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East County

Junior running back Antonio Jackson (center) of Braden River finds a gap in Lakewood Ranch's defense. The Pirates won this year's rivalry game.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 5, 2026
High school football results from Week 3

ODA and Braden River remain undefeated, Riverview suffers first defeat and more from Sept. 4 across East County and Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Sports
Fifth graders Amilia Dragovoy, Betsi Branscomb and Raegan Standifer are able to work at their own pace on state standards through the Ethos AI Experiential Academy at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Prep embraces personalized AI academy

Twenty-seven fourth and fifth grade students are working at their own pace with Ethos AI Experiential Academy on projects and have an impact on the community.

  • East County
  • Schools
Dr. Samuel Yelverton is proud Universal Health Services is purchasing the most advanced technology for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 2, 2026
Da Vinci 5: A robotic masterpiece at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

The robotic surgical system impresses surgeons at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, which shows its commitment to the latest robotic technology.

  • East County
  • News
Owen Gellatly, pictured here in 2025, is one of two seniors for Lakewood Ranch boys golf this season alongside Donovan Plakyda. Both of them were on last year's team which reached the state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 2, 2026
After 12th-place state finish in 2025, LRHS boys golf team aims higher

The Mustangs were runner-ups at the FHSAA Class 3A state championship in 2023 and 2034.

  • East County
  • Sports
For security reasons, Commissioner Jason Bearden is wary of giving a private company so much data on Manatee County. He wants to "push the brakes" on AI.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 2, 2026
AI pilot program says it can save Manatee County up to $110 million

Commissioners spent $4,900 to have the AI program analyze its spending over the past five years.

  • East County
  • News
Del Webb's Paul Roy and Sheila Fritts show off the spirit of Del Webb's Cancer Walk. Participants have fun while giving back.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 2, 2026
Del Webb Lakewood Ranch has fun fundraising for cancer research

The Del Webb Women's Club Lakewood Ranch is hosting its sixth annual cancer walk Oct. 17.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gordie Zimmermann, CEO of Icemann Development LLC, stands out among a sea of residents in red shirts. The residents in red are opposed to Zimmermann building a 190,000-square-foot ice rink at Premier Sports Campus North.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 1, 2026
Plans for ice rink in Lakewood Ranch melt

Manatee County commissioners voted unanimously to end negotiations for an iceplex on Premier Sports Campus North.

  • East County
  • News
Maribeth Phillips has been named both the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch's Citizen of the Year, and the C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian of the Year.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 1, 2026
Meals on Wheels CEO, president receives two huge honors

Maribeth Phillips, the CEO and president of Meals on Wheels Plus earns recognition from the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch and the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Country Club Village home at 13716 Red Rock Place sold for $1,987,500. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,718 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 1, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 17-21 in Lakewood Ranch

A Wild Blue home on Blue Shell Loop tops the week's sales at $2.29 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Steven Leone, Robert Carolla and Steve Nagy celebrate Carolla's hole in one, which is the first of his 40 year golfing career, at the Communi-tee Golf Classic by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 1, 2026
Upcoming golf classic supports Lakewood Ranch Community Activities

Hosted Sept. 9 at Calusa Country Club, the first annual Communi-Tee Golf Classic will bring up to 124 golfers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The School District of Manatee County is led by School Board Member Chad Choate, Superintendent Laurie Breslin, Chair Cindy Spray, Vice Chair Richard Tatem, School Board Member Heather Felton and School Board Member Charlie Kennedy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 1, 2026
Manatee schools shift into a higher gear with three-year strategic plan

The strategic plan for the School District of Manatee County, which was worked on by staff, families, students and more, consists of goals and priorities for 2026-2029.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Out-of-Door Academy girls volleyball team has rolled to a 5-1 start this season following last season's 16-9 finish, and they've done it with a roster full of underclassmen.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 1, 2026
Inexperience doesn't hinder ODA girls volleyball team

The Thunder rely on freshmen and sophomores, but that's been to their advantage.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kate Johnston is a freshman at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, and in her first year with the school's volleyball program after moving to Florida from Illinois.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 31, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Kate Johnston

The Lakewood Ranch Prep girls volleyball player did something the team's coach said he'd never seen before.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has 79 brand-specific, Flock automated license plate readers installed around Manatee County, but the office uses a total of 134 license plate readers.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 31, 2026
Future of Flock cameras limited in Manatee County

Manatee County commissioners took the first step to stop future installations of license plate readers.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota 2-year-old Mavrick Mathis spends his time at UTC Kids Club: Gameland playing with a hula hoop, playing mini golf and running around in the bubbles.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 29, 2026
UTC Kids: Gameland offers toys, music and bonding

The event is held every fourth Wednesday of the month at The Green at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Junior running back Antonio Jackson (center) of Braden River finds a gap in Lakewood Ranch's defense. The Pirates won this year's rivalry game.
  • September 5, 2026
High school football results from Week 3
2
Fifth graders Amilia Dragovoy, Betsi Branscomb and Raegan Standifer are able to work at their own pace on state standards through the Ethos AI Experiential Academy at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.
  • September 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Prep embraces personalized AI academy
3
Dr. Samuel Yelverton is proud Universal Health Services is purchasing the most advanced technology for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
  • September 2, 2026
Da Vinci 5: A robotic masterpiece at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
4
Owen Gellatly, pictured here in 2025, is one of two seniors for Lakewood Ranch boys golf this season alongside Donovan Plakyda. Both of them were on last year's team which reached the state championship.
  • September 2, 2026
After 12th-place state finish in 2025, LRHS boys golf team aims higher
5
For security reasons, Commissioner Jason Bearden is wary of giving a private company so much data on Manatee County. He wants to "push the brakes" on AI.
  • September 2, 2026
AI pilot program says it can save Manatee County up to $110 million

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