Sarasota County health officials have issued a no-swim advisory for Longboat Key due to elevated levels of enterococcus bacteria, likely from natural sources such as decaying algae and fish from red tide. The advisory warns against swimming, wading, water recreation, and consuming local shellfish. Health risks include stomach or intestinal illnesses and infections or rashes from contact with contaminated water. The next test results are expected on September 21.

Longboat Key has spent over $41,000 and collected 165,000 pounds of dead marine life due to the toxic red tide algae bloom since early August. The cleanup, which began on August 6, has involved 777 man hours of labor, primarily manual due to access difficulties. The red tide is moving northward, with fewer dead fish now being reported. High concentrations of Karenia brevis, the red tide organism, were reported in Sarasota County, with lower concentrations in Manatee County. The town is tracking expenses for potential reimbursement from state or federal agencies. A no-swimming ban in Longboat was lifted on August 31 after being in place due to enterococcus bacteria.

Debbie Reynolds, a teacher at J.E. Harrison Middle School in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District, was honored with the Chevron Leaders in the Classroom award, sponsored by Chevron, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and The Grable Foundation. She received a $1,000 check for classroom supplies, a Steelers jersey, and tickets to a Steelers game. The award recognizes innovative teachers in Southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. Denise Sedlacek, who nominated Reynolds, praised her for embracing technology and 21st-century skills in her curriculum.

Brentwood School District's food service workers' jobs are secure until the end of the current school year after the school board decided to hire The Nutrition Group to manage food services starting January, pending state approval. The decision follows the resignation of two cafeteria workers and months of debate over outsourcing to save costs. Superintendent Amy Burch noted the district's financial losses in the cafeteria, largely due to salaries and benefits. The Nutrition Group's proposal promises a wider variety of food options for students. The district's food service director is retiring, which partly led to the outsourcing decision. The Brentwood Education Support Professionals union, including cafeteria workers, had protested against job outsourcing. Negotiations for the next school year will start in March or April, leaving the workers' future uncertain.

Darcy Tannehill, a South Fayette resident and faculty member at Robert Morris University, is battling amyloidosis, an incurable disease. She chairs the Pittsburgh Amyloidosis Research Benefit, a fundraiser she initiated to support research for the disease. The 2017 event aims to build on the previous year's success, where $50,000 was raised. Tannehill, who has managed her condition through a healthy lifestyle and medical treatments, is motivated by the desire to make a difference and find a treatment. The fundraiser includes a wine auction and live auction with various prizes, with tickets available at amyloidosis.org.

Baldwin-Whitehall School District has become a member of the League of Innovative Schools, a national coalition led by the nonprofit Digital Promise, which aims to foster learning and innovation. The district will collaborate with other progressive districts to enhance student opportunities. The network includes 93 districts across 33 states. Baldwin-Whitehall's Superintendent Randal Lutz and Director of Information and Instructional Technology Janeen Peretin will attend the network's annual meeting in San Francisco on October 31.

Whitehall Borough has commenced a $3 million upgrade to the sanitary sewers along Weyman Road and Doverdell Drive, which includes installing a new storm sewer system with a detention tank, manholes, catch basins, and new piping. The project, which began on September 25 and is expected to last until November 1, will cause traffic detours but aims to alleviate long-standing flooding issues in the area. Borough manager James Leventry expressed hope that the upgrades will prevent water from entering basements.

Brentwood Borough Council has advanced its plans for a new borough building by hiring HHSDR for the final design, at a cost of $332,000, to be built on the former Snee Dairy property. The decision was not unanimous, with concerns about the cost raised by council members. The borough is purchasing the condemned Snee building for $70,000 from the Green Development Trust, with a total acquisition cost of $141,000. Officials estimate over $5 million for the new building and plan to sell the existing one. The council President mentioned a bond issue to fund the project, and the Mayor expressed satisfaction with the progress.