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Results for:

Alex Bates of Riverview track and field is a reigning FHSAA regional and district champion for pole vault. Four meets into his senior season, he's already notched a pair of first-place finishes.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • March 17, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Alex Bates

The reigning state runner-up in FHSAA Class 4A for pole vault placed first at the Ram Invitational.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The $21 million, 2-acre park
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • February 25, 2026
The $21 million, 2-acre park

Sarasota County is paying twice as much for property than the seller paid two years ago. It's another sign of a concerning spending trend.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is among the 75 best maternity hospitals in America, according to a ranking by Money magazine.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • March 24, 2026
SMH ranks among the best maternity-care hospitals in America

Money magazine has listed Sarasota Memorial Hospital among the top 75 hospitals in America for maternity care.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County administrators Corey Stutte, Bryan Parnell, Courtney De Pol and Charlie Bishop speak at a Manatee Chamber of Commerce meeting in December. On Jan. 28, all four spoke to commissioners about a temporary hiring freeze.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • February 3, 2026
Hiring freeze begins as Manatee County researches effects of tax cuts

County Administrator Charlie Bishop is preparing for possible revenue cuts from the millage and property taxes.

  • East County
  • News
Judy Johnson has lived on Siesta Key since 2010 but grew up hanging out on the Key.
  • By Eric Snider |
  • March 31, 2026
Siesta Key resident helps others embrace their inner beach babe

Judy Johnson has the perfect antidote to a busy day: Putting her feet in the water. "I see sharks and dolphins on a regular basis. And a million sunsets."

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
"La bohème," which runs through March 28 at Sarasota Opera House, is the first of four productions in the Sarasota Opera's 2026 Winter Festival.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • February 18, 2026
For Sarasota Opera, it's a season to remember

The 2026 Winter Opera Festival will be filled with emotion, on and off the stage.

  • Arts + Culture
Ryan Chase is principal of Sarasota High School.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 29, 2026
What it takes to become principal of the year

Sarasota High's Ryan Chase explains the challenges and joys that come with the honor of being named the NASSP Florida High School Principal of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Fourth grader Ava O'Mahoney of 4-H and her mother Megan O'Mahoney spend time with Clover.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • March 15, 2026
Kids showcase agricultural skills amid carnival fun at Sarasota County Fair

Community members managed to enjoy some rides and roller coasters, while students from local groups showcased their hard work.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This photo offers an idea of what the townhomes would have looked like if approved.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • March 5, 2026
Manatee County commissioners deny 232 townhomes off Lorraine Road

During the same land use meeting, commissioners approved a freestanding ER on State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
When he's not painting, artist Tom Stephens makes fishing rods.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • March 23, 2026
Sarasota artist lives the life aquatic

Sarasota artist and fishing rod craftsman Tom Stephens plugs into the currents of life.

  • Arts + Culture
St. Regis Longboat Key Resort installed a stainless steel metal arch on a converted groin extending into the Gulf. Longboat Key town staff asked the hotel to take the arch down because it does not follow town code.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • December 9, 2025
St. Regis arched sign dispute enters next chapter

The Longboat Key Town Commission rescinded its earlier decision, directing town staff to take a fresh look at the town's sign code that might be more inclusive of the arch.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Together, John and Shannon Barton make the "Roaring '20s" at the Great Gatsby-themed annual dinner for members of the Friars Club. Attendees shared their favorite memories from the season and gave out awards at the March 24 celebration at the Harbourside Ballroom.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 27, 2026
Friars golfers throw back to Roaring '20s

The annual dinner recognized longtime members of the golfer social group.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Legislature tackles housing affordability again
  • By Adrian Moore, Christina Mojica, Eliza Terziev |
  • February 4, 2026
Legislature tackles housing affordability again

With the introduction of two bills, the state attempts to address underlying issues that increase the costs of developing new homes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
"Paradise Runway" fashion show models Judie Jacobson, Patti Wrobel, Cheryl Gross, Janet Nash and Regina Napoli wait to show off their second outfits for the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club fundraiser.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • March 13, 2026
Paradise Runway fundraiser hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club

The club raises funds for four charities — Hope Family Services, Solve Maternity Homes, Smart With Heart and Children's Guardian Fund.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sweetwater's Whit and Taylor Wesenberg founded Humu's Island Treasures after selling five handmade art pieces within a day of being posted on Facebook marketplace.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • March 10, 2026
Lakewood Ranch small business carves out good vibes

Humu's Island Treasures sells carved and painted art pieces via social media and art shows.

  • East County
  • Business
David Crawford is 2026 president of Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • January 29, 2026
Real estate market conditions show signs of a more robust 2026

As memories of 2024 storms fade, insurance and mortgage rates stabilize and in-migration continues, the Sarasota-Manatee region's real estate organization points to a growth in sales.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Laura Frye stars in Florida Studio Theatre's "A Night With Janis Joplin," which runs through April 12.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • March 30, 2026
'A Night with Janis Joplin' is a full-tilt boogie you won't soon forget

Florida Studio Theatre celebrates the singer's soulful artistry with part-concert, part character study.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
The town of Longboat Key will soon mail out envelopes with a QR code and unique access code to fill out an online survey to guide the town’s priorities.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • January 12, 2026
Town surveys will hit mailboxes soon

The town of Longboat Key is surveying residents and business owners on a variety of topics to guide the town's priorities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Joe Thayer, Bob Moffitt and Al Garcia play at Remy's on Main in Lakewood Ranch.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • February 24, 2026
Lakewood Ranch's Bob Moffitt let his music do the talking

Friends say Bob Moffitt, who died at age 78, had two loves: music and family.

  • East County
  • News
By avoiding littering, driving slow and keeping a safe distance from manatees, humans can help the threatened species stick around.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • March 3, 2026
Manatees travel to manmade, natural water bodies during cold snaps

Manatees that call Sarasota Bay home head north to Apollo Beach during cold weather, using the warm waters discharged from the TECO Power Plant to keep warm.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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