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Your Observer | All

Fabian and Pascale Hoyez
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • January 2, 2026
Selby Gardens rings in 2026 with guests aglow

A jovial crowd enjoyed a private display of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' Lights in Bloom before dinner, dancing and a front-row seat to Sarasota's fireworks at midnight.

  • Black Tie
Helen Rhodes Woodward Searle (1946-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • January 2, 2026
Helen Rhodes Woodward Searle

Helen Rhodes Woodward Searle, 79, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2025, surrounded by her family.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
On vacation from chilly Pittsburgh are the Matt family: Joe, 6-year old Everly, Brionna and 3-year old Ada.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 2, 2026
Pineapple Drop ushers out a 'perfect square year'

Sarasota's 26th annual New Year's Eve celebration drew about 40,000 downtown to welcome in 2026 with its time-honored tradition.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus was designed in 1926 by architect M. Leo Elliott. Sweet Sparkman completed a restoration that preserves the school’s architectural integrity while supporting continued modern educational use.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2026
Heritage Awards celebrate Sarasota County's connection to the past

Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation will honor 11 at a ceremony in April.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dr. Wilhelmine Wiese-Rometsch (center), received the 2025 Outstanding Contributions to Advancing the Careers of Women in Medicine Award, resented by Florida American College of Physicians Chapter Governors Dr. Elisa Sottile, and Dr. Ankush Bansalat the chapter’s annual scientific meeting in Orlando.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 2, 2026
SMH physician earns statewide award for women's career advancement

Sarasota Memorial's Dr. Wilhelmine Wiese‑Rometsch was honored with the Outstanding Contributions to Advancing the Careers of Women in Medicine Award by the American College of Physicians.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Rendering of the proposed Shore restaurant as viewed from North Boulevard of the Presidents.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 2, 2026
FEMA '50% rule' could be key factor for return of Shore to St. Armands

The popular restaurant might be required to shore up flood resiliency as it pursues plans to return to St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jessie O Brien is visiting from Ireland and chose to celebrate the new year alongside Lakewood Ranch's Ciara Daly at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 1, 2026
Crowd rings in the new year at Waterside Place

From activities for kids, to live music, to a drone show, there was something for people of all ages.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Left: Austin Gordon Jr., known as “AJ,” was born at 1:25 a.m. to first-time parents Isabel Castillo and Austin Gordon. Right: Corey Gifford and William Zimmerman welcomed their son, Zaiden Amaris Zimmerman, affectionately known as “Zaz,” at 12:50 a.m.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2026
SMH's first babies arrive early in 2026

Zaz and AJ were born at the health system's Venice and Sarasota hospitals.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gabriella Brinceanu, 14, and her sister, Alaina Brinceanu, 3, work together to pop the bubbles at the Fourth of July All-American Cookout at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Attendees enjoyed the bubble show by Blaise Ryndes, who has appeared on “America’s Got Talent.”
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 1, 2026
Sarasota's top moments of the year, in pictures

There were plenty of ups and downs in the past 12 months, and the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer was there to capture it all. Here are some of our favorite moments of 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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
The rendering of the exterior of the Sarasota Orchestra Music Hall demonstrates the concept of integrating water features, landscaping and building design.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • December 31, 2025
For Sarasota arts groups, 2025 was a year of shifting sands

The arts community cleaned up after the storms, faced changing political winds and broke ground on ambitious new projects.

  • Arts + Culture
The home at 1378 Harbor Drive
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 31, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for 2025 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Sarasota home sells for $9.5 million; Siesta Key home tops all sales at $10.35 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
With a hearty collective effort, community members help “push in” the newest fleet addition at Fire Station 92 during a March 25 open house. The public was invited to see the facility, which opened in 2021, as well as check out the station’s new $600,000 ambulance.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 31, 2025
With equal doses of grit and fun, we review 2025 on Longboat Key in photos

From political kerfuffles to heartwarming moments of community celebration, the Longboat Observer captured it all in the past year. Here are our top moments of 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The observation deck at Joan Durante Park was rebuilt with the boardwalk and overlooks Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2025
Longboat Key wants your photos to represent the town

The town aims to enter one image in statewide contest.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
J. Paul Nicholas and David Cantor star in "A Tailor Near Me" at Florida Studio Theatre through Feb. 15.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 1-7

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
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Latest News

1
Cindy and Chris Common
  • July 23, 2026
Final Manasota Track Club beach run to memorialize late members
2
Sarasota Police Department K-9 Kodak seems ready for deployment with handler Officer Ryan Block.
  • July 23, 2026
Police work is dogged determinaton for SPD's K-9 Unit
3
Can you eat both halves of a corned beef sandwich? You can test your skills when Wolfie's Hand Cut opens at UTC late this year.
  • July 23, 2026
Can new concept earn the bread for Wolfie's at University Town Center?
4
This fall will be Anthony "Amp" Campbell's third year as the Sarasota High football coach. He's still searching for his first winning season with the Sailors.
  • July 23, 2026
Sarasota High football charts a course for the win
5
The home at 1204 Hillview Drive has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 7,687 square feet of living area.
  • July 23, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for July 6-10 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

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