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Your Observer

    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 26, 2021
No-swim advisory lifted for Bird Key Park

Follow up testing indicates allowable levels of bacteria in nearby waters.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 26, 2021
Developers submit offers for St. Armands parking lot

The city has received five proposals to purchase a Fillmore Drive property near St. Armands Circle, though parking issues may complicate any sale.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Funding from the penny sales tax has in years past been used for the Robert L. Taylor Community Center, among other projects.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 25, 2021
Committee considers priorities for sales tax extension

Before voters decide whether to extend the county’s penny tax for another 15 years, city officials will prepare a list of infrastructure projects for funding.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Philadelphia's Alex Rendon flaps his wings to finish the Florida Turkey Trot 5K at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota on Thanksgiving morning. "I'm crazy," he says.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 25, 2021
Florida Turkey Trot in Sarasota draws almost 3,000 participants on Thanksgiving.

Nathan Benderson Park of Sarasota hosts 3,000 runners for Florida Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2021
East County weather page photo: November 25

Gordon Silver captured this monarch butterfly gathering nectar in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: November 25

Gordon Silver captured these palms along a colorful sky on Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: November 25

Patricia Muller captured this photo of the sun rising over Sarasota Bay from Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 25, 2021
Give back to the community this holiday season in Sarasota, Manatee

It’s easy to help others have a festive and memorable holiday season while making a difference in your town.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Badger Bob's Services
  • November 25, 2021
Cold Turkey

Tips for Keeping Your Home Cool During Thanksgiving.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Max, Jake, Roger and Alisa Pettingell. Photo courtesy of Coldwell Banker.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 24, 2021
Roger Pettingell hosts 19th annual Pie Day

The Coldwell Banker realtor's pie tradition is one of his favorite parts of Thanksgiving.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh and Friends of the Braden River Library President Judy Mullen cut the ribbon to officially open the new 4,250 square foot expansion to the Braden River Library on Nov. 17.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • November 24, 2021
Studio 70 highlights Braden River Library expansion

The 4,250 square foot expansion of the Braden River Library includes a "Makerspace" along with meeting areas, study rooms and more.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch resident Crystena Starre picks up an order from "Horhay" of the Horhay's Mac & Cheez food truck at Waterside on Nov. 17. Food trucks will soon be allowed for social functions inside CDD 2 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • November 24, 2021
Food trucks may soon be allowed in some Lakewood Ranch communities

The Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 2 will vote soon on allowing food trucks to special events.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 24, 2021
Longboat Key Cops Corner: None shall pass (well, you're OK)

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The Longboat Key Town Commission hasn't had a contested election since March 2018. File photo
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • November 24, 2021
Since 2018, elections on Longboat have been no contest

Challengers to seated Longboat Town Commissioners are often hard to come by.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 24, 2021
No swim advisory posted for Bird Key Park

Results of follow-up testing expected on Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 24, 2021
With record broken, Sarasota area home prices reach state's elite

Sarasota County median price hits $410,000, moving region to No. 3 statewide.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The Bedrock of America
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 23, 2021
The Bedrock of America

Thanksgiving is much more than remembering the Pilgrims’ and Native Americans’ first feast and being thankful for what we have. It reminds us why the Pilgrims came to America: for the freedom to worship.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 23, 2021
City shares design concepts for Rosemary District park

Public feedback will guide the process of finalizing a design for a long-awaited neighborhood park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch residents Carl Backman, Penny Robinson, Alice Baumann, Clare Barone and Dave Barone used Monday night's jam session to get ready for the holiday season.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • November 23, 2021
Lakewood Ranch area musicians tune up for holiday performances

A group of musicians gathered for their monthly jam session at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of the Braden River High School JROTC Raiders team celebrate their success at the state competition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 23, 2021
Braden River High JROTC Raiders team wins state title

The Pirates earn a 13th state championship in the Raiders competition.

  • East County
  • Schools
Carlos E. Haile Middle School eighth grader Isabella Castro-Cardona, seventh grader Alyssa Babyak and eighth grader Kaleb Guy spend time reading. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 23, 2021
School choice opens for School District of Manatee County

School district will no longer provide transportation for school choice students.

  • East County
  • Schools
Although one commissioner wanted to require more space for pedestrians to walk by sidewalk cafes,  a majority of the board voted to maintain the current standards.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 23, 2021
City approves expanded outdoor dining as long-term fixture

More than a year after the city enacted emergency rules allowing restaurant seating in parking spaces, officials are debating the best approach for more formal regulations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Panther Ridge's Jody Nolan took up stained glass art because she wanted to find a hobby that would take her outside her comfort zone.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2021
Panther Ridge artists host art studio tour in eastern Manatee County

Artists try to build support to start a Panther Ridge Arts and Crafts Association in eastern Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rams sophomore quarterback Jeremiah Dawson throws a touchdown pass to senior Jaron Glover in the third quarter.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 23, 2021
Prose and Kohn: Riverview football heads into offseason having taken 'a good step'

The Rams lost in the second round of the playoffs to Venice High, but made progress this season

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Greg Campbell, the executive chef and director of operations at the Grove restaurant, doesn't use exact measurements when making his stuffing but rather his eyes to judge proper amount needed.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 23, 2021
East Bradenton residents share Thanksgiving stuffing traditions

Thanksgiving tweaks produce stuffing that will be gobbled up.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Myakka City resident Carol Felts and Manatee County landowner Jay Taylor discuss the commission's actions.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • November 23, 2021
More homes on the way to Lakewood Ranch area

Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved an amendment that will allow development east of the Future Development Area Boundary line.

  • East County
  • News
Sophomore Elias Corn, junior Liam Heary, senior Cole Firlie, sophomore Luca Simon, senior William Shoemaker, junior Drew Vanden Heuvel  and junior Evan Keogh are members of the Class 4A champion Sarasota High swim team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 23, 2021
Sarasota boys, Riverview girls capture 4A swimming titles

The Rams had individual winners while the Sailors relied on their depth

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Ava Filewich and Alana Gillis, who are members of the Lakewood Ranch High band, march in the band's semifinals performance.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 22, 2021
Lakewood Ranch, Braden River, Parrish high school marching bands finish season on bittersweet note

No trophies, but east Bradenton high school marching bands produce sweet final performances.

  • East County
  • Schools
An interior shot of the freshly renovated Braden River Library, which features a 4,250 square-foot expansion that opened to the public on Nov. 17.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • November 22, 2021
Manatee County accepting applications for Library Board

Manatee County is accepting applications for the Manatee County Public Library Board of Trustees.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 22, 2021
J. McLaughlin Sip and Shop raises funds for Children First

The Longboat Key Turtle Watch partnered with the organization for the fundraiser.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 22, 2021
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church decks the halls

The church set up a decorating day to bring out the big trees and wreaths.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 22, 2021
Bacchus on the Beach celebrates wine, stone crab on Longboat Key

The Longboat Key Club event featured a mountain of shellfish and several wines to choose from.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 21, 2021
Retirees repair bikes for people in need

Sarasota resident Tom Ott leads a group of friends in repairing bicycles every week.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Royal Chaffee proudly displays the rock he found.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 21, 2021
Children hunt for painted rocks at the Children's Garden Thanksgiving event

The scavenger hunt was held Nov. 21.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This Country Club home at 7004 Brier Creek Court sold for $1.25 million. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,534 square feet of living area. Photo courtesy of Victoria Turner.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 20, 2021
Tidewater Preserve home tops east Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch area real estate transactions at $1,325,000

County Club and Tidewater Preserve both have a sale of $1.25 million in Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton area transactions.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sarasota's top-seller this week was the home at 1635 Prospect St. in Seminole Heights. It has has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,845 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 20, 2021
Casey Key home is week's top real estate sale in Sarasota area

Property on Casey Key Road sells for $4.4 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
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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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