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Your Observer

The Florida Highway Patrol will have an increased presence on Manatee County roads tonight (New Year's Eve.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 31, 2019
Florida Highway Patrol increases road presence tonight on New Year's Eve in Manatee County.

Manatee County Sheriff's Office increases road presence tonight on New Year's Eve.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key's swan population has had bad luck in increasing its numbers over the past two years.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 31, 2019
2019 Digital Year in Review

The observer stayed busy online in 2019. Here are the top stories of the year from YourObserver.com.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Andy Guz, the CEO of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, said the hospital will expand its services to keep up with the growth of the community it serves.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 30, 2019
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center hopes to expand in the 2020s

CEO Andy Guz predicts hospital will continue to expand in the 2020s to serve rapidly growing Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Months of discussions, recommendations, demonstrations and more came down to a 3-2 vote by the City Commission to deny a key portion of Selby Gardens’ proposed master plan, rejecting the attraction’s plan to redevelop its campus.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 30, 2019
Sarasota year in review 2019

From the serious to the whimsical, a lot happened in the past year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 29, 2019
Best of Longboat Key Cops Corner: 2019

Here are some Cops Corner items that made us look twice.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Hurricane Dorian ended up missing us on the gulf coast, much to the relief of beachgoers who still had to contend with summer showers.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 29, 2019
Longboat Key Year in Review: 2019

Take a look back through the past year of news, features and fun.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Amani Carter poses for a picture with Santa at the 2018 Breakfast with Santa event.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 28, 2019
Sarasota shoots to the top of Santa's nice list

Who better to be on Santa's Nice List than Sarasotans?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Myakka City's Olissio Zoppe brings his Cirque Ma'Ceo to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 28, 2019
Cirque Ma'Ceo comes to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota

Cirque Ma'Ceo comes to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota

  • East County
  • News
Get your e-books at the Sarasota County Library kiosk.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 27, 2019
Quick reads

The Sarasota County Library is now accessible from Town Hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    In Memoriam |
  • December 27, 2019
Kenny Soderblom

Husband, father, Veteran, musician and friend; who had a love for life, his country and his beautiful wife Leah and wonderful daughter Siri.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    In Memoriam |
  • December 27, 2019
David Edell

David Edell, an entrepreneur and builder of businesses died on Sunday at 2.50 AM at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
1. The Cougars show off their volleyball state championship trophy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 26, 2019
The top-10 Sarasota sports moments of 2019

It was the year Sarasota became a city of champions.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Aaaron Dhanhai, Mallory Albritton, Allyson Galvin and Cooper Flerlage.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 26, 2019
Students lead community service numbers

Four Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School students go above the call of 100 community service hours.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alice Jones and Dee Webber
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 26, 2019
Woman sews 2,000 stockings

Dee Webber sewed 2,000 stockings to hand out to children this holiday season.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2019
Best of Sarasota Cops Corner: 2019

The funniest and most puzzling police reports from Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Toys for Tots at Longboat Harbour, accompanied by Santa Claus (Liam Wood) and Bill Coughlin.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 25, 2019
The Nice List: Longboat's giving spirit brings cheer to those beyond the island

The Nice List is crowded with Longboaters who went above and beyond this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Enjoy our Letters to Santa
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 25, 2019
Letters to Santa bring children's Christmas wishes to life in Lakewood Ranch area

Letters to Santa bring children's Christmas wishes to life in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Avantika Mishra says individuals without gluten allergies or sensitivities should not avoid it.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 24, 2019
Debunking the gluten-free mantra: Is gluten-free better?

Debunking the gluten-free mantra: Is gluten-free better?

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 24, 2019
'What Christmas mean to me'

Sarasota Christian School third graders share what Christmas means to them.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Harbour's 50 docks were all decorated this year.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 23, 2019
Island lights: Not a filament of the imagination

See "watt" we're talking about with Longboat Key's magical Christmas lights.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The front of 5134 Bunyan St. is a neon tree wonderland.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 23, 2019
Sarasota shines through the holiday season

Sarasota has no shortage of festival holiday homes, here are some of our favorites.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Twins Connor and Jake Krug committed to Duke for tennis. Photo courtesy Dick Vitale.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2019
Krug twins commit to Duke for tennis

The juniors had offers from numerous elite programs.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 21, 2019
Longboaters tell about their greatest gifts

Longboaters share their memories of the best giving or receiving they've ever experienced.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
City Hall and county administration buildings will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 20, 2019
Holiday closures scheduled for city, county services and facilities

The Christmas and New Year’s holidays will close government offices and affect trash collection, SCAT schedules and park and library operations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
After project opponents and supporters packed City Hall for a series of public hearings on the initial master plan, Selby Gardens hopes a revised proposal will be significantly less contentious.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 20, 2019
Selby Gardens to scale down master plan

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is attempting to address concerns raised by critics of an initial proposal, but resident opponents remain skeptical.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Charles and Margery Barancik were married in 1960 and raised three children. They have three grandchildren.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2019
Baranciks leave a legacy of love in the Sarasota area

Philanthropic couple made a mark with their personalities and generosity.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota residents shared their favorite Christmas presents and ornaments with the Observer.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 20, 2019
Sarasota residents recall their greatest gifts

With a nod to nostalgia, Sarasota residents tell us the stories of their favorite gifts and holiday decorations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jennifer Santora, a third grade teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, helps Caley Ochoa with a math problem.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 20, 2019
Two Bradenton teachers named finalists for 'Educator of the Year' in Manatee County

Two East County teachers named finalists for Educator of the Year

  • East County
  • News
Jude Law and Cameron Diaz in "The Holiday." Photo source: Freeform.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 20, 2019
'Nog Blog: I was loved for a minute

"The Holiday" and "I, Tonya" are this week's picks.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
La Estampida/Hillcroft's James Miller (4) tries to connect during the season opener with Scott Doyle right behind him if needed.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 20, 2019
Polo season gallops into action in Lakewood Ranch

Polo back in business in Lakewood Ranch as Sarasota Polo Club season opens.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
David Fazzone has beat the odds after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 20, 2019
Blessed with another Christmas in Bradenton

A Bradenton man has beaten pancreatic cancer to enjoy another Christmas.

  • East County
  • News
Margery and Charles Barancik
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 19, 2019
Longboat Key crash claims lives of philanthropists Charles and Margery Barancik

Sarasota philanthropists were involved in collision Wednesday night on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 19, 2019
Siesta Key condos sparkle

Siesta Key Condominium Council held its annual holiday lighting contest on Dec. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kylie Cheaves, 2, and Aalayia Hunter
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 19, 2019
Selby Gardens celebrates family

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens held Family Togetherness Night on Dec. 13

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gillespie Park resident Derin Parks thinks a dormant improvement district can be used to empower the neighborhood to more directly address its goals and priorities.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 19, 2019
Gillespie Park residents attempt to revive improvement district

Members of the downtown-adjacent neighborhood want to capitalize on an unearthed 1988 policy city officials had forgotten about.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fireworks will start at 9 .m. Dec. 31. Courtesy image.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2019
UTC rings in New Year with special celebration in Sarasota

Fireworks and other family-friendly festivities are planned for New Year's Eve.

  • East County
  • News
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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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