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Your Observer

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
  • July 18, 2025
Exciting school year ahead for Manatee schools

Interim Superintendent Kevin Chapman says new schools, student achievement strides spark enthusiasm in the new school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota softball dog-piled in the pitcher's circle after securing the final out against Riverview Sumner on May 15.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 18, 2025
Female athletes at the prep level have more opportunities than ever

Sarasota and Manatee county schools continue to work on evening the playing field.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Richard Tatem
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 18, 2025
Hiring superintendent tops District 5 school board member's goals

Richard Tatem says increasing vocational opportunities, increasing on-time bus routes important goals in 2025-26.

  • East County
  • Schools
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter at the East County Observer.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 18, 2025
Letter from your education reporter: There's a lot to look forward to in the 2025-26 school year

Manatee County schools provides a much larger district to cover than she grew up with in Iowa.

  • East County
  • Schools
Jessica Bank and Laura Murphy stand in front of the library.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2025
The Out-of-Door Academy holds on to a historic legacy as it moves forward

While a former dormitory building will have to be demolished due to last year’s hurricanes, the campus works out new plans for the space.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Colton Dempsey, now a Sarasota Sailor, scored 13 of Lakewood Ranch's 29 offensive touchdowns last season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 18, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Colton Dempsey

Dempsey, now at Sarasota High, rushed for 1,000 yards at Lakewood Ranch in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Linda Berman, board member at Stillpoint Mission, fills her car with donated toilet paper from members of Longboat Island Chapel on July 15.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 18, 2025
Toilet paper drive at Longboat fills two cars

Longboat Island Chapel supported Stillpoint Mission's mission to serve those in need with a fundraiser focused on hygiene products.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Michael and Gina Bohn try out a mattress at City Furniture's grand opening July 17 at the new UTC east district store.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 17, 2025
City Furniture makes grand entrance into Sarasota market

The chain furniture store holds grand opening ceremonies at its new store in UTC's east district.

  • East County
  • Business
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2025
Airport fire department upgrades emergency medical services

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Fire Department now offers enhanced medical emergency treatment

  • Sarasota
  • News
Saliva skirmish ends the night out at a downtown club
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2025
Saliva skirmish ends the night out at a downtown club

A woman claiming to be a victim turns out to be the spitter in an after-midnight skirmish of sputum. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Angelica Collado, Fernanda Collado, Brigette Kubin and Patricia Collado showcase some of the knitted and crocheted pieces the three sisters hand crafted for Three Island Monkeys.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 17, 2025
Longboat boutique features crafts by sister trio

From sweaters to doll clothes, the Collado sisters are sharing their love of knitted works through Three Island Monkeys.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Zaylie Ellis of Sailor Circus, walks the tightrope.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen, Ian Swaby
  • July 17, 2025
Unusual educational opportunities abound in Sarasota

From circus skills to hands-on marine biology experience, here are some of the unusual experiences that can enhance education in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Valeria Torres, Brian Guzman-Orozco, Yesica Mojena and Angelinna Lopez Ferrales practice letter sounds with Deb Petti.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 17, 2025
Classrooms are the highest priority as school district prepares 2025-26 budget

At a time when the Sarasota school district is facing financial difficulties, its CFO said the focus will be on the learning experience.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Grace Community Church is expanding its Lakewood Ranch campus to include a student center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch megachurch still growing

Grace Community Church bought a new building for its staff and is constructing an overflow parking lot and student center.

  • East County
  • News
The Out-of-Door Academy rising senior Dylan Walker plays wide receiver, kicker, punter and defensive back for the Thunder.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 17, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Dylan Walker

The ODA football player has ramped up his recruitment this summer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Community Activities' Paige Venuto, Keith Pandeloglou, and Danielle Bugel look forward to the first Communi-tee Golf Classic at Calusa Golf and Country Club Sept. 17.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Community Activities launches its first golf tournament

Calusa Golf and Country Club in Lakewood Ranch will host the inaugural event Sept. 17.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The home at 1378 Harbor Drive was built in 2003 and has four bedrooms, five-and-three-half baths, a pool and 6,235 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 16, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for June 30-July 4 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A home in Harbor Acres on Harbor Drive tops the week’s sales at $9.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Breeze OnDemand operates in three zones of Sarasota County much like private ride-sharing services and delivers riders door to door, though not necessarily solo or non-stop.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 16, 2025
Breeze OnDemand reports to riders it's back to capacity

A segment of the ride system's minivans had been sidelined by a recall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall with the backdrop of the setting sun.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 16, 2025
City committee ties a bow on its two-year mission

Sarasota's Purple Ribbon Committee adjourns after 28 meetings in 24 months as it prepares to deliver its Van Wezel repurposing recommendations to the City Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the boardwalk and public access of the proposed MarineMax post-storm renovations.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 16, 2025
City sinks MarineMax lease extension proposal

Rather than granting a 25-year extension beginning 2037, the Sarasota City Commission instructs staff to reopen the lease with MarineMax for the storm-damaged marina on City Island based on an updated fair market appraisal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This vacation rental home at 460 N. Washington Drive on St. Armands Key was the site of two unauthorized flash parties in recent weeks.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 16, 2025
Vacant vacation houses targeted for unauthorized use

Vacation rentals on St. Armands and Lido Keys have been recently used for three impromptu house parties and one illegal occupation; owners are advised to secure and monitor their properties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The boathouse and events center planned for Nathan Benderson Park is expected to cost between $60 million and $70 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 16, 2025
Nathan Benderson Park boathouse, events center begins to take shape

Nathan Benderson Conservancy board member says 2026 will be an important fundraising year for the $60 million to $70 million project.

  • East County
  • News
Lake Manatee K-8 is the first K-8 school in the School District of Manatee County to be built from the ground up with the purpose of serving elementary and middle school kids.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 16, 2025
Lake Manatee K-8 school readies for opening day in Lakewood Ranch

Administrators, teachers and students are all beginning their voyage at the new school together.

  • East County
  • Schools
Shelter staff welcome visitors at Southside Elementary during Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 16, 2025
Converting schools into storm shelters is a carefully orchestrated operation

The Sarasota school district partners with the county to open the area's schools as hurricane shelters.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Alleged rock throwing becomes international incident
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 16, 2025
Alleged rock throwing becomes international incident

A woman who claimed a 3-year-old threw a rock at her car shared knowledge of a sale of U.S. missiles. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Manatee County commissioners hold the second of two required public hearings May 8 to request "extraordinary circumstances" from the state to raise impact fees.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 16, 2025
Manatee receives threat of litigation over increased impact fees

Freedom Housing Alliance Inc. maintains the impact fee increase violates state statute.

  • East County
  • News
The Bird Key home at 414 Meadow Lark was built in 1979 and has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,885 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 16, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for June 30-July 4 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A home in Bay Isles on Harbor Point Road tops the week’s sales at $7.13 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
The Sutton family hand feeds the cownose rays at the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort's Under the Sea Lagoon.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 16, 2025
Longboat Key St. Regis closes in on first anniversary

Luxury resort makes an impact on Longboat Key and beyond.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Corcoran's compelling case
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 16, 2025
Corcoran's compelling case

When you see what is occurring at New College, Richard Corcoran’s vision for consolidating three institutions deserves serious examination.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Milton Cogswell Shattuck (1932-2025)
    In Memoriam |
  • July 15, 2025
Milton Cogswell Shattuck

Milton C. Shattuck Jr. “Mit”, Lieutenant Colonel, Retired, 92, passed away peacefully on July 9, following a courageous battle with cancer.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
A panther kitten peeks out from its den.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2025
Manatee County wildlife corridor faces funding challenges

Over 18 million acres are listed to eventually be part of the state's wildlife corridor.

  • East County
  • News
Killdeer are dedicated parents known for their 'broken-wing' display, feigning injury to lure intruders away from their chicks or nest.
  • By Miri Hardy
  • July 15, 2025
New life thrives in Myakka’s habitat restoration zone

Plants and animals continue to respond favorably to re-created floodplain marshes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students receive a meal in a school dining area.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 15, 2025
How Sarasota’s school district feeds thousands of students each day

Director of Food and Nutrition Services Sara Dan describes how Sarasota County Schools provides meals to a district that includes around 45,000 students — and ensures kids enjoy the product.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Daniel Bradshaw, the principal of Parrish Community High School, and Carol Ricks, the principal of Myakka City Elementary School, man the registration desk at Myakka City Elementary as it serves as a shelter during Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2025
What does it take to use Manatee schools as hurricane shelters?

In the midst of a severe storm, no one is turned away from the Manatee County schools that serve as shelters.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood ranch resident Mackenzie Shin, 10 and Sarasota resident Tyler Hover, 8, explore their love for marine biology at a camp presented by Little Medical School-Suncoast.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 15, 2025
ODA hosts Little Medical School-Suncoast marine biology camp

Campers learned about pollution, tracking turtles, the layers of the ocean and more.

  • East County
  • Schools
Unwelcome couple sent packing from fishing
  • By Eric Garwood
  • July 15, 2025
Unwelcome couple sent packing from fishing

A pair of non-residents were asked by a board member to leave the premises of a bayfront community. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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