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Your Observer

    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • December 8, 2017
Third-graders present Elvis Presley as 'Elfis' in holiday extravaganza

Willis Elementary School students believed Elfis to be an elf impersonator.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 8, 2017
Southside Village hosts annual Holiday Stroll

The event benefits Girls Inc. of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nancy Detert was elected to the Sarasota County Commission in 2016.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2017
Sarasota commissioners pick Detert as 2018 chair

Hines chosen as vice chair; Moran will be 2018's Pro Tem

  • Sarasota
  • News
Arist Lucy Sparrow speaks at the 2017 PINC conference.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 8, 2017
Sarasota hosts annual PINC conference

Sarasota residents and visitors gathered at the Sarasota Opera House for the annual People, Ideas, Creativity and Nature conference on Dec. 7 .

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mental Health Community Centers Chairman of the Board David Fawkes welcomes guests to the annual High Hopes Breakfast on Dec. 7 at Michael's On East.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 8, 2017
Mental Health Community Centers share hope with breakfast

Mental Health Community Centers discussed to future of mental illness treatment Dec. 7 at Michael's On East.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Commissioners are sad to see Harmer go, as he is one of many county employees that now work for the town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • December 8, 2017
Harmer says goodbye to county

Tom Harmer starts working for the town of Longboat Key on Dec. 11.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 8, 2017
Ringling rings in the holidays

The Ringling welcomed a host of festive performances during its Holiday Splendor event on Dec. 7.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 7, 2017
Cops Corner: Hit and run car wipes out pedestrian-crossing sign

Police reports from around Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Ann Garberding and Victoria Buckler
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 7, 2017
St. Armands Key Lutheran Church celebrates the advent

Congregants gathered to toast to the season on Dec. 6 at Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Greta the Great White Shark is one of seven marine-debris sculptures in Mote's newest exhibit.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 7, 2017
Mote ready to talk trash with new exhibit

Mote's newest exhibit, 'Sea Debris: Awareness through Art,' opens to the public Saturday, Dec. 9.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bailey went before the Board of Zoning Appeals earlier this year, but they upheld the zoning administrator's interpretation. Now he and his clients are asking for an amendment to the code.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • December 7, 2017
Siesta Key setback requirements up for debate again

Gary Kompothecras and his attorney have been working to reduce the setback requirements on Siesta Key all summer, as part of Kompothecras' efforts to build a hotel on the Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Samantha Castro and Savana Durr, who play for the Real So Cal club team, look at the 1991 Women's World Cup trophy on Thursday at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2017
U.S women's soccer faces England at Premier Sports Campus

Match will be played at 6:30 p.m. Thursday as part of Winter Showcase.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 7, 2017
L'Ambiance dresses up for the holidays

L'Ambiance employees and residents challenge other Longboat Key condominium communities to collect toys and donations for local charities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
September: Scott Veix captured this photo after Hurricane Irma dropped the top of a Cook pine, giving an up-close look at something not normally seen in Braden Woods.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 7, 2017
Scroll through your monthly weather and nature photo contest winners for Fall

See your September through December winners here!

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
With an operational capacity of 867, things at the jail on Main Street are already tight.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • December 7, 2017
County examines ideas to reduce jail population

It's the same conversation the county had ten years ago, when several programs were implemented or revamped. It's time to do it again.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The county-owned parcels at the corner of Palmer Boulevard and Apex Road have been disputed all year. Now residents have a chance to tell commissioners exactly what they’d like to see done with the land.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • December 7, 2017
Residents to give commission ideas for future of county-owned land

A group of homeowners united under an initiative called Fresh Start want to offer ideas on what the county should do with two parcels of surplus land outside the Celery Fields.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Premier Sports Campus is 127 acres and has 22 fields for soccer and other sports.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 7, 2017
Manatee County approves Premier Sports Campus purchase

The deal also includes an option for additional acreage.

  • East County
  • News
Siesta Key residents contend the dredging of Big Pass could harm their popular beach.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • December 7, 2017
Siesta, Lido sides prepare for Big Pass court hearing

Fundraising efforts are ongoing for all parties as they try to cover mounting legal costs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney coach Mike Urban asks a referee about a non-call against Sarasota Christian.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 7, 2017
New coach has Cougars boys basketball on the prowl

Cardinal Mooney is 3-0 after winning five games last season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Malachi Wideman dunks against North Port High last season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 7, 2017
Riverview star's offseason injury puts talent in perspective

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Dante Pascarella.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 7, 2017
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Dante Pascarella

The Cardinal Mooney boys basketball senior talks injuries and never giving up on anything.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 7462 Cove Terrace recently sold for $2,995,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 7, 2017
Cove Terrace home sells for $2,995,000

Residential real estate transactions for Nov. 20-24.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Residents have reported issues with downtown construction on Palm Avenue and elsewhere.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 7, 2017
Residents press for action on construction issues

City officials say their options are limited for addressing safety problems associated with downtown construction sites.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A plaque near the entrance to Marina Jack explains the significance of the daily playing of taps.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 7, 2017
Taps at Marina Jack honors fallen heroes

A partnership between the marina’s parent company and a military nonprofit has created a daily ritual along the waterfront.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Downtown Improvement proposed a gateway sign modeled after the old Hover Arcade on the bayfront.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 7, 2017
City defers decision on downtown gateway sign

As city staff plots a comprehensive wayfinding system, downtown stakeholders are hoping for quick action.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Susannah Ross and Gina Ford say public input will play a substantial role in guiding a forthcoming bayfront master plan.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 7, 2017
Planners prepare to reshape Sarasota's bayfront

In just eight months, a Boston-area planning firm hopes to have a blueprint for redeveloping the bayfront that everyone can support. How will they get there?

  • Sarasota
  • News
The strict geometry of the home’s façade is enlivened by tropical plants. The home is thought to be the work of Ralph and William Zimmerman, father and son architects of the Sarasota School.
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • December 7, 2017
Checking all the boxes

A Sapphire Shores beauty offers just about everything.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 7, 2017
Cops Corner: Sarasota 12.7.17

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 6, 2017
Lakewood Ranch women dance night away

Twentieth annual event benefits three local charities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
UnidosNow Executive Director Luz Corcuera speaks to donors, staff and program participants at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County on Dec. 6.
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 6, 2017
Community Foundation highlights UnidosNow program

The organizations offered donors and staff a look at its dual generational approach to student success.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 6, 2017
Garden Club cheers to the holidays

The Longboat Key Garden Club hosted its annual holiday party Dec. 6 at The Beach House Restaurant.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • December 6, 2017
Students' display a new state of mind upon return from Broadway

Lakewood Ranch theater students have bring back extra confidence after New York trip.

  • East County
  • Schools
Residents gathered at Longboat Island Chapel Dec. 5 for FDOT's latest showcase of its barrier island traffic solutions.
    By
  • Bret Hauff
  • December 6, 2017
Longboat residents skeptical about latest traffic study

The Florida Department of Transportation hosted a showcase Dec. 5 of its latest ideas for solving congested traffic.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 6, 2017
Chamber networks with neighbors

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce members mingled with members from the Anna Maria Island and Manatee chambers of commerce on Dec. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School senior Carlos Moreno practices his solo he will perform Dec. 9 at the Young Lions Jazz Master Sessions at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • December 6, 2017
Lakewood Ranch students jazzed to perform in Clearwater this weekend

Mustangs showcase their talent at the Young Lions Jazz Master Sessions.

  • East County
  • Schools
East County’s Ashley Zalkin had discovered residents couldn’t get prepackaged Jell-O Shots.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • December 6, 2017
Myakka City resident gets her shot at success with new Jell-O shot company

East County entrepreneur launches Original Jel Shot Company.

  • East County
  • Business
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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