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Your Observer

    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 10, 2020
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church resumes concerts

The Dec. 6 concert featured Dave Morgan and Friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The only stork that breeds in North America, Wood storks almost
  • By Miri Hardy
  • December 10, 2020
Bird of the week: wood stork

The species can eat up to 400 pounds during a typical breeding season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Following a state directive that requires struggling remote learnings to return to brick-and-mortar, more students are expected to return to the classroom for second semester. Photo courtesy Sarasota Schools
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 10, 2020
Changes coming to schools in new semester

Following a state directive, struggling remote students will be asked to return to in-person classes.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • December 10, 2020
Lillian Janice Howle

Lillian Janice Howle, fondly known as “Miss Janice”, 91, passed away peacefully in Sarasota, Florida on Monday, November 30, 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2020
Sarasota weather page photo: December 10

MaryAnn Parks captured this parakeet having a snack near her home in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2020
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 10

Curtis Bean captured this sunrise over downtown Sarasota from Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2020
East County weather page photo: December 10

Bruce Silverman captured this sunset over Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Many residents fear the hotel and garage, located along Stickney Point Road, would exacerbate traffic going to and from south Siesta Key.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 10, 2020
Hotel workshop draws complaints over density, traffic

Gary Kompothecras is proposing a 120-bed hotel and a five story garage along Old Stickney Point Road.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 10, 2020
Carl P. Friedman

Carl Friedman, 78, of Longboat Key, FL, formerly of Stamford, CT, devoted husband, beloved father and adoring grandfather, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2020 after a short but mighty battle with glioblastoma. 

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Deputy Police Chief Pat Robinson will join interim City Manager Marlon Brown as the city transitions to a new top administrator following Tom Barwin's retirement. Image courtesy Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
Brown appoints deputy police chief as deputy city manager

Pat Robinson will move from the Sarasota Police Department to City Hall to join the city's administrative team on an interim basis.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 10, 2020
Robert Eric Endres (Bob)

In Sarasota / Longboat Key, Florida December 4, 2020 at the age of 78 following a long illness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 10, 2020
Historic cottages finally find good homes

Thanks to Drake’s persistence, the town finally made a commitment to an important part of Longboat Key — its history.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 10, 2020
Our challenge: Keep Florida Florida

You can interpret Florida’s presidential election results as delivering two messages.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 10, 2020
Longboat Key Cops Corner: All cool in the pool

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Jazmene Perez scored a goal in the Booker's first win in three years.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 10, 2020
Booker girls soccer nabs first win in three years

The Tornadoes are not satisfied yet, however.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 10, 2020
Stay the course, governor

The media chafes that DeSantis is an outlier. But his approach is helping 95% of Floridians not infected with the coronavirus.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Caroline King's defensive effort forces a Newsome player into a bad spot. The Rams are focused on defensive energy this season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 10, 2020
Prose and Kohn: Healthy Rams girls basketball team is a defensive threat

There are no easy points against Riverview.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Repair work is scheduled finish Thursday.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 10, 2020
FDOT crews to repave Gulf of Mexico Drive and part of Longboat Pass bridge

Work is scheduled to finish Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gulf Coast Maritime Museum board members Chad Weiss, John Pether and Pat Ball stand in the former boat-building studio of George Luzier. The group wants to build a museum to chronicle the history of boating in Florida.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
Group pitches maritime museum at Bobby Jones

Although a group of boating enthusiasts are passionate about the concept, city officials have recommended against the request for public land.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A concept rendering included with the application material shows the proposed facade of the hotel along Fourth Street and Lemon Avenue. Image via city of Sarasota.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
Planning Board overrules staff on Rosemary sidewalk plans

Although city planners recommended against it, the Planning Board authorized a curb cut on Fourth Street to accommodate a two-lane parking entrance for a forthcoming hotel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Less than two years after bringing paid parking to St. Armands, the city is considering raising some rates in the Circle. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
City eyes paid parking increases on St. Armands

The city is also considering expanding paid parking to Saturdays as part of a response to revenue shortfalls.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mayor Hagen Brody said he would continue to work to refine the time limits in place for commission meetings, but he stood by the change as a positive one.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2020
City commissioner questions new time limits

Mayor Hagen Brody said he's working to add structure to commission meetings, but at least one board member is unhappy with the new rules.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 12.10.20

Enjoy this week’s edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Bradenton's Michelle Haney, 48, has been charged with abuse of a dead human body after the body of Jon Christopher Leonard, 40, was found in a trash can in East County. Leonard had been dead since July.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 9, 2020
UPDATE: Body in trash can identified, Bradenton woman charged with abuse of a dead human body

Manatee County Sheriff's Office detectives arrest Bradenton's Michelle Haney, 48. She is charged with abuse of a dead human body after the body of 40-year-old Christopher Leonard was found in a trash can.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 9, 2020
The Rye Road Giraffes Christmas circus stretches holiday calendar in Bradenton

Camels and llamas and ponies, oh my! Christmas weekends with The Rye Road Giraffes

  • East County
  • News
Sandy Shahinian. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 9, 2020
Elves on the loose in Lakewood Ranch

Annual Elf on the Shelf contest continues on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Coastal Orthopedics' newest facility will be built in the style of Sarasota Modern architecture. (Courtesy of Coastal Orthopedics)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 9, 2020
EYE ON BUSINESS: Coastal Orthopedics plans to expand with Lakewood Ranch headquarters

Coastal Orthopedics to build its largest facility in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Diane Hunt, Director of Project Green Dot in Palmetto and JoOni Jones, Health Equity Director of the Multicultural Health Institute, which serves Manatee and Sarasota counties, with the Community Connections Resource Guide.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 9, 2020
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit creates guide to connect people in need with services

Lakewood Ranch nonprofit provides free community resource guide to local organizations

  • East County
  • News
Knowledge McDaniel has 25 carries for 158 yards and a touchdown at Marshall. Photo courtesy Marshall Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 9, 2020
Former Pirate contributes to Marshall's success

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
Karmani Gregory.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 9, 2020
East County Athlete of the Week: Karmani Gregory

The Braden River guard talks his favorite basketball memory and his best advice.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 9, 2020
East Bradenton nativity tweaked

East Bradenton churches make adjustments to nativities during a time when "even Bethlehem has to adjust."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County commissioner Vanessa Baugh said she can't foresee the county issuing another mask mandate.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 9, 2020
Manatee County commissioners planning to unify on COVID-19?

Will Manatee County commissioners disagree if COVID-19 pandemic worsens?

  • East County
  • News
Heidi Easton (left) and Peter Easton take their 2-year-old Dobermann, Ollie, and 5-month-old French bulldog, Casper, for walks on this sidewalk by Adventure Place. The Eastons disagree on the CDD's decision to install bollards.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 9, 2020
Some Greenbrook Village residents disagree on newly installed posts

Greenbrook Village installs posts to halt golf cart traffic on sidewalks

  • East County
  • News
Samantha Sokolis, an Advanced Manufacturing student, adjusts a robot.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 9, 2020
Project offers rapid-fire job training in east Bradenton

Manatee Technical College receives grant to help the unemployed train for new opportunities.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County will discuss the contract of Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, during a special meeting Dec. 17. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 8, 2020
School Board of Manatee County to host meeting on superintendent's contract

The School Board of Manatee County voted 3-2 to schedule a special meeting to discuss the superintendent's contract Dec. 17.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge writes that the Commission should be able to select its government leadership.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • December 8, 2020
LETTERS TO EDITOR: Manatee County commissioner says the commission should be able select its government leaders.

Savanna residents worry Lakewood Ranch area is turning into a "parking lot."

  • East County
  • Opinion
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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
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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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