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Sarasota

Chad Sobotka, a Riverview High graduate, last played for the Atlanta Braves in 2020. He spent parts of three seasons in the MLB as a right-hander.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 25, 2026
A reflection on recent major-leaguers from Sarasota

MLB spring training games began Feb. 20, and in years past, local talents have been active.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Conceptual rendering by Renzo Piano Building Workshop of the north elevation of a new performing arts center as viewed across the 10th Street boat basin.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 25, 2026
Performing Arts Center 'Concept 2.0' set for public debut

The Sarasota City Commission will receive the reimagined vision for a new performing arts center at its March 2 meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Man climbs to the roof of a bar in search of his friend
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 25, 2026
Man climbs to the roof of a bar in search of his friend

A patron of a downtown bar, who was trespassed after being spotted on the roof, said that's the last place he saw his friend. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The $21 million, 2-acre park
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 25, 2026
The $21 million, 2-acre park

Sarasota County is paying twice as much for property than the seller paid two years ago. It's another sign of a concerning spending trend.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
SPD Chief Rex Troche (left) and Deputy Chief Scott Mayforth (right) with (from left) Lt. Andrew Combs, Officer Nate Lynn, Officer Nick Bruno, Officer Ridge Collins, Officer Brenton Bieker, Det. Laura Bobitz and Officer Tim Dederick. They and others were involved in stopping a suicide threat on the Ringling Bridge.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 24, 2026
Sarasota police officers receive Life Saver Awards

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche has honored several officers for their actions in two lifesaving incidents that occurred in 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Caitlynn Beausoleil is headed to the FHSAA Class 1A girls wrestling state championship March 5-7 to complete her junior season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 24, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Caitlynn Beausoleil

The Booker High junior went from unranked to champion at the FHSAA Class 1A-District 11 championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Fruitville Road crash scene cleared
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 24, 2026
Fruitville Road crash scene cleared

Earlier incident involved two cars at Central Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Two dead in Lakewood Ranch shooting
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2026
Two dead in Lakewood Ranch shooting

A second person has died in what the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office described as a domestic incident.

  • East County
  • News
A body-worn camera image shows a Sarasota police officer carrying a female victim from the burning home on North Osprey Avenue.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2026
Police officers rescue two from burning home

Sarasota Police Department officers braved flames and a sparking transformer to remove two from a North Osprey Avenue house fire.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The winners of an essay contest had the chance to read out their essays during the event, and they included fourth grader Lorelei Martin, second grader Olivia Batista, kindergartener Logan Hernandez, third grader Petronius Boles, first grader Jade Rivers and fifth grader Amara Berry, pictured here with Assistant Principal Jennifer Kahler.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 22, 2026
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus celebrates centennial anniversary

The school, founded in 1926, hosted a celebration on with speeches and performances honoring its history.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ryley Hoaglin, 10, looks at birds from the gazebo.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 22, 2026
Sarasota Audubon welcomes the public to its nature center with Fly Wild

The community event, held at the Sarasota Audubon Society, raised awareness of the organization's activities, offering free exhibitions, presentations and tours.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Three arrested, two of them juveniles, for armed robbery of a convenience store
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2026
Three arrested, two of them juveniles, for armed robbery of a convenience store

The Sarasota Police Department has made arrests in connection with a robbery at gunpoint on Fruitville Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The bar formerly known as Cock & Bull, Big Top Live and The Parrot Live will retain its "Old Florida charm," new owner Frank Giuffre says.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • February 20, 2026
Noted Sarasota bar property sells to investor pledging revitalization

The new owner of 975 Cattlemen Road plans to revive the Cock & Bull brand.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The school district has partnered with University of South Florida in order to create the new offerings at Gulf Coast Academy of Innovation & Technology at Brookside.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 19, 2026
Brookside Middle School undergoes transformation to attract new students

The revamped Sarasota County school aims to bring innovative fields of study to students, from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Coach Felix Osuna-Cotto oversees a Feb. 17 practice for Cardinal Mooney wrestling. He helped found the program last year, and in Year 2, the Cougars are poised to have multiple state qualifiers.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 19, 2026
Onward and upward for Cardinal Mooney wrestling

With individuals underway, the Cougars will soon conclude their second season of competition.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Lockwood Ridge Road was closed near Gocio Road early Monday morning after a fatal incident between a vehicle and a pedestrian.
  • March 23, 2026
Pedestrian killed crossing Lockwood Ridge Road
2
Mike and Julie Paige, and Amber and Lenny Larson, pose by an "SRQ Wine" sign.
  • March 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park
3
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.
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April
4
The the site of the proposed 1899 Fruitville apartment development is outlined in red.
  • March 19, 2026
Proposed apartments would replace Breakfast House and more on Fruitville
5
Storytelling is one of the events planned at the Enchanted Gardens Family Festival at Historic Spanish Point.
  • March 19, 2026
Selby Gardens sets dates for Enchanted Garden Festival

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