Daily
Sarasota
Wednesday, January 14th, 2026
Good morning, Sarasota. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 14th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Veterans enjoyed a healing kayak tour of Sarasota Bay led by Wayne Douchkoff on Saturday, Jan. 10—featuring a guided meditation that connected them with nature, as the free event sponsored by the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and Veterans Affairs support brought the community together on the water. Observer
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Sarasota Art Museum presents Janet Echelman: Radical Softness featuring large fiber installations inspired by Indian fishermen's nets including the 35-foot Expanding Club. Curated by Lacie Barbour, the exhibit runs through April 26 (displayed in Suhler and Stulberg Galleries). Observer
- ➤ Tony and Katherine Van Wezel Stone, grandchildren of Lewis Van Wezel, announced support for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center project as part of a public-private partnership. Updated project plans that include community input are expected in the spring to honor the family legacy for creative excellence. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Sarasota Bradenton International Airport closed 2025 with over 4.5 million passengers—a 6.34% increase from 2024, officials said, highlighting strong demand for air travel in the region. ABC 7
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Southside Elementary celebrated its 100th year on campus with student dances and songs spanning each decade — including a moment when students helped name the official state fruit — and brought the community together with cake and music. Observer
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A second cold front is headed to central Florida with chilly air expected to bring near freezing lows to areas like Sarasota by Friday morning — clear, dry conditions will follow amid ongoing drought. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Manasota Key Road in South Sarasota reopened on Jan. 13 after a 2,000-foot washout from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. The county said minor repairs continue—such as debris removal and sign updates—and it plans a permanent, resilient solution using part grant funding for the $2 million temporary repair. FOX 13
- ➤ County officials allocated $13.5M plus nearly $500K from the city to fund a $14M flood mitigation project at St. Armands after recurring flooding from past hurricanes on Dec. 16. Design work will begin soon to improve pump stations+ tidal valves and is expected to run over the next three years. Observer
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Between Dec. 22 and Jan. 2, a $6.4 million condo sale at Condominium Residences at Longboat Key topped a week of high-end residential real estate deals across Longboat, Lido, St. Armands and Bird Key. Transactions show a steadily active market in these popular Sarasota areas. Observer
- ➤ The Mira Mar project received partial sign-off from the city on Jan. 7 as Seaward Development works to resolve pending adjustments (including a technical deviation for setback requirements and alternative façade materials) before completing twin condo towers with 70 units by end 2028. Observer
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Carter Evans earned Sarasota Athlete of the Week after scoring a career-high 28 points on Jan. 6 in a win over Venice — he averaged 24.2 points in his last four games. Observer
- ➤ Payton Gee of Cardinal Mooney was named the Herald-Tribune Girls Athlete of the Week for Dec. 8-13 after winning the poll with 59.8% of the vote. The senior scored two goals in a 5-3 win over Imagine School. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Music by Justin Layman
1-5 p.m. — Fiorelli Winery — Free entry — Enjoy an afternoon of live music at the beautiful Fiorelli Winery.
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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.
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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.
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