• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Schools

Read Learn Dream Co-chair Patty Casey reading to A New Beginnings' pre-kindergarten Class.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 14, 2024
Siesta Kiwanis Club nurtures early reading

The Read Learn Dream program places books and other literacy-enhancing materials in the hands of preschoolers in select city schools.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Delaney Riggins and Andrew Shackleford say it's crazy how life comes full circle. The couple "dated" in elementary school but grew apart in middle and high school. They reconnected in 2020 and married March 9.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 14, 2024
LRHS teachers tie the knot years after 'dating' in elementary school

Delaney Riggins says fate brought her back together with Andrew Shackleford in 2020 after they dated in elementary school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Amara Chepuri, a fifth grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, hopes to make it to the quarterfinals at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 13, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Prep student qualifies for Scripps National Spelling Bee

Amara Chepuri is spelling her way to the top, one letter at a time.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee County, USF partnership helps paraprofessionals become teachers
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 12, 2024
Manatee County, USF partnership helps paraprofessionals become teachers

A federal grant will send 60 English for Speakers of Other Languages paraprofessionals to the University of South Florida to earn their teaching degrees.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2024
CareerEdge offers free CNA training program

The fast-track program for certified nursing assistants will begin April 30.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Stacy Lahdenpera and Superintendent Terry Connor
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 7, 2024
Stacy Lahdenpera named School-Related Employee of the Year

The Riverview High admin assistant will enjoy a free two-year lease on a 2024 Ford Bronco.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
For-profit charter school approved amid public opposition in Sarasota
    By
  • James Peter
  • March 6, 2024
For-profit charter school approved amid public opposition in Sarasota

Sarasota Classical Preparatory Academy’s application says it will contract with Charter Schools USA, a for-profit education management company.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Jamie Warrington, the director of transportation for the School District of Manatee County, looks forward to seeing the potential the district's four new electric buses has for the district.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 5, 2024
Electric school buses roll out this month in Manatee County

The School District of Manatee County will begin using four new electric buses late in March.

  • East County
  • Schools
R. Dan Nolan Middle School Future Business Leaders of America advisor Stefani Heidenthal and her students hope their work with the Humane Society of Manatee County will lead to more dogs being adopted.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 5, 2024
Nolan Middle students help Humane Society dogs get adopted

Future Business Leaders of America students' Cause 4 Paws project focuses on creating commercials to help dogs get adopted.

  • East County
  • Schools
Olivia Gambert, 14, won first place in the individual exhibit category of the Sarasota County History Day Contest.
    By
  • James Peter
  • March 1, 2024
Sarasota students explore key moments in history for county contest

The winners and runners-up of the Sarasota County competition will advance to the Florida History Day Contest in May.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Carlos Paez, the director of before- and after-school care at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, always wanted to teach his students kindness and hoped they would pay it forward.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 23, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Prep staff member remembered for his kindness

Carlos Paez, the director of Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy's before- and after-school care, died Feb. 14. Students and staff will miss his ability to make them smile and laugh every day.

  • East County
  • Schools
Nayeli Centeno, a Manatee Technical College Dental Assisting student, teaches Vaylin Jensen, a Lakewood Ranch High School junior, how to suction a mouth.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 22, 2024
MTC open house provides hands-on look at careers

Manatee Technical College's East Campus open house gave potential future students an opportunity to see the programs available.

  • East County
  • Schools
Charter school proposal raises concerns for Sarasota School Board
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 22, 2024
Charter school proposal raises concerns for Sarasota School Board

As the Sarasota County School Board reviewed a proposal for Sarasota Classical Preparatory Academy, board members voiced a range of concerns that included what they said was a lack of detailed plans.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The new addition will address the growth of Parrish Community High School, which is at capacity this school year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 20, 2024
Parrish Community High begins construction on new addition in April

The 16-classroom addition, which will cost $10.6 million and include two engineering labs, addresses growth and academic needs at the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kambrie Rowell, a Ballard Elementary kindergartner in 2022, loves working with her literacy mentor, Esplanade's Barbara Liodice, who volunteers for the Books for Kids Kindergarten program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 19, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Rotary needs volunteers to expand Books for Kids

Manatee County principals say the Books for Kids programs spark a love for reading in students and that they want more classes involved.

  • East County
  • Schools
« 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 »
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
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April
2
  • March 20, 2026
Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled
3
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
  • March 20, 2026
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
4
Dolores M. Stevens (2025)
  • March 19, 2026
Dolores M. Stevens
5
Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski star in "Water for Elephants," which comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Feb. 12-14, 2027.
  • March 19, 2026
'Water for Elephants,' 'Six' and 'Hell's Kitchen' lead Van Wezel's 2026-27 lineup

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 © 2026 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