Tuesday, January 13th, 2026
Good morning, Sarasota. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 13th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Runners turned out on Jan. 11 at Siesta Key Beach to honor Andrew Monroe, a late Riverview High senior, in the 13th annual memorial run & walk that raises funds for scholarships benefiting soccer players, JROTC cadets & track athletes. The event grew over the years and supports higher education. Observer
- ➤ Sarasota Police introduced a new 28-foot mobile learning center filled with iPads, a smartboard and books to support school field trips and community events in north Sarasota. Deb Kabinoff funded the unit through a philanthropic effort to help officers build friendly ties with children. Observer
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Drivers on I-75 south experienced a 45-minute delay from a crash that blocked two lanes near Fruitville Road, triggering a 6-mile backup near State Road 70 — affecting morning commutes. ABC 7
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ A new steakhouse is opening today in Sarasota County that features hand-cut steaks, chops, seafood, and house-made pasta. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
- ➤ Business leaders in Sarasota are urged to reflect on 2025 and refine strategies, build networks, and invest in teams for 2026. The Sarasota Chamber will host its Annual Kickoff Brunch & Economic Update on Jan. 16 at the new Mote SEA Aquarium. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Blue Angels will perform at multiple Florida air shows in 2026 — with events starting in April in Cocoa Beach, Vero Beach and July at Pensacola Beach — and will return in 2027 with shows in Lakeland, Ocala, Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville Beach. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Beloved Out-of-Door Academy teacher Mike Newhams, who began teaching in 1997, died Dec. 30 from complications of cancer treatments. He was known for his warm, engaging lessons (including dressing up for school events) and left a lasting impact on students and staff. Observer
- ➤ Sarasota Military Academy will host its first Leadership and Ethics Conference on Jan. 30 at New College of Florida. The event will feature a keynote by retired Gen. William Scott Wallace and a panel of military professionals to inspire students and community partners. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ On Jan. 10, the New Year, New You health expo took place at The Mall at University Town Center as Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center hosted 60 health vendors. Attendees learned about products like Lifewave patches that eased pain — one local found quick relief. Observer
- ➤ On Dec. 4, Stephen Arnold of Longboat Key Club played 100 holes to support First 1,000 Days Suncoast and raised $114,000—with a matching donation from the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation—for maternal and infant health in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Herald-Tribune invited readers to vote for the Girls Athlete of the Week from Jan. 5—10, with nominees selected by local coaches and scores submitted online until 10 a.m. Friday. The poll, sponsored by Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, followed last week’s win by Lakewood Ranch’s Isla Stewart. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
- ➤ Sarasota Paradise is set to host soccer matches, youth tournaments and regional showcases at its new facility — Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch. The club in USL League Two aims to boost local economic activity and grow a vibrant soccer culture in the community. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
-
Justin Layman: Open Mic Night
5:30-9:30 p.m. — 3 Bridges Brewing — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of original music blending Folk, Rock, and R&B by local talent Justin Layman.
-
Mystical Visions Concert
6-10 p.m. — Marina Jack — Free entry — Enjoy a night of captivating pop/rock hits from a talented female fronted band.
-
Birdwatching Guide at Celery Fields
3:30-5:00 p.m. — Sarasota Audubon Nature Center — Registration required — Discover essential birdwatching skills while enjoying the natural beauty of the Celery Fields.
-
Bri Rivera Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Marina Jack — Free entry — Experience the vibrant sounds of Bri Rivera as she brings her Puerto Rican roots to the local music scene.
-
Ryan Faraday Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Marina Jack — Entry details unavailable — Experience the vibrant sounds of professional guitarist and songwriter Ryan Faraday as he performs live.
-
Château Lafon-Rochet Winemaker Dinner
6:30 p.m. — Mimi Brasserie and Speakeasy — $139 per person — Indulge in a stunning winemaker dinner featuring exquisite Bordeaux wines and a multi-course culinary experience.
-
Florida Native Plant Gardening Workshop
10 AM – 12 PM — Sarasota Audubon Nature Center — Free entry — Discover the importance of native plant gardening and learn to incorporate them into your home landscape.
-
Music by Justin Layman
1-5 p.m. — Fiorelli Winery — Free entry — Enjoy an afternoon of live music at the beautiful Fiorelli Winery.
-
Defying Gravity
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience the excitement of Broadway with the stunning performance of Defying Gravity.
-
Suncoast Scots Highland Games and Celtic Festival
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Sarasota Fairgrounds — Free entry — Experience Scottish culture with traditional games, music, and a hospitality tent hosted by the International Clan MacFarlane Society.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Sarasota
Welcome to the Daily Sarasota, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Sarasota, Florida community. If you like the Daily Sarasota, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Sarasota.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Sarasota and across Florida. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Sarasota
A free Sarasota community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailysarasota.com/sitemap