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Sarasota

Kindergarteners Milan Brown and Calem Smith pose with their new shoes.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 29, 2025
Holiday House holds shoe drive at Alta Vista Elementary School

The nonprofit's shoe drive supplied every student in the school with a new pair of shoes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Columbia Restaurant is known for its authentic Cuban sandwiches, vibrant paella and signature sangria.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 29, 2025
Columbia Restaurant preserves family tradition while evolving with the times

A staple for visitors and locals alike, the Columbia Restaurant shares the legacy behind its tasty traditions.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Just off the Legacy Trail north of Bahia Vista Street, the entire neighborhood was flooded from rain from Hurricane Debby.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 29, 2025
Breach may be main culprit of Hurricane Debby flooding in Sarasota

A breach discovered east of Interstate 75 combined with more than a foot of rain to brought catastrophic flooding to miles along Phillippi Creek during Debby.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 50-year decision
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 29, 2025
The 50-year decision

The Karins report on the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall brings to the fore many dilemmas. The Van Wezel needs $17 million to keep going . It’s worth $80 million. Should the city be in the theater business?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A March 2022 development concept plan for the planned Lakewood Ranch Southeast property. (Image via Sarasota County)
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • January 28, 2025
Sarasota County approves plan for major Lakewood Ranch expansion

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch plans to develop 5,000 homes on 4,100 acres near Old Miakka as Lakewood Ranch Southeast.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota High senior Aaron Clark (left) and junior Oliver Boyle work on defensive rotations during practice.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 28, 2025
Sarasota teams get ready to tip-off in district tournaments

How will Sarasota's teams fare in the boys and girls district tournaments next week?

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Sarasota County criminal justice campus area map shows city- and county-owned parcels.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 28, 2025
Sarasota county jail expansion could cost upward of $700 million

Already well in excess of operational capacity, county commissioners learn an expansion of the county jail will likely cost a least a half billion dollars.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Riverview High baseball coach and athletic director Larry Altier had a massive impact on the baseball community of Sarasota. His life will be celebrated with a Naval service on Feb. 7 at 2:30 p.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 28, 2025
Sarasota area legend left his mark on the field

Longtime Riverview High baseball coach and athletic director Larry Altier leaves behind a legacy that will live on long beyond his passing.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Men behaving badly on Main Street
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 28, 2025
Men behaving badly on Main Street

Officers investigate assaults on a bathroom, tables at a women's march and a restaurant's planters occur over a four-day period. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Jessica Polk, Jake Hartvigsen, Colleen Thayer and Beth Walters of Nami prepare to accept the check from Sara Winer.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 28, 2025
Impact100 awards $876,000 in grants to local nonprofits

The women's giving circle offered grants of $109,500 each to eight local nonprofits.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gallery Director Colin Thomsen and Regan Dunnick
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 27, 2025
Palm Avenue Fine Art unveils artwork formerly displayed in Sarasota airport

The gallery's exhibit "Echoes of Sarasota: A Historical Preservation" features the work of Frank Hopper and Regan Dunnick.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The new Seaside Market is open in Concourse B at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 27, 2025
Big changes on tap for SRQ Concourse B

The new Concourse A at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport offers enhanced options for passenger comfort, but big upgrades are underway for the original gate areas.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manufactured homes in East County and their carports were no match for Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 27, 2025
County seeks input for Resilient SRQ II

Sarasota County residents can provide input to storm recovery effort funding via survey or one of four public meetings.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A cold and rainy day didn't deter participants of a ceremeonial groundbreaking of the Celery Fields Quad Parcels re-wilding project.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 27, 2025
Re-wilding of Celery Fields project gets underway

A groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of Phase 1 of bringing nature back to the Quad Parcels of the county's Celery Fields site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lifeline Productions adds Atomica Arts co-founders to its management team
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 27, 2025
Lifeline Productions adds Atomica Arts co-founders to its management team

Will Luera and Maria Schaedler-Luera join arts nonprofit founded by Joel Ehrenpreis.

  • Arts + Culture
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Latest in Sarasota

1
Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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

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