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Your Observer

Girl Scouts Mylee Gilbert, 9, and McKinlee Gilbert, 8, show off their gingerbread houses at the annual Gingerbread Festival at the Mall at UTC in 2018. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 4, 2019
Home sweet home in East County

East County Girl Scouts share tips on how to make the perfect gingerbread house

  • East County
  • News
Braden River senior D'Angelo Antonino said his finishing ability is one of this best attributes.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 4, 2019
Braden River basketball player has strength to move forward

The Pirates senior says his added muscle will aid him on the basketball court

  • East County
  • Sports
Of the more than 6,000 eastbound cars monitored in a week in November, the average speed was about 18 mph.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 4, 2019
Longboat neighborhood, town leaders steer for traffic solutions

Village residents and town officials work to document and stay a step ahead of speed, parking issues.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Lake Club residents Marybeth and Jay Traverso have temporarily converted their kitchen island into "Santa's workshop" as they gather gifts for a family in need. They have had fun shopping for toys and other needs.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 4, 2019
Charity another of Santa's secrets in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch residents help local family in need with Christmas gifts.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch freshman Devlin Loynd chats with coach Pat Ancil after his match at the 2019 Preseason Classic.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 4, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Coach pins leadership on senior wrestlers

Lakewood Ranch has an experienced group in 2019-2020.

  • East County
  • Sports
Zi Burns.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 4, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Zi Burns

The ODA basketball player talks being more aggressive and winning a state title in Delaware.

  • East County
  • Sports
Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch Rabbi Mendy Bukiet and wife, Chanie Bukiet, are pleased to name the mikvah in honor of Mendy Bukiet's late grandmother, Esther Bukiet.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 4, 2019
Manatee County's first mikvah opens

Manatee County's first mikvah built by Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 4, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Jackets are required

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Restrictions established following the construction of the St. Armands garage established a one-hour time limit on nearby residential streets. Now the city is working to ensure residents can exceed that limit.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 4, 2019
Residential parking program planned on St. Armands

The city is working with St. Armands residents on a program that will allow people living in the area to exceed time limits when parking on neighborhood streets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 4, 2019
Where $91 billion of Florida tax money goes

Social services, education and transportation devour nearly 90% of Florida’s tax collections.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Cops Corner
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 3, 2019
This yoke in Lakewood Ranch isn't funny

Cops Corner features Interesting Sheriff's Office reports from Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 3, 2019
Spreading holiday cheer

Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch residents spread holiday cheer with parade.

  • East County
  • News
Lisa, Chris, Zofia and Bristol Scott enjoy the holiday decorations Florida Power and Light put on their home as a surprise for the family and a 'Thank you' for Chris Scott's service in the Navy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2019
A bright surprise for East County veteran

FPL decorates East County veteran's home as a holiday surprise

  • East County
  • News
Martin Hyde railed against the notion his actions in two altercations this year were racist, though he acknowledged issues with how he handles confrontation.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 3, 2019
Hyde to withdraw following reports of second altercation

City Commission candidate Martin Hyde was involved in a February confrontation in which construction workers accused him of racist remarks.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Monday's presentation included this conceptual image showcasing plans to elevate the performing arts center on stilts with parking at ground level.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 3, 2019
Van Wezel shares progress report on venue planning

Plans for a new bayfront performing arts center include a 2,250-seat main hall, but details on cost estimates are still forthcoming.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Robert Allan hopes to draw customers into the Spice and Tea Exchange.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 3, 2019
Businesses on St. Armands encourage Small Business Saturday

The moniker comes from American Express, who wanted to help small businesses earn big bucks.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Grant's Gardens is moving ahead with plans to remodel its Gulf Bay Road site, but further town action is to come.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 3, 2019
Town rezones property for Grant's Gardens

Landscaping business has remodeling plans but more approvals must happen first.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bonnie Roesch packs up the beef to be sent to Longboat Key for the Kiwanis Lawn Party.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 2, 2019
Lawn Party will feature a treat from honoree Murf Klauber's hometown

Buffalo's Charlie the Butcher donates beef-on-weck sandwiches to the event honoring ex-Colony owner Klauber.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 2, 2019
Longboat beach bonds head to March ballot

With no Town Commission races to consider, referendum is the only local issue to on which to vote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Beth Fusco rings the Salvation Army bell, ready to greet customers as they walk out of Publix.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 2, 2019
Salvation Army red kettle accepting donations in front of Longboat Publix

The Salvation Army red kettle drive on Longboat Key, located in front of Publix, is open everyday through Christmas Eve from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. All $20 bills will be matched by a silent donor for the second straight year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 2, 2019
Dona Fay Ellsworth

Dona Fay Ellsworth, 85, formerly of North Carolina, Maryland, and Florida, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2019, at The Meadows at East Mountain Assisted Living Facility in Rutland, VT.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 2, 2019
YMCAs to hold 'State of Y' meetings

Save Our Y leaders will meet with patrons at the Frank G. Berlin Sr. and Evalyn Sadlier Jones branches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 2, 2019
Light up Longboat kicks off a merry and bright season

The event was the first of its kind for the community and appeared to be a success.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Part of the service involves lighting individual candles for personal concerns as well as four Advent candles with different names and meanings.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 2, 2019
Blue Christmas offers nontraditional service of the season

The service is an answer for those who do not feel the joy of Christmastime.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bikes await riders in the transition area.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 2, 2019
Longboat Key Triathlon covers it all

Racers had a pick of several different distances on the island race.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 2, 2019
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium gets festive with Santa mascot

Gilly the Shark dressed as Santa for an afternoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 1, 2019
Siesta Key spreads holiday cheer through annual parade

Siesta Key Village hosted its annual holiday parade Nov. 30.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The trees will remain illuminated until Christmas.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 1, 2019
With one button, Longboat illuminates Town Center's future

Tree-lighting kicks off chamber events as leaders continue to discuss what's next.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Martin Hyde outside of City Hall, a building he now says he will never step foot in again.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 30, 2019
UPDATE: Hyde reconsiders commission candidacy after tennis club altercation

In a video posted online, Hispanic teenage tennis players accused Martin Hyde of making a racist comment toward them, an accusation he strongly denied.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ken Schneier
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 29, 2019
Longboat Key elections 2020: Five questions with Ken Schneier

Chatting with the candidates.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The radar sign was set up this week on Broadway Street.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 29, 2019
Longboat leaders plan to discuss parking regulations

Longbeach Village residents have told town leaders of trouble with speeding, parking.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Russ Callahan, Linn Torres and Heidi Thomas.
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 29, 2019
Community comes together for Interfaith Thanksgiving service

Longboat Key and St. Armands residents gathered at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Although The Bay’s master plan calls for the preservation of the Van Wezel building, it also includes a new performing arts venue on the north end of the bayfront site.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 29, 2019
Van Wezel to share update on plans for new venue

The City Commission will hear a presentation regarding a new bayfront performing arts center, which could cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota's Keith Page might have not won the Florida Turkey Trot but he was the first one to finish wearing a turkey on his head. "It was no picnic," he said.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 28, 2019
Great spot for a trot

Florida Turkey Trot draws almost 3,000 to Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 28, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: November 28

Stephen Jordan captured this majestic sunset from Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 28, 2019
East County weather page photo: November 28

Wild turkeys were on the move along the side of Lorraine Road in Lakewood Ranch, as photographed by Gordon Silver.

  • 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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