• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 4, 2025
Holiday display at Selby Gardens boasts over 2 million lights

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' "Lights in Bloom" illuminated extravaganza features a tree covered in dragonflies, train decorations and more to explore.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall

No hurricanes hit the continental United States in 2025, though the Atlantic hurricane season did see the second most Category 5 storms ever.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Shane Rawley poses for a photo on Dec. 2 at Shaner's Pizzeria with his three published books. From left: "A February Thaw: A Peter Cobb Adventure," "January Freeze: A Peter Cobb Adventure" and "Peter Cobb: Three Strikes You're Out."
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author

Shane Rawley, the owner of Shaner's Pizzeria since 1991, has published three fiction novels in his "Peter Cobb" series.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 4, 2025
SPD set to grow its city camera system

The Sarasota Police Department seeks to expand its network of cameras into businesses and outside of homes with its SRQ City View initiative.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager speaks at a Rotary Club of Longboat Key meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16. Mager, who spent nearly three decades in law enforcement primarily in Delray Beach, said LBKPD has training requirements similar to the much larger city of Delray and that officers on the Key are well prepared for any event that may take place thanks to partnerships the department has with neighboring jurisdictions.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 4, 2025
Longboat police chief begins community video series

Russ Mager will share monthly updates with the community on social media in an effort to show the department's transparency.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A floating day dock has been built along the refurbished south seawall in the 10th Street boat basin as part of The Bay park Phase 2.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 4, 2025
Parking fees coming to new day dock slips at The Bay park

The Sarasota City Commission approves fees of $2 per hour and a five-hour maximum to tie off at the new floating day dock in The Bay park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 1718 Bay St. was built in 1997 and has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,015 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 4, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 17-21 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A home in Hudson Bayou on Bay St. tops the week’s sales at $3,875,000.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Laura Oliff-Maxey and Barbara Braun
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 4, 2025
Mothers Helping Mothers strengthens its toy drive effort

The Sarasota organization has taken on an additional 50 families this year, which brings its total to 350.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eighth grader Mikayla Ross works with teacher Joseph Conner.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 4, 2025
Tutoring nonprofit helps raise students' success rates

Laurel Civic Association, which tutors Sarasota County children after school in addition to providing numerous other services, is currently planning to construct a new 48,000 square-foot facility.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota City Y is a Vital Part of the Community
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • December 4, 2025
Sarasota City Y is a Vital Part of the Community

It’s that kind of lifelong connection—the feeling that the Y is home—that Raker hopes every Sarasota resident can experience.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Kymistrii Young (left), Elijah Golden (center) and Macaiden Brown (right) listen to coach Jared Clark's speech during Cardinal Mooney's early signing period ceremony.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 3, 2025
Cardinal Mooney and Booker football celebrate 11 early signees

National Signing Day was Dec. 3 to mark the beginning of the NCAA's early signing period.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Paul Emil Geck
    In Memoriam |
  • December 3, 2025
Paul Emil Geck

Paul Emil Geck, age 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Longboat Key, Florida, on November 18, 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The first wave of participants in the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens groundbreaking scoop some sand.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 3, 2025
Selby Botanical Gardens breaks ground on Master Plan Phase 2

The $61 million Master Plan contains plans to bring a new conservatory complex, learning pavilion and key landscape features to the Sarasota campus.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sidewalks on the southern portion of Gulf of Mexico Drive will be closed nightly as construction crews begin work to install a gas line to accommodate a dredging project in Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 3, 2025
Expect road, sidewalk closures on Longboat Key

The southmost segment of Gulf of Mexico Drive will be impacted as crews install a gas line and complete road work.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons

An upgraded brewing system will more than triple Big Top's beer production.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lucie Lapovsky, president of the Longboat Key Democratic Club, and Nick Gladding, president of the Republican Club of Longboat Key, are two members of Miracle on the Key, a group which aims to find common ground among hot-button political issues.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 3, 2025
Longboat Dems, GOP join together to find common ground

Miracle on the Key is a group of Longboat Key residents with opposing political viewpoints who get together to find common ground.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A schematic drawing of a one-story clubhouse at Bobby Jones Golf Club.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 3, 2025
'Grandiose' Bobby Jones clubhouse design lands short of the green

More than a year after approving a two-story clubhouse at Bobby Jones Clubhouse, the Sarasota City Commission opts for a scaled-down version.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A leatherback turtle hatchling crosses the beach.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 3, 2025
Turtles born on Longboat return home to nest decades later

Using brain-embedded magnetite crystals, sea turtles will make a 10,000-mile trek as adults back to their birthplace to nest.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience

Ilana Armida, a graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School, continues her push to be successful in the music industry as an entertainer and songwriter.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High

Jason Huh, who graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School in 2003, never thought his own product would be sold at his alma mater.

  • East County
  • Business
Serge and Sonia Gauthier, owners of Gauthier Salon & Wellness Center, commissioned artist Ludmil Iliev, joined by Vladi Iliev, to paint a mural inspired by shop greeter Ziggy the dog.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 3, 2025
Furry face of St. Armands salon immortalized in new mural

Ludmil Iliev, a muralist specializing in animals, brought his talents to Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 3, 2025
Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move

Since the Manatee Moves program began in January, more than 300 veterans have utilized 1,935 free rides.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

The issue came to the forefront when three of four Manatee County commissioners voted to deny a Lakewood Ranch school site plan.

  • East County
  • News
Anne Vose and Jackie Donnelly peruse the works of artist Marie Therese Lacroix, center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 3, 2025
Check out these artists at Lawn Party by the Bay

Local creatives are bringing a new art exhibition to this year's Lawn Party by the Bay, along with a silent auction of Peter Max's work.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Man asked female lifeguard to treat private area
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2025
Man asked female lifeguard to treat private area

A male beachgoer asked a female lifeguard to administer first aid to a jellyfish sting on an intimate region. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Roberto Burlew dribbles down the turf at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch. The Sarasota Paradise signed the defender to their roster ahead of the team's first professional season in USL League One.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 3, 2025
Paradise defender parlays position change into a professional contract

The Sarasota Paradise team signs Roberto Burlew, a returning player from their semipro team.

  • East County
  • Sports
An e-biker rides south on the sidewalk parallel to Gulf of Mexico Drive. The town of Longboat Key is having initial discussions about writing a new ordinance to regulate the use of e-bikes to increase public safety.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 3, 2025
E-bike regulation considered by Longboat Key

With the rise in popularity of e-bikes, Longboat Key is mulling an ordinance to manage the rising mode of transportation.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The home at 612 Mourning Dove Drive was built in 2022 and has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,886 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 3, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 17-21 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home on Bird Key on Mourning Dove Drive tops the week’s sales at $6.55 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Kevontay Hugan (10) and Le'Darien Smith (33) look to their sideline before a play during the regional final between Booker and Nature Coast Tech. The two seniors are part of a Tornado defense which has allowed only three touchdowns in its last six games.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 3, 2025
Department of Defense: Booker High football stands tall

Behind a lock-down defensive unit, the Tornadoes are two wins away from their first state title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Athletics and Aquatics Center at Premier Sports Campus North is pictured Oct. 17 under construction. Soon to offer the only long-course pool in Lakewood Ranch, it figures to be the main destination for the area's top swimming talents.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 3, 2025
Hey Santa, how about a finished Premier park for Lakewood Ranch?

The wish is for the long overdue park project to be finished in the next couple years.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County is getting its first landfill-to-renewable natural gas facility, a $50M project led by Nopetro Energy.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 2, 2025
Energy company plans to convert Manatee landfill waste gas into fuel

Nopetro Energy of Miami says it's moving ahead on a $50 million investment at the Lena Road site.

  • East County
  • News
The Shaelyn Band, which opens the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Dec. 6 at Waterside Place, is led by singer Shaelyn Mulberry.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 2, 2025
This musical soul search leads to Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest is back for its second edition with seven top bands at Waterside Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Anquan Polynice poses for a photo before a Dec. 1 practice at Braden River High School. Now standing at 5-foot-10, he averaged 15.0 points and 2.0 steals per game as a sophomore.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 2, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Anquan Polynice

The junior guard for Braden River boys basketball enters 2025-26 as the team's second-leading scorer from last year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota Police Department on Dec. 2 gave away $2,000 in gasoline at three city stores, first offering to take photos with unsuspecting patrons.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 2, 2025
Gas patrons fill up on Sarasota Police's giving spirit

Chief Rex Troche and several officers visited three stores, spreading goodwill and topping off people's tanks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Samuel Shamsey poses for a photo on Dec. 1 outside the entrance to Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The striker leads a senior-heavy pack of Cougars for the 2025-26 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Samuel Shamsey

The senior leads Cardinal Mooney boys soccer in goals scored entering December.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and General Director Richard Russell.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Opera artistic director will step down after 44 years

General Director Richard Russell will add artistic director to his role after Victor DeRenzi's departure in May.

  • Arts + Culture
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
2
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
Sponsored Content
3
  • December 12, 2025
ANNIE
Sponsored Content
4
  • December 12, 2025
“Catskills After Dark”
5
Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now