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Your Observer

The new DalMoros location in St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • November 29, 2022
Takeout pasta concept opens in St. Armands

Passersby will notice a mural created by local artists and watch the signature DalMoros pasta machine at work on St. Armands Circle.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The School District of Manatee County names Tiffany Barrett-Greer, a second grade teacher at Braden River Elementary, Kendall Carrier, the director of bands at Parrish Community High School, Michelle Bowell, a biomedical science teacher at Palmetto High School, and Kelly Smith-Williams, an anatomy and physiology teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, as finalists for the district's Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 29, 2022
Two Lakewood Ranch teachers named Manatee's Educator of the Year finalists

A Braden River Elementary teacher and Lakewood Ranch High School teacher will be honored at the district's Excellence in Education Awards in February.

  • East County
  • Schools
Estella Villegas front and center with Mariachi Contemporaneo. The band plays every other Wednesday for now, weekly during peak season.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 29, 2022
Mexican restaurant opens on Longboat Key

It took owners 16 months to open La Villa Mexican Grill. Now it's open and serving up authentic Mexican dishes, margaritas and mariachi.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 29, 2022
City, police union each ratify three-year collective bargaining agreement

The Sarasota City Commission has approved a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the union that represents the Sarasota Police Department. The salary scale, though, will be reviewed on an annual basis.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat bar patron is no master of disguise
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 29, 2022
Longboat bar patron is no master of disguise

Even a change of clothes didn't fool the bar staff when a once-denied man tried to return for a drink. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Kindergartner Jay Dan Roux uses his finger to keep track of where he is in his reading. Kindergartners like Roux will be tested on their literacy skills using the EarlyBird screener.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 29, 2022
Manatee School District pilots literacy screener in three elementary schools

The EarlyBird screener will identify literacy strengths and weaknesses and characteristics of dyslexia for students in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade at three schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
Brennan Asplen came to Sarasota County Schools in 2020.
  • By Eric Garwood
  • November 28, 2022
Asplen says he will resign as Sarasota Schools leader

The Sarasota County School Board plans its Tuesday meeting to consider the superintendent's contract.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Vanessa Baugh wanted to set the record straight about her actions during the Lakewood Ranch pop-up vaccination clinic in February 2021.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 28, 2022
Manatee commissioner talks about her settlement with ethics commission

Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said she wanted to set the record straight about her role in the Lakewood Ranch pop-up vaccination clinic in February 2021.

  • East County
  • News
Santiago Valencia, 21, is headed to Qatar to report live from the 2022 FIFA World Cup for MTC Radio.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 28, 2022
Manatee Technical College student earns World Cup reporting opportunity

Santiago Valencia, 21, has overcome physical and environmental challenges in the pursuit of his sports reporting dreams.

  • East County
  • Sports
Angela Molaro at the welcome table handing out gift bags to visitors that include "The Legend of the Candy Cane" and a shell ornament.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 28, 2022
Christmas in the Garden open through New Year's Day

The Longboat Island Chapel has decked their garden with Christmas trees, lights and a miniature Whoville.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota woman charged with murder in suspicious death of man
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 28, 2022
Sarasota woman charged with murder in suspicious death of man

The investigation begins following a welfare check call, police say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Roger Pettingell, his wife Alisa and son Max distribute pies for Thanksgiving.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 28, 2022
Pettingell again distributes holiday pies

The Realtor has been passing our and donating desserts for Thanksgiving.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Snookie Register, Patty Buck, Cash Register and Joe D'Eugenio celebrate in a tropical way.
  • By You Observed
  • November 28, 2022
Longboat's Christ Church welcomes back members

The church celebrates those who have returned for the season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
P.E. teacher Bet Tracy and sixth grader Leah Lazarde watch students as they play gator ball. (Photos by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 28, 2022
Haile Middle Teacher Shadow Day shows there's more to gym class than playing sports

A P.E. teacher shares lessons on sportsmanship, encouragement and organization with a sixth grade shadow.

  • East County
  • Schools
Santa Claus makes his appearance in Light Up Siesta Key Holiday Parade.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • November 27, 2022
Santa Claus makes a pit stop in Siesta Key

The 37th annual Light Up Siesta Key parade was held on Nov. 26.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rotary meets Kiwanis: Jack and Nancy "Santa" Rozance and Michael Garey.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 27, 2022
Light Up Longboat delights all ages

Residents gathered at the Town Center Green on Saturday night to light the Christmas tree.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Amanda Duever of Suncoast Cookies describes the cookie offerings to River Club's John and Karen Tagle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 26, 2022
Lakewood Ranch's Main Street market spreads holiday shopping cheer

Main Street Market in Lakewood Ranch, which helps support local small businesses, included numerous vendors from Lakewood Ranch and other areas, as well as live music and performances.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rendering of LKR at Lido Beach, a 65-unit luxury condo development on the site of the former Gulf Beach Motel. Like nearly all plans before the Planning Board, it came with staff recommendation to approve.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 26, 2022
Why Sarasota development plans come with staff approval

Nearly all development plans that come before the Sarasota Planning Board have recommendation of approval by staff. Board members asked them why.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 25, 2022
Candidate withdraws from Longboat election after deadline

Barring any changes, March's Town Commission election in 2023 would be the fifth consecutive uncontested one.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Fat Point Brewing is targeted for an early 2023 opening at UTC in Sarasota.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 25, 2022
Fat Point Brewing to join UTC lineup in Sarasota by early 2023

The Punta Gorda-based brewery is opening a new location at University Town Center.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Within six months, while on the job for NaturZone Pest Control, Byrne rescued three swans, two sea turtles and a burrowing owl.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 25, 2022
Exterminator rescues Longboat Key wildlife

An exterminator with an eye for wildlife has become something of a lifesaver on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nathan Sutthoff, Lucas Hassler, Grant Yeagley, Piper Yegley, Lauren Martinez, Ellie Martinez hold slices of pumpkin pies
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • November 25, 2022
Sarasota Ministerial Association hosts annual Thanksgiving luncheon

The luncheon was held at First Sarasota The Downtown Baptist Church to give those who are experiencing homelessness a proper sit-down holiday meal.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Evangel Baptist Church brings Bethlehem to Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 25, 2022
Evangel Baptist Church brings Bethlehem to Lakewood Ranch

Church members create costumes and set pieces to show what Bethlehem was like at the time of Jesus' birth.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Deputy Chief Paul Wren (back row, fourth from left) and strike team members pose with the Captiva Island Fire Control District staff.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 24, 2022
Manatee continues deploying firefighters, equipment to Lee County

More than a month after Hurricane Ian, Manatee County continues to support Lee County with resources.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Eric Garwood
  • November 23, 2022
Deputies investigating North Sarasota County shooting

A 31-year-old was found in a vehicle with several bullet wounds.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Ryan Kohn
  • November 23, 2022
'Pre-professional' soccer club coming to Sarasota

The as-yet-unnamed team will begin play in the United Soccer League's League Two in May 2023.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Hal Meyers and Cindie Breeze of the Bluegrass Pirates entertain the crowd at Jiggs Landing. (Photo by Jay Heater)
  • By Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2022
Jiggs Landing of Bradenton plots the course of its concert series

The popular Manatee County park hosts live music Wednesday through Sundays.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Superintendent Brennan Asplen shakes the hand of a Sarasota High graduate in May. (File photo)
  • By Eric Garwood
  • November 23, 2022
Sarasota School Board sets meeting to consider firing superintendent

Meeting to consider action against Brennan Asplen originally set for early December now is planned on Tuesday, Nov 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
  • By Lesley Dwyer
  • November 23, 2022
Longboat Key congregations come together at interfaith service, reception

About 350 people attended an interfaith service at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church on Tuesday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Alpine Steakhouse turducken in cross-section. (Courtesy photo)
  • By Spencer Fordin
  • November 23, 2022
Alpine Steakhouse sees signature turducken grow from novelty to Thanksgiving tradition

Thanks to an assist from the Food Network, the Sarasota restaurant is extra busy every Thanksgiving season.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Tarsy's writing reflects her love for Molly. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
  • By Lesley Dwyer
  • November 23, 2022
Longboat author's novel transforms grief to good

After losing her cocker spaniel Molly, Jean Tarsy wrote "I'm in Heaven" to help herself and others.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's North Pole is filled with gifts that Bradenton's Megan Napolitano and Lakewood Ranch's Jill Campbell, Beth Grogan and Jo Price are hustling to wrap. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
  • By Liz Ramos
  • November 23, 2022
Magic of Mittens delivers gifts to hundreds of Manatee children

River Club's Beth Grogan and her elves delivered thousands of gifts to children in need.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rams wideout Marshall Thompson fights through a tackle from Sailors safety Nick Wasowicz. (Photo by Ryan Kohn.)
  • By Ryan Kohn
  • November 23, 2022
Riverview football prepares for regional final rematch with rival Venice

The Rams meet their South County nemesis Venice on Friday after stopping Sarasota High 28-7.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Dick and Lorraine Vitale will celebrate 52 years of marriage next May. (Photo by Jay Heater)
  • By Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2022
Dick Vitale talks turkey, lessons and love at Thanksgiving in Lakewood Ranch

The ESPN announcer gave thanks for those donating to the V Foundation, his long tenure at ESPN, his family and his 52-year love affair with his wife, Lorraine.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A pile of vegetative debris left behind by Hurricane Ian awaits processing into mulch at the delivery site off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Sarasota. (Andrew Warfield)
  • By Andrew Warfield
  • November 23, 2022
Planning, vigilance enable massive hurricane debris cleanup operations

Plant debris cleanup operations brought workers and equipment from across the country to Sarasota on a moment's notice. Disaster-stricken areas have a former congressman from Vermont to thank for it.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Joe Neunder and Mark Smith are the newcomers to the Sarasota County Commission. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 22, 2022
Sarasota County commissioners, school board members sworn in

Republicans take their seats on two boards.

  • 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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