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Your Observer

The Rev. Robert Dziedziak, Rev. Kenneth Blyth, Rev. Julia Piermont, Rev. David Marshall, Rabbi Stephen Sniderman, Rev. Brock Patterson and Rev. Jeffrey Nunes processed together in the church for the Interfaith service.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 9, 2024
Where to worship on Longboat Key for the holidays

The Interfaith Ministerium of St. Armands and Longboat Keys host services for all Longboaters to celebrate the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Florida Studio Theatre Arts Plaza will be built next door to the current building on First Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 9, 2024
FST's expansion has first meeting before city staff

Florida Studio Theatre is proposing apartments, hotel rooms, parking deck and new performance spaces in its new Arts Plaza.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch boys golf seniors Henry Burbee, Parker Severs and Luke Wilson led the team to a second place finish in the state championship golf tournament at Mission Inn Resort and Club on Nov. 20.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 9, 2024
3 seniors keep Lakewood Ranch High a dominant golf program

The Mustangs finish second in the state tournament for the second consecutive year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Naples' Kaata Mrachek and Bradenton's Laurence Lederer dance to the beat during the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival Dec. 7 at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 8, 2024
All smiles after blues festival in Lakewood Ranch

Top talent, perfect weather leaves music fans thrilled at Waterside Place.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lauren and Kim Smith, visitors from Pennsylvania, pose for a selfie in front of the tree.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 8, 2024
Downtown Sarasota lights new Christmas tree

The "Light Up The Night" Fresh Fridays event offered live music, a giant snow globe and more, but the focus was the new, larger Christmas tree at Selby Five Points Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The vehicle crashed into the side of the office around 4 p.m. on Sunday.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 8, 2024
Car crashes into side of Main Street office building

The crash took place around 4 p.m. Sunday at an office space occupied by First Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Kyle Battie, Santa Claus, Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch and the Marketing and Events Director for the St. Armands Circle Association Rachel Burns counted down together to light the St. Armands tree.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 8, 2024
St. Armands Circle hosts annual holiday tree lighting

Santa Claus counted down locals and visitors to light the 60-foot Christmas tree in honor of the end of hurricane season and the start to the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jerry Downs ran his 5K with a Santa hat on during a brisk Saturday morning at The Haven of Sarasota.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 8, 2024
Local runners show their holiday spirit at the Jingle Jog 5K in Sarasota

The 27th annual event supports The Haven and is presented by the Manasota Track Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of Longboat Key Turtle Watch met Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium staff to present this year's donations to the facility.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 8, 2024
LBK Turtle Watch donates $10,500 to Mote for education, research

The local organization raises money throughout the year through various programs to help its partners at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The study area for the Main Street Complete Streets project.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2024
Main Street vision community meeting set for Dec. 17

Initial concepts for the Main Street Complete Streets project will be revealed at the Selby Public Library.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gulfside Road, which is usually flooded with large storms, was no different in Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 7, 2024
Resiliency projects likely to rise in priority for Longboat Key after hurricanes

Town staff calculated financial hits from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and anticipate that resiliency will be top of mind for commissioners' future planning.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 7, 2024
Bay Runner service to Lido Key to resume Wednesday

The Bay Runner trolley will restart its route to Ted Sperling Park on Dec. 11 as parking enforcement along Benjamin Franklin Drive will also resume.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jack Rohner (1922-2024)
    In Memoriam |
  • December 6, 2024
Jack Rohner

Jack Rohner, 101, of Sarasota, FL, formerly of Inverness, IL passed away peacefully on December 2, 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Katherine Pike and Rosemarie Tamunday attend the Palm Aire Women's Club luncheon at the Palm Aire Country Club Dec. 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 6, 2024
Palm Aire club hosts a merry luncheon

Members of the women's club donated toys to Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center and enjoyed a holiday choir performance.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The parade helped usher in the holiday season.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 6, 2024
The best holiday events in Sarasota and Siesta Key

Here are events to help you enjoy a merry holiday season.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Charles Shook (1928-2024)
    In Memoriam |
  • December 5, 2024
Charles Shook

Charles Shook (Minister Emeritus, Longboat Island Chapel), died on November 27th at age 96.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Ripped-up drywall in Carolyn Wedekind's house shows how high the water rose during Hurricane Helene's storm surge.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 5, 2024
Longboat ordinance eliminates permit requirement for drywall repair

The emergency ordinance was passed to eliminate a permit requirement, making it easier for single-family property owners to repair drywall after the hurricanes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lights in Bloom features over two million lights.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 5, 2024
See the displays at this year's Lights in Bloom

The holiday display across Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' Downtown Sarasota Campus opens Dec. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Barbara Koetsier browsing the various tree displays at Christmas in the Garden.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 5, 2024
Where to celebrate the holidays on Longboat Key

Longboat Key brings you festive musical performances, homemade goodies and island cheer for the holidays this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Morgan Rudloff looks at "Peace Within" after the sculpture's head collapsed, and the artists finished it off with a crown during the Siesta Key Crystal Classic sand sculpting.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • December 5, 2024
Sarasota County tourism 'normalizing' post-pandemic, optimistic for 2025

After a pandemic-era travel boom, Sarasota is seeing a return to normal, market researchers say, with indications of an uptick in some segments of travelers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney junior defensive lineman Konnor Whitesell leads his team prior to Cardinal Mooney's regional final bout with Bishop Verot.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 5, 2024
Cardinal Mooney, Booker High crowned regional champions

The Cougars and Tornadoes reached the final four of their respective football state championship tournaments.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cross Street is a one-block, one-way street between South Pineapple and South Orange avenues.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 5, 2024
Cross Street right of way remains vacated by the city

Jen Ahearn-Koch motioned and was the only vote in favor of rescinding the Sarasota City Commission's Nov. 4 approval to vacate right of way to developer Orange Pineapple.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A decoration hangs in Siesta Key Village.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 5, 2024
Siesta Key enters the holiday season as it recovers from hurricane devastation

Island residents gradually return to normalcy as the last round of businesses in Siesta Key reopens in time for the holidays.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Unit 1401 condominium at.540 N. Tamiami Trail has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,698 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 5, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 18-22 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Fiddlers Bayou home on Higel Avenue tops the week's sales at $6.45 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Samuel Anderson “Andy” Reasoner (1954-2024)
    In Memoriam |
  • December 4, 2024
Samuel Anderson “Andy” Reasoner

Samuel Anderson “Andy” Reasoner, 69, of Bradenton, FL passed away quietly on Wednesday, November 27 in hospice care at Sarasota Memorial Hospital after a short hospital stay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Bob Bender, Adam Myara, Albert Myara and Bruce Mahnke own Ed's Tavern and McGrath's Kitchen & Cocktails on Main Street.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 4, 2024
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch gets fresh look before 20th anniversary

New restaurants and reimagined dining aim at enticing new customers as Main Street at Lakewood Ranch heads into its 20th anniversary year.

  • East County
  • News
Ava Noto is a sophomore point guard for the Riverview Rams.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 4, 2024
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Ava Noto

The sophomore point guard leads Riverview in points-per-game this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Manatee County is seeking applicants for its Affordable Housing Advisory Board and the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 4, 2024
Manatee County seeking advisory board applicants

Positions are open on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee.

  • East County
  • News
Poor phone etiquette at medical offices is preventing patients from connecting with the necessary medical care they deserve.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 4, 2024
Please answer the call for better doctor's office support

Trying to reach the talent and technology of the health care system can be infuriating.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The Circus Ring of Fame at St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2024
Circus Ring of Fame Awards postponed until 2026

Storm surge damage to the bronze plaques at St. Armands Circle forces cancellation of the 2025 Circus Ring of Fame Awards ceremony.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The location of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and expansion are outlined in red.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 4, 2024
New space on the way for Sarasota County Sheriff's Office

The Sarasota County Commission approved $35 million for headquarters expansion and a new helicopter hangar.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Purple Ribbon Committee has until June 30, 2025 to submit its report on suggestions for repurposing the Van Wezel Peforming Arts Hall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 4, 2024
Van Wezel group shifts to discussion mode as sunset looms

The city's Purple Ribbon Committee has until the end of June to complete its report on repurposing of the performing arts hall as its chair resigns.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney senior Izzy Russell's grit makes her a star on both the school's indoor and beach volleyball teams.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 4, 2024
Cougars volleyball coach immediately saw leadership qualities in Russell

Cardinal Mooney senior Izzy Russell committed to play beach volleyball at Austin Peay State University just five years after taking up the sport.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The home at 550 Wedge Lane has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,649 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 4, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 18-22 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Country Club Shores home on Wedge Lane tops the week's sales at $3.2 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Kandi Kerekes's original logo for Three Island Monkeys.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 4, 2024
Anna Maria Gift Boutique reopens on Longboat Key

Brigette Kubin brings whimsical art and gifts to lighten up Longboaters as they recover after hurricanes Helene and Milton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The roundabout at Gulf of Mexico Drive and Broadway Street is intended to improve safety at the intersection.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 4, 2024
Town updates transportation wish list

Longboat Key commissioners continue advocating to the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization for four town projects.

  • 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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