• 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

Congressman Vern Buchanan talks to R. Dan Nolan Middle School students about what he does as a congressman.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 14, 2024
US representative urges Nolan Middle School students to get involved

Students received encouragement from Congressman Vern Buchanan to be part of the political process.

  • East County
  • Schools
Katie Bagley, a third grade academy teacher at Prine Elementary; Joadie Durfee, a fifth grade teacher at Barbara A. Harvey Elementary; Debra McCarthy, a language arts teacher at Lakewood Ranch High; and Jessica Spence, a first grade teacher at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary, wait in anticipation to find out the winner of Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 12, 2024
Four east Bradenton educators honored to be among county's best

Two teachers and two support employees were honored as finalists for Educator and Support Employee of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Vice Principal Robin Hamilton and Principal John Hettler run the Sea of Strengths Academy.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 11, 2024
Lakewood Ranch school emphasizes joy of learning

Sea of Strengths Academy, which serves third through 12th graders with learning disabilities, instills confidence in its students alongside its highly structured approach to academics.

  • East County
  • Schools
Attendees dance together, with Talia Von Bender, Jamie Taylor and Marisa Von Bender in front.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 9, 2024
Parents and kids dance to same beat at Family Fun & Resource Night

Booker Middle School hosted kids activities and key community resources.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Bradenton's Pam Page, Joanne Telesco, Valerie Lipscomb and David Daniels stand outside the School District of Manatee County's School Support Center to express their disapproval of the district's policy on reviewing books and materials.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 7, 2024
Manatee County School District finalizes book review procedure

Despite concerns from a board member and some residents, the district approved a procedure for parents and residents to object to the use of a book in the classroom.

  • East County
  • Schools
Michael Hager, a water conservation compliance officer with Manatee County Utilites, takes fifth graders through an interactive watershed model to help students understand the importance of water conservation.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 3, 2024
Tara Elementary students learn about water conservation

Manatee County Utilities put on presentation about the importance of water conservation.

  • East County
  • Schools
The salad bars in high school cafeterias come with plenty of ingredients for students to choose.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 31, 2024
Providing more food options is a recipe for success in Manatee schools

The School District of Manatee County offers increased variety to meet students' needs for a nutritious lunch.

  • East County
  • Schools
First grader Penelope Seguin, who loves horses, takes her time petting Sugar, a mini horse, after reading "Pete the Cat Goes to the Doctor."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 26, 2024
Myakka City Elementary gallops into reading

Students read to mini horses, visit the book fair and participate in other literacy activities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fruits, veggies, milk, a bread roll and plant-based nuggets make a complete meal.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 26, 2024
Plant-based lunch options roll out in Manatee school cafeterias

Two high schools and three middle schools offer Impossible Burgers and plant-based nuggets.

  • East County
  • Schools
Construction continues on a new residence hall and student center being built on USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • January 25, 2024
USF's long-awaited Sarasota-Manatee residence hall nearly complete

Building the hall and student center on the small campus proved to be a challenge that officials say is well worth it.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Empower, Develop, Grow and Educate Program will be held at Manatee Technical College East.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 23, 2024
Life skills program launches for Manatee students with disabilities

The program will prepare students to start on a career path with life skills classes and post-graduation resources.

  • East County
  • Schools
Rylen Gibbs, Dylan Luper and Owen Nystrand help spread mulch around the tree.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 21, 2024
Garden Club, Oak Park School plant 'tourist tree' on Florida Arbor Day

Students from the school, which serves children with disabilities, helped carry out the project.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Board members Tim Enos and Robyn Marinelli listen to a presentation by Rachael O'Dea, the deputy superintendent and chief academic officer, on "Literacy for All."
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 18, 2024
Sarasota School Board brings focus to operational excellence

The Sarasota County School Board discussed an organizational excellence overview, a framework for school performance and a literacy plan.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Bridget Ziegler listens to a public comment during the meeting.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 17, 2024
Calls persist for Bridget Ziegler's resignation from Sarasota School Board

Embattled Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler shows no signs of resigning, despite mounting pressure from students and the public.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The long-awaited 22-classroom addition at Lakewood Ranch High School is open for students and teachers.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 15, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High welcomes students back with new building

After years of waiting, the 22-classroom addition is open to students and teachers.

  • East County
  • Schools
« 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 »
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