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Sarasota

Student performances span the decades as Southside Elementary celebrates 100 years

The school has made an impact during its time, including advocating to make the orange the official state fruit.

Third graders Silas Swor and Misha Reus perform in "Button Up Your Overcoat," celebrating the 1930s.

Latest News

1
  • January 13, 2026
Sarasota airport smashes passenger count record at 4.5 million
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport served more than 4.5 million passengers in 2025.
2
  • January 13, 2026
New German bakery, coffeehouse rises at University Town Center
Sarasota's Alyssa Freniere, Beate “Mama G” Goldstein and Blair Sellers are the people behind the new Mama G's location at University Town Center.
3
  • January 13, 2026
Mira Mar project moves forward with partial sign-off
Seaward Development is seeking a parallel facade administrative adjustment for its frontage along South Palm Avenue.
4
  • January 12, 2026
Police department debuts mobile Sarasota Learning Center
The mobile Sarasota Learning Center can be deployed anywhere in the city, and can even be used as emergency shelter if needed.
5
  • January 9, 2026
Healthy restaurant opens second Sarasota location
Pura Vida Miami is at 4994 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 100, in Sarasota.

Neighbors

Mark Garland, Theresa Andrews, Ann Palmer and Denise Costa prepare for the race.
  • January 11, 2026
Runners turn out on Siesta Key Beach to keep Andrew Monroe's legacy alive
Sarasota's Hasan Tezduyar gives a pat of appreciation to Rachel Apple, a wellness associate with Qualliv, at the Health and Wellness Expo at The Mall at University Town Center.
  • January 10, 2026
New Year, New You expo provides health resources at The Mall at UTC
Cynthia Jordan poses by the "No. 1 Beach in the USA" sign.
  • January 8, 2026
Parrish resident writes musical about a spiritual awakening on Siesta Key
Angese Rudzite Kirillova works on "Playground" during the 2025 Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Festival.
  • January 8, 2026
Mark your calendars for these Sarasota events in 2026

Business

Sarasota's Alyssa Freniere, Beate “Mama G” Goldstein and Blair Sellers are the people behind the new Mama G's location at University Town Center.
  • January 13, 2026
New German bakery, coffeehouse rises at University Town Center
Pura Vida Miami is at 4994 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 100, in Sarasota.
  • January 9, 2026
Healthy restaurant opens second Sarasota location
Katie Weiss is board chair of The Sarasota Players board of trustees. Thayer Greenberg is managing artistic director of The Sarasota Players.
  • January 7, 2026
The Sarasota Players adds new board, cuts CEO position and promotes two
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.
  • January 5, 2026
Longstanding St. Armands Italian restaurant reopens under new name
The building at the corner of N. Boulevard of the Presidents and Madison Drive may be the location of a revived Shore Restaurant on St. Armands Circle.
  • December 12, 2025
Shore Restaurant could return to St. Armands
Heather Kasten is President and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
  • November 25, 2025
Greater Sarasota Chamber announces promotions

Cops Corner

  • January 7, 2026
Man claims assailant was a time traveler

To explain a fight and minor injury, a man told officers he was the victim of rocks thrown by a sinister time traveler. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • 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.

Schools

Third graders Silas Swor and Misha Reus perform in "Button Up Your Overcoat," celebrating the 1930s.
  • January 13, 2026
Student performances span the decades as Southside Elementary celebrates 100 years

The school has made an impact during its time, including advocating to make the orange the official state fruit.

Urban Meyer takes in the Cardinal Mooney High/Booker High preseason football game in 2024.
  • January 9, 2026
Urban Meyer named to New College trustee board
Waterside of Lakewood Ranch might have to wait longer for Sarasota County Schools to build an elementary school there.
  • January 7, 2026
Sarasota County reevaluates need for new schools to serve Waterside
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa
  • December 22, 2025
Sarasota students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence
  • December 18, 2025
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence
At a Junior Achievement "Discovery Center'' in Tampa, elementary-aged students run a mock city.Two similar facilities are proposed to be set up at Emma Booker Elementary and Booker Middle schools in Sarasota.
  • December 17, 2025
Rejections sent to Manatee, Sarasota Schools of Hope requesters

Sports

Carter Evans has hit his stride as a scorer for Riverview boys basketball with three games of 26-plus points in his last four, as of Jan. 12.
  • January 13, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Carter Evans

The junior forward has exploded offensively as of late for Riverview boys basketball.

Eva Lopes operates around the 3-point line during the Florida Suncoast League championship on Dec. 18 at the Sarasota Baptist Church gym. She powered Sarasota Suncoast Academy past Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences with a game-high 21 points.
  • January 8, 2026
Sarasota Suncoast Academy guard completes one-of-a-kind legacy
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.
  • January 7, 2026
Big questions for Sarasota sports in 2026
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.
  • January 6, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Bronwyn Leggett
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.
  • December 30, 2025
The top 10 Sarasota sports moments of 2025
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.
  • December 29, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Year: Kali Barrett

Real Estate

The property at 2513 Bayshore Road in Nokomis sold for $5.5 million.
  • January 8, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 15-19 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
Views from 1418 John Ringling Parkway include the city skyline, Sarasota Bay and John Ringling Bridge.
  • January 4, 2026
Home within walking distance of St. Armands lists for $9 million
The home at 1378 Harbor Drive
  • December 31, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for 2025 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
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Opinion

1
  • January 7, 2026
  • By Matt Walsh
2026 Word: Laissez-faire
2
  • December 10, 2025
  • By Adrian Moore
Will some of us say goodbye to property taxes?
3
  • December 9, 2025
  • By Mirabai Holland
How to stress less during the holidays

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Photo Galleries

Third graders Silas Swor and Misha Reus perform in "Button Up Your Overcoat," celebrating the 1930s.
  • January 13, 2026
Student performances span the decades as Southside Elementary celebrates 100 years
Mark Garland, Theresa Andrews, Ann Palmer and Denise Costa prepare for the race.
  • January 11, 2026
Runners turn out on Siesta Key Beach to keep Andrew Monroe's legacy alive
Sarasota's Hasan Tezduyar gives a pat of appreciation to Rachel Apple, a wellness associate with Qualliv, at the Health and Wellness Expo at The Mall at University Town Center.
  • January 10, 2026
New Year, New You expo provides health resources at The Mall at UTC
Shayne McKinney, Jenifer McKinney, Heather Travers and Mark Thursby enjoy the vibes together.
  • January 4, 2026
Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival draws large turnout
Views from 1418 John Ringling Parkway include the city skyline, Sarasota Bay and John Ringling Bridge.
  • January 4, 2026
Home within walking distance of St. Armands lists for $9 million
On vacation from chilly Pittsburgh are the Matt family: Joe, 6-year old Everly, Brionna and 3-year old Ada.
  • January 2, 2026
Pineapple Drop ushers out a 'perfect square year'
The home at 2834 Browning Street featured countless decorations and animated figures.
  • December 18, 2025
Sarasota homes light up for the holidays
Golden Ticket arrives, and Olaf the snowman has been invited to the rooftop party.
  • December 14, 2025
Sarasota Bay lights up with annual Holiday Boat Parade
Joni Hill, Cate Douglas and Gaby Hayashi make their way across the beach.
  • December 14, 2025
Holiday spirit gets moving at Sandy Claws Beach Run
Lylah MacDonald, 6, hops along in the sack race.
  • December 14, 2025
Holidays at The Bay brings Hawaiian twist to holidays
With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting

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