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Schools

Harper Greene, an 8-year-old Myakka City resident, and Drew Randenburg, a 10-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident, were two of the "crazy cooks" at the camp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 23, 2025
'Crazy cooks' broaden their palettes at The Out-of-Door Academy

In a camp hosted by Pure Imagination Studio and Sarasota Parks and Recreation, 22 campers learned to prepare 10 different meals and desserts.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Manatee County school board held a special meeting on Tuesday to further discuss the details of the timeline and search for a new superintendent. Richard Tatem said good leaders tend to work in different industries, not just education, and wants the candidate pool to be as big as possible.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 20, 2025
Superintendent applications open for Manatee County School District

In a special meeting, the school board further discussed its expectations and approved a new timeline.

  • East County
  • Schools
Seventh grader Bronx Hanratty and digital art teacher Katelyn Reyes went to the Dalí Museum Student Surrealist Art Exhibit where Hanratty received the Award of Excellence.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 17, 2025
Mona Jain Middle art student receives Dalí exhibit's Award of Excellence

Bronx Hanratty, a 13-year-old artist, created a piece in Photoshop to project his view on mental health.

  • East County
  • Schools
Graham Rueping, Nico Villanueva and Lane Tamberino were among the campers who learned all about plant science, animal science, environmental science and leadership at the Junior Ranchers camp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 11, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Junior Ranchers learn about agriculture through camp

Counselors help the kids learn hands-on lessons about cows, snakes and insects.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jacob Kalua (second from right) celebrates with his sister Regan Kalua, father Shelton Kalua and mother Regina Kalua after graduating Sarasota High School.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 11, 2025
Years of hard work pay off for local high school graduate

Despite dealing with the hurricanes, Sarasota High School graduate Jacob Kalua of Lido Key celebrates his consistent academic record as a scholarship recipient.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Manatee school board fires teacher accused of sexting student
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 10, 2025
Manatee school board fires teacher accused of sexting student

Oliver Fell was charged with lewd conduct against a student by an authority figure and transmission of harmful material to a minor.

  • East County
  • News
Branson Rudeen and Brad Rudeen
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 5, 2025
Riverview High graduate sets up healthy vending machine business

Branson Rudeen wasn't sure where to go after high school, but he's following in his father's footsteps with his own business.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
School board member Cindy Spray said "students are students to me." She has the most charter school students in her district. She made a visit to ¡HOLA! Elementary School on April 1. Spray was walking through the hallways and saw Dalba Lopez's music class dancing and they performed a special routine for her.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 4, 2025
Manatee school board will vote to give charters a cut of half-penny tax

Since 2023, charter schools have not received funding from the half-penny sales tax.

  • East County
  • Schools
Interim superintendent Kevin Chapman's contract was finalized in a special board meeting May 29. He will be interim until January 5, 2026 or whenever the school board hires someone in his place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 4, 2025
Manatee school board wants fast process to find new superintendent

The School Board of Manatee County aims to have a new superintendent in place by the time the 2025-26 school year begins in August.

  • East County
  • Schools
Graduate Jayvian Johnson (second from left), his girlfriend Alyssa Harris, brother Will Johnson and father Terrence Johnson
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 3, 2025
Booker High School celebrates 2025 graduates

Some 340 graduates of Booker High School walked the stage on May 31.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Graduate Ninabella Worhacz, her sister Rosemary Worhacz, her father Robert Worhacz, and her mother Josephine Worhacz.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 3, 2025
Riverview High School graduates take the next step

Some 470 graduates took to the stage at Robarts Arena.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Haile Middle School teacher arrested on charge of lewd contact
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 3, 2025
Haile Middle School teacher arrested on charge of lewd contact

The student told deputies that the teacher sent an explicit photo.

  • East County
  • News
Eddy Thomas, Kylie West, Kylah Scheetz and Charlotte Humlicek are among the 34 seventh grade students that will skip the eighth grade and start taking high school level classes next school year through the SOAR program.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 2, 2025
Students begin high school early with Lakewood Ranch Prep Soar program

Students in the Soar program have the opportunity to earn as many as 60 college credits during their five-year high school career.

  • East County
  • Schools
Alexsandra Santos and Jeffrey Zamarripa
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 30, 2025
Graduates walk the stage in record numbers at Sarasota High School

The class looked back at a time of both positivity and challenges during the school's 111th graduation.

  • Graduation
Daniel Bryan-Beachler and Bryan Thomas both grew up in Indiana and have each taught for 38 years. Bryan-Beachler has been a teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School since 2001 and Thomas has been a teacher there since the school opened in 1998.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 30, 2025
Two Lakewood Ranch High teachers retire after 38-year careers

Bryan Thomas has taught at LWRHS since its opening while Daniel Bryan-Beachler has taught at the school since 2001.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Abbie and Rudolph Brothers
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The only access point to Bradenton Estates II is proposed from 18th Avenue East.
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Manatee County Library Services Manager Tammy Parrott and Sue Ann Miller, president of the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, believe the second floor of the facility will be put to good use.
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Kelly Gilliland grew up in Sarasota and has now lived in Lakewood Ranch for 25 years.
  • February 16, 2026
Resident's long-lasting heart for Lakewood Ranch stems from a mother's love

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