• 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
    • Elections
    • 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
    • Elections
    • 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

Alex Kitcher has a small crew of friends he plays video games with that will be joining him at Sarasota Polytechnical School. (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • July 5, 2022
A new school year often means a big transition

Students and parents reflect on moving into middle school and high school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Valerie Viands, the director of Manatee Technical College, hands Sarasota's Jasmine Redding her diploma. Redding has a job with Nurse Core and plans to work part time for HCA Florida Blake Hospital or First Physicians Group.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 1, 2022
Manatee Technical College fast-tracks grads into the workforce in Bradenton and Sarasota region

Many Manatee Technical College students secured a job before they even graduate.

  • East County
  • Schools
$18.1 million in facelifts are planned for Bay Haven School for Basics Plus.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 30, 2022
Three planned new schools will house 5,100 student in flourishing south Sarasota County

Two new schools in Wellen Park and a third nearby will serve the Venice-North Port area as Sarasota County Public Schools plans for growth. A historic school will also get a makeover.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 28, 2022
Manatee School District considers how to use vacant land to address growth

The district has three parcels totaling 186 acres in the Lakewood Ranch area on which to build new schools.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota Sailors alum Conner Whittaker, who just finished his freshman season at Florida State, held a 2.48 ERA over 36.1 innings in 2022. (Photo courtesy of FSU Athletics)
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 23, 2022
Former Sarasota High baseball star was a key piece of Florida State's bullpen in 2022

Conner Whittaker held a 2.48 ERA over 36.1 innings as a freshman at FSU. He thanks his high school coaches for making his transition to college ball a smooth one.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Dolphin Aviation scholarship winners Jaxson French, Gabriel French, presenter Shannon Ciaravella, Chloe Sebiro, Halden Parker and Sephena Jackson. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • June 22, 2022
Local students awarded at Dolphin Aviation scholarship ceremony

The ceremony was held June 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Santora, a former third grade teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, helps Caley Ochoa with a math problem. Teachers will go through trainings to learn more ways of supporting students. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 22, 2022
Manatee School District implements new project to improve school climate

Thirty-three percent of students surveyed say the actions of fellow students hurt their performance, so the school district hopes Project Spark leads to better learning environment.

  • East County
  • Schools
The administration area of the school has been reconfigured to have a single point of entry. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 17, 2022
Braden River Middle renovations near completion

The School District of Manatee County takes advantage of summer months to continue renovations, which include a newly configured administration area and a cafeteria expansion.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sheila Waid feels like she's returning home as the new principal at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School. Waid served as a student support specialist at McNeal Elementary from 2015 to 2018.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 14, 2022
East Bradenton educator returns to McNeal Elementary as principal

Sheila Waid lands her first principal role after three decades in education.

  • East County
  • Schools
An Aviation Maintenance Technician School is coming to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.  File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 8, 2022
Aviation maintenance school coming to SRQ

Manatee Technical partners with Suncoast Technical to provide training at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cheryl McGrew, who has retired as the principal of McNeal Elementary School, was integral to starting STEM labs in elementary schools throughout the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 7, 2022
McNeal Elementary principal retires after 34 years in education

River Club's Cheryl McGrew has enjoyed seeing her visions for education become reality for students in the School District of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 6, 2022
Little ranchers bond through agriculture lessons in Lakewood Ranch

Little Ranchers gives students opportunities to learn about animals, plants and the environment while building friendships.

  • East County
  • Schools
Parrish Community High School already is in need of an addition only three years after opening. The school is about 300 students shy of reaching capacity. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 5, 2022
Population explosion forces expansion of Parrish Community High earlier than expected

Parrish Community High School, which draws East County students, gets $15 million addition ahead of schedule.

  • East County
  • Schools
ODA seniors Aaliyaa Genat and Anthony Gaukhman make hearts with their hands as they enjoy their graduation ceremony.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 4, 2022
Out of Door Academy graduates celebrate on the Lakewood Ranch campus

ODA seniors already looking forward to their future college life.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Melodie Marchena and her husband, Sanddy Marchena, are excited to make an impact on children as the new owners of Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2022
Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch undergoes new ownership

Lakewood Ranch's Melodie and Sanddy Marchena are ready to make impact at Kiddie Academy.

  • East County
  • Schools
« 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 »
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
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free