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Results for:

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
Cyclists utilize the bike lanes on Gulf of Mexico Drive along the newly completed Country Club Shores turn lane project portion of the street. The 0.84-mile segment marks the first example of the town’s Complete Streets vision.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • December 17, 2025
Longboat Key chips away at Complete Street(s) goal

The first project in the plan is done on the south end, and the second is planned on the north end, but making Gulf of Mexico Drive a "complete street" will require a lot more work.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gavin Henderson ranks No. 5 in the state for scoring, as of Jan. 23, while playing for a charter school basketball program that's only in its second season.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • January 28, 2026
College hoops hopeful sticks it out at Lakewood Ranch Prep

Gavin Henderson, a junior guard, has powered the boys basketball program through its second season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Up to four boxes of documents will be accepted at the city of Sarasota's ShredStock event.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • February 14, 2026
Sarasota schedules tax-season shredding event in March

Residents can bring four boxes of documents and electronic gear and catch the music of The Garbage Men.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • March 4, 2026
One-hit wonders get a second life at Florida Studio Theatre

FST's cabaret show celebrates the most famous musicians you've never heard of.

  • Arts + Culture
Josh Harris shows off his handle before practice at Riverview High School. The senior guard leads all of FHSAA Class 7A in scoring, as of Jan. 18, with 24.2 points per game.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • January 22, 2026
Senior guard leaves his mark on Riverview boys basketball

Nearing the end of his high school career, Josh Harris ranks among the best scorers in the state.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Valor Commons in Manatee County is designed to include a resource center, memorials, walking trails and public event spaces.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • February 9, 2026
Federal cash streams in for Manatee, Sarasota projects

Local line items are a part of the massive $1.2 trillion spending package.

  • East County
  • News
Moni, a yellow-naped Amazon and Amber, a Scarlet macaw, spend time in the Leonard Reid House.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • March 17, 2026
Historic Leonard Reid House hosts parrots in honor of family pets

Sarasota Jungle Gardens brought some feathered friends to the Leonard Reid House in an event that hosted kids from local schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Ballet will perform Ricardo Graziano's "Valsinhas" from Jan. 30-Feb. 2 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • January 28, 2026
Sarasota Ballet revives 'Valsinhas' for its fourth program

Portuguese for "Little Waltzes," the piece was choreographed by Brazil-born principal dancer Ricardo Graziano.

  • Arts + Culture
Karen Medford has moved up the ladder with her Sirius Day Spa, Salon and Med Spa business by opening a location in Waterside. The new location will include a boutique.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • January 27, 2026
Sirius Day Spa opens new location in Lakewood Ranch entertainment hub

Owner Karen Medford says it has been a dream for her to own a spa at Waterside Place.

  • East County
  • Business
Little Buoy wasted no time dragging herself into the Gulf Thursday, Feb. 26 after being rehabilitated at Mote Marine Laboratory’s City Island research facility.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • March 2, 2026
Rehabbed turtles released into Gulf

Little Buoy and Spud, a leatherback and green sea turtle, were rehabilitated by Mote Marine Laboratory and sent back into the Gulf on Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Yahaira and Adam Shimer operate Crust N' Crumb out of their Heritage Harbour home.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • January 27, 2026
Baking hobby turns into a hot business for Manatee County couple

Baking racks and equipment have taken over this Heritage Harbour household over the past year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
General manager Desmond Hill brings warmth and ease to Lucky Pelican’s welcoming, neighborhood vibe.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • February 18, 2026
Lucky Pelican's general manager shares how he keeps the restaurant flying high

What makes the Lucky Pelican Bistro so good? No bad days. And the lobster roll, of course.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Kali Barrett poses for a photo. The freshman forward with Cincinnati women's basketball previously helped Cardinal Mooney to the 2025 FHSAA Class 3A state championship following the Cougars' four consecutive runner-up finishes.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 29, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Year: Kali Barrett

The former Cardinal Mooney girls basketball star became the program's all-time leading scorer while helping the Cougars to their first state title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Manatee County extends its burn ban until further notice to protect residents and animals from wildfires. This photo was taken by the East Manatee Fire Rescue in June 2024 when over 100 acres burned at Lake Manatee State Park.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • February 20, 2026
Manatee County extends burn ban as drought worsens

East Manatee Fire Rescue is urging residents to abide by the burn ban to protect their neighbors.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key resident Sarah Frederick, pictured above in one of her favorite competitions, said she knew from the age of five that she loved working with horses. Little did she know then that she would go on to craft a 55-year career in racing, breeding and caring for them.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 28, 2026
Longboat Key resident jockeys for space on the track

Sarah Frederick recounted her 55-year career riding as a jockey, part of an early wave of women in the sport.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The city of Sarasota's Neighborhood Canopy Program provides 10- to 14-foot trees installed in front yards for $100 each.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • October 6, 2025
Urban tree canopy program finishes for 2025

The Sarasota Neighborhood Canopy Program that provides installed trees for $100 each has concluded for 2025 with plans to return next summer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ringling College names new president
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • January 24, 2026
Ringling College names new president

Davis Schneiderman will be the globally known arts college's seventh president in 95 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fourth candidate files to run for Sarasota City Commission
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • October 17, 2025
Fourth candidate files to run for Sarasota City Commission

Two at-large seats will be up for grabs in 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ava Donoghue is sophomore class president at Booker High School.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 28, 2026
Booker High School student breaks stigma and barriers with Booker Basics

The initiative by Sophomore Class President Ava Donoghue provides free feminine products in girls' bathrooms throughout the school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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