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Your Observer

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
This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 612 Blue Shell Loop sold for $3,472,800. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,979 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 6, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 15-19 in Lakewood Ranch

A Wild Blue at Waterside home on Blue Shell Loop topped the week’s sales at $3.47 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
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
The first farmers market of 2026 at Waterside Place draws a large crowd.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 5, 2026
Lakewood Ranch farmers market is a family affair

Many of the vendors operate family businesses in the region.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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
The Concession Golf Club Majority Owner Bruce Cassidy and General Manager Brian Weimann will be the key players in the club hosting the 2026, 2027 and 2028 Senior PGA Championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 5, 2026
Impactful moments loom for East County's sports landscape in 2026

There's plenty of reasons for local sports enthusiasts to be excited about the year ahead.

  • East County
  • Sports
Southside Polo's Mason Wroe talks to fans about the basics of his sport in a short clinic before the Jan. 4 match.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 4, 2026
New seating option a hit at the Sarasota Polo Club

The Mallet Club at midfield has been packed each week since the Dec. 21 season opener.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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
Jessie O Brien is visiting from Ireland and chose to celebrate the new year alongside Lakewood Ranch's Ciara Daly at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 1, 2026
Crowd rings in the new year at Waterside Place

From activities for kids, to live music, to a drone show, there was something for people of all ages.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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
Alexis LaRocca and Ken Jokisch
  • By Downtown Sarasota Alliance
  • January 1, 2026
How Two Local Leaders Are Strengthening Community in Downtown Sarasota

Executive Director Ken Jokisch and Secretary Alexis LaRocca are dedicated to building a more vibrant Downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The home at 1378 Harbor Drive
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 31, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for 2025 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Sarasota home sells for $9.5 million; Siesta Key home tops all sales at $10.35 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
With a hearty collective effort, community members help “push in” the newest fleet addition at Fire Station 92 during a March 25 open house. The public was invited to see the facility, which opened in 2021, as well as check out the station’s new $600,000 ambulance.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 31, 2025
With equal doses of grit and fun, we review 2025 on Longboat Key in photos

From political kerfuffles to heartwarming moments of community celebration, the Longboat Observer captured it all in the past year. Here are our top moments of 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The observation deck at Joan Durante Park was rebuilt with the boardwalk and overlooks Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2025
Longboat Key wants your photos to represent the town

The town aims to enter one image in statewide contest.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
1000 NORTH will be located in the BLVD Sarasota building at the corner of Boulevard of the Arts and North Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 30, 2025
Exclusive downtown club moves closer to Sarasota's approval

Co-founded by Michael Jordan in partnership with several pro athletes, 1000 NORTH is planning its second location in the BLVD Sarasota building.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota Orchestra Music Center concert hall is planned as a shoebox design.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 30, 2025
2025: Sarasota by the numbers

From development costs to new housing units, here are some of the most notable figures in 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cardinal Mooney football players gather for photos after winning the 2025 FHSAA Class 2A state championship over Jacksonville Bolles. On Dec. 10, the Cougars became champions of Florida for the second time in three years.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 30, 2025
The top 10 Sarasota sports moments of 2025

Reflecting on a year of championships, standout athletes and more across the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
845 Longboat Club Road has more than 19,000 square feet of interior living space.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 30, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for 2025 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

The record-breaking sale of a Regent Court home leads the year's top sales at $30.3 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Thousands are expected for the annual New Year's Eve Pineapple Drop Celebration.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 29, 2025
Police issue advisory on New Year's parking, drinking, shooting

Sarasota's signature Pineapple Drop takes place at the height of a 12-hour downtown celebration.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Cops Corner: The Best of 2025
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2025
Sarasota Cops Corner: The Best of 2025

With bar fights, nudes and "people trippin," Cops Corner yields another wacky year and shows just what the Sarasota Police Department has to deal with.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Kali Barrett poses for a photo. The freshman forward with Cincinnati women's basketball previously helped Cardinal Mooney to the 2025 FHSAA Class 3A state championship following the Cougars' four consecutive runner-up finishes.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 29, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Year: Kali Barrett

The former Cardinal Mooney girls basketball star became the program's all-time leading scorer while helping the Cougars to their first state title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Florida Department of Transportation crews had removed the Gulf of Mexico Drive sign from the intersection at Bay Isles Parkway.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 29, 2025
2025: Longboat Key by the numbers

2025 was an eventful year on the 11-mile island, with much higher numbers dominating headlines.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This Lake Club home at 15315 Anchorage Place sold for $6,295,000. Built in 2024, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,997 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 29, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for 2025 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in The Lake Club leads the year's top sales at $6.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
All sidewalk murals at Avenue of Art in Burns Court have been removed per order of the Florida Department of Transportation, including this one by artist Beck Lane.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 28, 2025
YourObserver.com's most-read stories of 2025 typically connected with deeper issues

Big-picture issues, such as new trash cans and disappearing art, strike a chord with readers. But there were exceptions in this year's top headlines.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Cops Corner: The Best of 2025
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2025
Longboat Key Cops Corner: The Best of 2025

From back-from-the-dead raccoons to mysterious knives in the ground and a near HOA coup, Longboat Key police had a memorable year responding to calls.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Longboat Key Police Department.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 26, 2025
Show off your cars, enjoy coffee at LKPD community event

The Longboat Key Police Department invites community members out for "Cops, Cars and Coffee" after the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The pool in Taylor Morrison's Esplanade at Azario development in Sarasota's Lakewood Ranch community.
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • December 26, 2025
Builder to bring 1,200-home community to Lakewood Ranch

Homebuilder Taylor Morrison acquired land to build its new Esplanade at Cammaray community of 1,200 homes and condos.

  • East County
  • News
Riverview High baseball player-mentors pose for a photo on Dec. 9 with their kindergarten mentees at Southside Elementary School. Danielle Sobolewski, a kindergarten teacher at Southside, asked for some silly faces.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 25, 2025
Riverview High baseball mentors next generation

The Rams' longtime partnership with Southside Elementary School is centered around learning, fun and building connections.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2 Learning Pavilion Interior rendering.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 25, 2025
Selby Gardens' renovations add to appeal while keeping mission in mind

Resilience, education and preservation are the prime objectives as the second phase of its master plan reinvention take Marie Selby Botanical Gardens closer to achieving its "potential."

  • Sarasota
  • News
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