A coalition of conservative School Board candidates backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis swept School Board races in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Despite Republicans suffering a turnout disadvantage in early voting before polls opened for the Aug. 23 primary, voters shows up in force to cast their ballots in person the day of the election. That helped School Board Member Bridget Ziegler win re-election to a third full term, and also carried political allies Robyn Marinelli and Tim Enos into two other seats on the board. The group in November will now hold majority status as soon as new officials are sworn in.

“The Community has spoken and it is crystal clear — they are demanding a reset of the School Board,” Ziegler said. “And that’s exactly what they are going to get. Taxpayers will be appreciated. Parents will be respected and involved. Teachers will be respected and supported.

"Kids will be protected and served. And our School District will get the focus back to our mission - educating our children!”

In Manatee, Chad Choate, who was appointed by DeSantis to the School Board last year, won a full term. Richard Tatem, meanwhile, unseated James Golden from his District 5 seat on the board. Cindy Spray led Harold Byrd in a three-person race for the open District 2 seat and both will advance to a November runoff.

Regionally, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, easily fended off a primary challenge from Martin Hyde, winning a higher percentage of the vote than he ever received in a contested primary. 

State Sens. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, and Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, both won universal primaries open to all voters and secured four-year terms in the Florida Senate. Gruters said he was “thankful to all the voters from all parties for the overwhelming victory and support.”

County Commission races also generated surprises in both counties. After a contentious and often personal campaign season in Manatee, long-time County Commissioner Carol Whitmore was defeated in a countywide Republican primary by newcomer Jason Bearden, while challenger Mike Rahn unseated County Commissioner Misty Servia in a primary in District 4. Both will face write-in opposition only in November. County Commissioner Reggie Bellamy won a rematch with Charles Smith in a Democratic Primary and advanced to a November fight with Republican Amanda Ballard.

"The voters have spoken and they want a conservative who will represent their values on the county commission,” Bearden said. “I will fight for term limits, lower taxes and for all the conservative principles I ran on. I'm humbled by the overwhelming victory and will work everyday to improve Manatee's quality of life."

In Sarasota, the biggest surprise may have come with Fredd Atkins, a former Sarasota Mayor, winning the Democratic Primary for County Commission in District. An off-year redistricting scheme shut down a candidacy for Atkins in 2020, prompting him to sue but ultimately losing in court. This year, he ran for the first time for a county seat with more Democrats than Republicans registered, and he defeated better financed candidates in Sarasota City Commissioner Hagen Brody and activist Mike Cosentino.

“You cannot buy respect. You can’t buy tradition. You can’t buy a history of a man who has been consistently and persistently fighting for your way of life,” Atkins said. “That’s where we are. We have lived this. We have been disinherited all of our history in Sarasota County. Now finally there is a chance to sneak by and get into the general election.”

In the general election, he will face Mark Smith, who won a Republican primary against Lourdes Ramirez. In the more conservative District 4, Joe Neunder handily won a GOP primary and will face Democrat Daniel Kuether in November.

As for the City of Sarasota race, three candidates advanced from the August first election: incumbent Jennifer Ahearn-Koch, Debbie Trice and Dan Lobeck. In a six-person race where voters could vote for two candidates, Ahearn-Koch dominated with 34.72% of all votes cast. Trice took 19.51% of votes and Lobeck had 19.13%. In November, the top two vote-getters of the three will win seats on the City Commission. 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota was recently the beneficiary of a $30,000 donation from Personalized Estate Liquidation Benefiting Youth, Inc. (PEL). These funds will be used for eight participants (seven seniors and one sophomore) nominated by Club staff in early 2022 for the chance to participate in this experience. Nominations were based on a teen’s demonstrated leadership, commitment to service, academic excellence, and follow-through. All applicants submitted a written application and went through an interview process before being named one of our 2022 Cultural Immersion participants. The Club’s Cultural Immersion Program provides high school members with the unique opportunity to
spend their Thanksgiving Break volunteering at a Sister Club in another country. Members spend a week immersed in a different culture, develop leadership skills, and build life-long relationships with Club members from around the world while learning more about the world around them. While volunteering at our Sister Club located in Caisán, Panama, participants will work together for purposeful change and be encouraged to think critically about the issues facing our global community – taking the skills and understanding they develop back to Sarasota and our local Boys & Girls Clubs. 

To learn more, visit

Daiquiri Deck, a worldwide leader in frozen drink innovation and restaurant with five locations that delivers a quality experience, great times, good vibes and the best frozen daiquiris around, recently partnered with Southeastern Guide Dogs with a goal to raise $50,000 for National Guide Dog Month in September through its Daiquiris for Dogs program.Launching Sept. 1 and running through the end of the month, patrons that visit any of the five Daiquiri Deck locations will have the option to round up their checks to donate to Southeastern Guide Dogs. A QR code will also be available so guests can donate a custom amount of their own. Throughout the month of September, Daiquiri Deck will also offer a drink special to coincide with the Daiquiris for Dogs program, which includes a $3 Teremana Tooter to compliment any daiquiri. Several events will also be held throughout the month to benefit Southeastern Guide Dogs, and dogs are encouraged to visit the various Daiquiri Deck locations. The top donor of the month, nicknamed the Top Dog, will receive a VIP tour of the Southeastern Guide Dog facility in Palmetto, a photo opportunity with a puppy in training and a meet and greet session with a recipient of a guide dog.

“When we receive support from local businesses and our own community, it’s always a rewarding venture for everyone involved,” said Andy Kramer, vice president of philanthropy for Southeastern Guide Dogs. “These dogs change lives — and so do our supporters. The work we do at Southeastern Guide Dogs transcends the Tampa Bay area and even the state of Florida. This fundraiser will help people across the entire United States, and we are grateful to Daiquiri Deck and their patrons for supporting our mission. This partnership is about bringing hope and freedom to the people who need it most.” 

Pictured: The hope is to raise $10,000 at each of the Daiquiri Deck five locations for a grand total of $50,000. Photo courtesy of Southeastern Guide Dogs.

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation has recently approved grants for affordable housing, human services, and projects that promote environmental sustainability. This funding brings Barancik Foundation’s total philanthropic investment into the region to more than $105 million since 2014. Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation’s Summer 2022 grant round includex the following:

Building a new future for dommunity youth, building a new future for foster youth, protecting the sentinels of our coastal ecosystem, supporting the development and preservation of affordable, service-enriched housing, building a network of strength and resiliency for girls and families, expanding trauma-informed services, reducing recidivism, expanding parenting education, providing comprehensive services for displaced legal residents, diversifying ocean research opportunities, renewing passion for teaching, increasing access to local cultural experiences, creating a suncoast housing collaborative, engaging citizens in meaningful environmental sustainability efforts, providing stability for women and families, increasing transitional family housing, boosting workforce development programs, supporting families affected by Autism and Down Syndrome, growing prenatal and postpartum support and education for Spanish-speaking women, Embracing Our Differences, supporting reading recovery for students, improving homeless care coordination in Manatee County. 

To learn more, visit

Sarasota Youth Opera is pleased to announce that open auditions for several principal roles for male and female singers in the fall production of Dean Burry’s The Secret World of Og will take place on Tuesday, August 23rd and Thursday, August 25th, 2022. Interested singers should arrive at 5:30pm for music preparation and auditions will follow. Come join this fully staged production on the Opera House stage with professional sets, costumes, and orchestra and see how fun opera can be! Chorus rehearsals have begun and enrollment in Sarasota Youth Opera will continue through the beginning of September. For more information go to our website at sarasotaopera.org, or contact the Youth Opera Coordinator, Conner Stigner, 941-328-1329, cstigner@sarasotaopera.org. 

To learn more, visit

HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital, HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital and HCA Florida Blake Hospital, part of HCA Florida Healthcare, will hold hiring events this week. Job fair events planned starting tomorrow include: Tuesday, August 23-Walk in events from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at all four hospitals to meet with local human resources team, HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital, HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital and HCA Florida Blake Hospital. Wednesday, August 24-Coffee Chat from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Venice Area Chamber of Commerce at 597 S. Tamiami Trail in Venice. Meet with recruiters for an informational session. Thursday, August 25-Hiring Event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Venice Area Chamber of Commerce at 597 S. Tamiami Trail in Venice. Meet with recruiters and hiring managers; qualified candidates may receive on the spot offers. Candidates should bring a resume with them. Experienced and new graduate registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse leaders, nurse externs, OR and Cath Lab nurses and technicians, patient care technicians, lab (Phlebotomy and technologists), sterile processing technicians, food and nutrition service assistants, transporters, environmental services and maintenance techs are being sought to join the HCA Florida Healthcare team. To learn more about HCA Florida Healthcare, visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.  

To learn more, visit

Lodgco Hospitality acquired the 2-Best Western Signature Collection branded hotels, Ameniti Bay and Magnolia Pointe on July 26, 2022. Both hotels are impeccably designed to allow a casual, yet comfortable stay with amenities such as free WI-FI, breakfast, a large-heated outdoor pool. The Hotels are located next door to each other on Brookhill Boulevard, off I-75 and Fruitville Road exit and are just minutes to downtown Sarasota, attractions such as Benderson Park and 10 miles from the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport. A large, resort-style outdoor pool is shared by the two hotels allowing guests to relax and enjoy while basking in the Florida sunshine. Each hotel was also awarded the 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award by Tripadvisor, an award honoring the best spots to choose from, decided by real travelers sharing their experiences. Each hotel is unique, with Magnolia Pointe having 86 comfortable guest rooms, offering free breakfast, free Wi-FI, fitness center, fitness center and a board room. Magnolia Pointe also includes 22 guest rooms complete with kitchenette’s including an apartment-size refrigerator, microwave and sink. This makes the property a great fit for both families and business travelers staying an extended length of time. Ameniti Bay features 107 stylish, well-appointed guest rooms, including larger suites and rooms with balconies. Breakfast is included daily, along with free Wi-Fi and a 1000 square feet of flexible meeting space as well as a 24-hour fitness center. Both Ameniti Bay and Magnolia Pointe are a part of the Best Western Signature Collection, exhibiting creativity and locality in every space. Each uniquely crafted hotel in the Signature Collection connects guest to the Best Western Rewards program. The program rich in rewards and incentives offers rewards like worldwide free night redemption, points that never expire, status match, and exclusive member rates. Lodgco Hospitality also owns and operates the Hyatt Place Sarasota Bradenton Airport, Hyatt Place Lakewood Ranch, Home2 Suites by Hilton Nokomis and opened the Hampton Inn & Suites North Port in December of 2020.