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Results for:

Many holiday events took place the first weekend of December, but there are still plenty of opportunities for festive fun to have on the keys.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • December 11, 2025
Catch Santa on Longboat Key before Christmas

It's not too late to share those holiday wishes with Saint Nick before Christmas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Penny Robinson, a member of Fiber Friends, has knitted a couple of bears, a rhinoceros and a hedgehog after being inspired by other artists to do so. Fiber Friends is made up of 28 members who come together to knit, crochet, sew and more.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • November 19, 2025
Fiber Friends of Lakewood Ranch will give you the needle

Whether it is knitting, crocheting or sewing, these club members can spin a yarn that will keep you interested.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jasmine France poses for a photo before a team practice on Oct. 21 at Sarasota High School. The junior nearly broke 20 minutes in her three-mile race last weekend to pace the Sailors.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • October 21, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Jasmine France

The junior for Sarasota girls' cross country placed third in the Out-of-Door Invitational as the Sailors took top honors.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Plans are to replace the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in Newtown with a new building and convert the current structure into outdoor play space.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • December 16, 2025
After years of repairs, Boys & Girls Club plans to rebuild

The Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club plans to replace its existing Newtown facility, which will be converted to outdoor space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kelis McGrady poses for a photo on Dec. 11 before Braden River girls basketball's home game against Manatee. The forward/guard has been the engine behind the Pirates' early-season success.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 15, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kelis McGrady

The junior averaged a double-double through Braden River's first eight games of 2025-26.

  • East County
  • Sports
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire

Frank Rubino started his law enforcement career in 1980 and served Longboat Key for more than a decade.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Concession Golf Club Majority Owner Bruce Cassidy and General Manager Brian Weimann will be the key players in the club hosting the 2026, 2027 and 2028 Senior PGA Championship.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • January 5, 2026
Impactful moments loom for East County's sports landscape in 2026

There's plenty of reasons for local sports enthusiasts to be excited about the year ahead.

  • East County
  • Sports
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade

This year's Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade was the original organizers' "swan song," who hope new blood will take on the parade and keep the Christmas spirit alive.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bob's barricades have found a temporary home outside Lakewood Ranch Town Hall as road crews move them on and off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard as lane closures are required.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • October 27, 2025
Lakewood Ranch-area road projects continue to move forward

Work is wrapping up on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, but lane closures continue on State Road 70 and Upper Manatee River Road.

  • East County
  • News
Alexis LaRocca and Ken Jokisch
  • By Downtown Sarasota Alliance |
  • January 1, 2026
How Two Local Leaders Are Strengthening Community in Downtown Sarasota

Executive Director Ken Jokisch and Secretary Alexis LaRocca are dedicated to building a more vibrant Downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Lakewood Ranch junior goaltender James Devriendt (33) gets some postgame kudos from senior defenseman Jackson Ellis (4). Devriendt's .878 save percentage and 2.05 goals against average through 13 games are both career-best marks on a Mustangs team that has done nothing but win in 2025-26.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • January 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High boys hockey team turns heads with unbeaten streak

The Mustangs have won all their games in the Lightning High School Hockey League.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Rich Vannucci still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • December 24, 2025
After five decades, this Lakewood Ranch Santa continues to spread joy and more

Rich Vannucci, who still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago, isn't ready to put a wrap on his career.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cynthia Jordan poses by the "No. 1 Beach in the USA" sign.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 8, 2026
Parrish resident writes musical about a spiritual awakening on Siesta Key

Inspired by the beauty of Siesta Key, musician Cynthia Jordan has penned a musical set on the island.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball fans cheer from the stands at RP Funding Center in Lakeland. They witnessed the Cougars bring home the first state championship in program history last season, and now, can watch the team vie for a holiday tournament title.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 24, 2025
Holiday hoops make for a merry time

The area's high school basketball teams will travel across the state and beyond for tournament play.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputies are stationed at the exit of Cars and Coffee Nov. 8.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • November 19, 2025
Cars & Coffee cuts the gas on revving engines

Organizers of the Sarasota event warned motorists to quiet down or be banned from all future events.

  • East County
  • News
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 15, 2025
Stormwater, budget and spiffing up Siesta Key named county priorities

Sarasota County commissioners worked on their to-do list for the coming calendar year at their annual retreat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lawyer gets propositioned by pretend pervert client
  • By Observer Staff |
  • November 12, 2025
Lawyer gets propositioned by pretend pervert client

A female attorney reports receiving lewd texts. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
A group from Wilkinson Elementary gathers that includes Quinn Doan, 8, Elise Aponte, Jody Osceola, Jayden Doan, 4, Maya Perez, 12, Nikolas Perez, 8, Lucas Perez, 14, and Jennifer Perez.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 24, 2025
Nonprofit provides Christmas trees to those in need

The emerging nonprofit Thanks for Giving Trees, which honors the legacy of Joshua Morris, gave away its 1,000th tree on Dec. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joan M. Durante Community Park, Longboat Key.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • December 16, 2025
Longboat Key's Durante Park reopens after hurricane repairs

Fourteen months after the 2024 hurricanes, boardwalks on the 1.4-mile walking trail have been repaired, and the park has reopened to visitors.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota Ballet will perform "Valses nobles et sentimentales" by Sir Frederick Ashton in Program Two: "Written Motion," on Nov. 21-22 at the Sarasota Opera House.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • November 18, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Nov. 20-26

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
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