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Results for:

Kindergartener Santiago Perez checks out the crochet items.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 16, 2025
Holiday House SRQ now serves a fifth school, but holiday shopping costs rise

This year, the nonprofit provided its free holiday shopping experiences to five elementary schools, but rising prices for gifts pose a challenge.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Samuel Shamsey poses for a photo on Dec. 1 outside the entrance to Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The striker leads a senior-heavy pack of Cougars for the 2025-26 season.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Samuel Shamsey

The senior leads Cardinal Mooney boys soccer in goals scored entering December.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Nick Gladding poses for a photo in his Sarasota Bay-facing backyard Friday, Jan. 2. In March, Gladding will be sworn in as the next Longboat Key District 3 Commissioner.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • January 7, 2026
Longboat commissioner-elect discusses local control, dredging, Ohana's seawall

Running unopposed, former land use and environmental lawyer Nick Gladding will represent District 3 on the Longboat Key Town Commission.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Arts organizations strike up the band in 2026 for big birthdays
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • January 7, 2026
Arts organizations strike up the band in 2026 for big birthdays

Don't miss these arts events as three Sarasota cultural institutions celebrate their 100th anniversary and America blows out 250 candles.

  • Arts + Culture
Senior forward David Young (33) dribbles up the court with two defenders on him during a Jan. 9 game between Sarasota and Riverview. The Sailors have leaned on Young, among others, with Johnny Lackaff unavailable.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • January 14, 2026
Life without Lackaff: Sarasota boys basketball digs deep in star's absence

The Sailors' leading scorer has been sidelined, forcing the defending state semifinalists to adapt quickly.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch junior goaltender James Devriendt (33) gets some postgame kudos from senior defenseman Jackson Ellis (4). Devriendt's .878 save percentage and 2.05 goals against average through 13 games are both career-best marks on a Mustangs team that has done nothing but win in 2025-26.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • January 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High boys hockey team turns heads with unbeaten streak

The Mustangs have won all their games in the Lightning High School Hockey League.

  • East County
  • Sports
Evan Rowe has distinguished himself in the 165-pound weight class this season and carries aspirations of a top-three finish in March's FHSAA individual championships.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • January 19, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Evan Rowe

The Braden River senior wrestler ranks No. 2 in the state for the 165-pound weight class.

  • East County
  • Sports
Paige Hernandez leads students.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • October 22, 2025
Tuttle Elementary gets moving with hip-hop educational theater

Performing artists and educator Paige Hernandez, the current artist in residence with Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, visited the school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
A rendering of the planned 17-unit Habitat for Humanity townhome development.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • September 30, 2025
Habitat for Humanity will build 17-unit townhomes in Park East

Habitat for Humanity received Sarasota City Commission approval to build 17 townhomes across two buildings in a neighborhood surrounded by detached Habitat housing.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

Pastor Phil Derstine and his fellow carolers bring hugs and music to taverns on Christmas Eve.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Marcus Liberty poses for a photo on Nov. 10 at Edgewater Park in Lakewood Ranch. He featured as a forward for the King College Prep boys' basketball team which won the Illinois High School Association’s 1985-86 Class AA state championship.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • November 13, 2025
Marcus Liberty adds jersey retirement to legacy of impact

The Sarasota resident and former NBA player, now committed to mentorship, sees his jersey raised to the rafters at his alma mater.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
An average of 4,500 people attend Music on Main each month.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • November 15, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Main Street motors past a milestone

Some tenants have left. Others have been there for 10, or even 20, years. Amid the changes, Main Street at Lakewood Ranch maintains its original calling: a go-to gathering spot.

  • East County
  • News
Students from the Riverview High School Kiltie Band march along the parade route.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • November 11, 2025
Generations honor sacrifices at Sarasota Veterans Day Parade

Amid cold weather, the parade featured various local organizations and clubs, schools and government departments.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A group of 13 veterans and volunteers met at Ken Thompson Park on City Island where they embarked on kayaks for a guided tour of Sarasota Bay led by Wayne Douchkoff of Wayne Adventures and sponsored by Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • January 13, 2026
Veterans enjoy peace of Sarasota Bay through guided kayak outing

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program-funded tour was led by Wayne Douchkoff and included a guided meditation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A silver Volkswagen SUV was reported leaving the Town Square University Parkway with several leafy plants strapped to a roof cargo rack.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • October 29, 2025
Burglar makes off with Manatee senior center's therapeutic garden

Town Square University Parkway hopes donors now can help replace what was stolen.

  • East County
  • News
There was a time when Megan Nugent played internationally for the Republic of Ireland. Now, she's taken to the high school sidelines as a girls soccer coach.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • February 3, 2026
New coach aims for lofty heights with ODA girls soccer

Dublin, Ireland native Megan Nugent has sustained success for the Thunder in her first year.

  • East County
  • Sports
The School District of Manatee County's Superintendent Laurie Breslin, Educator of the Year Clifford Dawson and Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services Derek Jensen pose for a photo at the Excellence in Education Awards on Feb. 4.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • February 9, 2026
Braden River High band director named Educator of the Year

At the Excellence in Education Awards on Feb. 4, Clifford Dawson walked across the stage to accept the honor of 2026 Educator of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ryan Chase is principal of Sarasota High School.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 29, 2026
What it takes to become principal of the year

Sarasota High's Ryan Chase explains the challenges and joys that come with the honor of being named the NASSP Florida High School Principal of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Kingston Kokoefer poses for a photo on Oct. 13 at Out-of-Door Academy. He cut multiple Seffner Christian drives short in their Oct. 10 matchup as the Thunder held off the 39.5-points-per-game Crusaders for a sixth straight win.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • October 14, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kingston Kokoefer

The sophomore safety had two interceptions in The Out-of-Door Academy football's Week 9 win over Seffner Christian.

  • East County
  • Sports
Waterside of Lakewood Ranch might have to wait longer for Sarasota County Schools to build an elementary school there.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • January 7, 2026
Sarasota County reevaluates need for new schools to serve Waterside

Jody Dumas, the executive director of facility services for Sarasota County Schools, said their two properties in Lakewood Ranch might sit empty for longer than anticipated.

  • East County
  • Schools
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