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Your Observer

1423 Hillview Drive
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 27, 2022
2022's top real estate transactions in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis, Osprey

The top sale of the year was a $17.5 million deal in Sarasota's Harbor Acres.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch junior quarterback Clayton Dees scored 16 total touchdowns in his first year at the high school level.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 26, 2022
Our columnist's favorite East County sports moments of 2022

From back-to-back state championships to quirky golf collections, there was a diverse set of sports stories to be told in 2022.

  • East County
  • Sports
Deborah Murphy will take her seat on the Longboat Key Town Commission in March 2023.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • December 26, 2022
Five questions with commissioner-elect Deborah Murphy

Deborah Murphy discusses her decision to run, her leadership style and issues facing the barrier island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota's Zoe Ziegler leads his team onto the field against Manatee High. The Sailors beat the Hurricanes for their first playoff win in 18 years.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 26, 2022
The top 10 moments of the Sarasota sports season

A jam-packed list is filled with new and defended state titles, plus individual awards and history-making wins.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Harmony's Peggy Kronus hides a pickle ornament on Christmas Eve, and the first one to find it one Christmas Day gets a prize.
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Liz Ramos, Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2022
Family traditions brighten holiday season in East County

From special ornaments to starting Christmas with musical cheer or the bang of poppers, families in the Lakewood Ranch each have a special tradition to make the holidays their own.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rudolph and Clarice join misfit toys in Riverwalk's Tim Cunningham's Christmas lights display. Cunningham has been buying the misfit toys as he has found them since he and his family moved to Florida in 2007.
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Liz Ramos, Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2022
East Bradenton homes shine bright during holiday season

Families are ready to deck the halls — and the yard, garage and roof — with holiday light displays.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Three people were hurt, one seriously, in a auto crash at CVS on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 22, 2022
One seriously injured in auto mishap on Longboat Key

A car hit the front of a store; two people received less-serious injuries.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ginny Hoenig holds one of her handmade crocheted hats.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 22, 2022
Sarasota Nice List filled with good deeds from 2022

The Sarasota community has made the holiday season brighter by going the extra miles this year with nice gestures.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota High girls soccer sophomore Zitlaly Salinas-Sanchez leads her district in scoring.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 22, 2022
Three cheers for these Sarasota-area high school winter sports athletes

With the holiday break upon us, here's a look at the players who have made a big impact on their teams thus far in the 2022-2023 season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Traffic circulates around the new roundabout at U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue on its first day of operation.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 22, 2022
With Gulfstream roundabout open, Sarasota adds another circle to bayfront string

Sarasota now has four roundabouts on U.S. 41 along the bay. With four more planned and nine others on city streets, the city is committed to throwing traffic for a loop.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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
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