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Your Observer

Father Robert Dziedziak
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 22, 2020
Longboat Key pastor getting to know his parish

Father Robert Dziedziak came to Longboat Key's St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church as the pandemic started.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee County deputy Antonio Hernandez was killed in a car accident Dec. 20 while off duty.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 21, 2020
Off-duty Manatee County deputy dies in car accident on I-75

Manatee County Deputy Antonio Hernandez died after an early-morning crash Dec. 20 on I-75 near the SR 64 exit ramp.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County libraries have received a $30,400 grant from the Bradenton COVID-19 Response Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation to support the community and enhance its virtual services and programming. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 21, 2020
Manatee libraries receive grant from Bradenton COVID-19 Response Fund

Manatee County libraries receive a $30,400 grant to enhance virtual services and programming.

  • East County
  • News
Red-shouldered hawks have a very distinct call, which blue jays often imitate to frighten other song-birds birds away from feeding stations.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • December 21, 2020
Bird of the week: Red-shouldered hawk

The most abundant of the hawks, the birds of prey swoop down on unsuspecting victims.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Players Rex Smith, Kevin Gallardo, Luke Binswanger and Taylor Raridon during Sarasota High's spring season.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 20, 2020
Baseball players host fundraiser for late teammate

Past and present Sarasota high school baseball players raised money for Kevin Gallardo.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 8230 Sanderling Road was built in 1969. It has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 6,939 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 20, 2020
Sanderling Road home sells for $5.4 million

Sarasota area residential real estate transactions for Dec. 7-11.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Mason and Wylder Mangino climbed around.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 19, 2020
Children's Garden spreads cheer with Elf Workshop

The family event had holiday activities on Dec. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Chris Christie
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 18, 2020
2022 RCLA Town Hall Lecture Series lineup announced

The rescheduled series starts on Jan. 17.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key project manager James Linkogle demonstrates how homes in the Country Club Shores IV North neighborhood will use the undergrounding work for utilities. FPL is scheduled to remove its poles in January 2021.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 18, 2020
Underground electricity coming to south end of Longboat Key by January 2021

Longboat Key plans is to have its underground utilities project finished by the end of 2022.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Elks' Brett Davis and Darrin Simone present Operation Santa 2020's Dolly Johnson with a huge toy donation on behalf of the Elks and Walgreens.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2020
Operation Santa a success

Elks Mighty Southwest District and Walgreens provide hundreds of toys for Myakka City's Operation Santa.

  • East County
  • News
Bob Rosinsky, right, called MacKenzie Scott's $10 million donation to Goodwill Manasota a gift that will help the nonprofit's services for job seekers in the region. Image courtesy Goodwill Manasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 18, 2020
Local United Way, Goodwill chapters receive $30 million from MacKenzie Scott

United Way Suncoast and Goodwill Manasota have called the philanthropic contributions a transformational gift that will bolster the services they provide.

  • Sarasota
  • News
RN Margo Post works at SunCoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch Dec. 18 with blood to be shipped out.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2020
Convalescent plasma donations in Lakewood Ranch provide Pennsylvania Christmas miracle

SunCoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch provide convalescent plasma donations to Bethlehem, Pa., for a Christmas miracle.

  • East County
  • News
Adult male anhingas are black with silvery to white streaks on the back and wings. Females and immatures have a light brown head, neck, and breast. (Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • December 18, 2020
Bird of the week: Anhinga

Like the double-crested cormorant, the anhinga can dive deep into the water.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Photograph of the pipe lying on its side at the Town of Longboat Key's Public Works Department. The breach was in the bottom invert of the pipe.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 18, 2020
Report blames underground log in Longboat sewage spill

About 14.7 million gallons of untreated sewage spilled between June 17-30.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Madison Abbacchi knows the grade she received in every class in school — A.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Lakewood Ranch student finishes academic career with perfect A record

Lakewood Ranch's Madison Abbacchi recorded an A in every class throughout her academic career.

  • East County
  • News
Robin Ruhnke says the Sheriff's Office retired horses will have green grass — and carrots as Valor enjoys — forever in her fields.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Heaven for horses in Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office horses enjoy retired life at the Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County has unanimously voted to extend Superintendent Cynthia Saunders' contract for two years. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 17, 2020
School Board of Manatee County extends superintendent's contract

School District of Manatee County's superintendent Cynthia Saunders is under contract to serve another two years.

  • East County
  • News
Chris Sachs, Police Chief Kelli Smith and Cash Register. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 17, 2020
New bell pit stop

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key got new Salvation Army bells.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
As of Thursday, Dec. 17, 1,738 patients have tested positive at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and 140 COVID-19 patients have died.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
Tracking COVID-19 cases in Sarasota, Manatee

As of Thursday, the state lists 16,389 confirmed positive cases in Sarasota and 19,612 in Manatee. In Sarasota, 454 positive individuals have died, and 400 have died in Manatee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
East County weather page photo: December 17

This double rainbow over Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch was captured by Gordon Silver.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: December 17

Robert Fleurant captured these sandhill colts with their mom in Palmer Ranch.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 17

Patricia Muller captured this sunrise on the north end of Longboat Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Town Commission will use a hybrid approach for meetings (four of the seven commissioners physically present) for the remainder of 2020.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 17, 2020
Health Department delves into COVID-19 data for town

The state's data routinely puts positive COVID-19 cases on the Manatee County side of Longboat Key's 34228 ZIP code.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tina Adams, Marlene Campanaro and Kelli Smith. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 17, 2020
Longboat Key resident donates lap quilts

After knitting them throughout the year, Marlene Campanaro donates the fruits of her labor.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cyndi Seamon made a turtle nest in summer 2020. Photo Credit: Nat Kaemmerer
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 17, 2020
Longboat Key proposing increased sea turtle protections

The Longboat Key Town Commission could have the first reading of a proposed ordinance as soon as Feb. 1, 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ballet dancer Melanie Hamrick, the girlfriend of rock legend Mick Jagger, bought this Lake Club home. Photo courtesy of Michael Saunders Realtor Tina Ciaccio.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Mick Jagger's girlfriend buys Lake Club estate in Lakewood Ranch

Mick Jagger's girlfriend buys Lake Club estate in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The lawn will be covered in books to buy over the weekend.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 17, 2020
One day only

The Longboat Library will host a book sale on Dec. 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 17, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Masked stowaways

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Olivia Davis.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 17, 2020
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Olivia Davis

The Cardinal Mooney guard talks favorite memories and her biggest challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Tonya Mckee, Jennifer Coker, Jocelyn Mansfield, Amanda Myers, Zacko Gerzeny, Theresa Eannetta, Dayna Sisk, Nicole Washburn, and Cheyenne Parker.
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • December 17, 2020
DIY boat parade sets sail

The volunteer-organized boat parade was held Dec. 12.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Planning Board voted 3-2 to recommend approval of Raffurty's major conditional use application at an October public hearing. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2020
Another public hearing for Raffurty’s liquor license

The City Commission agreed to give residents another chance to share their thoughts on a permit request from the Main Street bar.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of adjusting their meeting schedules on Nov. 16, ultimately directing staff to conduct some research before continuing the conversation. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2020
City commissioners consider shift to evening meetings

When should the City Commission hold its meetings? Some elected officials think the night time is the right time.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 17, 2020
Planning Board questions city meeting protocols

A majority of the volunteer advisory board is opposed to in-person meetings that exceed two hours, disrupting the city’s development review schedule.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Unit 301 of the Oceane Condominiums on Siesta Key was built in 2019 with four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 4,439 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 16, 2020
Oceane condo unit sells for $4.75 million

Residential real estate transactions for Nov. 30-Dec. 4.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Izzy Silverio, Krystal Parra and Madelyn Portwood, East County residents, are important parts of the Bulls soccer team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 16, 2020
One goal at a time for Bulls

Lakewood Ranch-area soccer players help build Parrish Community High's new girls soccer program.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 16, 2020
St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic church celebrates 47 years

Parishioners gathered in the chilly night to celebrate together.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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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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