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Your Observer

Riverview senior midfielder Luke Spycher clears the ball down the field.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 8, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Rams boys soccer refuses to lose — or even allow a goal

Riverview has conceded just one goal this season and it came on a penalty kick

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Members of the St. Armands Business Improvement District said allowing taller buildings on the Circle would encourage new construction, which they hope would attract quality tenants and increase activity. File rendering
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 8, 2021
St. Armands zoning proposals stir controversy

Although a resident group has raised alarm about proposed building rules on the Circle, property owners say some of the concern is rooted in misunderstanding.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mrs. Clause, also known as Stacey Volpe, the development assistant for SMART, brings Magic to the barn.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 8, 2021
SMART hosts open house and riding camp in east Bradenton

Those who attend SMART's open house can walk or gallop around Lollipop Lane.

  • East County
  • News
Cardinal Mooney sophomore Franklin Liriano hits a layup against ODA.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 8, 2021
New Cardinal Mooney boys basketball coach guides team to hot start

The Cougars are 5-0 after a big win against The Out-of-Door Academy on Tuesday

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 8, 2021
Santa visits Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Tis the season for Santa to come to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The citizen-led campaign to create single-member districts got a charter amendment on the ballot that drew support from 59.8% of voters. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 8, 2021
County advances effort to repeal single-member districts

In March, voters will decide whether to maintain the current electoral system or return to a process in which all five commission races are countywide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 8, 2021
Women on Wheels' charity ride in Lakewood Ranch benefits Selah Freedom

Village Idiots' president among cyclists who make the Women on Wheels ride in Lakewood Ranch for Selah Freedom a priority.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Acolyte Michael Downing stands next to the Rev. James Hedman, who gives a toast in honor of St. Mary Magdalene's 25th anniversary in Lakewood Ranch on Dec. 5.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2021
St. Mary Magdalene of Lakewood Ranch celebrates its 25th anniversary

Small church in Lakewood Ranch has powerful faith that has guided it 25 years.

  • East County
  • News
Sylvia Langton, Betsy Granite, Nancy Milbauer, Dee Wainstein, Pam Reiter and Marge Heller
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 7, 2021
Longboat Key golfers get together for Frosty Frolic

The Women's Golf Association and Key Niners dressed in their festive best for the tournament.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 7, 2021
Allegiant announces March debut of service to Wisconsin

Twice-a-week flights to Appleton will launch March 11.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A new 150-foot monopole tower will be built inside the Hide-Away Storage property on the corner of State Road 64 and Lorraine Road in eastern Manatee County. It will be for AT&T, but will have room for four different carriers.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • December 7, 2021
Cell tower on way to Lakewood Ranch area at Lorraine Road and S.R. 64.

Commissioners unanimously approve a 150-foot monopole tower at Lorraine Road and S.R. 64 in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 7, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Blocking the road

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Jonathan Fleece, the president of Empath Health and Tidewell Hospice, Debbie Mason and Renee Eppard, with the Tidewell Foundation, and Alex Sheen, the founder of Bcause I Said I Would, are excited to see what promises people keep.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 7, 2021
Tidewell Foundation donors encouraged to keep promises in Lakewood Ranch

Tidewell Foundation president inspired by internationally known humanitarian Alex Sheen.

  • East County
  • News
Fiorella Recchioni and Sarah Douglas, seniors at Braden River High School, start wrapping shoe boxes that will be put in classrooms as donation boxes.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 7, 2021
Braden River High School takes on Operation Santa in Lakewood Ranch

Several Braden River High clubs and organizations are working to help families in need through Operation Santa.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 6, 2021
Siesta Beach Seafood & Music Festival brings food and fun

The weekend event started Dec. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarah and Paul Karon agreed to donate up to $500,000 in exchange for the naming rights to the Town Center stage. File photo
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 6, 2021
Town Center stage just the latest in a series of landmarks named for people

With a 7-0 vote, Town Commissioners approved calling the to-be-built centerpiece of the Town Center Green the Karon Family Pavilion.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Donald and Lydia before their break-up. Courtesy photo from Julie McIlvrey.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 6, 2021
Longboat Key gains two new swans — and a long-necked love triangle

Widower swan takes up with newcomer who arrived recently with her mate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, approved the paint and logos on the town's high-water vehicle. Photo provided by Fire EMS Liaison and PIO Tina Adams.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 6, 2021
Longboat Key's high-water rescue vehicle gets fresh coat of paint

Utility 9 is officially in use in the town of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mosaic tile floors are featured in the home.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 6, 2021
Home of Longboat Key pioneer on the market

Bayou Hammock property was once the home of Herb Field.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 5, 2021
Home on Siesta Drive sells for $6.275 million

Bay Island Shores property is the top seller for Nov. 22-26 in the Sarasota, Siesta Key and Palmer Ranch areas.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Built in 1967, the home at 7 Winslow Drive has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,075 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 5, 2021
Longboat Shores home sells for $1.76 million

Property on Winslow Place is highest seller on Longboat Key for the week of Nov. 22-26.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 5, 2021
Kiwanis Lawn Party returns on Longboat Key

The fundraising event, which was canceled in 2020, returned to the new Town Center Green in 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 5, 2021
St. Armands Circle Holiday Night of Lights fills the Circle with good cheer

People flooded the Circle for caroling, Christmas lights, dancing and pictures with Santa.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 5, 2021
Temple Beth Israel celebrates sixth night of Hanukkah

The congregation came together for home-cooked food and the lighting of several menorahs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 4, 2021
25th annual Holiday Parade draws thousands to downtown Sarasota

The annual parade made its roaring return on Dec. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • December 4, 2021
Meals on Wheels' Holiday Shoebox Drive at Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge scores for seniors

The 16th annual Community Holiday Shoebox Drive and Reception collects shoeboxes loaded with gifts for homebound seniors in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch senior wrestler Ranson Coons said he's been working on his cardio every night for an hour in preparation for this season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 4, 2021
Lakewood Ranch High's star senior wrestler is motivated to finish his career strong

Lakewood Ranch High's Ranson Coons works late into the night for a state championship run

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • December 4, 2021
Hanukkah on The Green at UTC a huge hit in Sarasota

Entertainment wows the crowd at Hanukkah on The Green at UTC of Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nikki Milbrod of Orlando and her dad Steve Milbrod of Lakewood Ranch enjoy a snow storm during Music on Main. "I couldn't wait to come back (to Music on Main," Nikki says. "The people are amazing here."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 4, 2021
Music on Main's return to Lakewood Ranch attracts thousands

Off since March 2020 due to the pandemic, Lakewood Ranch's Music on Main makes triumphant return

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 4, 2021
Fresh Fridays returns with holiday cheer

The returning monthly event brought holiday cheer on Dec. 3

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 4, 2021
Crowds return for Sarasota Christmas Tree Lighting

The downtown tree lighting event returned Dec. 2.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Byron Dorgan and Steve Gunderson
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 3, 2021
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church launches speaker series

The first speaker was former U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan, who spoke about bridging the gap between parties.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Street closures begin on Saturday morning, along with parking prohibitions along the Main Street parade route.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2021
Closures, parking prohibitions begin Saturday morning for Sarasota holiday parade

Annual event returns to Main Street after missing 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • News
During an initial public hearing this summer, representatives for the developer of a proposed Lido Key condominium shared a conceptual rendering of what the project could look like. File rendering
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 3, 2021
Developer advances plans for Lido Key hotel site

The city is holding a public hearing Monday to consider finalizing a land use change associated with the 10-story project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This Harbour Walk home sold for $1.95 million. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,843 square feet of living area. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 3, 2021
Harbour Walk home tops east Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch area sales at $1.95 million

Seven million-dollar-plus sales highlight residential real estate transactions for Nov. 15-19

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Save Siesta Key is proposing a “government lite” operating model focused primarily on planning, zoning and code enforcement.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 3, 2021
Gruters, McFarland expected for Siesta Key incorporation forum

Legislators will hear pitch for a bill enabling local ballot issue.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
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
5
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

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