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Sarasota

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
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
Officer Danny Robbins of the Patrol Division, Community Relations Unit with a recipient of a gift during the Sarasota Police Department's Three Kings Day event.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2026
Sarasota police cap holiday giving with toy distribution event

Community children receive toys from SPD personnel during annual Three Kings Day celebration.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Neighborhood advocate enters race for Sarasota City Commission
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2026
Neighborhood advocate enters race for Sarasota City Commission

Arlington Park Neighborhood Association President Flo Entler joins the field of candidates for two Sarasota City Commission at-large seats.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A steaming plate of pasta comes up to the pass while Simone Salustri, owner of the newly reopened Nōnnō Umberto restaurant, begins work on another dish.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 5, 2026
Longstanding St. Armands Italian restaurant reopens under new name

Nōnnō Umberto, formerly operating as Le Colone, held its soft opening the first week of January under a new generation's leadership.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Shayne McKinney, Jenifer McKinney, Heather Travers and Mark Thursby enjoy the vibes together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 4, 2026
Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival draws large turnout

Community members started the new year with seafood cuisine and live music.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Views from 1418 John Ringling Parkway include the city skyline, Sarasota Bay and John Ringling Bridge.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 4, 2026
Home within walking distance of St. Armands lists for $9 million

With five bedrooms and eight baths, the John Ringling Parkway home overlooks Sarasota Bay.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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
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
« 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 »
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
2
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
3
The home at 3851 Tangier Terrace was built in 2024 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,379 square feet of living area.
  • February 5, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
4
Sarasota residents Erma and Dave Miller were drawn into the world of bicycle motocross because of their son, Doug Miller, and have spent decades in the sport.
  • February 5, 2026
Sarasota couple stand side by side with BMX
5
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles

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