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Your Observer

A registrant receives a gift card from volunteer Moana Dooley (right).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 19, 2026
Grant helps St. Jude Catholic Church serve those in need during the holidays

St. Jude Catholic Church was awarded a $10,000 grant on Aug. 22, 2025 from the Kathleen K. Catlin Foundation of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee Chair Jetson Grimes, awardees Joseph Mack, Susan Imperato, Valerie Buchand, Meadow Lark Walker, Monica Donley and David Morse, and former mayor Willie Shaw, gather on stage.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 19, 2026
Sarasota's community celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day

An awards ceremony and parade preceded the MLK Music Festival and Medical/Wellness Fair.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Evan Rowe has distinguished himself in the 165-pound weight class this season and carries aspirations of a top-three finish in March's FHSAA individual championships.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 19, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Evan Rowe

The Braden River senior wrestler ranks No. 2 in the state for the 165-pound weight class.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gardeners Out East president Nancy Schneider gives the plaque for the Japanese blueberry tree that the group donated to Simone Rose, who works as the office manager for Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 19, 2026
Japanese blueberry tree serves as gift to LWR celebration of life center

Gardeners Out East thanks Robert Toale and Sons Celebration of Life Center for donating use of its facility.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Soloist Kei Sulhi, backed by fellow members of the Temple Beth Israel choir, offers her annual rendition of “The King of Love is Dead,” originally sung by Nina Simone and written by Gene Taylor, in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. at a special Shabbat service.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 19, 2026
Differences celebrated at MLK Jr. memorial Shabbat

Representatives from Embracing Our Differences spoke to the importance of inclusion during Temple Beth Israel's special Shabbat service memorializing Martin Luther King Jr.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Leaders from the Longboat Harbour Yacht Club participate in the swearing-in ceremony during the Jan. 17 Change of Watch. From left, John Shea, dockmaster; Susan Luke, purser; Herb Ritchell, scribe; Mike Perez, vice commodore; and Jeff Hecklau, commodore.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 19, 2026
Commodore Jeff Hecklau returns to lead Longboat Harbour Yacht Club

Club leaders participated in a Change of Watch ceremony Jan. 17, reaffirming their commitment to helping the boating community thrive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A vacant lot on N. Shore Road has some weed growth and is littered with debris from a fallen fence.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 19, 2026
Unkempt lots a town concern in Longboat

Weeds, overgrown grass and litter have attracted the attention of residents and town staff.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
AG Lafley is Founding CEO of Bay Park Conservancy.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 19, 2026
Conservancy assumes management over more buildings in The Bay

Sarasota turns over management, rental and maintenance control to the bayside park's operators.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay kicked off its 60th anniversary celebration on Jan. 15 with live music and special guests including Plymouth Harbor President and CEO Jeff Weatherhead, City of Sarasota Mayor Debbie Trice, Chris Pfahler, Plymouth Harbor vice president of philanthropy, Pastor Wes Bixby of First Congregational United Church of Christ Sarasota and Sara Little, president of the Resident Association.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 18, 2026
Plymouth Harbor celebrates 60 years

The senior-living facility on Sarasota Bay kicked off this year's merry-making with music and sharing memories.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bonnie Michaels, literacy coach at Alta Vista Elementary School, helps students Deja (5th grade), Gianni (4th grade), Yoselyn (1st grade) and Andre (2nd grade) try out the new book vending machine. Sarasota Yacht Club youth board members coordinated the installation to help promote strong reading habits.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 18, 2026
Reading comes with a fun twist via new book vending machine

Members of the Sarasota Yacht Club's youth program took the lead in installing the machine at Alta Vista Elementary School to promote reading habits.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Rhonda Leiberick and Roscelyn Guenther snag a selfie together in between the running and yoga portions of the triathlon. They alternated between walking and running every two minutes.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 18, 2026
Triathlon brings mindfulness to Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place

The Mindful Triathlon hosted 136 entrants who ran, meditated and did yoga.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Artists from Embracing Our Differences line up to be recognized alongside President and CEO Sarah Wertheimer (right).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 18, 2026
Embracing Our Differences opens grandly on Sarasota bayfront

The annual exhibition at Bayfront Park features displays of 50 works of art paired with quotes, chosen from 14,904 submissions across 125 countries.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor speaks on the district's plans to maximize utilization.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 18, 2026
Details firm up for Sarasota schools plan

A K-8 and magnet school conversion begins next year at five Sarasota County campuses.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Couch LBK co-owner Ken Rushing shows a pair of shoppers a fabric sample inside the furniture showroom at Brista Commons Wednesday, Jan. 14.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 18, 2026
Brista Commons hits the ground running

The newest shopping center on Longboat Key has seen lots of foot traffic ahead of its Jan. 20 grand opening.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tom Watson showcases his 1929 Ford Model A.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 17, 2026
Sarasota Yacht Club, St. Armands commemorate anniversary with century of cars

A parade and a car show featured machines that span the same time period as the two organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Courthouse was voted 10th most beautiful public building in America.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 17, 2026
Sarasota courthouse among nation's top civic buildings

The historic Sarasota County Courthouse checks in at No. 10 on an interior-design website.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An aerial view of the Steans/Morrison property donated to Hermitage Artist Retreat.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 17, 2026
Manasota Key artist retreat receives $12 million gift of land, homes

A family donation of five buildings on 6.5 acres will allow Hermitage Artist Retreat to double its residency program.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 17, 2026
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO

The appointment of an interim CEO — Fawley Bryant Architecture COO and Partner Amanda Parrish — comes after the former leader of the organization retired.

  • East County
  • Business
The crew from Station 1 walk across the parking lot to grab some lunch. From left to right: Battalion Chief Craig Madsen and firefighters Adam Stem, Evan Berggren and Tyler Schuele.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 16, 2026
Braden River VFW dishes out thanks to East Manatee firefighters

VFW members brought lunch to the East Manatee Fire Rescue administration building, where they hold their monthly meeting.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Harley Busch, 3, is eager to ride the carousel alongside her father John Busch at the Manatee County Fair. She also rode a camel moments before.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 16, 2026
Manatee County Fair, a tradition since 1916, is now open

The fair launched its 11-day run Thursday with a variety of animals, rides, food, live entertainment and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Barista Claudia Aridus pours a latte while Sara Rountree rinses a cup at Sips this January. The popular north-end coffee shop is expanding with a second location on Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 16, 2026
Longboat Key coffee shop's success brews expansion

A second Sips, with the exact name still to be determined, will open where Turtle Coffee Bar once operated.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Retired Sarasota Police Sergeant Jim DeNiro is challenging incumbent Joe Neunder for the Sarasota County Commission District 4 seat.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 16, 2026
Incumbent faces early challenge for County Commission District 4

Joe Neunder will face retired Sarasota Police Department Sgt. Jim DeNiro in the Aug. 18 preliminary election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Attendees celebrate the opening of "Embracing Our Differences" at the 2024 exhibition.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 16, 2026
Embracing our Differences exhibit opens Saturday

Artwork from adults and students will be on display through mid-April in Sarasota's Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A double staircase leads to 7366 Point of Rocks Road on Siesta Key.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 16, 2026
Gulf-front Siesta Key estate lists for $26 million

The home on Point of Rocks features an infinity pool that appears to merge with the Gulf.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Renourishment of Lido Beach is scheduled to be completed prior to sea turtle nesting season.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 15, 2026
Sarasota's Lido Beach renourishment project begins soon

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is set to deposit upwards of 300,000 cubic yards of sand to replenish the degradation of Lido Beach beginning Jan. 20. The beach will remain open throughout the duration of the project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner-At-Large BJ Bishop and Scott Dudley with the Florida League of Cities Advocacy Committee.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 15, 2026
Longboat commissioner picked as president of Manasota League of Cities

B.J. Bishop was reelected to serve as president of the nine-member group of municipal representatives.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County has announced available cold weather shelters.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 15, 2026
Cold weather shelters open in Manatee, Sarasota counties for frigid spell

Salvation Army, Under One Roof and Turning Points offer warm, safe spaces.

  • East County
  • News
The interior of the new restrooms at Sarasota City Hall feature tile walls and an architectural feature on the ceilings.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 15, 2026
City Hall bathrooms reopen after 15-month rehab project

The discovery of crumbling, aging iron pipes beneath the restrooms in the City Hall lobby extended the duration and the cost of a nearly $660,000 remodel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Warren Hutmacher of Sumter Local Government Consulting discusses the search for a city manager before the Sarasota City Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 15, 2026
City makes progress toward hiring a new manager

With interim Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock's planned departure on March 6, the City Commission now faces urgency to name a new permanent chief executive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The home at 3544 San Remo Terrace was built in 1971 and has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,710 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 15, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 22 to Jan. 2 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Siesta Key home on Sandy Hook Road South tops the week's sales at $10.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Kensington Kotuby has etched her name into the Kids World Records book for the longest time doing Skip-It jumps in the girls' 10-12 year old division.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 15, 2026
Local 10-year-old becomes Kids World Record holder

Kensington Kotuby accomplished an unprecedented feat with 1,154 Skip-It jumps in 15 minutes and 29 seconds.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Dennis Brock works on a Magiscope in his workshop.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 15, 2026
Local creator of children's microscope works to make science more accessible

Since 1987, Sarasota's Dennis Brock has been producing the Brock Magiscope, which draws from ambient light and minimizes breakable components.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Anti Aging & Ketamine Center
  • January 15, 2026
What a Perimenopausal Woman and a Former Athlete Learned About Weight Loss

Why Personalization Changes Everything.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • January 15, 2026
From a Tragic Accident to a Swift Near-Full Recovery

How Lakewood Ranch Medical Center saved the life of a USF Professor.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Sarasota police executed a warrant at this home at 1579 28th St., resulting in multiple arrests.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 14, 2026
Sarasota raid nets additional felony arrests

While executing a search and arrest warrant at a home, Sarasota police make additional arrests on weapons, drugs and sex charges.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Anthony and Katherine Van Wezel Stone, grandchildren of the late Lewis Van Wezel.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 14, 2026
Van Wezel heirs join with SPAF to support new Performing Arts Center

Grandchildren of the late Lewis Van Wezel have joined the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation in support of a new venue and a "unified cultural campus."

  • Sarasota
  • News
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