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Your Observer | All

From left to right: Avery Mathis, Charlie Mathis, Michael Mathis and Jessica Mathis grin at a badge pinning ceremony where Michael Mathis was promoted to sergeant of the Longboat Key Police Department.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 17, 2026
Longboat police officer promoted to sergeant

Michael Mathis has been with the Longboat Key Police Department since 2023.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee EMS deputy chief charged with lewd conduct, released from employment
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 17, 2026
Manatee EMS deputy chief charged with lewd conduct, released from employment

Local investigators arrested the 46-year-old Bradenton man after receiving an alert from the FBI.

  • East County
  • News
Addison Gutowitz, 13, and Harriet Shore, 11, learn skills on electric guitar from 17-year-old Max Froemel in the guitar breakout session.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 17, 2026
Campers come together at School of Rock Lakewood Ranch

During the Modern Rock music camp, students learn songs to perform for family and friends.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The School District of Manatee County Bus Attendant Rolando Giz and Bus Driver Richard Dymond said community members need to be more mindful of passing buses, especially when the stop sign is out, as it puts the students at risk on busy roads.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 17, 2026
Impressive team effort gets the students to school safely each day

While drivers and bus attendants are crucial, there are many more workers behind the scenes for Manatee schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakeview Elementary first graders Emory Snyder, Lenny Collazo-Leon and Cullan Peacock watch in excitement to see whether items float or sink in the Ocean Technology Lab at Mote Sea May 7.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 17, 2026
Mote aquarium produces a wave of impact on Manatee, Sarasota students

Mote SEA has hosted over 290 field trips working with 16,500 students since opening in October 2025.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kevin Chapman, the associate superintendent of administration and Todd Richardson, principal of Lake Manatee K-8, welcomed students to the new school for the first time in August 2025.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 17, 2026
Local parents have choices to make when a new school opens

Lake Manatee K-8 is open for business, and Rangeland High School is set to open fall of 2027 for Lakewood Ranch-area families.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dustin Dahlquist, who has taught in a variety of roles in Manatee County including a classroom teacher, athletic director, principal and more, is the founding principal of Rangeland High School.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 17, 2026
Support starts at the top for new Rangeland High School

Dustin Dahlquist, who has served as principal for Lakewood Ranch High School for seven years, is preparing to lead as the founding principal of Rangeland High School.

  • East County
  • Schools
The construction of Rangeland High School is underway in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 17, 2026
Manatee school district's construction efforts peak in the summer

Three East Manatee schools are under construction this summer.

  • East County
  • Schools
Alexander Fine (center) presented first responders from Longboat Key Fire Rescue with a pizza lunch last week for their efforts.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 17, 2026
Longboat resident celebrates first responders with pizza party

The presenting resident thanked first responders for their heroic efforts during a cardiac-related emergency.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Visit Sarasota County President and CEO Erin Duggan (left), past President Virginia Haley (center), and Board Chair John LaCivita (second from left) recognize representatives of Watershed Hospitality Concepts with the 2026 Business Excellence Haley Award.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2026
Visitors bureau opens nominations for annual Haley honors

Visit Sarasota County will accept tourism industry nominations for the annual Haley Hall of Fame Awards through Aug. 28.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Take Stock in Children Manatee County
  • July 17, 2026
Transforming Futures Through Education

How Take Stock in Children of Manatee County is Changing Lives and Communities

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Brookside Middle School sign with updated social media handles to @GulfCoastAcademySCS.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 16, 2026
Future plans for Sarasota County schools are underway

A broad swath of proposals to reinvent campuses begins to take shape this academic year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
This past season was Jordan Guerrero's first as the Out-of-Door Academy baseball coach. Guerrero, who pitched in the San Diego Padres organization from 2015-23, guided the Thunder to an 8-12 record.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 16, 2026
Retired pros bring unique experience to high school coaching

The path from playing professionally to high school coaching is well-trodden, but how does that experience translate?

  • East County
  • Sports
Teacher Erin Foss reads at a table that includes second grader Landry Shorb, Alison Rini visits and third grader Adonis Harris at Star Lab.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 16, 2026
Microschools reach Sarasota as they grow throughout the state of Florida

These small, schoolhouse-style schools emphasize nontraditional educational methods.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Administrators and teachers say reading to students in the summer is important so they don't fall backward.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 16, 2026
Administrators, teachers offer tips on navigating the world of testing

Here are some major assessments students must complete during their academic career.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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Latest News

1
Tom Bleakley's "The Preacher" follows a young Detroit lawyer who takes on the defense of a woman charged with the killing of her husband. It is co-authored by Marcia Krajewski, another Lakewood Ranch resident.
  • July 21, 2026
Lakewood Ranch author uses 50-year law career to write fiction novels
2
Natalia Lesniewska raked in a meet-high 11 medals — 10 gold, one bronze — among all girls at the Florida Summer Age Group Championships.
  • July 21, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Natalia Lesniewska
3
The playground is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
  • July 21, 2026
Manatee County moves forward with Mixon Farms makeover
4
Shirtless, shoeless teenager walking in bike lane visited by police
  • July 21, 2026
Shirtless, shoeless teenager walking in bike lane visited by police
5
Linda R. McKee, retired chief librarian of The Ringling, and Deborah W. Walk, retired chief circus curator, have written a book about a mysterious painting known as the "Greta Garbo Vermeer."
  • July 20, 2026
Two sleuths track the mystery of the 'Greta Garbo Vermeer'

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