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Your Observer | All

Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 7, 2026
Big questions for Sarasota sports in 2026

There's plenty of reasons for this area's sports enthusiasts to be intrigued about the year ahead.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
2026 Word: Laissez-faire
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 7, 2026
2026 Word: Laissez-faire

That two-word phrase is a reminder — a reminder to politicians and officeholders to let us live our lives the way we want to live, and a reminder that we must teach the next generations of the virtues of capitalism.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Waterside of Lakewood Ranch might have to wait longer for Sarasota County Schools to build an elementary school there.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 7, 2026
Sarasota County reevaluates need for new schools to serve Waterside

Jody Dumas, the executive director of facility services for Sarasota County Schools, said their two properties in Lakewood Ranch might sit empty for longer than anticipated.

  • East County
  • Schools
Anthony Sizemore, a Braden River High freshman, is eager to show his FFA chapter's chapter pig at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 7, 2026
Braden River High FFA students hope to make the grade at Manatee County Fair

After sacrificing much of their free time to care for farm animals, many of the students will be rewarded.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 7, 2026
Top stories to watch in Longboat Key in 2026

A new mayor, a new bridge and the start of a new library are all things to look out for in the new year on the barrier island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioner Amanda Ballard attends the Under One Roof ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 1. She's up for reelection in District 2.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 7, 2026
Manatee County Commission's power structure could be altered by 2026 election

Three seats are up for grabs with incumbents Mike Rahn and Amanda Ballard defending and Jason Bearden bowing out.

  • East County
  • News
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
Man claims assailant was a time traveler
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2026
Man claims assailant was a time traveler

To explain a fight and minor injury, a man told officers he was the victim of rocks thrown by a sinister time traveler. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Arts organizations strike up the band in 2026 for big birthdays
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 7, 2026
Arts organizations strike up the band in 2026 for big birthdays

Don't miss these arts events as three Sarasota cultural institutions celebrate their 100th anniversary and America blows out 250 candles.

  • Arts + Culture
The home at 118 N. Warbler Lane sold for $6,345,000.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 7, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 15-19 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home on Bird Key on North Warbler Lane tops the week’s sales at $6.35 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Builder John Cannon says he didn't build the Oulina in Waterside to sell, but rather to use as an "idea home."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 7, 2026
John Cannon fires unique shot in LWR residential home market

The Oulina model in Waterside is the result of an collaboration between a builder, architects and artists.

  • East County
  • News
Katie Weiss is board chair of The Sarasota Players board of trustees. Thayer Greenberg is managing artistic director of The Sarasota Players.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • January 7, 2026
The Sarasota Players adds new board, cuts CEO position and promotes two

The reorganization precedes the community theater's move to Payne Park later this year.

  • Arts + Culture
Nick Gladding poses for a photo in his Sarasota Bay-facing backyard Friday, Jan. 2. In March, Gladding will be sworn in as the next Longboat Key District 3 Commissioner.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 7, 2026
Longboat commissioner-elect discusses local control, dredging, Ohana's seawall

Running unopposed, former land use and environmental lawyer Nick Gladding will represent District 3 on the Longboat Key Town Commission.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Chris Goglia poses for a photo on St. Armands Circle Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Goglia has been president of the St. Armands Residents Association since 2020.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 7, 2026
St. Armands Residents Association president discusses the future of the Circle

The volunteer president of the residents association, Chris Goglia, has resisted high-density development on St. Armands Circle since starting the role in 2020.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bronwyn Leggett poses for a photo before a Jan. 5 practice at Riverview High School. She's deep into her second season as the full-time starter between the posts for the Rams.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 6, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Bronwyn Leggett

The junior goalkeeper has been a stalwart in net for Riverview girls soccer.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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1
Lakewood Ranch's Jerry and Marilyn Schneider, who have been married for 63 years, enjoy the live music at Music on Main April 3.
  • April 4, 2026
Dancers show off their moves at Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch
2
St. Regis at Longboat Key is a gulf-facing resort and condo development on the barrier island of Longboat Key. The Unicorp-developed property opened in 2024 at the former site of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
  • April 4, 2026
St. Regis on track to receive permanent certificate of occupancy, eyes tennis courts
3
The Fruitville Townhomes site plan to replace the vacant former Sarasota Lanes bowling center.
  • April 4, 2026
Fruitville bowling alley submits plans to redevelop into 4-story townhomes
4
Mitchell Meissner lines up his putt on the third green of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. He carded six under par in the second round, pulling into a 10-way tie for 10th place.
  • April 3, 2026
Front runner emerges on second day of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
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  • April 3, 2026
Lighting the Path Health Care Luncheon

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