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Your Observer

    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
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 19, 2019
Manasota Flooring gives back to first responders

Mansaota Flooring handed out 500 turkeys to first responders on Dec. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: December 19

Stephen Jordan captured the Marina Jack II and LaBarge as they cruised past Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2019
East County weather page photo: December 19

Sharon Piotrowski captured this full moon illuminating the sky over Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2019
Longboat Key weather page photo: December 19

Michael Cohen captured a photo of this yellow crowned night heron on Lido Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Matthew Garcia is doing big things at Tennessee. Photo courtesy UT Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 19, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Winter wonderland

Sarasota athletes are finding success in college.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Hope Family Services' Irene Martinez, the Lakewood Ranch Elks' Darrin Simone and Hope's Lynn Lavigne go through toys the Elks collected for the nonprofit.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 19, 2019
Lakewood Ranch Elks' toy drive raises Hope

Lakewood Ranch Elks team with Walgreens to collect almost 800 toys for Hope Family Services.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jordyn Byrd.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 19, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Jordyn Byrd

The Cardinal Mooney freshman talks keeping her composure and giving her all on the court.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 19, 2019
Pickup crashes through airport wall, lands in SRQ baggage claim area

FHP troopers investigating overnight incident that started with report of a truck driving recklessly on U.S. 41.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Delta Air Lines is adding flights to New York's JFK International Airport
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 19, 2019
Airport sets passenger record in November

More destinations, new airline still to come in months ahead at SRQ.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By AUTEUR Staff
  • December 19, 2019
A Home Among the Arts with Front Row Seats on Sarasota Bay

A Home Among the Arts with Front Row Seats on Sarasota Bay

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Pat and Bill Kopcsak still enjoy telling a story of incredible kindness that allowed them to have a wonderful Christmas in 1976.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2019
Lakewood Ranch couple tells Christmas story of kindness

Hitting a cow and damaged car doesn't stop a wonderful Christmas for Lakewood Ranch couple.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The Bay Sarasota included this rendering of the Phase 1 park in the site plan proposal it filed with the city.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 18, 2019
The Bay Sarasota files site plan for first phase

The independent group leading the redevelopment of city-owned bayfront land has submitted a detailed proposal for a 10-acre park north of Boulevard of the Arts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 18, 2019
Worship Calendar

Worship Calendar

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Riverview High School Kiltie band performs in the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Photo courtesy
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 18, 2019
Trip to Hollywood makes big impression on Kilties

Around 150 Riverview High students traveled 2,500 miles to perform in the parade on Hollywood Boulevard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 18, 2019
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Throwing beans on a car

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Peggy and Skip Turner, of Riverwalk Grove, always enjoy seeing kids' and parents' faces light up with excitement when they see their holiday display of Whoville.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 18, 2019
Seuss in the spotlight in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch residents transform yard into Whoville every year for Christmas

  • East County
  • News
Debbie Huckaby says an offer has been made to buy the property her refuge calls home and if the sales goes through, she can stay.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 18, 2019
East County parrot sanctuary could be rescued

East County's Birds of Paradise Sanctuary and Rescue could be rescued.

  • East County
  • News
Dave Bullock
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2019
Retired Longboat manager is EDC's interim CEO

Bullock will serve as agency launches a search to replace Huey, who resigned Dec. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ray and Wilma McRay love the tradition of this Missouri prisoner's tie, which Ray McCray firs received as a gag gift in 1959.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2019
Tie creates holiday cheer, family bonds for Tara couple in Bradenton

Tie creates holiday cheer, family bonds for Tara couple in Bradenton

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior forward Jacob Jordan (8) goes for a header against Manatee High. He had two goals in the game.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 18, 2019
Lakewood Ranch boys soccer off to a fast start, but want more goals

The Mustangs are trying to find a go-to goal scorer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County Public Works Project Manager Robert Halbach says the improvements will improve traffic flow in the area.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2019
Public-private partnership improves traffic flow in Lakewood Ranch

County will work with Publix to execute Lorraine Road/State Road 70 intersection improvements.

  • East County
  • News
Carl Santos, a third grader, plays "12 Days of Christmas" with fourth graders Sheldon Wilkinson, Aiden tenHaaf and Ben Tomczuk-Ross during the winter concert at Gene Witt Elementary School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 18, 2019
Gene Witt renovation back on track

Gene Witt Elementary renovation and addition to move forward

  • East County
  • News
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Drugs, cash and a rifle bullet were among the items found by Sarasota Police in a search of a 31st Way home, resulting in the arrest of Demarius R. Jones, of Sarasota.
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Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
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