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Your Observer

    By
  • Melissa Leduc
  • December 12, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: December 12

Jeannie Sparks captured this night of remembrance at the Sarasota Lantern Festival.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Haylee Hunderup and Yaritzel Ortega-Gomez carry Alannah Beausoleil to the morgue.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 12, 2019
Sarasota Military Academy students survive pandemic simulation

Students work their way through a simulated pandemic to learn teamwork, communication, decision making skills.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Indiana cornerback Jamar Johnson lines up against Michigan. Photo courtesy IU Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 12, 2019
Hoosier daddy: A Riverview football alumnus is thriving at Indiana

Defensive back Jamar Johnson is making the most of his opportunity.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Blaise Freeman is filming the Sarasota High boys basketball team all season long.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 12, 2019
Prose and Kohn: Sailing the digital seas

Sailors senior transitions from being in the action to filming it.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lauren Golon was a girls soccer captain at Cardinal Mooney High in 2019.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 12, 2019
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Lauren Golon

The Cardinal Mooney junior talks toughening up and taking the ball to the net.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Depending on how bouncy your favorite tennis players likes their tennis balls, you may need quite a few cans, as balls can wear out in just a couple days.
  • By Nat Kaemmerer and Brendan Lavell
  • December 12, 2019
The Longboater's guide to Christmas shopping

Longboaters will enjoy these gifts all year round — or at least until they migrate north for summer

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Traffic in St. Armands Circle often slows for pedestrians in crosswalks. (eric)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 12, 2019
No easy solutions for Longboat traffic

The causes of traffic congestion are easy to identify, but Tom Freiwald and Jack Daly say they are hard to fix.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mark Huey is stepping down as president and CEO of Sarasota's Economic Development Corp. (File photo)
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 12, 2019
There should be one EDC for Sarasota and Manatee counties

The board of the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota has an opportunity to innovate. Consolidating with Manatee makes sense.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Orange Avenue resident Donna Ciemny says she regularly sees cars speeding down the stretch of road in front of her home, and she's hopeful the city can address her concerns.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 12, 2019
Southside Village traffic troubles residents

A resident is asking the city to take action to curb speeding on Orange Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A listing for this Lido Key property advertises that the home has seven bedrooms and "sleeps 25."
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 12, 2019
‘Hotel houses’ draw ire of island residents

The city plans to discuss strategies for addressing problematic rental properties on St. Armands and Lido early next year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city previously closed the Osprey Avenue bridge in 2016 and 2017, using sign boards and speed tables to divert traffic away from residential streets. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 12, 2019
Another extended closure coming on Osprey Avenue

With more than a year left to go before the completion of Lift Station 87, the project team is working to prepare residents for the effects of construction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city has made earlier efforts to plant mitigation trees in neighborhoods, but officials are hopeful a new initiative will overcome some previous challenges. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 12, 2019
City tests tree giveaway program

The city is giving away up to $25,000 as it tries a new strategy for planting trees in residential areas.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 12, 2019
Cops Corner: Sarasota 12.12.19

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 11, 2019
Celebrating community support during the holidays in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Women's Club hosts third annual Holidays on Broadway dinner theatre charity fundraiser

  • East County
  • News
  • By Laurel Oak Country Club Staff
  • December 11, 2019
Laurel Oak Country Club continues to carve out a new path to success

Laurel Oak Country Club continues to carve out a new path to success

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
David Fink, vice president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, presents the C. John Clarke Humanitarian of the Year award to Barbara and Joe Najmy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 11, 2019
Lakewood Ranch Community Fund honors 'power couple'

Lakewood Ranch 'power couple' named C. John Clarke Humanitarian of the Year

  • East County
  • News
Heather Young is the 2020 Sarasota Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 11, 2019
Venice Elementary's Young named Teacher of the Year

Sarasota School District's Teacher of the Year was announced during a luncheon at The Westin on Dec. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Josh Shelton, Brandie Joy and Mannie Shelton lead the horses to the training track for conditioning.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2019
Sarasota Polo Club season begins Sunday in Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota Polo Club season begins Sunday in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Sean Walter, senior manager of the Bradenton Area Sports Commission, says allowing in-kind donations will provide more opportunities for exposure of local businesses through signs and other marketing at Premier.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 11, 2019
Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch will benefit from in-kind donations

New sponsorships to bolster success at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch

  • East County
  • News
Natalie Gorji is headed to Rice University next year.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 11, 2019
ODA senior has eyes on final goal

The Rice University commit wants to get her younger teammates more involved this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mitsi Corcoran will remain the acting superintendent until a longterm administrator is named.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 11, 2019
Sarasota Schools keeps Corcoran as interim superintendent

Mitsi Corcoran will remain the acting superintendent until a search is completed for a longterm administrator.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pops, a dachshund mix, is eager to greet passersby from his cottage. Nate's Honor Animal Rescue plans to add eight more cottages, allowing it to increase capacity for dogs by 50%.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 11, 2019
Animal rescue's $10 million renovation underway in Lakewood Ranch area

Nate's Honor Animal Rescue breaks ground on expansion in Lakewood Ranch area

  • East County
  • News
GreyHawk Landing West resident Daver Raterman said flooding around 117th Street East is a serious issue that will need attention.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 11, 2019
Opposition builds to S.R. 64 car lot in Bradenton

Opposition builds to S.R. 64 car lot in Bradenton

  • East County
  • News
Jacob Jordan.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 11, 2019
East County Athlete of the Week: Jacob Jordan

The Lakewood Ranch striker talks perseverance and reaching the state semifinals.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brett Hutchens, a principal at Casto, talks about the Center Point project in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2019
Impressive Center Point complex comes to Lakewood Ranch; More traffic to follow

Lakewood Ranch gets another restaurant hub with the development of the Center Point project.

  • East County
  • Opinion
This is the last week of lane closures because of the tree removal on the Ringling Causeway. (Nat Kaemmerer)
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 11, 2019
How about Sarasota traffic cops?

The city of Sarasota should be thinking about the effects of roundabout construction on residents’ and visitors’ experience here. Some customer service with traffic could sure help.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 11, 2019
Clean up messes before beginning a search

Interim Superintendent Mitsi Corcoran needs financial support to clean the school district's lawsuits.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • December 10, 2019
Not too late to donate

The town's Toys for Tots drive continues through Dec. 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Plans call for the Stardust Skate Center building to be repurposed as an indoor pickleball facility by fall 2020.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2019
Developer plots pickleball facility at former roller rink

Sarasota resident Brian McCarthy is working to establish an indoor pickleball club at the 12th Avenue building that housed Stardust Skate Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents along the Grand Canal hope to place mini-reefs below their docks.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 10, 2019
Siesta Key residents look for solutions for Grand Canal water quality

Siesta Key Association members would like to place mini-reefs under docks in the Grand Canal to help filter the water.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The city hopes to begin taking sand from Big Pass, which has never been dredged before, in early 2020.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 10, 2019
County OKs staging request for Lido shoreline project

Despite concerns about the beach renourishment’s effects on county-owned property, the County Commission is moving toward approving an agreement with the city.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • December 10, 2019
Sarasota School Board approves land purchases in Lakewood Ranch and along Clark Road

The combined purchases would not exceed $14 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
A sign advertising Longboat Library's holiday book sale sits outside the library.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 10, 2019
Longboat Library to hold book sale for the holidays

From cookbooks to novels and CDs to DVDs, Longboat Library will be selling array of gift possibilities Thursday

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Miguel Pelayo, a Florida Cancer Specialists oncologist, cuts the ribbon to open the $16 million Lakewood Ranch Cancer Center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 10, 2019
Florida Cancer Specialists cut ribbon on dynamic facility in Lakewood Ranch

Florida Cancer Specialists open $16 million facility in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department Lieutenant Bryan Carr watches over two boys as they practice CPR on a dummy. (Courtesy of the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department)
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 10, 2019
Longboat Fire Department offers free CPR, AED training to public

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department has provided the training for about 2,000 people over the past few years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Elliott Falcione said Premier Sports Campus could pursue a naming rights deal for its stadium in the future.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 10, 2019
Willis Smith lands contract to build a library in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch contractor awarded Manatee County library contract

  • East County
  • News
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Latest 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.
  • April 10, 2026
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Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, in 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.
  • April 9, 2026
Restaurant collab supports Longboat Key Turtle Watch

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