• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer

Michael's on the Bay at Selby Gardens is a popular venue for galas and other events. The relationship between Michael's on East and Selby Gardens is at the center of a dispute over the botanical gardnens' tax-exempt status.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 24, 2020
Selby Gardens, property appraiser remain at odds

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is preparing for a legal battle over its tax-exempt status in the beginning of the new year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2020
Cops Corner: Sarasota 12.24.20

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
  • By Adam N. Phillips, D.O, Board Certified General Surgeon & Vein Specialist
  • December 24, 2020
Understanding Vein Disease

Understanding Vein Disease

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Longboat Key Historical Society accepted bids until Nov. 11 on the larger L-shaped cottage.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 23, 2020
Longboat Key historic cottages planning to move in 2021

The cottages currently sit at 521 Broadway St. in the Longbeach Village neighborhood.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Vanessa Spingola, the emergency department clinical leader for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center receives the hospital's first Moderna COVID-19 vaccination from Derek Whitecotton, a hospital pharmacist.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 23, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center receives first shipment of Moderna vaccine

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's healthcare workers began receiving the Moderna vaccinations Wednesday afternoon.

  • East County
  • News
Renu Ahluwalia, Gina Jordan and Rebecca Pankowski help collect donations for SPARCC. Nat Kaemmerer
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 23, 2020
Sarasota organizations on Santa's nice list

Holiday cheer is abundant in Sarasota even during COVID-19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joe McElmeel and Scott Gray stand in front of gifts donated by the Republican Club of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2020
The nice list: Longboat groups turn up the cheer

Your friends and neighbors helped out a lot during this holiday season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The home at 845 Longboat Club Road was built in 2005 with six bedrooms, six full baths and two half baths, a pool and 17,714 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 23, 2020
Regents Court home sells for $16.5 million

Longboat Key residential real estate transactions for Dec. 7-11.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Florida Department of Transportation community outreach manager Brian Bollas stands on a new I-75 bridge over the Braden River. The first bridge was constructed in 1979 when I-75 was extended through Manatee and Sarasota counties.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 23, 2020
I-75/State Road 70 construction entering homestretch

$80.8 million project at interchange of I-75 and S.R. 70 scheduled for summer 2021 finish

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 23, 2020
Singing for Rosie in east Bradenton

Cypress Springs carolers sing to resident recovering from fall in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Father Sebastian Szczawinski said stained glass in the modern Catholic Church represent themes of light, which are common throughout the religion.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 23, 2020
Faith shines bright through Our Lady of the Angels' new stained glass

Our Lady of the Angels of Lakewood Ranch fills windows with stained glass, hopes to finish in 2021

  • East County
  • News
1. The Rams girls golf team won the state title after finishing third in 2019.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2020
The top-five Sarasota sports moments of 2020

These teams and athletes weathered adversity to triumph.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
3. Andrew Novak rallied to win the 2020 LECOM Suncoast Classic in February.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2020
East County's top sports moments of 2020

These athletes and teams were the talk of the town.

  • East County
  • Sports
Four Braden River High School students created an app that could save lives.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 23, 2020
East Bradenton students honored for dosage app

Four Braden River High students win 16th Congressional District App Challenge.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 23, 2020
Ian Willis

Ian Willis, 86, passed away on December 18, 2020 at his home on Longboat Key, Florida after a long illness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Superintendent Cynthia Saunders, Faith Bench, a math teacher at Braden River Middle School, and Genelle Zoratti Yost, deputy superintendent of instructional services, honor Bench as a finalist for Educator of the Year. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 23, 2020
With contract extended, School District of Manatee County superintendent focuses on future

Superintendent of the School District of Manatee County has contract extended through June 2023.

  • East County
  • News
A time to keep our perspective
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 23, 2020
A time to keep our perspective

Caesar Augustus and Herod were all about self-centered status, power and ego. Mary and Joseph were the antithesis: humble, not materially wealthy, ordinary in all appearances. And yet they were extraordinary.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • December 22, 2020
Michael Petruzziello

On December 16th Michael (Mike) Petruzziello beloved husband, son, brother and friend passed away at home with his wife Debbi and their cat CoCo after a courageous battle with Cholangiocarcinoma.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Aileen Bermudez receives the first COVID-19 vaccination at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Image courtesy Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 22, 2020
Sarasota Memorial Hospital begins COVID-19 vaccinations

The hospital received the Moderna vaccine today and will focus on vaccinating its workforce.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cars lined up during the first day of operations for a new COVID-19 testing site at the former Sarasota Kennel Club property.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 22, 2020
State COVID-19 testing moves to dog track site

After closing the Cattlemen Road testing center, the state is offering free drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 5400 Bradenton Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Murray Margolis and Ardene Chodosh have struggled since their jewelry store was robbed in 2016.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 22, 2020
Effects of Lakewood Ranch jewelry store robbery linger

Four years later after burglary, The Family Jeweler owners are out of business in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 22, 2020
Sarasota schools budget back on the path toward balance

Sarasota County Schools started the year with a projected deficit of $21.8 million. At the semester break, that's down to $18.3 million with more federal dollars on the way.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The new truck features a mid-mount, 75-foot ladder. The design allows the new truck to be more maneuverable.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • December 22, 2020
Longboat's new ladder truck is a step up

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department plans to begin using the new truck in January 2021.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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
« 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

Sponsored Content
1
Florida Power & Light brings 2026 infrastructure upgrades to Sarasota County, Manatee County and Longboat Key
  • June 25, 2026
Florida Power & Light brings 2026 infrastructure upgrades to Sarasota County, Manatee County and Longboat Key
Sponsored Content
2
  • June 25, 2026
Is It Time to Take a Look Under the Hood of Your Financial Plan?
3
Reclaimed water systems run separately from drinking-water systems.
  • June 24, 2026
Dry weather cuts into Manatee reclaimed-water system's pressure
4
Roadway cameras help identify park-damaging suspect
  • June 24, 2026
Roadway cameras help identify park-damaging suspect
5
This house in Plantation Oaks is advertised on several booking platforms as sleeping up to 32 guests.
  • June 24, 2026
Manatee County commissioners consider regulating vacation rentals

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free