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Sarasota

Sarasota schools leader outlines issues but also optimism

Superintendent Terry Connor spoke at the State of the Community event by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce on April 14.

Terry Connor speaks during the State of the Community luncheon.

Latest News

1
  • April 16, 2026
In 24 hours, Giving Challenge raises more than $16.7 million
Lauren Luke of Resilient Retreat speaks with Traci Willingham of Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's and Karen Misantone of Sarasota Opera.
2
  • April 16, 2026
Projects will leave Lido Key with a whole new beach
Sarasota City Engineer Sage Kamiya at the Lido Beach Pavilion walkover, which will be replaced when 6-foot-high dunes are built in the area.
3
  • April 16, 2026
Condo group panel decries outcome of Downtown Master Plan
From left, Jon Thaxton speaks to members of the Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association as Sarasota Capital Projects Manager Alvimarie Corales and local historian Jeff LaHurd look on.
4
  • April 16, 2026
Sarasota restaurant closing on Main Street seeks new space
Element Steak.Seafood.Pasta is at 1413 Main St. in Sarasota.
5
  • April 15, 2026
Sarasota schools leader outlines issues but also optimism
Terry Connor speaks during the State of the Community luncheon.

Neighbors

Ron Cornella is among the longest-living transplant recipients in the United States, receiving his transplant at the age of 26 in 1980.
  • April 16, 2026
After 45 years, liver transplant recipient is still grateful for a second chance
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the Sarasota Police Department will take part in the 2026 Torch Run.
  • April 16, 2026
Sheriff's Office leads off Sarasota Torch Run for Special Olympics
The Sarasota group stands in front of the Great Wall of China during a 2016 trip to Taiwan and China.
  • April 16, 2026
Friendship Force creates connections between people around the world
Za'Tajh Coach, 3, climbs over a barrier in the obstacle course.
  • April 15, 2026
Sarasota Police Department opens up to the community at Spring Fest

Business

Element Steak.Seafood.Pasta is at 1413 Main St. in Sarasota.
  • April 16, 2026
Sarasota restaurant closing on Main Street seeks new space
The Ikea franchise system includes 58 retail locations in the United States. There are 412 Ikea stores worldwide in 32 countries.
  • April 11, 2026
Ikea to open at UTC in Sarasota
Hanami Sushi Cocktails & Grill is at 1525 Fourth St., Suite C, in Sarasota.
  • April 10, 2026
Sushi restaurant opens in Sarasota's Rosemary District
John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center

Cops Corner

  • April 15, 2026
Wailing punk rocker on a trampoline disturbs neighbors

A backyard neighbor takes offense to loud, profane lyrics of a man jumping on his trampoline while singing a 1990s punk band's tunes. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • April 8, 2026
Woman claims to be at the center of widespread plot to follow her

A woman claimed a pickup truck driver — and just about everybody else in the sky and on the ground — is following her. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

Schools

Terry Connor speaks during the State of the Community luncheon.
  • April 15, 2026
Sarasota schools leader outlines issues but also optimism

Superintendent Terry Connor spoke at the State of the Community event by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce on April 14.

The winners of an essay contest had the chance to read out their essays during the event, and they included fourth grader Lorelei Martin, second grader Olivia Batista, kindergartener Logan Hernandez, third grader Petronius Boles, first grader Jade Rivers and fifth grader Amara Berry, pictured here with Assistant Principal Jennifer Kahler.
  • February 22, 2026
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus celebrates centennial anniversary
The school district has partnered with University of South Florida in order to create the new offerings at Gulf Coast Academy of Innovation & Technology at Brookside.
  • February 19, 2026
Brookside Middle School undergoes transformation to attract new students
A rendering of a renovated and expanded former Perkins restaurant into Suncoast Apprenticeship Academy for the homebuilding industry.
  • February 18, 2026
Homebuilder groups team up for apprenticeship school
New College was founded in 1960.
  • February 18, 2026
Potential New College takeover of USF Sarasota-Manatee campus looms
Fourth grader A’Nylah Johnson and third grader Dariana Mills head down the slide.
  • February 17, 2026
A snow day comes to the Star Lab school in Newtown

Sports

Midfielder/attacker Kaitlin Carolan (right) speeds past a Saint Stephen's Episcopal player during the FHSAA Class 1A-District 10 semifinals on April 10. She's one of three sophomores who lead the Cougars in scoring this season.
  • April 16, 2026
Led by sophomores, Cardinal Mooney girls lacrosse hunts history

The Cougars boast their most single-season wins ever as the postseason begins.

Nishesh Basavareddy extends for a backhand return. The 20-year-old American was one of the biggest rising talents who competed at this year's Sarasota Open from April 5-12 at IMG Academy.
  • April 15, 2026
Sarasota Open finally finds the right home
Chris Schrum was one of seven different Sailors to place first in their respective weight classes for either Traditional or Olympic style at the district meet.
  • April 14, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Chris Schrum
Work proceeds on the fields at 17th Street Park in northeastern Sarasota County. Completion is expected late this year
  • April 9, 2026
Multistate softball tournament coming to 17th Street Park
Drew Smith (left) and Chase Smith (right) are a sophomore and senior, respectively, at The Out-of-Door Academy. They lost their father, Scott Smith, to esophageal cancer in October of 2023.
  • April 9, 2026
Brothers fundraise in their father's memory
Kayleigh Bergstrom is one of three sophomores alongside Gabby Ulrich and Kaitlin Carolan to lead the Cougars in scoring this season.
  • April 8, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kayleigh Bergstrom

Real Estate

The home at 749 Freeling Drive was built in 1997 and has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,827 square feet of living area.
  • April 16, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 30 to April 3 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
The home at 3621 San Remo Terrace was built in 2025 and has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 5,461 square feet of living area.
  • April 9, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 23-27 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
The home at 4423 Bay Shore Road was built in 1938 and has five bedrooms, five-and-five-half baths, a pool and 7,615 square feet of living area.
  • April 2, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 16-20 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
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Opinion

1
  • April 16, 2026
  • By Nancy Parrish
New College is asking Florida taxpayers to pay more for less
2
  • April 15, 2026
  • By Mirabai Holland
Yes, sleeping, eating right and working out can improve and preserve your memory
3
  • April 8, 2026
  • By Guy Bentley, Adrian Moore
Don’t panic about sports betting in Florida

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Photo Galleries

Lauren Luke of Resilient Retreat speaks with Traci Willingham of Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's and Karen Misantone of Sarasota Opera.
  • April 16, 2026
In 24 hours, Giving Challenge raises more than $16.7 million
Za'Tajh Coach, 3, climbs over a barrier in the obstacle course.
  • April 15, 2026
Sarasota Police Department opens up to the community at Spring Fest
The team aboard the "Triple Threat," captained by John Novak, rounds the first marker of the Bird Key Yacht Club's annual Sarasota Bay Cup regatta on April 11.
  • April 13, 2026
Seasoned sailors take advantage of smooth seas at Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta
Overall female winner Vicky Romocki poses with Shelley.
  • April 11, 2026
Over 1,000 turn out to Siesta Key Beach for Run for the Turtles
Eggs are droped from the helicopter.
  • April 5, 2026
Good Friday at the Sarasota Fairgrounds draws thousands
Jack Dudonis, 3, and Maxwell Dudonis, 9 meet the Easter Bunny.
  • April 4, 2026
Easter Bunny brings seasonal cheer to Siesta Key Village
Rev. Mason Waldhauser, associate rector for adult formation at Church of the Redeemer, leads the walk.
  • April 3, 2026
Stations of the Cross draws 1,000 in worship down Main Street
Jeff Smith, president of the Landings Management Association, and Judi Smith, display two tanks into which they dumped phytoplankton, one with oysters and one without, to show the work the oysters do in keeping the water clean.
  • March 30, 2026
The Landings neighborhood showcases its natural landscapes
Kellen Dorsch and his wife Alanna Giuliani sit with Velly.
  • March 29, 2026
6th annual Get Your Mutt Movin' helps get support moving for rescue animals
Roland Nyarfadi, 7, finds an egg.
  • March 28, 2026
Kids make a splash for Easter egg hunt at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex
Glenn and Linda Courtney and their daughter Chelsea Courtney look at seashells.
  • March 24, 2026
Sarasota Farmers Market continues to create community
Mike and Julie Paige, and Amber and Lenny Larson, pose by an "SRQ Wine" sign.
  • March 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park

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