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East County

Hysen Muhametaj, Jamison Eige, Ron Major and Sydney Bartlett of Direct Window & Door celebrate Eige's win at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 14, 2026
Spicy showdown at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off

On March 12 in Lakewood Ranch, members tasted and voted for their favorite out of 13 entrants.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
"Paradise Runway" fashion show models Judie Jacobson, Patti Wrobel, Cheryl Gross, Janet Nash and Regina Napoli wait to show off their second outfits for the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club fundraiser.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 13, 2026
Paradise Runway fundraiser hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club

The club raises funds for four charities — Hope Family Services, Solve Maternity Homes, Smart With Heart and Children's Guardian Fund.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A bird box for purple martins sits on the golf course at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club of Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2026
Wildlife checks into the Ritz in Lakewood Ranch

The Ritz-Carlton Members Club earns recertification with the Cooperative Sanctuary Program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center COO Philip Reber, who has overseen the $120 million tower expansion, has been named the hospital's interim CEO.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 12, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO resigns

Rob Anderson worked a year at the post; current COO Philip Reber named interim CEO.

  • East County
  • News
Art in the Park will take place on March 14-15 at the University Park Country Club. It will feature different mediums of art from 50 artists including Michael Parkinson, a co-chair for Art in the Park.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 12, 2026
University Park's Art in the Park to showcase 50 local artists

The annual event enters its 26th year and gives professional and amateur artists a chance to showcase their work.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Morgan Bettes Angell and Paul Benjamin thought a blues festival in Lakewood Ranch would be sustainable on an annual basis, but after two years, it is out.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 11, 2026
When it comes to the blues festival, we blew it in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival promoter says he will move the festival to G.T. Bray for 2026.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Rosemarie Herke, the president of the German American Social Club of Sarasota, has been in that position for 10 years. She said the club is about preserving German culture through dance and socialization.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 11, 2026
German American Social Club of Sarasota has danced through 75 years

The club celebrated its 75th anniversary with a special event at Tara Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This rendering illustrates the plan for three youth baseball fields at Country Club East Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 11, 2026
$7.2M youth baseball fields move forward in Lakewood Ranch

Regardless of the Manatee County Commission's decision, Country Club East residents are not finished raising concerns.

  • East County
  • News
The Florida Agricultural Crimes Intelligence Unit meets at the Sarasota County Farm Bureau Feb. 19.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 11, 2026
Florida agricultural intelligence unit protects country assets

Law enforcement and wildlife officers meet monthly to share resources and intel.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota Paradise waited out a nearly two-hour weather delay before commencing their first season in USL League One. Over 2,500 fans packed the stands at Premier Sports Campus.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 11, 2026
Sarasota Paradise drop professional debut to AC Boise, 1-0

The Lakewood Ranch-based soccer club played its first match in USL League One.

  • East County
  • Sports
Austin Venhaus and Aaron Rutsky
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 11, 2026
Walls go up as Sarasota's first climbing gym nears opening

Formerly known as Project 24 Climbing, Hexrock Climbing is set to open at the beginning of April.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Lakewood Ranch Garden Club members Bethy Bacon, Cheryl Scheid, Brenda Rooks (back), Brenda Webb, Sylvia Abdelsalam and Penny Kress (front) are eager to welcome community members to Garden Fest March 14.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 10, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Garden Club to host Garden Fest

On March 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., community members will have the opportunity to learn about gardening and nature from experts.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Senior Jaden Morales (top) controls Middleburg junior Nathan Harvey (bottom). The Pirate won their match by decision, 6-4, and ultimately placed sixth at 126 pounds.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 10, 2026
Braden River High wrestlers earn five medals at state meet

Jacob Fuentes tops the Pirates with a second-place finish at 144 pounds in 2A action.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant can filter 84 million gallons of water per day.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 10, 2026
Manatee County changes plans for water supply needs

Current demand projections indicate the need for an additional 5 million gallons of water per day by 2030.

  • East County
  • News
Sweetwater's Whit and Taylor Wesenberg founded Humu's Island Treasures after selling five handmade art pieces within a day of being posted on Facebook marketplace.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 10, 2026
Lakewood Ranch small business carves out good vibes

Humu's Island Treasures sells carved and painted art pieces via social media and art shows.

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

1
Hysen Muhametaj, Jamison Eige, Ron Major and Sydney Bartlett of Direct Window & Door celebrate Eige's win at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off.
  • March 14, 2026
Spicy showdown at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off
2
"Paradise Runway" fashion show models Judie Jacobson, Patti Wrobel, Cheryl Gross, Janet Nash and Regina Napoli wait to show off their second outfits for the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club fundraiser.
  • March 13, 2026
Paradise Runway fundraiser hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club
3
A bird box for purple martins sits on the golf course at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club of Lakewood Ranch.
  • March 13, 2026
Wildlife checks into the Ritz in Lakewood Ranch
4
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center COO Philip Reber, who has overseen the $120 million tower expansion, has been named the hospital's interim CEO.
  • March 12, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO resigns
5
Art in the Park will take place on March 14-15 at the University Park Country Club. It will feature different mediums of art from 50 artists including Michael Parkinson, a co-chair for Art in the Park.
  • March 12, 2026
University Park's Art in the Park to showcase 50 local artists

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