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Results for:

Parents have 3 days to excuse kids with new Sarasota Schools policy
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 25, 2026
Parents have 3 days to excuse kids with new Sarasota Schools policy

The new policy specifies a three-day window for Sarasota County parents to send in an attendance note following an excused absence, while outlining clearly what counts as an excused absence.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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
  • By Florida Lakes Vein Center |
  • December 25, 2025
It’s a New Year—Kick It Off With Healthier Legs

Florida Lakes Vein Center (FLVC) firmly believes that no one should have to live with heavy, tired, or swollen legs, or be told the problem is “just aging.”

  • Health
Sponsored Content
Kelis McGrady poses for a photo on Dec. 11 before Braden River girls basketball's home game against Manatee. The forward/guard has been the engine behind the Pirates' early-season success.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 15, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kelis McGrady

The junior averaged a double-double through Braden River's first eight games of 2025-26.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cyclists utilize the bike lanes on Gulf of Mexico Drive along the newly completed Country Club Shores turn lane project portion of the street. The 0.84-mile segment marks the first example of the town’s Complete Streets vision.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • January 14, 2026
Longboat Key approves short list of transportation projects

Two roundabouts, Complete Streets vision (under a new name) and expanded multiuse path are priorities for the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Davin Davidson reeled in 20 offers from NCAA Division I FBS programs from Jan. 20 through 31.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • February 4, 2026
Cardinal Mooney quarterback's recruitment takes off

The demand for Davin Davidson is overdue following a triumphant junior season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Karen Medford has moved up the ladder with her Sirius Day Spa, Salon and Med Spa business by opening a location in Waterside. The new location will include a boutique.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • January 27, 2026
Sirius Day Spa opens new location in Lakewood Ranch entertainment hub

Owner Karen Medford says it has been a dream for her to own a spa at Waterside Place.

  • East County
  • Business
St. Barbara's Hellenic Folk Dance Group member Harrison Barakos gives a wave, while being cheered on by fellow dancers Maria Stylianoudakis and Gianni Cappelluti, as his name is called at the St. Barbara 42nd annual Greek Festival.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • February 20, 2026
St. Barbara hosts 42nd annual Greek Festival all weekend

Members of the church come together to celebrate their faith and their Greek culture.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Magpie is in training to seek out nests for Sea Turtle Inc.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • March 4, 2026
Dog from Satchel's Last Resort in training to search out sea turtle nests

Magpie will be one of only three dogs in the country trained to search out sea turtle nests for conservation purposes, according to Satchel's Last Resort.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Orchestra, SPAC should combine efforts
  • By Letter to the Editor |
  • January 28, 2026
Orchestra, SPAC should combine efforts

One reader says rather than take on two projects worth $800 million, the Sarasota Orchestra and Sarasota Performing Arts Center should collaborate on a new center for the arts.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Ability to Include's Grace Murby and Chris Collins are thrilled with a $10,000 grant that was presented to them by Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan to help build a universal soccer pitch.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • February 18, 2026
Nonprofit makes its pitch for a new soccer field in Lakewood Ranch

Ability to Include raises funds for a TopSoccer universal soccer field.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Man climbs to the roof of a bar in search of his friend
  • By Observer Staff |
  • February 25, 2026
Man climbs to the roof of a bar in search of his friend

A patron of a downtown bar, who was trespassed after being spotted on the roof, said that's the last place he saw his friend. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
The Sarasota Ballet will perform Ricardo Graziano's "Valsinhas" from Jan. 30-Feb. 2 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • January 28, 2026
Sarasota Ballet revives 'Valsinhas' for its fourth program

Portuguese for "Little Waltzes," the piece was choreographed by Brazil-born principal dancer Ricardo Graziano.

  • Arts + Culture
The idea for Moo-Jitsu was a collaboration between 9-year-old Olivia Whitman and her father Brandon Whitman in October of last year. They launched the business in August.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • December 8, 2025
Love of cows adds spice to Lakewood Ranch business

Moo-Jitsu is a new spice company that brands itself through a love of cows and jiu jitsu.

  • East County
  • Business
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
The owner of the vacant Winn-Dixie site at Midtown Plaza is planning to redevelop it into a mixed-use project that includes apartments, a hotel and retail space.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • January 28, 2026
Midtown Plaza redevelopment wins partial sign-off

Receiving partial sign-off from Sarasota's Development Review Committee is the proposed redevelopment of the southern portion of Midtown Plaza at 1299 S. Tamiami Trail.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Seaward Development is seeking a parallel facade administrative adjustment for its frontage along South Palm Avenue.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • January 13, 2026
Mira Mar project moves forward with partial sign-off

The project to rehab the Mira Mar building augmented by two residential towers has received partial sign-off from the city of Sarasota, but some adjustment requests remain.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner George Kruse says adopting a county charter is worth exploring. "Anything we can do to have a say, is a good thing," he says.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • January 14, 2026
Charter for Manatee County is an interesting prospect

In wake of a $40 million veterans project, residents might want more impact on major financial decisions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The red outline shows where M/I Homes of Sarasota proposed to build 167 homes.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • February 2, 2026
Manatee County commissioners deny 167 homes, 99 put on hold

Commissioners, applicants and residents spent nearly nine hours debating the side-by-side projects.

  • East County
  • News
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe singer Michael Mejia-Mendez belts the opening note of Harry Belafonte's iconic "Day-O" during a tribute performance on Jan. 21 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 24, 2026
'King of Calypso' tribute singer gets Christ Church grooving

Singer Michael Mejia-Mendez brought to life the tunes and tales of Harry Belafonte for a special performance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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