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Your Observer

Connor LaGrange of the Patterson Foundation, Stacey Efaw and Laurie Swink of Selah Freedom and Jerry Fox of Christ Church of Longboat Key
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 8, 2022
$100,000 donation helps stop sex trafficking nationwide

Christ Church made a $50,000 donation matched by The Patterson Foundation to cover startup costs for Selah Consulting.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Community Foundation has a coffee talk with Diane McFarlin
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 7, 2022
Community Foundation has a coffee talk with Diane McFarlin

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County held a private meeting to chat with Diane McFarlin on Dec 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Adrian Moore, Vittorio Nastasi
  • December 7, 2022
It’s time for Florida to stop relying on ‘taxation by citation’

Relying on fees and fines as a source of recurring revenue isn’t sustainable and should be reconsidered.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Denise Kleiner owns the concessions at Jiggs Landing.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2022
Not just for the birds: History buffs welcome at Jiggs Landing

Denise Kleiner stuffs her boat tours with years of knowledge she picked up living on the Braden River.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
River Club's Vera and Jim Slocum have been each other's yin and yang for 65 years.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2022
Chance meeting led to 65 years of marriage for River Club couple

Lakewood Ranch's Jim and Vera Slocum have laughed a lot while being each other's "yin and yang."

  • East County
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • December 7, 2022
Myron “Mike” Phillips

Myron “Mike” Phillips, 94, of Crescent, GA passed away after a short illness on November 23, 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    In Memoriam |
  • December 7, 2022
Daniel Louis Hessel

Daniel Louis Hessel (Dan) age 84 of Longboat Key, FL, and former resident of Roseville and Ham Lake, MN, passed away November 28, 2022 after a nine year battle with Parkinson's Disease.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Built in 1995, Unit 26A has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,564 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 7, 2022
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 21-25 on Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key

A unit at Regent Place was the top seller of the week at $4.55 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Longboat Key beaches were not crowded in early December.
    By
  • Eric Garwood, Lauren Tronstad
  • December 7, 2022
Busy season arrives on Longboat Key

Longboat's tourist time looks hearty with Southwest Florida vacationers scrambling to find winter accommodations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Woman won't return home from jail until ex-boyfriend leaves the house
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 7, 2022
Woman won't return home from jail until ex-boyfriend leaves the house

A woman arrested for battery in Jacksonville calls Sarasota police to remove her ex-boyfriend, who was caring for her two children, from her home before she returned. This and other Sarasota police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Brennan Asplen came to Sarasota County Schools in 2020.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • December 7, 2022
Longboat commission refrains from involvement in Asplen firing

The town commissioners' discussions centered on concern for appearing partisan in their decision when their goal is the opposite.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota's Kathy Collums, Lakewood Ranch's Amy Gorman and Sarasota's Brenda Kleiber work to develop lifelong relationships for Sisterhood for Good.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 6, 2022
Sisterhood for Good benefits from the power of partnerships

Concession residents hosted a cocktail party to support Lakewood Ranch's Sisterhood for Good.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Joyce Peralta, Arthur Wasserman and Marc Schreiber hold signs along Tamiami Trail on Nov. 30 in protest of Asplen's potential termination.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 6, 2022
Sarasota School Board sets meeting to vote on terms of Asplen's departure

Superintendent Brennan Asplen would be paid a total of about $170,000, along with moving expenses, upon departure.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Mary Tucker transferred from Kentucky to West Virginia for her seniro season, as the former SMA student has continued her collegiate and international success in women's rifle.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 6, 2022
Sarasota winter sports college athletes take the stage

Plus, updates on a few non-football fall sports athletes from the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 6, 2022
Athlete of the Week: Olivia Davis

The Cardinal Mooney girls basketball senior, who lives in Lakewood Ranch, leads the Cougars with 19.3 points per game.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mitchell Teitelbaum was appointed as a county administrator on No. 29.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 6, 2022
New Manatee County deputy administrator grows with the county

GreyHawk Landing's Mitchell Teitelbaum said he is excited to continue serving Manatee County in a different capacity.

  • East County
  • News
Nick Bollettieri almost had a sixth sense for coaching.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • December 6, 2022
Longboat Key tennis pioneer Nick Bollettieri dies

One of the sport's most influential teachers, Bollettieri launched the tennis school at the iconic Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Man found sleeping in sports car on Longboat beach waiting for sunrise
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 6, 2022
Man found sleeping in sports car on Longboat beach waiting for sunrise

Police told an out-of-town resident that slumbering in a sports car is no way to prepare for a sunrise beach meditation session. This and other police reports from Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Riverwalk's Richard Tatem has been sworn in as the District 5 representative on the School Board of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 6, 2022
Retired Air Force colonel ready to begin new duty as school board member

Lakewood Ranch's Richard Tatem, the new District 5 representative, says the search for a new School District of Manatee County superintendent is a top priority.

  • East County
  • Schools
This River Club South home at 9617 Governors Club Place sold for $1.5 million. It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,502 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 6, 2022
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 21-25 in Lakewood Ranch

A River Club South home on Governors Club Place topped the week's sales at $1.15 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sailor Circus' Kaylee Dutkiewicz performs high above the circus ring.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 6, 2022
Circus Ring of Fame Foundation announces Awards Ceremony Inductees

The Feb. 4, 2023, event will take place under the big top in Nathan Benderson Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Traffic circulates near the Bay Isles north entrance.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • December 6, 2022
Bay Isles traffic agreement approved, pickleball plans move forward

The proposed pickleball court plans will visit the Longboat Key Town Commission again at its Jan. 9 meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Vicky Cox with her ambassador dog Keni
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 5, 2022
Southeastern Guide Dogs hosts Tails of Hope luncheon

The Tails of Hope Luncheon was held at the Hyatt Regency on Dec. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tiffany Barrett-Greer, a second grade teacher at Braden River Elementary School, is a finalist for the School District of Manatee County's Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 5, 2022
East Bradenton school employees honored for dedication to education

Two East County teachers and two East County support staff were named finalists for Educator of the Year and Support Employee of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Captain Rick Hankins, Sgt. Lee Smith, Sgt. Sean Butler and Chief George Turner at Butler's promotion ceremony.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • December 5, 2022
Former NYPD detective moves up to sergeant with Longboat Police

Sean Butler joined barrier island's department in May.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Man dies in accident after his SUV strikes a cow on SR 70 in Myakka
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 5, 2022
Man dies in accident after his SUV strikes a cow on SR 70 in Myakka

The collision caused the 62-year-old LaBelle man to be ejected from his Toyota SUV after it overturned.

  • East County
  • News
Paolo Marconi comes ashore after the final lap of the Last Paddler Standing event at Nathan Benderson Park. Marconi said he learned a lot about what he is capable of while sleep deprived and that every participant in the race should be proud for attempting it at all.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 5, 2022
Last Paddler Standing event showcases endurance at Benderson Park

The event, which had 30 participants, saw Paolo Marconi paddle approximately 48 hours straight to win the competition, with only short breaks in between laps of the park's lake.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jason Berzowski and Tim Haas of the Longboat Key Fire Rescue serve up their award-winning firehouse chili.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 5, 2022
Same recipe, new venue for Longboat Kiwanis' Lawn Party

The annual event moved off the island for the first time and made its City Island debut.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chef Kaytlin Dangaran is making customers feel at home with a dose of comfort food.
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • December 5, 2022
Bistro spells comfort food with tomato soup and grilled cheese

Executive Chef Kaytlin Dangaran knows she can make people of all ages happy with a simple taste of home.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Child seriously injured in University Parkway accident in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 4, 2022
Child seriously injured in University Parkway accident in Lakewood Ranch

A two-car crash sent the 6-year-old to All Children's Hospital in Tampa.

  • East County
  • News
Marjorie Reda and Migda Cubero wait for the lighting of the 60 foot tree.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 4, 2022
St. Armands tree-lighting begins Sarasota's holiday season

With a switch flick and a visit from St. Nick, city's new centerpieces wowed the crowd.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Brooklyn Athridge, Santana Leyva, Sofia Leyva and AJ Athridge ride with Stage Door Studios float.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 4, 2022
Sarasota Holiday Parade brought a winter wonderland to Main Street

The 26th annual Sarasota Holiday Parade was held downtown on Dec. 3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Candy canes line the walkway of this festive dock at Longboat Harbour.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • December 4, 2022
Longboat Harbour celebrates annual Lighting of the Docks

About $5,300 was raised for Toys for Tots at the condominium's annual event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Robust apartment construction activity in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan statistical area may serve to relieve pressure on rent rates in the region.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 4, 2022
Fair market rents in Sarasota region up nearly 35% over 2019

Although home prices are stabilizing, fair market rents in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro area are up by 34.5% over 2019 as market pressures continue in the wake of the pandemic.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch's Gwyneth Paget and Sarah King drop off shoeboxes. They are a part of Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch's Crafts for Cause, which donated 150 shoeboxes and $365 to Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2022
Meals on Wheels collects shoeboxes filled with gifts for senior clients

The nonprofit's Shoebox Drive and Reception is a can't-miss event at the Lakewood Ranch Elks Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church holds their annual Christmas concert.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 3, 2022
Toys for Catholic Charities donated at concert

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church held its annual Christmas concert on Friday. More than 100 toys were donated to Catholic Charities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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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