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Your Observer

The home at 421 Wood Duck Drive has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,052 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 1, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 9-13 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Bird Key and a home in Emerald Harbor top this week's sales at $1.9 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The Word for 2025: ‘Elon’
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 1, 2025
The Word for 2025: ‘Elon’

Elon Musk is flawed. We all are. Nonetheless, Musk is emblematic of the mood of Americans. He symbolizes the can-do, pioneering spirit that made the United States. Forget the moon; shoot for Mars.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
  • By None
  • January 1, 2025
Make Space for Good

As you reflect on your resolutions, take a moment to go through closets, storage bins, and those forgotten corners of your home.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Attendees get busy in a Lego building zone.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 31, 2024
BrickUniverse Lego expo event postponed to November

The Lego fan expo, originally scheduled for Jan. 4-5, will now be held Nov. 22-23.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Don't miss these Sarasota events in 2025
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 31, 2024
Don't miss these Sarasota events in 2025

Here are some of the top picks to mark on your calendar for the new year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The new 120,000-square-foot Sarasota County Administration Center will feature a glass-enclosed stairwell at the center of the building.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 31, 2024
Looking ahead to the top Sarasota County news in 2025

New county buildings, mall redevelopment planning and Siesta Key hotel battles are all in store for the coming year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jon Mongeau, the Florist at Le Gardineu Bleu.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 31, 2024
Jon Mongeau brings extravagant florals to Longboat with Le Gardenia Bleu

From programmer to florist, Jon Mongeau plans to use his 38 years of floral design to mentor new florists and help Longboat Key bloom.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Best Animal Calls of 2024
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 31, 2024
Longboat Key Cops Corner: Best Animal Calls of 2024

Sometimes, the officers of Longboat Key find themselves acting as animal control for the island's residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Brianna Behn scored 25 points in Booker High's win over Charlotte High on Jan. 21.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 31, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Brianna Behn

The Booker High point guard has been a force for the Tornadoes in her senior season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
This Country Club home at 7258 Lake Forest Glen sold for $875,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,496 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 31, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 9-12 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Portlight Court tops the week's sales at $2.35 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The championship field at Sarasota County's 17th Street Park youth softball complex will feature a center field berm for spectators. The field is oriented toward the northeast to avoid direct sun toward home plate.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 30, 2024
Work on reimagined 17th Street Regional Park begins early 2025

The 18-month project first phase is expected to be complete in late 2026, including a youth and adult softball complex and multi-purpose athletic fields.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Attendees get busy in a Lego building zone.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 30, 2024
BrickUniverse event will showcase the creative possibilities of Lego

The Lego fan expo event offers a place for both major artists and hobbyists.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Save these dates in 2025 for Longboat Key events
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 30, 2024
Save these dates in 2025 for Longboat Key events

2025 is a packed year of classic Longboat Key events for all residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Will Parard, the head of culinary for Oysters Rock Hospitality
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 30, 2024
Former Café L'Europe chef leads the restaurant into a new era

New Head of Culinary for Oysters Rock Hospitality Will Parard plans to bring a mix of his Florida roots and unique flavors to Café L'Europe and Anna Maria Oyster Bars.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High sophomore Brett Traver (middle) emerged as the team's third best golfer in 2024. Sophomore Owen Gellaty and senior Luke Wilson work alongside Traver on their bunker play in preparation for the 2024 state tournament.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 30, 2024
The top 10 East County athletes to watch in 2025

These 10 athletes are poised to have big seasons in the new year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Eddy Ossa welcomes grand opening attendees into CreArte Latino.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 29, 2024
CreArte Latino enters the new year with a new space

The organization, which serves as a creative hub for the Hispanic/Latino community, held the grand opening for its space on Dec. 9.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Amy Steinhauser, the executive director of the Paradise Center.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 29, 2024
Executive Director leads Paradise Center into a new era

Following the footsteps of Suzy Brenner, Amy Steinhauser is working on making the center into a place that everyone can call home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center is on track to finish its current expansion project by the spring of 2025.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 29, 2024
Nate's Honor expansion will be wrapped up in spring

The $16.5 million Journey Home Capital Campaign for Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center is expected to be finished by spring.

  • East County
  • News
The Bay Plaza Owners Association has been granted aggreived party status, allowing its appeal of the approval of Obsidian to go forward.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 28, 2024
Bay Plaza owners granted status to appeal Obsidian condo tower

The Planning Board's decision to grant aggrieved party status to Bay Plaza Owners Assocation means it may proceed with an appeal of the administrative approval of the Obsidian condo tower.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Jason Bearden sits in his office at the Manatee County Administration Building.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 28, 2024
Jason Bearden says he is taking a stand against unsupported development

The Manatee County at-large commissioner says he wants roads built first.

  • East County
  • News
It's time to hit the reset button with the new year
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • December 28, 2024
It's time to hit the reset button with the new year

Health is more than being sick or not. It is about balance and can lead to a smoother lifestyle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Sarasota Military Academy is one of six schools in Sarasota that will have speed detection cameras in the school zone.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2024
School zone speed cameras activate Jan. 6

Speeds outside of six Sarasota schools will be monitored by speed detection devices resulting in $100 fines for offenders.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The KSA Architecture rendering of Saravela shows two towers of varying heights.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 27, 2024
Downtown mixed-use development will straddle zoning districts

Saravela is planned for 1.7 acres at North Tamiami Trail between Fourth and Fifth streets. At 11 and 18 stories it will be split by Downtown Bayfront and Downtown Core.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rachel Walmsley lines up a shot during shooting practice at Braden River High School on Thursday, Dec. 12.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 27, 2024
Braden River senior helps JROTC team have a shot at air rifle tournament

Rachel Walmsley is floating on air after winning her region's air rifle match.

  • East County
  • Schools
The sidewalks and shoulders of the Cortez Bridge will experience closures during Manatee County's utility relocation project.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 27, 2024
Utility relocation for Cortez Bridge project will continue through 2025

The work will likely close the shoulder areas of the Cortez Bridge area intermittently through the year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
In 2024, Sarasota proved its strength in its resurgence
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • December 26, 2024
In 2024, Sarasota proved its strength in its resurgence

In a tough year with the hurricanes, Sarasota still had plenty of enjoyable fun and good times.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Friends Laura Salata and Melissa Monoki are preparing to open a brand-new BODYBAR Pilates studio in Lakewood Ranch on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 26, 2024
New Year's resolution leads to new Lakewood Ranch Pilates studio

Two friends mix community and exercise with new Bodybar Pilates location.

  • East County
  • Business
Despite 3 hurricanes, 2024 left Longboat Key smiling
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • December 25, 2024
Despite 3 hurricanes, 2024 left Longboat Key smiling

In 2024, we saved lives of turtles and birds and released them back into nature; we danced on St. Patty's Day and renewed love on Valentine's; and we found wonderful goodies, tastes and drinks only Longboat can dish out.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A condominium in Epoch tops all transactions in this week’s real estate at $11.35 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 5,328 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 25, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for 2024 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

Sarasota condominium sells for $11.35 million, Siesta Key home tops all sales at $15 million..

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
The Elks' Faith Frost joins Prodigal Daughters' Denise Gattuso and Ruth Perez-Hernandez and the Elks' Darrin Simone in distributing toys to kids in need during the Elks Toy Drive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 24, 2024
Elks show their heart in Lakewood Ranch with toys for children in need

More than 7,500 toys were collected during the Elks Toy Drive with help from Walgreens.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Cops Corner: The Best of 2024
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2024
Sarasota Cops Corner: The Best of 2024

Nudes, lewds and dudes highlight this year's greatest hits from the files of the Sarasota Police Department.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Ohana Trustee LLC, trustee, sold two homes at 6633 Gulf of Mexico Drive to SISP 33704 LLC, trustee, for $19.75 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 24, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for 2024 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

Five properties on Longboat and Lido keys sold for more than $10 million this year, led by a two-home property at $19.75 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Our priority: birds, people?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 24, 2024
Our priority: birds, people?

There is a simple solution to the proposed rezoning of the Smith Farm. The Audubon Society and stargazers should buy it.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Victim-offender dialogues help victims’ healing process
  • By Vittorio Nastasi
  • December 24, 2024
Victim-offender dialogues help victims’ healing process

A growing trend known as victim-offender dialogue is showing evidence of addressing many of victims’ needs while at the same time helping prevent recidivism.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Dallas and Elizabeth Dort Residence Hall is among the buildings on the New College East campus adjacent to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2024
2024: Sarasota by the numbers

From hurricane damage to government legal fees, here are some of the most notable figures in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This Lake Club home at 15420 Anchorage Place sold for $6.3 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-three-half baths, a pool and 8,095 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 23, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for 2024 in Lakewood Ranch

Seven properties in Lakewood Ranch sold for more than $4.2 million this year, led by a Lake Club home at $6.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
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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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