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East County

The purple piles will carry reclaimed water to Lakewood Ranch Southeast for irrigation.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 11, 2026
New road construction speeds through Lakewood Ranch Southeast

Lakewood Ranch Southeast's infrastructure won't be featured on any posters, but it will be a major part of the new community's success.

  • East County
  • News
Neal Shipley was all smiles after winning the 2025 LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood National Golf Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch golf fans now asked to support two pro golf tournaments

The LECOM Suncoast Classic has long established itself as a fan favorite, but now the Senior PGA Championship will arrive.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Students in Manatee schools begin learning cursive in third grade. With House Bill 127, that might change to second grade instead. It would also require fifth graders to be evaluated to prove proficiency.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 11, 2026
Cursive writing requirements would change if proposed legislation passes

Students currently learn cursive between third and fifth grade. If House Bill 127 becomes law, students will begin learning in second grade and will be tested in fifth.

  • East County
  • Schools
Taylore Lantz and Christine Sullivan walk at Waterside Place on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. as members of Run the Ranch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 11, 2026
Club gives runners opportunity to Run the Ranch

The club was founded by Felipe Rojas and Alex Wordsworth, who wanted members to have social opportunities along with workouts.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch Mustangs changed their name from the Manatee Admirals after 12 seasons and promptly won the Lightning High School Hockey League championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 11, 2026
LRHS claims third Lightning Cup ice hockey title in program history

However, this was the first Lightning Cup title since the team changed its name to Lakewood Ranch Mustangs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Conference Chair Katherine De Young shows off a winning image. She created the photo using mannequin heads. It was featured in the 2019 "Embracing our Differences" exhibit in Sarasota.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 11, 2026
Manatee Technical College to host photography conference

The conference will feature 30 award-winning photographers and the latest photography equipment.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Vito Bavaro underwent knee surgery in December 2025, but despite months of pain and physical limitations, has made his signature impact on the Mustangs' stellar season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 10, 2026
Knee replacement can't keep Lakewood Ranch High coach from his job

Vito Bavaro endures constant paint while his Mustangs boys soccer team make a run at a state championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Shoreview home at 7889 Mainsail Lane sold for $1,525,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,857 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 10, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 26-30 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in the Concession tops the week’s sales at $3.8 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Tom Bergerat (center) was presented with a $3,500 scholarship at Polo with the Pros after being named the Junior Humanitarian of the year while Waterside's Audrey Luke (left), a junior at The Out-of-Door Academy, and Parrish's Mia Polseno (right), a senior at Parrish Community High, each received $750 scholarships.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 10, 2026
Junior humanitarian honored by the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation

The Out-of-Door Academy junior Tom Bergerat stood tall when it came to giving back to his community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
District 5 Commissioner Bob McCann holds a town hall meeting Feb. 2 at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 10, 2026
Garbage collection a hot topic at town hall meeting in Lakewood Ranch

One constituent requested new residents be tested for their skills in negotiating roundabouts.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County's Superintendent Laurie Breslin, Educator of the Year Clifford Dawson and Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services Derek Jensen pose for a photo at the Excellence in Education Awards on Feb. 4.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 9, 2026
Braden River High band director named Educator of the Year

At the Excellence in Education Awards on Feb. 4, Clifford Dawson walked across the stage to accept the honor of 2026 Educator of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Erika Garcia joined Braden River girls weightlifting as a freshman, and now in her fourth season, has been a part of four district championship-winning teams.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 9, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Erika Garcia

The Braden River High senior is headed to the state meet with her teammates.

  • East County
  • Sports
Valor Commons in Manatee County is designed to include a resource center, memorials, walking trails and public event spaces.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 9, 2026
Federal cash streams in for Manatee, Sarasota projects

Local line items are a part of the massive $1.2 trillion spending package.

  • East County
  • News
Lakehouse Cove's 16-month-old Hunter Colon shows his excitement to be inside a fire truck at the Celebrate Our First Responders event Feb. 7 at the Greenbrook Adventure Park.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch CERT hosts the Celebrate Our First Responders event

Greenbrook Adventure Park is filled with emergency vehicles, first responders and CERT volunteers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Second graders Jordan Davis, Dominic Michalo and Sloan Middleton wave flags of Puerto Rico, which was the country they were assigned for the Tara Elementary School Olympics.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 7, 2026
Tara Elementary hosts its own Winter Olympics

Each class was assigned a country to research before participating in an "olympics-style" competition.

  • East County
  • Schools
« 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 »
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Latest in East County

1
Gabriella Martinez Reyes, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named president of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America. This makes her the first of Manatee County.
  • March 31, 2026
LRHS junior named president for Florida's Future Business Leaders of America
2
Late Commissioner Carol Ann Felts will be honored April 18 at Crane Park.
  • March 31, 2026
Manatee County names Myakka preserve after late commissioner Carol Felts
3
Indigo's Amber Hanratty, who was in the building industry for 25 years, now has her own business called Dirty Sara-Soda.
  • March 31, 2026
Dirty Sara-Soda hopes to clean up with a new beverage
4
A Country Club Village home at 7028 Portmarnock Place sold for $4.55 million. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, five-and-three-half baths, a pool and 7,072 square feet of living area.
  • March 31, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 16-20 in Lakewood Ranch
5
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President and CEO Brittany Lamont and Board Chair Wayne Parrish are eager for members to hit the course for the Ranch Scramble.
  • March 30, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance takes a swing at networking

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