More News & City Life

Unity Awards

Meet Our 2023 Unity Award Winners

This year’s honorees are making Sarasota a more inclusive, just and compassionate place.

01/09/2023

Unity Awards

Jennifer Fagenbaum Keeps Families at Risk of Homelessness Together

“The people we serve are hardworking and want to be successful and stable. They just don’t get paid enough to match the cost of living here.” 

01/09/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Unity Awards

Darren Gambrell Makes Higher Education More Accessible and Inclusive

“It is extremely important that we develop the cultural competence needed to better understand individuals from different backgrounds and cultures.”

01/09/2023 By Yasi Bahmanabadi

Unity Awards

Bill Sadlo Helps Youth Cope With Unprecedented Mental Health Challenges

“We go where the youth and families really need us.”

01/09/2023 By Lauren Jackson

Unity Awards

Dr. Manuel Gordillo Steers a Community Through a Deadly Pandemic

"I’m so proud of the health care system. These are humbling experiences.”

01/09/2023 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards

Andrea Blanch Uses a Trauma-Informed Approach to Solve Social Conflict

“My career has been about empowering other people to see their own strength and giving tools away so that people have what they need to make change happen."

01/09/2023 By Bethany Ritz

Unity Awards

Megan Howell Gives Unhoused People With Mental Illness a Chance to Get Back on Their Feet

"Mental illness isn't a choice, and we provide love and support for our clients even on their worst days."

01/09/2023 By Laura Paquette

No workin'

Central Cocoanut Residents Are Fighting to Keep a Car Wash Out of Their Backyards

Tommy's Express Car Wash is proposing a new location in the historic Central Cocoanut neighborhood, just north of downtown Sarasota. But residents are pushing back.

01/06/2023 By Kim Doleatto

A Look Back

The Top 10 Most-Read Stories of 2022

Hurricane Ian, the ongoing pandemic, controversial locals and more—here's a look back at the year that was.

12/30/2022 By Megan McDonald

Flashback

A Glimpse of Sarasota From the Air in 1923

Here's a chance to look back on the changes that this city has experienced over the past century.

12/30/2022 By Bethany Ritz

Good News

The Best Local Feel-Good Stories of 2022

We rounded up a bunch of stories from 2022 that made us smile. We hope they do they same for you.

12/29/2022 By Megan McDonald

Best of the Year

Our Favorite Photos of 2022

From emotional portraits to striking natural beauty to one hilarious lemur, here are some of the best photos we ran in 2022.

12/29/2022 By Staff

On the Radio

Activist Demetrius Jifunza Will Discuss Amendment 4, Voting Rights With Legal Aid of Manasota

Jifunza was instrumental in the passage of Amendment 4, which restores voting rights to more than 1 million people in Florida previously convicted of felonies.

12/19/2022 By Staff

Flashback

Florida Woman Happily Reads Daily News Story About Winter Storms Up North, 1940

Our smug enjoyment of good weather while the North freezes goes back decades.

12/19/2022 By Bethany Ritz

Art for all

Will You Be The Free Little Art Gallery's Next Curator?

Sarasota's Free Little Art Gallery is closing its tiny doors on Dec. 25. Founder Judy Robertson is looking for its new home.

12/19/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Play Ball!

Longtime Sarasota Resident Hoyt Wilhelm Threw the Most Mystifying Pitch in Baseball

The unassuming pitcher was known for his knuckleball.

12/06/2022 By Clayton Trutor

Giving Thanks

How Sarasotans Affected by Hurricane Ian Plan to Keep Thanksgiving Traditions Alive

From gathering at the grandchildren's house to cooking for the community, these Gulf Coast residents carry on the spirit of the season.

11/22/2022 By Laura Paquette

Hurricane Ian

FEMA Extends Deadline to Apply for Hurricane Ian Federal Disaster Assistance

The new deadline is Jan. 12, 2023.

11/21/2022 By Staff

Good Deeds

Hurricane Ian Destroyed a Myakka Woman's Property. Then a Stranger Stepped in to Help.

Eva Wolbers, who fosters and trains animals in need, estimates 30 mature oaks came down in the storm, destroying her home, barn and pastures.

11/21/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Public Displays of Affection

Sarasota's Collection of Public Art Features More Than 95 Works Citywide

We have a love affair with public art, but the road to a happy marriage isn’t always smooth.

11/12/2022 By Kim Doleatto