal of the Year

Principal Carol Ricks was honored for her dedication to students, teachers, staff and the Myakka City community.

  • East County
  • Schools
This Country Club Village home at 13662 Legends Walk Terrace sold for $2.3 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,771 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 13, 2022
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 in Lakewood Ranch

A County Club home on Legends Walk Terrace tops the week's sales at $2.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Braden River's Isaac Heaven.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 13, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Isaac Heaven

The Braden River boys basketball junior had three-straight games of 10 or more points and three or more rebounds last week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lawrence Harry and neighborhood dog Ollie
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 13, 2022
Santa for dogs hands out treats all year

Lawrence Harry has been offering treats to his dog neighbors in Emerald Harbor for over 20 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Buttonwood Boat Basin is categorized as a local, residential canal.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • December 13, 2022
Reports give potential solutions on neighborhood flooding, sea level rise

Raising roads, changing the flow of flood water and shoreline stabilization are among suggestions for improving flooding issues in Sleepy Lagoon and Buttonwood Harbour neighborhoods.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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