• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Schools

Freedom, Braden River elementary schools to have new principals
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 16, 2024
Freedom, Braden River elementary schools to have new principals

The current principals are taking on new positions within the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Amy Kwakye-Amoah has worked with fellow teens on addressing body image, cyberbullying and other common issues.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 16, 2024
Already making a mark in her community, this teen is ready for liftoff

Self-motivated Lakewood Ranch high school senior Amy Kwakye-Amoah wraps up the high school phase of her life with a big award. She has no plans to coast into college.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River High graduate Adanna Wharton hugs Principal Carl Auckerman. Wharton will go to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 15, 2024
Braden River High graduates say farewell to high school

The road to graduation wasn't always easy, but 395 students celebrated receiving their diplomas.

  • East County
  • Schools
East Bradenton students named winners in playwright program
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 15, 2024
East Bradenton students named winners in playwright program

The three students' plays will be performed at the Florida Studio Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cristal Aguillon, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, will be the second in her family to graduate high school and the first to go to college.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 15, 2024
After family tragedy, LRHS senior refocuses to graduate

Cristal Aguillon doesn't let hardships stop her from becoming the first in her family to attend college.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fifth grader Alex Kulyk tries his best to get as much water in fifth grader Benjamin Rodriguez's bucket while fifth grader Alina Matevosova waits her turn.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 10, 2024
Willis Elementary hosts annual field day

Students were soaked after friendly competitions at the Lakewood Ranch school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lisa Schurr, co-founder and director of Support Our Schools, addresses the board, including members Tim Enos and Chair Karen Rose (pictured).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 9, 2024
Sarasota School Board votes to reject new Title IX rules, risks federal funding

The resolution defines biological sex as "an immutable characteristic that cannot be changed, fluid, or altered,” and pledges to support for legal opposition to Title IX changes.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Jeremiah Gonzalez, a senior at Braden River High School, went from a shy, quiet freshman in Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps to serving as the program's battalion commander this year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 8, 2024
Braden River High senior's key to graduating: Keep moving forward

Jeremiah Gonzalez overcomes mental health challenges and focuses on focuses on positivity to get to graduation.

  • East County
  • Schools
A 2027 opening is targeted for the Signature Academic Building.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 7, 2024
Ringling College details plans for Signature Academic Building

The new facility is designed to be an admissions hub and provide more learning space for students.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Ginger Collins, the principal of Southeast High School, is thrilled to be adding Korissa Erdman, a University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee graduate, to her staff. Erdman will teach math.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 6, 2024
USF, Manatee schools partner to address teacher shortage

Eight University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee students will start their careers with the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Zuleima Martinez, Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship award recipient
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 4, 2024
Selby Gardens awards Sarasota student $15K leadership scholarship

State College of Florida graduate Zuleima Martinez will also receive mentoring and career guidance from Selby Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy sophomores Kiran Kalia, Olivia Longino, Samantha Strohbach and Gianna Weldon work present "Did I Do It?" a book they wrote with their 14 classmates in Joseph Bockus' Cambridge AICE English Language class.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 2, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Prep class publishes collaborative novel

The class of 18 students work together on a self-published murder mystery novel.

  • East County
  • Schools
Progress continues on new schools in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 1, 2024
Progress continues on new schools in Lakewood Ranch

A high school is expected to open in August 2027, and a K-8 school is expected in August 2025.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kindergartners Selah Ortiz and Erick Gonzales-Dimas put their culinary skills to the test as the chefs at the Banana Leaf Restaurant.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 28, 2024
Tara Elementary kindergartners serve up smiles at their own restaurant

For one night only, Tara Elementary opened the Banana Leaf Restaurant to give students real-world experiences.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jamie Warrington, the director of transportation for the School District of Manatee County, says he and his staff are thinking of out-of-the-box ways to address transportation challenges.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 23, 2024
Manatee School District faces major transportation challenges

Population spike, driver shortage and a wide geographical coverage area are among the top problems facing Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
« 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
  • December 18, 2025
New north county park draws major collegiate softball tournament
2
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
Sponsored Content
3
  • December 18, 2025
Oar & Iron: Where Every Guest Will Find Something They Love
4
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
  • December 18, 2025
Police foil developing bank scam as it unfolds
5
The home at 2834 Browning Street featured countless decorations and animated figures.
  • December 18, 2025
Sarasota homes light up for the holidays

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now