Education department releases FCAT results → Manatee County third-graders’ performance in the reading, math and end-of-course assessments for geometry and biology dropped significantly compared to last year but stayed on par with school scores statewide. Manatee County third-graders’ performance in the reading, math and end-of-course assessments for geometry and biology dropped significantly compared to last year but stayed on par with school scores statewide. Results released Thursday, May 24 by the Florida Department of Education showed 50% of Manatee third-graders scored at a level showing proficiency — level 3 or [...]

City of Sarasota utilities director resigns → Interim city of Sarasota City Manager Terry Lewis said Utilities Director Javier Vargas resigned Wednesday over a difference of opinion on how the utilities department should be run. Sarasota interim City Manager Terry Lewis confirmed for the Sarasota Observer Thursday that city Utilities Director Javier Vargas resigned Wednesday afternoon, effective immediately. “There was a difference of opinion on leadership expectations and how I believe his department should be operated,” Lewis said. Asked if Vargas had any other options other than to resign, Lewis [...]

City commission approves downtown projects → The Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved a list of downtown projects Monday that include a Main Street streetscape projects. AThe Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved a $4.7 million Main Street streetscape project for downtown Sarasota Monday with one stipulation: Commissioners must sign off on projects before they start to monitor construction timelines and make sure they don’t coincide with season. The project includes wider sidewalks, improved lighting and brick accents in certain parts of Main Street, with brick sidewalks planned from the Five Points [...]

Sarasota voted No. 1 arts destination → A magazine’s reader poll revealed that the city of Sarasota was voted the No. 1 arts destinations for cities with populations under 100,000. American Style Magazine has released results of its 2012 Readers’ Poll that reveal the city of Sarasota was voted the No. 1 arts destination among small cities (populations under 100,000). Special mention was also given to The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art’s “Art After 5” series and St. Armand Circle’s first Wednesday art events … [click here to [...]

Key celebrates lively season → Siesta Key businesses cashed in on a record-setting tourist season with the help of Europeans, the economy and the No. 1 beach ranking. Don’t place all the blame on Europeans for the unusually heavy traffic on Siesta Key this year. Residents can point a finger at Cupid, as well. Siesta Key merchants and hoteliers recently surveyed by the Pelican Press said they noticed an increase in marriages on Siesta this season, which brought families to enjoy the white-quartz sands of Stephen P. Leatherman’s best beach [...]