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Your Observer

Marcia Gutridge with two of her grandchildren, Keith and Harper
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2018
Treats and traditions top Longboaters holidays

From running to rum cake, Longboat Key residents cherish their holiday rituals and recipes.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 19, 2018
Spreading Christmas Cheer

Member of Christ Church, Presbyterian, Longboat Key, sang Christmas carols throughout the area on Sunday, Dec. 9.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Helen Turner, David Campbell, Sandy Campbell and Fred Berg won first place in Division 3 last year.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 19, 2018
Observer Challenge Tennis Tournament is back for another round

The tournament will kick off Jan. 10 with a cocktail party and will continue with play from Jan. 11 to Jan. 13.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Heather Jones.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 19, 2018
East County Athlete of the Week: Heather Jones

The Lakewood Ranch junior talks winning in PKs and her biggest challenge

  • East County
  • Sports
Cynthia Saunders has served as Manatee County Schools' interim superintendent since July.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2018
Should Manatee County superintendent search go national?

Board members undecided on course of action to find new superintendent.

  • East County
  • News
Finn, Eirinn, Cormac and Christian Camphire said they are thankful Cormac is OK after 37% of his body was burned. He plans to resume classes at Braden River High in January, depending on his health.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2018
Bradenton's mom's belief — 'God was with him.'

East County mom says her faith has been strengthened by horrifying accident .

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 19, 2018
Cops Corner: Keep an eye out for porch prowlers

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Each year, Patricia Christmas buys her family Christmas pajamas and T-shirts. Clockwise from bottom left are Elijah, Jermaine, Patricia, Tremaine and Genesys.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 19, 2018
Christmas all the time for Bradenton family

This family knows had to spread Christmas joy.

  • East County
  • News
Trinity Jackson got her face painted during the party.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 19, 2018
Dick Vitale says 'Merry Christmas' to Sarasota Boys and Girl's Club

Sarasota's annual holiday party celebrates on Dec. 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Fifth-grader Kiran Kalia plays the xylophone.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2018
Witt Orffestra rings in holiday season

Children sing of snowmen and holidays in Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
A preliminary conceptual video rendering shows some of the project’s central features: brick streets, curbless sidewalks and new landscaping.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 18, 2018
Tree questions continue at Lemon Avenue meeting

Downtown residents still push for the inclusion of more shade trees in a streetscape project, but challenges remain.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Police evacuated the Walgreens at 3535 N. Tamiami Trail while an object outside is examined by explosives experts.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2018
Sarasota Police determine pressure cooker found near store is harmless

Object near Walgreens on North Tamiami Trail at Myrtle Street looks like a pressure cooker, police said.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 18, 2018
Flooring company serves up turkeys for first responders

Manasota offers 500 free main courses for police and fire-rescue personnel at its three locations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Angeline Scottien, a biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission talks about coyotes.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • December 17, 2018
Longboat coyotes smart, hard to trap, expert said

Attacks on humans are rare.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Hawley Holesbeke, Ethan Winsler and Payton Netting get their pictures taken by their parents before the program starts.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 17, 2018
Singing good tidings at First Presbyterian Preschool

The preschoolers sang Christmas carols as part of their two-day Christmas program.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marc Murray, Diana McCourt, Noah Murray, Eryn Murray and Bjorn Welde Thomas
    By
  • Kayleigh Omang
  • December 16, 2018
Families celebrate Christmas with the bears

A Country Bear Christmas was hosted Dec. 16 at the Bearadise Ranch Bear Preserve

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A Bradenton was killed in a one-car motorcycle crash Saturday night.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 16, 2018
Bradenton motorcyclist dies in one-vehicle wreck

Bradenton motorcyclist dies in one-vehicle wreck in University Park

  • East County
  • News
A string of car burglaries hit two Lakewood Ranch area parks on Saturday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 16, 2018
Car burglars hit Lakewood Ranch parks

Four families at Lakewood Ranch sporting events have their windows smashed and possessions stolen.

  • East County
  • News
Marshall Fernandez, Marnie Lawrence, Trudy Barry, Leslie Williams and Patti Lowe
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 15, 2018
Bird Key Yacht Club toasts to the holidays

Club members gathered Dec. 15 for a holiday party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Peggy O'Donnell makes a donation at the Publix on Bay Street.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 15, 2018
Salvation Army hopes for late-season push at kettles

Season-to-date totals in Sarasota and Manatee counties are below those of 2017.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Amani Carter poses for a picture with Santa.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 15, 2018
Santa arrives just in time for breakfast at Newtown Estates Park

Kids enjoy crafts, treats and a visit with the Jolly Old Elf.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Members of Federation of Longboat Key Condominiums learn about red tide.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • December 15, 2018
Longboat group calls for red tide czar

The state needs to do more to fight red tide.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bob Rogers and Maria Kava
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 15, 2018
Porsches in the Park bring car enthusiasts to St. Armands

On Dec. 15, Porsche vehicles from all over the state crowded St. Armands Circle Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dozens of protesters gathered near the Unconditional Surrender statue for the demonstration.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 15, 2018
Bayfront rally calls for action on red tide

Hands Along the Water wants to keep people focused on the issue — and potential solutions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Maggie Blanton plays bean bag toss.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 15, 2018
Big Brothers Big Sisters treats kids to a party

Santa checks in with the kids on Dec. 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Town Commissioner Jim Brown and Susan Phillips at their bell-ringing station.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 15, 2018
On Longboat, Red Kettle volunteerism has a certain ring to it

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key rallies volunteers every year to ring the bell for the Salvation Army's kettle campaign. This year, 104 volunteers filled 224 time slots.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dustin Dahlquist has been in Manatee County schools for 21 years. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 14, 2018
New principal named at Lakewood Ranch High

Dustin Dahlquist named to Lakewood's top post.

  • East County
  • News
Rough weather is on the way.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 14, 2018
Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for Sarasota, Manatee counties

Rough weather heading toward area from gulf; alert valid until 10 p.m.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 14, 2018
Super recognition for teachers in Lakewood Ranch

Kiwanis program highlights importance of McNeal teachers.

  • East County
  • News
New district rivalries will be forged in 2019 and 2020.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 14, 2018
FHSAA football classification changes affect Sarasota schools

New district rivalries will be forged in 2019 and 2020

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The FHSAA announced its classifications for the 2019 and 2020 seasons on Friday
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 14, 2018
New FHSAA football classifications mean big change for Braden River

The FHSAA announced its classifications for the 2019 and 2020 seasons on Friday

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 13, 2018
'Snowcoming' dance brightens scene at Braden River Middle

Middle-schoolers dance night away with friends.

  • East County
  • Schools
Debbie Volturo and Gabriela Solorio
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 13, 2018
Christ Church reading buddies host jolly celebration

On Dec. 13, students from the 13th Avenue Dream Center gathered with their reading buddies at Christ Church for a Christmas party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Police Department is partnering with other law enforcement agencies on investigating the threats.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 13, 2018
Sarasota police investigate bomb threats

The Police Department has received reports of email threats regarding several city businesses, but officials believe the public is not in danger.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • December 13, 2018
Longboat howls for coyote solutions

As town sets a second batch of workshops for residents, town looks for possible destinations for relocated animals.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Michael Gutierrez on tuba will be one of the band members to debut the piece.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 13, 2018
Sarasota's Pine View gets a special song for its birthday

School's wind ensemble will perform a debut piece written just for them.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
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
2
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
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
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5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
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Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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