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Results for:

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
Cynthia Jordan poses by the "No. 1 Beach in the USA" sign.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 8, 2026
Parrish resident writes musical about a spiritual awakening on Siesta Key

Inspired by the beauty of Siesta Key, musician Cynthia Jordan has penned a musical set on the island.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mathematics teacher Jeff Hilt and social studies teacher Dan McLean are the last remaining classroom teachers that were there when Braden River High School opened in 2005.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • September 10, 2025
Braden River High celebrates its 20th anniversary in Bradenton

Original staff members reflect on the past 20 years.

  • East County
  • Schools
Maddox and Lou Towery have packed up shoeboxes during the Community Holiday Shoebox Collection Drive for the last seven years.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • December 15, 2025
Lakewood Ranch community rallies to support seniors with shoebox event

Community Holiday Shoebox Collection Drive heads toward another record year in donations.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Former Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier has drafted an updated noise ordinance for the city, which was approved by the City Commission on first reading.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • December 11, 2025
City asks: How much noise is too much?

In a long-awaited new ordinance, the Sarasota City Commission says if you can hear it from 100 feet away, it's too loud.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 29, 2025
Black Tie highlights top moment of 2025, in photos

The Sarasota social scene was full of photogenic moments during the past year. It was a tough job, but we picked some of our favorites.

  • Black Tie
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
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
Caragiulos opened in Mira Mar in 1989.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • October 26, 2025
Caragiulos closes until new downtown Sarasota spot opens in 2026

The Italian restaurant will be moving locations downtown from Palm Avenue to Ringling Boulevard.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Vinny Mercadante tosses a lacrosse ball and holds his stick at Summerfield Community Park in Lakewood Ranch. He played for Cardinal Mooney in 2016-18, Marian University in 2018-19 and Florida State in 2021-23 but has since committed to coaching.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • November 24, 2025
Cardinal Mooney grad builds his own lacrosse training school

At just 25, Vinny Mercadante is quickly becoming a premier private lacrosse coach, one of the few in the state.

  • East County
  • Sports
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff |
  • December 17, 2025
Animal interactions and private experiences at Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Get friendly with some flamingos, take your picture with a parrot. Touch a tortoise.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Katie Weiss is board chair of The Sarasota Players board of trustees. Thayer Greenberg is managing artistic director of The Sarasota Players.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • January 7, 2026
The Sarasota Players adds new board, cuts CEO position and promotes two

The reorganization precedes the community theater's move to Payne Park later this year.

  • Arts + Culture
J. Paul Nicholas and David Cantor star in "A Tailor Near Me" at Florida Studio Theatre through Feb. 15.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 30, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 1-7

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
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
The Longboat Key Town Commission and Sarasota County Commission met at Longboat Key Town Hall Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • November 11, 2025
Town Green Library remains on path to completion

Community leaders from St. Armands Key also shared concerns about stormwater drainage during a joint meeting of Longboat Key and Sarasota County leaders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Director of Government Relations Stephanie Garrison leads the work session Dec. 3.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • December 10, 2025
Changing millage review process a top priority among Manatee commissioners

Finding a way to cut taxes is a top priority, but finishing improvements on Lorraine Road is not.

  • 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
Joni Hill, Cate Douglas and Gaby Hayashi make their way across the beach.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 14, 2025
Holiday spirit gets moving at Sandy Claws Beach Run

The annual Sandy Claws Beach Run, which is held on Siesta Key Beach and brings a festive spin to running events, is now in its 49th year.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Mike Newhams began teaching science at the Out-of-Door Academy in 1997 and was known for helping anyone and everyone with anything they might need. This included staying extra hours to provide academic support and attending clubs and events.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • January 12, 2026
Beloved Out-of-Door Academy teacher dies

Mike Newhams, who began teaching at ODA in 1997, died due to complications from his cancer treatments.

  • East County
  • Schools
Danny Slavin and Michael Miller, owners of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii on University Parkway, donate $5,000 to the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Fund Oct. 10.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • October 15, 2025
Dick Vitale aims to surpass $120M for pediatric cancer research in 2026

In 20 years of hosting an annual gala, the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund has raised $105.4 million.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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