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East County | News

Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres

Conservation easements will protect two Manatee County ranches from future development.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County administrators Corey Stutte, Bryan Parnell, Courtney De Pol and Charlie Bishop speak at a Manatee Chamber of Commerce meeting in December. On Jan. 28, all four spoke to commissioners about a temporary hiring freeze.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 3, 2026
Hiring freeze begins as Manatee County researches effects of tax cuts

County Administrator Charlie Bishop is preparing for possible revenue cuts from the millage and property taxes.

  • East County
  • News
The red outline shows where M/I Homes of Sarasota proposed to build 167 homes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 2, 2026
Manatee County commissioners deny 167 homes, 99 put on hold

Commissioners, applicants and residents spent nearly nine hours debating the side-by-side projects.

  • East County
  • News
Many Manatee County residents don't want to deliver large items to the landfill themselves. They want bulk pickup service to return.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 31, 2026
Trash talk continues in Manatee County

The county is trying to work within its current contracts to make residents happier with the garbage collection.

  • East County
  • News
Village Idiots Cycling Club member Patrick Franklin Sr. (center) was killed riding his bicycle Jan. 22 when hit by a truck pulling a trailer on Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 29, 2026
Death of beloved cyclist leaves Village Idiots Cycling Club members in shock

Patrick Franklin, 67, was hit by a truck while riding on El Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
David Crawford is 2026 president of Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 29, 2026
Real estate market conditions show signs of a more robust 2026

As memories of 2024 storms fade, insurance and mortgage rates stabilize and in-migration continues, the Sarasota-Manatee region's real estate organization points to a growth in sales.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Watering restrictions are in place for Manatee and Sarasota counties.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 28, 2026
Water authority's restrictions include Manatee, Sarasota

Once-a-week irrigation rules are in effect. Rain is forecast this weekend, and even the possibility of snow flurries.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Concession Golf Club is hosting the Senior PGA Championship April 16-19.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 28, 2026
Manatee County tees up for Senior PGA Championship

The generated championship dollars are expected to include impressive dividends for the county.

  • East County
  • News
The Government Efficiency Liaison Committee meets Jan. 20 at the downtown Manatee County Administration Building.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 28, 2026
Manatee County committee requests DOGE audit results

In the meantime, the Government Efficiency Liaison Committee continues to seek out wasteful spending.

  • East County
  • News
Below-freezing weather expected in inland Manatee, Sarasota
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 27, 2026
Below-freezing weather expected in inland Manatee, Sarasota

The wider region is expected to see wind chills in 20s Tuesday night.

  • East County
  • News
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
Only commercial properties will be assessed if House Bill 4091 passes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 27, 2026
Legislators to decide if a taxing district could solve UTC's stormwater problems

If passed, House Bill 4091 will make the University Town Center area a special district that can pay for infrastructure using bonds.

  • East County
  • News
While construction abounds around The Marketplace at Heritage Harbour, Portillo's is not among the businesses preparing to move into the shopping center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 25, 2026
Chicago hot dog eatery reverses course on Manatee County location

Portillo's is no longer planning to open a restaurant in The Marketplace at Heritage Harbour.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County Superintendent Laurie Breslin, School Board Chair Cindy Spray, Vice Chair Richard Tatem, and School Board Members Heather Felton and Charlie Kennedy were among the group of people to break ground on AAA High School.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 24, 2026
Manatee School District breaks ground for new Lakewood Ranch high school

AAA High School, located at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch, is set to open to ninth and 10th graders in August 2027.

  • East County
  • Schools
The green rectangle on the top is where the homes would be clustered.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 21, 2026
80-home project gets thumbs down from the Manatee Planning Commission

Bradenton Estates II is being proposed near the intersection of 18th Avenue East and Morgan Johnson Road.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
2
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork
3
Sisterhood for Good members Nikki Pelier-Simon, Samina Morrow and Allison Adams show off some fashions that will be in the spotlight at Tropical Escape July 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • February 4, 2026
Lakewood Ranch fundraiser is a hula for moolah
4
Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres
5
Village Idiots Cycling Club member Patrick Franklin Sr. (center) was killed riding his bicycle Jan. 22 when hit by a truck pulling a trailer on Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.
  • February 4, 2026
Building safer roads for cyclists worth a discussion in Manatee County

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