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Your Observer

Santa Claus plugs in the Christmas tree.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 6, 2019
Five Points Park lights up for the holidays

Sarasota opens holiday season with a tree lighting in Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium staff with Longboat Key Turtle Watch members.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 6, 2019
Longboat Key Turtle Watch donates to Mote

The Turtle Watch has donated over $80,000 to the aquarium over the years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 5, 2019
Braden River Middle School hosts its Snowcoming Dance in Bradenton

Snow much fun at Braden River Middle School dance

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 5, 2019
Longboat Key tennis community competes in USTA tournament

The Cat II tournament features high-caliber players from around the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 5, 2019
Hope Seeds plants good future at Christ Church

The organization packs seeds to send all over the world.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 5, 2019
Preschoolers visit UTC winter wonderland

Community Day School preschoolers took a field trip to Mall at University Town Center on Dec. 5.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The city has posted leaflets about the Saturday parking restrictions along Main Street.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2019
Parking restrictions, street closures set for Sarasota parade

Main Street, side streets begin to be affected on Saturday afternoon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tranda Pestrak builds a sandcastle with her kids Levi, 4, and Selah, 2, the day after Thanksgiving.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 5, 2019
Buying the beach instead

For some the day after Thanksgiving means sales, but for others it means sun.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Glossie Atkins is the mother of former Mayor Fredd Atkins
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 5, 2019
Happy 102nd birthday, Glossie

Glossie Atkins celebrates 102 years of life.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Investment banker Marc Schaefer has helped the YMCA with its finances.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 5, 2019
Sarasota YMCA loses partner, won't bring Silver Sneakers back

Project Stoked backed out as a partner, and YMCA leaders couldn't reach negotiations to bring back the Silver Sneakers program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: December 5

Sarasota weather page photo: December 5

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2019
East County weather page photo: December 5

Pamela Williams captured this anhinga soaking up the morning sun in Country Club East, Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 5

Anna Passalaqua captured the sunset poking through a rain storm off Lido Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Annie Arguello looks at some of SCAT's most popular routes.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 5, 2019
SCAT officials seek public feedback before presenting to commissioners

The Sarasota County Area Transit will soon undergo a network redesign.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 5, 2019
Sarasota Schools consider land purchases east of I-75

Due to growth, the school district is considering land purchases in Lakewood Ranch and near Clark Road.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Cardinal Mooney sophomore Jenna Santiago shoots on net against ODA.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 5, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Creative cats

The Cougars get creative on the pitch.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Riverview freshman Mia Ortlieb races past a Sarasota High defender.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 5, 2019
Riverview girls soccer team is young, energetic and full of potential

The Rams are off to a hot start in 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sofia Genta.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 5, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Sofia Genta

The Riverview girls soccer forward talks recovering from injury and studying the sciences.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The future space is 5,000 square feet along Cattlemen Road. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 5, 2019
Sarasota's Selva Grill to open at UTC

Sarasota's Selva Grill to open at UTC

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • December 5, 2019
What is the best way for diners to know if a restaurant is clean?

Posted letter grades provide a simple way to show diners if a restaurant is safe, but they are just a snapshot.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The city plans to dredge sand from Big Pass to renourish Lido Key next year, but the county is declining to consider a staging agreement to use a park property during construction.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 5, 2019
City, county butt heads over Lido renourishment staging agreement

The county is reluctant to consider a deal without a provision focused on addressing potential issues, a clause the city deemed unnecessary.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Church of the Redeemer officials say they've paid more than $200,000 in permit fees to the city, but they believe they shouldn't have to assume costs associated with sidewalk closures.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 5, 2019
Church lobbies for construction fee waiver

The city will consider waiving fees associated with certain sidewalk closures, but staff says some residents have lobbied for tougher regulations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Bay Sarasota is working with the city to develop 53 acres of city-owned bayfront property as a public park.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 5, 2019
City endorses core terms of bayfront funding model

City officials backed a plan to use property tax revenue from the area around the project site to help pay for The Bay. Will the county follow suit?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 12.5.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Ed Janka (right) and Bob Brown sit in the living room of Janka's apartment. They did most of their work for the book in this building, where Brown also owns an apartment.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 4, 2019
Jordan, Nike and Knight: Ed Janka's basketball life

Ed Janka spent a lifetime making memories and friends through the game of basketball. He decided to write a book about them.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rabbi Stephen Sniderman (far left) reads from a passage from a history book, while (from middle left to far right) Lois Barson, Mort Tarter and Gloria Sabin listen.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 4, 2019
Temple Beth Israel provides in-depth lessons on Jewish history and culture

The Miniversity program allows people to share their knowledge on topics from Jewish art to Kristallnacht

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Andy Sandberg joined the Hermitage Artist Retreat in 2019 with an extensive and highly successful theatrical background that includes a Tony Award.
    By
  • Klint Lowry
  • December 4, 2019
Hermitage Artist Retreat's board names new executive director

Andy Sandberg chosen to succeed Bruce Rodgers at start of new year

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hayley Harvey is the new shelter manager for the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 4, 2019
Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch opens new shelter in Myakka City

Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch opens new shelter in Myakka City

  • East County
  • News
Joe Miller founded the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble and he conducts the group during its first concert at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 4, 2019
Music among the angels in Lakewood Ranch

New wind ensemble makes its debut at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Tatum Simpson, 9, works with Jaymie Klauber at Epic Equine Experiences.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 4, 2019
Lakewood Ranch resident finds that teaching polo in Sarasota becomes food for the soul

Lakewood Ranch's Jaymie Klauber finds that teaching polo in Sarasota becomes food for the soul

  • East County
  • News
Shelby Connett, the director of sports for Visit Sarasota County, said economic impact statistics are very conservative.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 4, 2019
Economic impact for Nathan Benderson Park requires complex formula

Putting together economic impact numbers for Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota a complex project.

  • East County
  • News
Gordon Gregory, a Legacy outside service manager, has seen the ups and downs of the course since 1996.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 4, 2019
Pride is back at Legacy Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch

Renovation projects bring pride back to Legacy Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Santa leads a group of children through the Myakka Country Christmas parade. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 4, 2019
Tradition marches forward in Myakka City

Old fashioned fun at annual Myakka Country Christmas Parade

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 4, 2019
Court denies petition against Siesta Promenade

The mixed-use project is planned for the intersection of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 4, 2019
Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 5 refinances bond

Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 5 refinances bond with MBS Capital Markets.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Gloria Kaminsky shows off her oil on canvas painting of Crater Lake. She said she has been painting 10 years and is self taught.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 4, 2019
Lakewood Ranch lobby turns into museum

ComCenter allows local artists to display their work on its walls.

  • East County
  • 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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