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Your Observer

    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 25, 2016
Top Story — April: Daiquiri Deck to open south Siesta location

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2016
Top Story — April: Rowing toward Rio

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • East County
  • News
Paul Reubens chats with Conan O'Brien Thursday.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 25, 2016
Top Story — April: Pee-wee talks Sarasota on Conan

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Adam Elshimy
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 24, 2016
Dear Santa, how great are these letters?

Local elementary students pour our their hearts to Kris Kringle.

  • East County
  • News
Amanda Broadway has opened a personal assistant business in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 24, 2016
For Lakewood Ranch business owner, saving time is personal

Side of Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 24, 2016
Top Story — March: Gulf Gate lures young entrepreneurs

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2016
Top Story — March: Longboat Key medical center sets opening date

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 24, 2016
Top Story — March: Major League Football's inaugural season in doubt

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kevin McQuaid
  • December 23, 2016
Top Story — February: Mall at UTC owner sues Jackie Z

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 23, 2016
Top Story — February: Taylor Swift cuts check for Sarasota fundraiser

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2016
Top Story — February: Village brawl makes a splash

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 22, 2016
Plymouth Harbor unveils new auditorium

Pilgrim Hall hadn't been renovated for more than 30 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The state plans to issue a permit for a project to take sand from Big Pass and install protective groins on Lido Key.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 22, 2016
State intends to issue Big Pass dredge permit

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection plans to issue a permit for the proposed Army Corps of Engineers project to dredge Big Pass to renourish Lido Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fredd Atkins has served on the City Commission from 1985-1995 and 2003-2011.
    By
  • David Conway
  • December 22, 2016
Atkins seeks return to City Commission

Former Mayor Fredd "Glossie" Atkins has filed to enter next year’s City Commission election, becoming the fifth candidate in the race for two at-large seats.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2016
City should embrace public development review process

Our city streets are becoming alleyways where walkers are intimidated by height and mass crowding.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 22, 2016
At the time of Christ's birth

under Herod, the Jews managed to live with what biblical historian James Edward Talmadge called 'some semblance of national autonomy.'

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 22, 2016
Top Story — January: Thunder by the Bay concerns linger for businesses, officials

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2016
Top Story — January: Sarasota County commissioners approve Whole Foods project

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2016
Top Story — January: El Nino steals sand from eroded shoreline

Catch up on the hottest news items of the of the year with the Observer’s Digital Year in Review.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2016
Longboat Key weather page photo: Dec. 22

Kathy Schwartz captured this sunset shot one evening on Lido Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2016
East County weather page photo: Dec. 22

While out bike riding on the weekend, Jeannie Sparks captured this image of a croton in Lakewood Ranch near Greenbrook Boulevard.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2016
Sarasota weather page photo: Dec. 22

Norma Pennington captured this photo of a frog in the morning dew in her Venice neighborhood.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • December 22, 2016
Sarasota lights up the night with holiday cheer

We’ve tracked down the merriest and brightest light displays to get you in the holiday spirit.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alex Turner powers up a right-footed shot.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 22, 2016
Cardinal Mooney soccer player reflects on scoring 100 goals

He is the first player in school history to hit triple digits.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Katie Stults, Reese Nippert, Ciara Perez, Collier Moser, Carley Ramsden, Rylee Roads and Kelly Collins.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 22, 2016
Girls on the Run teaches lessons that everyone should learn

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 22, 2016
That's the ticket ...

The top match-ups this week in Sarasota sports.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cellexia Foster shoots over a defender.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 22, 2016
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 12.22.16

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 12.22.16

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team (16-1) defeated Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School 66-50 on Wednesday night.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 21, 2016
Lakewood Ranch girls basketball takes down Brooks DeBartolo

The Mustangs are now 16-1 on the season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Golf scores, plus big time offers on the table for a Braden River running back.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 21, 2016
East County Wednesday Roundup: 12.21.16

Golf scores, plus big time offers on the table for a Braden River running back.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mote' s Standing Investigations team conducted a necropsy on the dolphin on Tuesday, Dec. 20. Photo courtesy of Mote.
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • December 21, 2016
Mote recovers dead dolphin off Longboat Key

The dolphin suffered from signs of lung issues and a moderate parasite load.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Justin Halas said he can' t fathom he is teaching a "High on Jesus" class.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 21, 2016
Former addict now leads church group in Lakewood Ranch

Harvest United Methodist Church supports man's redemption in leading recovery ministry.

  • East County
  • News
Eyob Fulmer, 3, eagerly eats a bowl of chicken Alfredo, fed to him by his mom, Ashlie Fulmer.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 21, 2016
Adoption story adds cheer to holiday season

Adoption story proves lesson in God's timing.

  • East County
  • News
USA Group's Lance Craft and Ben Edmond say the company wants community support before it will move forward with installing small cell to improve cellular service in Lakewood Ranch. USA Groups is targeted communities that value aesthetics.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 21, 2016
Lakewood Ranch target of new cellular technology

A cell tower developer says it can help improve service in Lakewood Ranch, while maintaining community aesthetics.

  • East County
  • News
The outlook for The Shore at Longboat Key will offer diners a view of Sarasota Bay. Terry O'Connor
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • December 21, 2016
The Shore on Longboat Key snags MoZaic chef

The Shore is one of four restaurant projects planned or underway on the Key. Here are a few details on the new dining landscape.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The renovation for the north Longboat Key Fire Rescue Station at 5492 Gulf of Mexico Drive less extensive, according to Fire Chief Paul Dezzi. Lt. Bryan Clark works on a truck while airing out the apparatus bays, Terry O'Connor
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • December 21, 2016
Station renovation plans show two-for-one price

After being told to bring down costs, Longboat Key Fire Rescue will ask the Town Commission for renovations to both fire stations on the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Marvin Quin, Lew Lawrence and Rob Harlan aboard Quin’s 37-foot sailboat at Bird Key Yacht Club.
    By
  • Terry O’Connor
  • December 21, 2016
Skippers disagree with push for bridge changes

The Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force is circulating a petition to prohibit certain bridge openings.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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.
  • 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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