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Your Observer

This nativity scene is a serene pond-side display at the corner of Clubhouse Drive and Pine Meadow Way.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 21, 2015
East County holiday lights you don't want to miss

If touring neighborhood lights is your holiday tradition, here's a few in East County you should be sure to check off your list.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County students are on winter break from Dec. 21 to Jan. 3, and return to school Jan. 4.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 21, 2015
Manatee County schools, offices closed for holidays

County schools will reopen Jan. 4.

  • East County
  • News
Chloe Wass has a blast going down the snow slide.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 21, 2015
Residents delight in cooler temperatures for Snow Fest

Carnival foods, rides and attractions bring out families during cold weekend for Snow Fest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A Savor the Sounds concert event planned for Jan. 23 at Bayfront Park will include a fireworks display.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 21, 2015
Fireworks celebration rescheduled for January

A Savor the Sounds concert event planned for Jan. 23 at Bayfront Park will include a fireworks display.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
None of the vehicles were locked.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 21, 2015
Three arrested in Heritage Harbour car burglaries

A fourth suspect is being interviewed.

  • East County
  • News
Dylan Cameron and Hunter Reed both went 8-0 at the Southside Duals Dec. 18 and Dec. 19.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 21, 2015
Lakewood grapplers post third-place finish

The Lakewood Ranch High wrestling team had three individuals winners at the Southside Duals.

  • East County
  • Sports
Entrepreneur Mike Evanoff recently revamped storefronts on Main Street in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 21, 2015
Top Story — January: White Buffalo owner mulls plans for nearby property

Entrepreneur Mike Evanoff is considering an upscale gun range or gun shop near the successful White Buffalo Saloon.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Madelyn Kumar doesn’t want to wait until she graduates from college to experience life in the “real world.” So, she didn’t.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2015
Top Story — January: Students take on real world connections

The Future Problem Solving Program International program promotes critical and creative thinking in students in grades fourth through 12th.

  • East County
  • News
A fire at the Lido Beach Holiday Inn forced an evacuation this morning, but didn’t cause major structural damage or leave anyone injured.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 21, 2015
Top Story — January: Lido Beach resort fire forces evacuation

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

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Great Lawn is covered in larger-than-life butterflies.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 19, 2015
Selby comes to light with Lights In Bloom

Families stroll Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for 12th annual Lights In Bloom exhibit.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2015
Runners jingle in Lakewood Ranch

More than 2,000 runners participated.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
CDD 1 supervisors hope friends of the boys who died will place flowers and other memorabilia at an alternative site.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2015
Lakewood Ranch CDD 1 has new plan for memorial site

Supervisors hope a bench can serve as a new, safer memorial location.

  • East County
  • News
Jose Escobar, of Bradenton, shows off his early Christmas present.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2015
Salvation Army of Manatee County distributes gifts to families

The organization collected thousands of toys through its Angel Tree program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Growth in the healthcare and education sectors has helped drive the unemployment rate down, and actually served to buoy the local economy during the recession, according to local metro area data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 18, 2015
INTERACTIVE: Sarasota’s unemployment rate continues to fall

With about 1,600 fewer unemployed residents in November than the same month in 2014, the local jobless rate continues its decline to 4.5%.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 18, 2015
Siesta Key Condominium Council announces lighting contest winners

The annual contest decides the best and brightest of the council's members.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
CEO Richard Fletcher, COO Chris Loftus and Chief Nursing Officer Judy Young judged the entrees. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 18, 2015
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center staff sweeten up hospital café

Twelve departments participated in a gingerbread house contest this week.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • December 18, 2015
The Rev. Michael Mansperger celebrates 25 years

The Rev. Michael Mansperger celebrated 25 years of service to the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant Dec. 17, at Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
There is light rain and cloudy skies this morning on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 18, 2015
Cold front passes through the area today

Light rain and cloudy skies this morning is part of a cold front passing through that's bringing cooler temperatures to the area.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 18, 2015
Planning Commission moves Whole Foods, Wawa forward

Sarasota county commissioners will decide in January whether to allow developers to remove wetlands to build a commercial center.

  • East County
  • News
Mykayla Graham's first glance at the present room where children were able to take their pick of three gifts to bring home.
    By
  • Amanda Morales
  • December 18, 2015
Boys & Girls Club gifts holiday party to students

Children played games, met Santa Claus and picked out presents at the Lee Wetherington branch Boys & Girls Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Runners will start the 3.1 mile run around 7 p.m.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 18, 2015
Jingle 5K/Walk hits Lakewood Ranch

More than 2,000 runners are expected to participate.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jack Short
  • December 17, 2015
Siesta Key leaders judge Condo Lighting Contest

This year's contest had lights, egg nog, and holiday cheer to spare.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The chorus, grades three through five, performed for the school Thursday morning.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 17, 2015
Bashaw Elementary chorus sing holiday tunes

The chorus performed for the school Thursday morning.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Bee Ridge Road improvement project will temporarily close down some side streets and a lane of traffic. File photo.
    By
  • Jessica Salmond
  • December 17, 2015
FDOT to launch $17 million Bee Ridge project

The project begins in January and will last two years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brianna Duff is frozen while she plays a doll in a toy store.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 17, 2015
Gullett Elementary students visit toy land

The East County school put its own spin on life through a toy's eyes in 'Toys in Storage.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
New Longboat Key crosswalks aren’t completely operational yet.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 17, 2015
Crosswalk lighting malfunction being addressed

Longboat Key crosswalk signs are covered this week while a contractor works to solve an electrical issue.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County Sheriff's deputies are collecting evidence from homeowners, Lakewood Ranch Community Development District's and the community's homeowners' association.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 17, 2015
Youth vandalize property in Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club

More than a dozen stop, speed and golf cart crossing signs were knocked down, among other damages.

  • East County
  • News
Riverview High alum Nick Havener now plays for Boston University. Photo Courtesy Jim Pierce, BU Athletics
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2015
Sarasota High 5 Moments: 12.17.15

Sarasota High 5 Moments: 12.17.15

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota Christian sophomore Alyssa Schrag scored 11 points Dec. 10.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2015
Sarasota Sidelines: 12.17.15

Sarasota Sidelines: 12.17.15

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota resident Ronn Wyckoff, 73, won a pair of gold medals at the Florida Senior Games Dec. 12, in Clearwater.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2015
Master of the Charity Stripe

Sarasota resident won a pair of gold medals in free throw shooting and spot field goal shooting at the Florida Senior Games Dec. 12, in Clearwater.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Skylar Jungers was one of three seniors honored Dec. 10.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 17, 2015
Sarasota Just the Stats: 12.17.15

Sarasota Just the Stats: 12.17.15

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2015
Longboat Key weather page photo: Dec. 17

Kathleen Donohue submitted this photo of a Longboat Key sunset.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
East County weather page photo: Dec. 17
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2015
East County weather page photo: Dec. 17

Nina Martinelli submitted this photo of a sunrise taken near Fresh Market on University Parkway.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota weather page photo: Dec. 17
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2015
Sarasota weather page photo: Dec. 17

Tre Michel submitted this photo of a Siesta Key sunset.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2015
Why Trump is on top

Sir Isaac Newton and the late economist Friedrich Hayek have rational explanations for why the Donald is running so far ahead of the Republican pack. It’s physics and math.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2015
$14.5 million for Bobby Jones?

Bobby Jones Golf Club will celebrate its 89th anniversary on Feb. 13

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center
2
Bella Toscano is one of two Mustangs, as of April 3, hitting over .450, but also boasts the lowest ERA among her teammates.
  • April 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Toscano
3
DragonBoot Quartet performs the world premiere of Roger Zare’s “Gamma” for string quartet for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota on April 12.
  • April 6, 2026
Pine View grad solves for 'Gamma' in his latest music composition
4
Benderson Development's latest plans for the former Sarasota County Administrative Center property as presented to Laurel Park residents in December 2025.
  • April 6, 2026
Benderson begins trek through rezoning of 1660 Ringling Boulevard
5
Emi Frydman checks out the basket of Easter eggs her family members found at the April 4 egg hunt at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. The Easter activities, open to the public, made their return for the first time since the early 2020s through the efforts of church members.
  • April 6, 2026
Back from pre-COVID hiatus, St. Armands hosts Easter bash

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