Daily
Sarasota
Thursday, January 15th, 2026
Good morning, Sarasota. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 15th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Siesta Key restaurants suffered heavy damage when hurricanes Milton and Helene flooded their businesses and FEMA did not send assistance. Community members helped rebuild establishments, with Village Café reporting over $100,000 in losses (including damaged equipment) and The Lobster Pot closing for three months. ABC 7
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ On Jan. 14, Verizon engineers worked to resolve a nationwide outage that left local customers receiving messages like 'SOS' or 'Emergency Calls Only' on their phones. Customers are advised to check My Verizon for updates. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Dennis Brock, a Sarasota creator, built the Brock Magiscope in 1987 with a design that uses ambient light and few parts to make science fun and safe for kids. He recently donated 12 microscopes to the Boys & Girls Clubs and is developing a curriculum to support hands-on learning. Observer
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Manatee County broke ground on the new Valor Commons veteran campus in Palmetto on Wednesday, Jan. 14; the 12,000+sqft facility will offer services including entrepreneurship and mental health counseling to help veterans transition to civilian life. ABC 7
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ After a severe horseback riding accident in Wyoming, USF professor Bhuvan Unhelkar was rushed to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center where emergency surgery with titanium rods stabilized his spine and he now recovers steadily, praising the staff for their prompt and expert care. Observer
- ➤ Recalled pecorino Romano cheese sold in Florida (including Sam's Club) may contain listeria, and the FDA advises consumers to return or dispose of it for a full refund. The recall covers products distributed between Nov. 3 and Nov. 20 with expiration dates from Feb. to May. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ The Sarasota Station workforce housing development breaks ground today to build affordable living spaces for local workers. The project aims to enhance community growth and expand housing opportunities. ABC 7
- ➤ Community leaders will gather today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the groundbreaking of Sarasota Station, a 202-unit workforce housing development themed after the historic Suncoast Sarasota Railroad and spread over more than 4 acres (2211 Fruitville Rd and 300 Audubon Pl) near downtown. ABC 7
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Cardinal Mooney Catholic football was voted December’s Top Team after earning 54.97% of votes among nine high school teams; they clinched a state title with a 52-28 win over Jacksonville Bolles. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
- ➤ High school sports this week saw Lakewood Ranch girls soccer build momentum with an eight-game winning streak following a 4 to 1 victory over Braden River and the boys team extend its unbeaten record to 15 wins with a 2 to 1 triumph over Riverview. Sarasota Christian won both boys and girls basketball contests. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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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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The Beat Goes On - Cher Tribute Show
7-9 p.m. — Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall — Ticketed event — Experience a vibrant tribute to Cher's timeless hits in an iconic venue.
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 smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.
~ Franklin D. Roosevelt
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