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East County | News

Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
    By
  • Elizabeth King, Lesley Dwyer
  • April 10, 2026
Manatee County Commission changes course on Bradenton EDC

Commissioners chose to partner with the EDC and approved a $292,450 annual contract.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County's District 1 commission seat was left vacant after Carol Felts died suddenly Feb. 24.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee County District 1 commission seat open for applications

Gov. Ron DeSantis has the option to appoint someone to fill the remaining seven months left before the general election.

  • East County
  • News
Construction has advanced quickly from Feb. 8 when this aerial photo was taken. The vantage point shows how close the school is from one of the runways at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee Technical College flying into SRQ with new aviation program

The Aviation Maintenance Technician School is on schedule to open in January 2027.

  • East County
  • Schools
Five more hotels are in the works for Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2026
Five new hotels slated for Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch currently has just four hotels within its boundaries.

  • East County
  • News
Florida Statute 1001.42(4)(f)2 will require high schools, including Braden River High (pictured) and Lakewood Ranch High, to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. unless the district submits paperwork and gets accepted to keep the current start times.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 7, 2026
Manatee County School District might fight starting time mandate

A 2025 Florida Statute states high schools cannot start before 8:30 a.m. unless the district submits paperwork to prove such a change causes disruption.

  • East County
  • Schools
Greenbrook's Tara Poulton is running for Manatee County's District 6 commission seat.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch resident brings government experience to District 6 race

Tara Poulton's resume includes working for DeSoto County, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Congressman Vern Buchanan.

  • East County
  • News
John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center

With a focus on fresh ingredients and making customers feel at home, Blu Kouzina hopes to win over East County patrons.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Under Southwest Florida Water Management District's Phase III restrictions, water fountains can only run four hours per day.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 5, 2026
Manatee County among 14 Southwest Florida counties under water restrictions

A Modified Phase III Extreme Water Shortage is in effect from April 3 through July 1.

  • East County
  • News
Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race

Tony Barrett hopes to earn a seat as his term as fire commissioner comes to an end.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff

The purchase of an administration building in Lakewood Ranch and the expanded Information Outreach department were cited as examples of excessive spending.

  • East County
  • News
Late Commissioner Carol Ann Felts will be honored April 18 at Crane Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 31, 2026
Manatee County names Myakka preserve after late commissioner Carol Felts

The Carol Ann Billberry Felts Preserve at David J. Crane Park Dedication and Public Memorial Service will be held April 18 at Crane Park in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • News
Indigo's Amber Hanratty, who was in the building industry for 25 years, now has her own business called Dirty Sara-Soda.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 31, 2026
Dirty Sara-Soda hopes to clean up with a new beverage

The "dirty soda" mobile business is owned by Lakewood Ranch's Amber Hanratty, who saw an opening in the market.

  • East County
  • Business
Traffic often backs up from the Cortez Bridge intersection onto Longboat Key during peak season.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 30, 2026
Manatee looking for MPO citizens advisory committee members

The Metropolitan Planning Organization develops plans, policies and priorities that guide transportation decision making.

  • East County
  • News
Kelley Klepper, a vice president and senior planner for Kimley-Horn, speaks with Indigo’s Suzanne Henke following the Envision Manatee presentation at the Lakewood Ranch Library March 28.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 30, 2026
Workshops seek feedback on Manatee County's comprehensive plan updates

Engineering firm Kimley-Horn has been working on the comprehensive plan update for three years.

  • East County
  • News
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 25, 2026
Saks changes its mind: UTC store will remain open

The parent company, going through bankruptcy, says it has renegotiated its lease terms at The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest in East County

1
Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
  • April 10, 2026
Manatee County Commission changes course on Bradenton EDC
2
Angelina Goesch and her mom, Ana Goesch, founder of Dogs of Lakewood Ranch, pose with Ana's 4-year-old Golden retriever, Maple.
  • April 8, 2026
The Dogs of Lakewood Ranch club allows canine lovers to network
3
Manatee County's District 1 commission seat was left vacant after Carol Felts died suddenly Feb. 24.
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee County District 1 commission seat open for applications
4
Construction has advanced quickly from Feb. 8 when this aerial photo was taken. The vantage point shows how close the school is from one of the runways at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee Technical College flying into SRQ with new aviation program
5
Five more hotels are in the works for Lakewood Ranch.
  • April 8, 2026
Five new hotels slated for Lakewood Ranch

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