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Your Observer

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
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
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1
Benderson Development's latest plans for the former Sarasota County Administrative Center property as presented to Laurel Park residents in December 2025.
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Jeremy Gandon kisses the LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy. He shot six under par in the final round to win the title at 22 under par overall, defeating Mitchell Meissner and Jay Card III by one stroke.
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