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Your Observer

    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 2, 2018
Santa stops for jolly breakfast at Old Salty Dog

Families enjoyed breakfast and carriage rides while visiting with Santa Claus on Dec. 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Concerns about hurricane evacuation routes are near the top of Longboat Key's priorities for the Sarasota-Manatee legislative delegation to bring to Tallahassee for the 2019 session.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • December 2, 2018
Evacuation and water quality top Longboat's legislative priorities

Longboat also supports state funding for beach nourishment

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Malacy and the Rev. Charleston Wilson, Commodore Bob Williams, Fleet Captain Jon Turner and Susan Pinzino
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 2, 2018
Bird Key lights up fleet

The yacht club members gathered Dec. 1 for the lighting and blessing of the fleet.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Santa and Mrs. Claus are always the last float on the parade.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • December 2, 2018
Santa the star of Sarasota's holiday parade

Bands, floats and more lead the way for the Jolly Old Elf.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
About six motor boats, decorated in Christmas lights, arrived at Linger Lodge shortly after 7 p.m. They left from Jiggs Landing and made their way down the Braden River.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 1, 2018
Boat parade lights up Braden River

Fifth annual event lands at Linger Lodge.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Town manager Tom Harmer made the rounds to different groups in his first 100 days on the job, meeting people and promoting two ballot initiatives.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • December 1, 2018
Harmer's first year as Longboat Key manager was solid

Longboat commissioners pleased with Harmer's performance

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 1, 2018
SMART's got it covered — with new arena

SMART program now can offer year-round services with covered arena.

  • East County
  • News
Riverview football falls in state semifinals
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 30, 2018
Riverview football falls in state semifinals

The Rams could not stop Mandarin High's passing attack

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sheila Follett and Lori Friedman
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 30, 2018
Casa Del Mar owners host Jamaican bash

About 90 residents attended the annual party on Nov. 30.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lou McGrew and Bill McGrew
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • November 30, 2018
Seafood at the seashore on Siesta Key

The Third Annual Siesta Key Seafood and Music Festival took place over three days from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Matt Walsh says a tree and green was chosen for the first East County Observers because "that was all that was out there."
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 30, 2018
Many said: 'You're nuts' when it came to starting the East County Observer in Lakewood Ranch

Many said Matt Walsh was nuts when it came to starting the East County Observer in Lakewood Ranch 20 years ago.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 30, 2018
Christmas concert kickstarts holiday season at St. Mary

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church members gathered Nov. 30 for the annual Christmas concert.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chuck Whittall wants an on-site sales office at the former Colony.
    By
  • Suzanne Elliott
  • November 30, 2018
Longboat leaders will talk about, likely vote on, sales office idea Monday

Colony developer wants on-site sales office.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • November 30, 2018
Longboat Key Tennis Center hosts annual senior clay courts tournament

The super category II tournament kicked off on Nov. 27 and runs until Dec. 2.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Veda Krolik and Rhea Krolik take a picture with Santa.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • November 29, 2018
Sarasota Christmas tree lights up

Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota had Santa come into town to light the Christmas tree.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The city posted advisory signs along Main Street about parking restrictions and road closures for Saturday's parade.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 29, 2018
Sarasota Holiday Parade brings Saturday street closings

Event begins at 7 p.m., but parking restrictions and street closings begin a lot earlier.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sean White looks for an open receiver downfield.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 29, 2018
Riverview football reaches state semifinals for first time since 2004

The Riverview High Rams reach the state semifinals with a win against Dr. Phillips, who knocked them out of the playoffs in 2017 and 2016.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Tray Hall stepped up for Cardinal Mooney when the quarterback position took a hit.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 29, 2018
Sarasota high school fall season's under-appreciated athletes

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Leaders throughout the Sarasota area, including Lakewood Ranch and Longboat Key, have expressed a desire in expanding pickleball offerings.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 29, 2018
City, county consider pickleball options

Sarasota officials see opportunities to capitalize on the sport's sustained popularity.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jon Thaxton said there’s no quick fix for Sarasota’s affordability issues, but he’s hopeful officials will pursue a broad program of policies designed to encourage the production of workforce housing units.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 29, 2018
Officials grapple with affordable housing shortage

Sarasota has struggled to create an adequate supply of affordable housing. Can policy changes effectively address this issue?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Downtown Improvement board members said large events, such as the Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts, are the only ones that can afford to pay the fees associated with street closures.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 29, 2018
Downtown leaders talk event opportunities

Officials are exploring the creation of a recurring Main Street event and a new position to oversee downtown promotions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association’s construction safety workshop is part of the organization’s ongoing effort to address development-related issues.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 29, 2018
Residents focus on downtown construction issues

Two city officials, a building professional and a lawyer joined downtown residents Nov. 15 to discuss construction safety.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 29, 2018
Cops Corner: Sarasota 11.28.18

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
City staff has surveyed residents to help craft the parks and recreation master plan.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 28, 2018
Parks master plan set for discussion

City staff is recommending nearly $70 million in parks and recreation upgrades over the next 10 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Phil Pagano poses next to his two new generators. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • November 28, 2018
Your Town

Your Town

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joanne Tachtenberg, Patty Schreiber and Sylvia Bloom.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • November 28, 2018
Women of Temple Sinai learn about SRQ

The women's group were taught about the ins and outs of airport operations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Janielle Silliman. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 28, 2018
University Parkway dentists freshen smiles

Lakewood Ranch kids learn about giving.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key home at 529 Putter Lane recently sold for $3 million. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,917 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $3.3 million in 2008.Â
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 28, 2018
Putter Lane home sells for $3 million

Residential real estate transactions for Nov. 12-16.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
A Lake Club topped at 8007 Bowspirit Way recently sold for $1,673,100. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,966 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 28, 2018
Lake Club home tops local sales at $1,673,100

Lake Club home tops local sales at $1,673,100

  • East County
  • Real Estate
File photos
    By
  • Emily Walsh
  • November 28, 2018
Murf's best friends weren't hard to find

But not all of them could get a coveted table in the Colony Dining Room.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Family and friends gathered at the Makepeace groin over the weekend to remember Dr. Murray "Murf" Klauber.
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • November 28, 2018
'Passion upon passion'

Murf Klauber and the Colony are gone. But the treasures he prized — his beach and Makepeace groin — will remain as lasting legacies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Two properties at 16 Sandy Hook Road recently sold for $5,850,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 28, 2018
Sandy Hook Road properties sell for $5,850,000

Residential real estate transactions for Nov. 12-16.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Grief can be hard on people who have lost a loved one during the holidays, according to Sybil Porter who organized the Hope and Healing grief service.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • November 28, 2018
Harvest United offers holiday grief services in Lakewood Ranch

Those who grieve during the holidays don't have to feel alone.

  • East County
  • News
Maia Robinson is a flower in the play, and her big petals weigh her down a little bit.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • November 28, 2018
Students show their acting chops in Lakewood Ranch

Pre-Kindergarten class performs the classic 'Three Little Pigs.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
School board members Charlie Kennedy and James Golden were two of the last school board members who were elected by countywide votes.
    By
  • Amelia Hanks
  • November 28, 2018
Passed referendum causes concern in East County

Parents, some school board members wonder about the future of single district voting.

  • East County
  • News
James and Misdee Miller said they want to preserve the Sarasota Polo Club as a world class facility.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 28, 2018
High times for polo in Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota Polo Club opens under new owners, James and Misdee Miller.

  • East County
  • 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
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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
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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.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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