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Sarasota

Uphill climb coming for Booker football

After graduating the most talented class in program history, the Tornadoes will have to build back this fall.

Daryl Cherry (left) and Jamar Byrd (right) battle with a medicine ball during practice. Byrd, at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, was an offensive/defensive lineman as a sophomore in 2025.

Latest News

1
  • May 14, 2026
New city manager calls career in public service 'most noble of professions'
Karie Friling makes brief comments to the Sarasota City Commission during her visit to the May 4 commission meeting.
2
  • May 14, 2026
What should Sarasota's Main Street look like in 20 years?
Among the proposals for the Main Street complete street project includes converting dozens of angle parking spaces to parallel parking.
3
  • May 13, 2026
Airport roadway named for former SRQ president and CEO
Retired Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo's name is now emblazoned on the airport loop road at SRQ.
4
  • May 13, 2026
Fruitville apartment plan to replace cottages makes second appearance
A rendering of 1899 Fruitville from the corner of North Osprey Avenue and Fruitville Road.
5
  • May 12, 2026
School-tax fee reversal slated to come before county commissioners next week
Sarasota Schools Superintendent Terry Connor speaks during the State of the Community luncheon in April.

Neighbors

Dan Moriarty, community liaison and board member of the Tree Foundation, and Community Relations Co-Chair Janie Pratt stand on the campus.
  • May 14, 2026
Siesta Key Chapel welcomes community to help in unique forest restoration
Sponsored Content
  • May 14, 2026
The Moments We Take for Granted—Until They’re Out of Reach
  • May 13, 2026
Monopoly to make special Sarasota County edition
Kananga and Dominic spend time in Kananga's pool.
  • May 13, 2026
Sarasota Jungle Gardens has big hopes for its cohabitating crocodiles

Business

Costello’s Neighborhood Pizza owner Kenny Palin takes a pie out of the oven at the Longboat Key branch of Costello’s.
  • May 12, 2026
Owner rebrands Longboat, Gulf Gate pizza joints to Costello's Neighborhood Pizza
Il Panificio is now open at 1995 Main St. in Sarasota.
  • May 9, 2026
Il Panificio opens new downtown Sarasota restaurant
Richard and Rebecca Hopkins are longtime leaders of Florida Studio Theatre.
  • April 30, 2026
Leadership changes coming to Florida Studio Theatre
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In is back at 1701 N. Washington Blvd. in Sarasota.
  • April 25, 2026
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In reopens in Sarasota

Cops Corner

  • May 13, 2026
Witness breaks up a fight in a rolling vehicle

A man who says another driver robbed him of cash in a store parking light jumped in and fought as he tried to drive away. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • May 6, 2026
Woman smells a scam with fake nude photos threat

Believing she was texting with the famous action star, a woman gives bank information to "Keanu Reeves" in extortion scam. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

Schools

School district demands repayment of tax fees
  • May 8, 2026
School district demands repayment of tax fees

The Sarasota County Commission votes to resume paying the tax collector's 2% commission fee and questions the fee itself.

Tammy King talks with fourth graders Dylan Amador-Guerra and Knox Smith about their journals.
  • May 7, 2026
Program helps elementary students explore who they want to be when they grow up
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers
  • May 6, 2026
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers
Sarasota Schools Superintendent Terry Connor speaks during the State of the Community luncheon in April.
  • April 15, 2026
Sarasota schools leader outlines issues but also optimism
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

Sports

Vance Freeman became the 10th different state champion in Sarasota boys weightlifting program history May 7. The senior hit all three of his lifts in the bench press to secure gold.
  • May 14, 2026
Sarasota High lifter crowned at state championship

Vance Freeman won an individual state title to conclude his high school weightlifting career with the Sailors.

Daryl Cherry (left) and Jamar Byrd (right) battle with a medicine ball during practice. Byrd, at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, was an offensive/defensive lineman as a sophomore in 2025.
  • May 13, 2026
Uphill climb coming for Booker football
Kaleb Exume has taken his talents from Parrish Community to Cardinal Mooney football for his senior season this fall. But beyond the gridiron, he's dominated in the weight room.
  • May 12, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kaleb Exume
Ben Milliken is the all-time leading passer in program history for Sarasota Christian football. Now, he's the first Blazer headed to an NCAA Division I program.
  • May 7, 2026
Sarasota Christian quarterback caps legacy with history-making commitment
Dick Vitale, even amid his battle with melanoma, kept the focus of his 21st annual gala in Sarasota on helping kids fight — and beat — cancer.
  • May 6, 2026
Dick Vitale reminds us, once more, pediatric cancer research matters
Noelle Tenaglia is headed to the FHSAA Class 4A track and field state championship May 9 at Jacksonville's Hodges Stadium alongside relay teammates Kenna Borras, Ella Dabringhaus and Madison Muller.
  • May 5, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Noelle Tenaglia

Real Estate

The home at 507 Casey Key Road was built in 2008 and has five bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,595 square feet of living area. It sold for $4.75 million in 2019.
  • May 14, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 27-May 1 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
The home at 843 Norsta Way was built in 1963 and has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,467 square feet of living area.
  • May 7, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 20-24 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
The home at 878 Freeling Drive was built in 1953 and has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,866 square feet of living area.
  • April 30, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 13-17 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
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Opinion

1
  • May 13, 2026
  • By Matt Walsh
Lessons on how not to do it
2
  • May 12, 2026
  • By Letter to the Editor
Letter to our legislators: Don't turn USFSM over to New College
3
  • May 6, 2026
  • By Adrian Moore, Nicole Shekhovtsova
Is the only way to protect kids online for all of us to give up our data?

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Photo Galleries

William Gensmer and Zaeta, of The Tilt, perform on stage.
  • May 10, 2026
Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest held at Selby Five Points Park
Joseph Sprouse created costumes based on "Tron" that he and his sister Isabel Sprouse wore to the event.
  • May 10, 2026
SiestaCon continues to bring a comic con experience to Sarasota
At his first time participating in Corevettes on the Circle, newcomer Bob Hanstra took home the award for Best in Show. Car enthusiasts brought 150 Corvettes of all sorts of years, models and colors for the May 2 car show on St. Armands Circle.
  • May 4, 2026
Corvettes on the Circle welcomes 150 vehicles to showcase
Katie Kephart and Shawn Tritschler get into the 80's spirit.
  • May 2, 2026
Downtown Sarasota takes a turn back to the '80s
Rebecca Resinski and Amy Stevens show their support.
  • April 26, 2026
Runners cross Ringling Bridge to raise support for students and teachers
Molly Biter, Winfred Van Workum and Katie Moulton get the meal sizzling.
  • April 25, 2026
Parents and staff cook up meals in support of arts education
Elizabeth Hall of Cypress Pillar Healing Arts teaches Liam Lopez, 6.
  • April 19, 2026
YMCA Healthy Kids Day gives families ideas for an active summer break
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

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