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Your Observer

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
A crew from HP Communications works on installing a small cell pole along Lakewood Ranch Boulevard at Players Drive. Small cell sites have a coverage radius up to 2,000 feet. File photo.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • December 3, 2021
Inconsistent cell coverage frustrates some Lakewood Ranch residents

Some residents still making waves about Lakewood Ranch area cell phone coverage. Verizon, AT&T say they have future plans that will improve cell phone coverage in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 3, 2021
Sarasota County fire chief accepts conditional offer to come to Longboat

Town Manager Tom Harmer wrote an email to commissioners that Michael Regnier would serve as assistant chief.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 3, 2021
Iconic 1950s ZigZag House for sale in Lido Shores

Acclaimed ZigZag house is an authentic example of the style known as the Sarasota School of Architecture.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Laekwood Ranch Medical Center's Donny Long (left) gets some help loading lunches onto a cart for delivery from Esplanade's Rob Commissar and Marym O'Connor.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • December 2, 2021
Esplanade residents provide free lunch for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center workers

Esplanade residents buy 1,033 boxed lunches to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center workers.

  • East County
  • News
MCAT requires riders to make their trip reservations by 5 p.m. the day before. Photo provided by Manatee County.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 2, 2021
Longboat Key, Manatee leaders discuss island transit solutions

SCAT has offered its on-demand service since June. MCAT requires riders to make their trip reservations by 5 p.m. the day before.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 2, 2021
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 2

Mary Kondrat photographed a downpour off of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 2, 2021
East County weather page photo: December 2

Christine Rossi captured this family of sandhill cranes doing their rendition of The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 2, 2021
Sarasota weather page photo: December 2

Darlene Edelman captured this photo of a fall sunset in University Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 2, 2021
Lido Key, Longboat members of Temple Emanu-El try Hanukkah on the beach

On the fourth night, members gathered on the beach for a unique celebration.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood RanchInter-District Authority Operations Director Paul Chetlain said that staffing issues for both Lakewood Ranch and vendors have created a backlog of work for staff.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • December 2, 2021
Staffing, supply issues lead to backlog for district workers in Lakewood Ranch

Patience requested as Lakewood Ranch Operations returns to pre-COVID staffing.

  • East County
  • News
Hired in September 2020, Players Centre CEO William Skaggs is overseeing the theater’s move to Lakewood Ranch while pursuing interim options for performances during construction of a new venue. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 2, 2021
Players Centre pursues lease of Sarasota's Municipal Auditorium

The city and the Players Centre for Performing Arts could partner on the use of a city-owned bayfront facility for the next five years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although Cigar Paradise’s St. Petersburg location includes outdoor seating, representatives for the business pledged a St. Armands store would not apply for a sidewalk café permit. Image courtesy Cigar Paradise
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 2, 2021
Cigar bar plans St. Armands location

A proposal for a new business on the Circle drew questions from neighbors concerned about the smell.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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