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East County

Ivy League: Grain Jr. has aspirations of playing college football and is looking into several Ivy League schools, including Dartmouth College, Amherst College and Carnegie Mellon University.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 28, 2013
Football Preview: ODA Thunder

David Grain Jr. won the Most Improved Player Award two years ago. Now, The Out-of-Door Academy senior wide receiver is hoping to lead the ODA Thunder back to the postseason.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
CHEESEHEAD: The majority of Mike Bello's family is from Wisconsin, so he grew up watching Brett Favre.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 28, 2013
Football Preview: Cardinal Mooney Cougars

Cougars senior center Mike Bello has lost 105 pounds since moving up to varsity at the end of his sophomore year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
BOY SCOUT: Loppe is in the final steps of putting together a project to try and become an Eagle Scout. TRIPLE THREAT: In addition to football, Loppe also is on the track and weightlifting teams.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 28, 2013
Football Preview: Lakewood Ranch Mustangs

Caleb Loppe has aspirations of playing college football, but, for now, the senior defensive end is focused on leading the Mustangs to the postseason.

  • East County
  • Sports
RUNNING WILD: Balliette started out playing running back but ended up hurting his quadriceps prior to tryouts his freshman year. "I couldn't run full speed, so they ended up moving me to defense," Balliette says.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 28, 2013
Football Preview: Braden River Pirates

Senior linebacker Marcus Balliette is one of only a handful of seniors to have been a part of the Braden River football team since the beginning - a move he hopes will only further cement his legacy.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 27, 2013
Mustangs post third-place finish

The two-time defending state champion Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team finished third in the West Orange Preseason Invitational Aug. 24.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River coach Curt Bradley congratulates the Pirates on their defensive effort.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 27, 2013
Pirates sail into 2013 season

The Braden River High football team fell to Pinellas Park 21-7 in its Kickoff Classic Aug. 23.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mason Fischer leads the East Manatee Bulldogs out onto the field during the FYD Jamboree Aug. 24.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 27, 2013
EMB Midgets post shutout

The East Manatee Bulldogs opened the season with a 28-0 victory over the Hardee Wildcats during the FYD Jamboree Aug. 24.

  • East County
  • Sports
The state asked all school districts for suggestions dealing with education and funding issues for legislators to consider in March.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • August 27, 2013
Manatee County School Board approves state funding proposals

The Manatee County School Board chose eight platforms for the state to consider for its 2014 legislative session.

  • East County
  • News
Cardinal Mooney quarterback Reese Vita threw a pair of touchdown passes.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • August 26, 2013
Cougars roll to Classic win

The Cardinal Mooney High football team cruised to a 49-7 victory over Bradenton Christian in its Kickoff Classic Aug. 23.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • August 26, 2013
School district releases line item budget

The Manatee County School District released a line item budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year Friday night in advance of a public hearing Thursday.

  • East County
  • News
Justine Amdur and her daughter, Mia, partake in beading.
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 25, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Temple Emanu-El Family Picnic

Families of all ages spent Saturday evening together in Summerfield Park for a picnic and sunset Havdalah service held by Temple Emanu-El and the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. From face painting to beading, the picnic was full of fun things in which children and parents could partake.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dave Parnkiske, Stephanie Carper, Pam Upton and Joyce Rosenberg
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 25, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Greyhawk Landing Adult Social

Residents of the Greyhawk Landing community came out Saturday night despite the rain. With a resident DJ playing classic tunes from 'way back when,' party-goers were able to mingle while enjoying each others' company and some snacks.

  • East County
  • News
Nora and Matthew Supernaw relaxed in the shade.
  • By Josh Siegel and Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 24, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Splash Bash

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities offered one last chance for children to experience summer at its Back to School Splash Bash Aug. 24, at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA. The event included pool contests, a water slide, a dunk tank, snow cones and watermelon.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
John Sekas from St. Petersburg has been competing for four years.
  • By Josh Siegel and Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 24, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Benderson Park Stand Up Paddleboard Challenge

Professional and beginner stand-up paddleboard racers competed in the Benderson Park Challenge at Nathan Benderson Park Aug. 24. Part of the Sarasota Stand Up Paddledboard Race Series, the event featured a three-mile, six-mile and sprint competition.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jenelle and Xavier Omatseye hung out with Curious George.
  • By Josh Siegel and Harriet Sokmensuer
  • August 24, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiddie Academy Storytime LIVE!

Families gathered Aug. 24 at Kiddie Academy in Lakewood Ranch for the preschool's Storytime LIVE! event. Children got to meet Curious George and play on the playground. They also listened to a reading of the book, Curious George.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Latest in East County

1
Kiki Bullas will be busy over the next few weeks competing in the USATF and AAU regional track and field junior olympics, hoping to reach the national competition in both.
  • June 22, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Kiki Bullas
2
Manatee County staff and key stakeholders toss ceremonial dirt to kick off construction on a half-mile trail segment that will span from the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant to Rye Preserver.
  • June 22, 2026
Trail system breaks ground near Lake Manatee
3
Sienna Linn, a rising first grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, says she has no pets at home but has had a blast with her dog, Mia, at the Little Vet School camp.
  • June 20, 2026
Little Vet School teaches skills at The Out-of-Door Academy's summer camp
4
Eadon Foster, a rising fourth grader at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary, and  
Zion Stenzler, a rising fifth grader at Rowlett Elementary Academy, each use microscopes to look at a goldfish scale, dandelion fuzz, pollen, and more.
  • June 19, 2026
Mad Scientist Adventures Camp presents students with scientific challenges
5
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch

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