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East County

FPL and Pike electric trucks at Tuttle Avenue and Fruitville Road head out on their calls on Aug. 5, 2024, following Hurricane Debby.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 9, 2024
FPL customers in Sarasota, Manatee face post-Milton outages

In a note to customers on its website, Florida Power & Light says its crews are in the hardest hit areas. "We ask for your patience as we work around-the-clock to get Florida back to normal."

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Mall at UTC cut the ribbon during its grand opening ceremony on Oct. 16, 2014. The mall turns 10 next week.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 9, 2024
A terrific 10 years for the Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota

The Benderson Development and Taubman project has had a tremendous economic impact on the region.

  • East County
  • News
Lisa Hastings, Ed Murphy, Kelly Jones, Hannah Nese and Alyson Battaglia of Legler, Murphy and Battaglia were sentenced to hard labor during Alliance Gives Back.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 9, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance digs deep to give back to the community

The Alliance Gives Back program continues to grow in its mission to help nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The six amendments
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 9, 2024
The six amendments

Every four years, Florida voters face a flurry of proposed amendments to the state constitution. This year, six proposed amendments will be on the ballot.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Olympian Richard Thompson talks to sixth grader Lauren Otterness after he talked to Otterness and her fellow scholars about goal setting.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 8, 2024
Track and field Olympian talks goal-setting with Haile Middle sixth graders

Richard Thompson shares his success story with Advanced Scholar Program students.

  • East County
  • Schools
This Country Club East home at 7031 Whittlebury Trail sold for $1.05 million. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,407 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 8, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 23-27 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club East home on Whittlebury Trail tops the week's sales at $1.05 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Members of the Nathan Benderson Park Breast Cancer Survivor team pose with their gold medals after winning the 200-meter final in Ravenna, Italy last month.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • October 8, 2024
Dragon boat teams win gold at world championships

Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch-area rowers thrive on competition and friendships.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Almost all Florida manatees have propeller scars from past collisions with boats. Complying with “Idle Speed No Wake” speed limits for boats helps protect manatees from harm.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 7, 2024
Rare manatee sightings in the Braden River

The manatees, pushed into the fresh water habitat by the Helene surge, will be moved back to brackish water.

  • East County
  • News
Drew Lalor, Selah Freedom Executive Director Stacey Efau, and Pamela Lalor say Fairways to Freedom at the Tara Golf and Country Club was a big boost in spreading awareness of the Selah Freedom mission.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 7, 2024
Fairways to Freedom takes a swing at sex trafficking awareness

The benefit golf tournament at Tara Golf and Country Club supports Selah Freedom.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Commissioner George Kruse says Gulf Drive is the “the single biggest infrastructure issue” left behind by Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 7, 2024
Who pays for Hurricane Helene damages in Manatee County?

Manatee County will have to tap its reserves to cover repairs while waiting on reimbursements from the state and federal governments.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County citizens should support school property tax referendum
  • By Richard Tatem
  • October 7, 2024
Manatee County citizens should support school property tax referendum

School board member Richard Tatem says passing the referendum is essential to providing a quality education.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Ovation's Liv Holden, Morgan Kessler, Emma Mandzik, Elizabeth Nieves, Gabriella Cruz and Kila Sons, play the six wives of Henry VIII, during the sixth anniversary of Karen Medford's Sirius Day Spa.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 6, 2024
Sirius Day Spa of Lakewood Ranch celebrates anniversary

Ovation School Of Musical Theatre provided the entertainment.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County orders Level A, B evacuations
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 6, 2024
Manatee County orders Level A, B evacuations

Hurricane Milton is expected to hit Florida's west coast on Wednesday.

  • East County
  • News
Hurricane Milton at 9 p.m. Oct. 9, 2024, shortly after making landfall near Siesta Key.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2024
Hurricane Milton news, updates in Sarasota, Manatee

Hurricane Milton made landfall near Lido and Siesta keys at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9 as a Category 3 storm. Access to the barrier islands, including Casey, Manasota, Siesta and Longboat keys, remains closed as the post-storm search-and-rescue mission is completed.

  • Hurricane Season
Ed Catalane, a volunteer ranger, helps Lakewood Ranch 8-year-old Avery Green work on his casting technique.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 5, 2024
Fin-tastic Youth and Teen Fishing Tournament in Lakewood Ranch

At least 50 children reel in big fun during annual Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club tournament.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
The Manatee River Youth Sailing Program serves kids ages 6 to 16.
  • May 18, 2026
Kids learn lessons on and off the water at Manatee River Youth Sailing Program
2
Jeff Toale stands inside the Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch, where light-filled spaces and a contemporary design reflect a shift toward more personalized, meaningful memorial experiences.
  • May 17, 2026
Jeff Toale looks to deepen and double impact at helm of the LWRCF
3
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Education Foundation as he is announced as the winner of the "Next Gen" award at University Park Country Club May 13.
  • May 16, 2026
Young Leaders Alliance presents its top award in Lakewood Ranch
4
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.
5
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board

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