• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day 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
  • 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
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Schools

Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School's Noble Pinto, Julian LaBranche, Jaxon Grew and Chloe Kenya pinky promise to go out and play in honor of Justin Darr, who was a physical education teacher.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 4, 2023
McNeal Elementary celebrates life of beloved physical education teacher

In honor of Justin Darr's philosophy to "go out and play," students, staff and Darr's family played sports during the dedication.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kate Barlaug has been named the principal of Dr. Mona Jain Middle School. Irene Nikitopoulos has been named the principal of Carlos E. Haile Middle School.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 4, 2023
Two east Bradenton schools to have new principals

Haile and Mona Jain middle schools will have new leaders for the 2023-2024 school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Graduates of the CareerEdge construction training program sponsored by Selby Gardens.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 31, 2023
Selby Gardens program graduates class of 10 electricians

Partnership with CareerEdge provides free training in construction trades with many students hired before completing the program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Allison Coleman, a second grader at Myakka City Elementary School, snuggles with Ruby Sue, the school's future therapy dog, while reading to her.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 28, 2023
Therapy dogs gain popularity in East County schools

Myakka City, McNeal and Tara elementary schools see benefits of having therapy dogs on campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ricardo Robinson-Shinall, the theater director at Braden River High School, presents Roxane Caravan, the theater director at Lakewood Ranch High School, with the Dr. Sherry Lawrence Theatre Education Award.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 27, 2023
Manatee Arts Education Council celebrates the arts at annual Arts Alive

School District of Manatee County students showcased talents, and two east Bradenton fine arts teachers were recognized for their dedication.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gwendolyn Smith, a client at Daybreak Adult Day Center, feels like a teacher again when she's reading to Braden River Elementary School first graders.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 27, 2023
Elementary students make grand-friends at Daybreak Adult Day Center

The Braden River first graders write letters, visit, and learn about aging at the Lakewood Ranch facility.

  • East County
  • Schools
Valorant team member Ana "POWER" Payro, Super Smash Bros. team super captain Hanz “RawSauce” Ago, Recreation & Wellness Coordinator E Ramey, Super Smash Bros team member Jaehee “AsianShack” Kim, Overwatch team member Bennett “BlitzStorm” Hanus, and Super Smash Bros. team member Viktor “Tachio” Niksdorf.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 23, 2023
Ringling College embraces growth of esports

The Ringling Rollers esports team will receive a dedicated gaming arena.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Executive Director Sherika Evans drives the Suncoast School for Innovative Studies school bus every day.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • March 18, 2023
School leader goes extra mile to ensure student success

Sherika Evans believes giving kids a better life doesn't end with them — it involves the whole family.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County is renovating Tara Elementary School after the Florida Department of Education did not approve a replacement of the school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 16, 2023
To renovate or replace? Manatee County School District handcuffed by state

Even though Tara Elementary School could be replaced cheaper, the state says that renovation is the only option.

  • East County
  • Schools
Junior Adanna Wharton and sophomore Madison Kelley report in for their duel exhibition. Wharton and Kelley enjoy being able to create their own routine.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 15, 2023
Braden River High JROTC students put own spin on drill routines

JROTC drill team duel exhibitionists are able to develop their own routines to meet their abilities.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sixth graders Jaliyh Tartt, Sara Downs and Lily Bertrand love getting colors all over them.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 9, 2023
Nolan Middle School raises funds for its students with Color Run

Students at the Lakewood Ranch school don't mind getting a little messy for a good cause.

  • East County
  • Schools
Skyler Johnson, a sophomore at Parrish Community High School, uses an endoscope to check the valves within the chamber to see if they're bent.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 8, 2023
Manatee students prepare to be career-ready with hands-on experience

Changes in career and technical education keep the school district adjusting to meet industry needs.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 7, 2023
Where are the Taylor Emmons Scholarship recipients now?

The Taylor Emmons Scholarship was formed to go its recipients a boost forward in life at the Out-of-Door Academy. Here's how it is doing.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tara Elementary's Mila Martinez and Ava Olivero dance in sync as they learn their new dance routine.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 6, 2023
Tara Elementary dance team returns after being shut down for two years

The school's Parent-Teacher Organization started the team again after the pandemic to provide an opportunity for students to dance while building relationships.

  • East County
  • Schools
Marina Proskurina, a digital design and photography instructor at Manatee Technical College, is one of 24 people to earn a Master Artist degree from Professional Photographers of America.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 1, 2023
MTC instructor earns prestigious degree from photography nonprofit

Marina Proskurina is one of 24 people to earn the Master Artist degree from Professional Photographers of America in 2023.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 »
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
Golf pro Stephen Arnold succeeded in his goal of playing 100 holes of golf in a single day to benefit families involved with First 1,000 Days Suncoast.
  • February 4, 2026
Golfing feat makes a difference for area families
2
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
3
Chamber launches summertime internship program
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program
4
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork
5
Danny Bernardy demonstrates research with a theatrical flair to Greg Ball in Florida Studio Theatre's "The Blue-Sky Boys."
  • February 4, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre shoots for the moon with 'The Blue-Sky Boys'

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