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Your Observer

An aerial picture of the beach near Bayfront Park in October 2024 shows how storm surge washed over the beach and impacted dune height and vegetation.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 4, 2024
Hurricanes shifted 60% of Longboat Key sand placed since 2021

Town staff and coastal consultants explained how the dunes lost height and vegetation and pressed the need for a long-term solution to one of the island's most erosive areas.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Man loses job, gets evicted, goes to jail
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 4, 2024
Man loses job, gets evicted, goes to jail

On a family disturbance call, a man who just lost his job and is losing his home is discovered to have outstanding warrants. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Insanity: St. Armands floods
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 4, 2024
Insanity: St. Armands floods

Given St. Armands Circle's economic importance, it makes sense to explore preventing annual flooding.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Marianne Beckett (1935-2024)
    In Memoriam |
  • December 3, 2024
Marianne Beckett

It is with great sorrow and much love that the family of Marianne Ondocin Beckett announce her peaceful passing at home on November 25, 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Pine View School was evacuated Tuesday morning after a bomb threat was reported.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2024
Pine View School evacuated after bomb threat

The incident also may be connected to other false alarms across the U.S.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Shirley Mae Hampton Noyes (1928-2024)
    In Memoriam |
  • December 3, 2024
Shirley Mae Hampton Noyes

Shirley Mae Hampton Noyes 8/19/28-11/26/24. A full life well lived.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Cold-weather shelters opening in Sarasota, Manatee
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 3, 2024
Cold-weather shelters opening in Sarasota, Manatee

Two shelter locations will be available in Sarasota County and one in Manatee County as temperatures are expected to dip into the mid-40s.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jon Mongeau, Lita and John Brannan are the owners of Le Gardenia Bleu.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 3, 2024
New flower shop opens before hurricanes on Longboat Key

Le Gardenia Bleu aims to bring hope to Longboat Key with its unique trinkets from local artists and accessible flowers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
16-year-old Broden Beorlegui is a star forward on the Lakewood Ranch boys varsity soccer team.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 3, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Broden Beorlegui

The junior forward leads the Lakewood Ranch boys varsity soccer team in goals this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ursula Abplanalp and Kelly Shrout place a white ornament on the Community tree.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 3, 2024
Longboat Island Chapel kicks off Christmas in the Garden

As the island recovers from the hurricane season, the chapel hopes to provide holiday cheer and strength through its holiday display in December.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River High School JROTC cadets volunteer for Manatee County Habitat for Humanity. They work on refurbishing a home with hopes of the new owners being able to move in by Christmas.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2024
Braden River High JROTC cadets volunteer for Habitat for Humanity

Cadets help refurbish a home for new owners as a service project.

  • East County
  • Schools
The new pavilion will be built with steel and cement. It will also feature a more open layout.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 3, 2024
Pavilion construction progresses at Greenbrook Adventure Park

The roof of the Lakewood Ranch park pavilion should be in place in January.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River sophomore guard Jerrod Long (front) has a laugh during practice with junior forward Sebastian Rivera.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 3, 2024
Braden River High basketball is hungry for more

The Pirates look to defend their district title in the 2024-25 season.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Celery Fields is a more than 300-acre property that doubles as Sarasota County's primary stormwater collection zone as well as a public park and bird estuary.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • December 3, 2024
Opponents of development near Celery Fields gearing up for next battle

Sarasota County commissioners will decide the matter early next year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Man frustrated with broken ATM calls Longboat Key police
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 3, 2024
Man frustrated with broken ATM calls Longboat Key police

The man needed cash and thought the police could assist. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
This Concession home at 20819 Parkstone Terrace sold for $5.95 million. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,998 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 3, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 18-22 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Parkstone Terrace tops the week's sales at $5.95 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sharon Meier, Melanie Dale, Susan Loprete and Debra Sauers welcome back Longboat Key Garden Club at its annual welcome back party.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 3, 2024
Longboat Garden Club releases cookbook to fund environmental recovery

As it welcomes back members, the club plans to focus on the re-beautification of Longboat Key after the impact of hurricanes Helene and Milton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Commission has denied a coastal setback variance for the lot outlined in green on Siesta Beach.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 3, 2024
County denies variance for Siesta Key beachfront home

The owner of a beachfront lot on Siesta Key was denied a coastal setback variance that would have also allowed use of a pedestrian access as a driveway.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Public Works Director Isaac Brownman will officially take over as Assistant Town Manager in January 2025.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 3, 2024
Public Works Director Isaac Brownman accepts assistant town manager job

Brownman is looking forward to taking the next step in his career and, along with it, a larger role in the town of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Mary Lou Davidson's dog Lyra is blessed by Prayer Chaplain Jacqueline Fitzgerald.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2024
Holiday Pet Blessing at Unity of Sarasota celebrates the joy of pets

Moving to December this year, the annual event welcomed pets for blessings by the church's prayer chaplains.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Staff from Michael Saunders & Company gather at their float.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2024
Siesta Key parade kicks off the holiday season

The annual event, hosted by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, helped support the community and its businesses.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River Middle School Principal Kimberlain Zenon has been named the School District of Manatee County's Principal of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 2, 2024
Braden River Middle principal named Manatee's Principal of the Year

Kimberlain Zenon grew with Braden River Middle, going from parent to teacher to principal.

  • East County
  • Schools
Alyssa Saggese, Justin Fiedler and Cameron Dempsey
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 2, 2024
Black Friday Block Party offers post-Thanksgiving excitement

Celebrating Goose Island beer, the event also featured offerings including vendors, live music and a cornhole tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Florida Premier FC SWFL teammates Julian Paz (front) and Octavio Rodriguez run drills during practice.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 2, 2024
East County soccer players rise to a new challenge

Florida Premier FC SWFL makes waves in its first year in the UPSL.

  • East County
  • Sports
Some houses along Gulfside Road were completely destroyed.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 2, 2024
How can the Sarasota area change course for future hurricane adaptation?

Local climate expert Bob Bunting, CEO of the Climate Adaptation Center, weighs in on what the Sarasota region could do to be more proactive about more frequent storms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Laurel Park resident Jackie Haywood hangs an ornament on the tree in the gazebo on Saturday, Nov. 30.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • December 1, 2024
Laurel Park residents gather for clean-up duty

Volunteers get together to spruce up the local park and decorate the Christmas tree in the gazebo.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tom Brugos, the STEM teacher, never thought when he started at Gene Witt Elementary School in 1994 that he would have 3D printers, robots and drones.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 1, 2024
Gene Witt Elementary School celebrates its 30th anniversary

Founding teachers say the family atmosphere and values of the school stay strong 30 years after it was built.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Pam Hazelwood shows off her ornament in progress.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 30, 2024
Ornament workshop kicks off the holidays in Lakewood Ranch

Arts A Blaze Studio hosted A Very Merry Ornament Workshop at The Grove.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Garrett Dakin is one of Gerry Dakin's four nephews that took over the farm in May.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 30, 2024
Dakin Dairy Farms increases its focus on education

The farm continues to be revamped since former owner Jerry Dakin's nephews took over in May.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Manatee Community Foundation
  • November 30, 2024
Five Things You Didn't Know About Manatee Community Foundation

As we move forward, we hope to closely partner with our donors, fellow foundations, government officials, the business community, and our esteemed nonprofit partners — because philanthropy is a team sport.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
FPL volunteers decorated Longboat Key Fire Station 92 for the holidays.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • November 29, 2024
FPL volunteers decorate Longboat Key Fire Rescue Station for the holidays

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue was the first stop in a holiday makeover tour of local police and fire stations by Florida Power and Light.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Volunteers Terry Dale and Carol Glider, both of Bradenton, stand on either side of Tidewell Foundation President Delesa Morris as they pack meals during the fifth annual Meal Drive Nov. 27.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 29, 2024
Tidewell Foundation volunteers give back during Thanksgiving

More than 500 meals delivered to those in need during the holidays in Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto and Charlotte counties.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Omar Delgado said he was going to "justify the meal" with a Thanksgiving morning run at the Florida Turkey Trot.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 28, 2024
A slice of turkey and a side of love at the Florida Turkey Trot in Sarasota

The beloved event drew 3,693 entries for the 5K and hundreds more for the kids races at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Igor Pertile works with the plants.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 28, 2024
Farmer education program gives aspiring growers a head start in the field

UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County has partnered with Mote Aquaculture Research Park to use its facility for the program, which gives farmers hands-on farming and business development experience.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rick Piccolo has spent 30 of his 53-year airport career at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • November 28, 2024
Retiring SRQ airport chief rose from the janitor's closet to executive suite

Rick Piccolo began his 53-year career scrubbing toilets at a Buffalo airport. He will leave SRQ after 30 years doing having learned nearly every airport job along the way.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Unit 1003 condominium at 410 S. Palm Ave. has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,975 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 28, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 11-27 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis

A condominium in Savoy on Palm tops the week's sales at $3.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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