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East County

Shih tzu father and son Mushu and Emmett dressed as the scarecrow and tin man from the "Wizard of Oz" with Sarasota's Teagan Nickols as Dorothy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 16, 2025
It's happy Howl-o-ween at The Green at UTC in Sarasota

This month's Barks and Brews, which benefits Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center, had dogs of all shapes and sizes in different costumes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This bridge on Singletary Road in Myakka City is due for a $3 million replacement.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 16, 2025
2 East County projects make Manatee's legislative priorities list

Manatee County is asking the state and federal government for $24 million across seven projects.

  • East County
  • News
Former Lakewood Ranch barbershop owner Barry Rainwater has launched his career as an author with "2025: Gardens and Creeks."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 16, 2025
Former Lakewood Ranch barbershop owner writes a new life chapter

Barry Rainwater's science fiction thriller "2525: Gardens and Creeks" is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Makenzie Legg, Zachary McClellan and Isabella Rubal are teaching at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary, which is the very elementary school they attended as children.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 15, 2025
Three former McNeal Elementary students return as educators

Zachary McClellan, Bella Rubal and Makenzie Legg once walked the halls of McNeal as students, but now they are taking inspiration from previous teachers to make a difference for students of their own.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mika Elovaara (center) high-fives two of his players during prematch warmups with the Richmond Kickers. The Oulu, Finland native and UNC Wilmington alumnus will guide the Paradise into USL League One in 2026.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 15, 2025
Sarasota Paradise names head coach for their first professional season

Former Richmond Kickers lead assistant Mika Elovaara brings his expertise to spearhead a new era.

  • East County
  • Sports
Danny Slavin and Michael Miller, owners of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii on University Parkway, donate $5,000 to the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Fund Oct. 10.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 15, 2025
Dick Vitale aims to surpass $120M for pediatric cancer research in 2026

In 20 years of hosting an annual gala, the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund has raised $105.4 million.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Residents in Summerfield Bluffs are rescued after the Braden River flooded their street following Hurricane Debby in 2024.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 15, 2025
Manatee County inches toward initiating stormwater fees

Despite public pushback in 2019, Manatee County is taking another shot at implementing a stormwater program.

  • East County
  • News
Kingston Kokoefer poses for a photo on Oct. 13 at Out-of-Door Academy. He cut multiple Seffner Christian drives short in their Oct. 10 matchup as the Thunder held off the 39.5-points-per-game Crusaders for a sixth straight win.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 14, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kingston Kokoefer

The sophomore safety had two interceptions in The Out-of-Door Academy football's Week 9 win over Seffner Christian.

  • East County
  • Sports
Greg Crawford, area president of M/I Homes, Erika Walker, Pelotonia's philanthropy and stewardship manager and Chase Knopt and Ashtyn Crockett, construction managers at M/I homes pose with the $141,000 check at the Sweetwater benefit home.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 14, 2025
M/I Homes donates $141,000 toward cancer research

The sale of the M/I Homes dwelling in Lakewood Ranch is going to Pelotonia, a nonprofit that supports cancer research.

  • East County
  • News
Del Webb's Jerry and Karyn Waxman organize an annual golf tournament to raise money for polycystic kidney disease research.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch transplant survivor tees up for kidney disease research

Del Webb's Karyn and Jerry Waxman are hosting the PKD Applied Underwriters Invitational on Oct. 27 at Lakewood National Golf Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Country Club Village home at 7210 Desert Ridge Glen sold for $1.9 million. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,487 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 14, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Sept. 29-Oct. 3 in Lakewood Ranch

A Riverdale Revised home on Regatta Way topped the week's sales at $2 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Witt, a 5-month-old mixed breed male, gains enrichment through working to get a taste of peanut butter from the lick mat at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 13, 2025
Is it nuts to give dogs peanut butter?

At Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center, peanut butter is used as a tool to distract and provide enrichment in the shelter environment.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kora Yanes (center) of Lakewood Ranch girls' volleyball gets into her stance before a point during an Oct. 9 match at Palmetto. The senior outside hitter/right setter has over 200 kills for the second straight year.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 13, 2025
Lakewood Ranch girls volleyball team has look of tournament contender

Entering districts this week, the Mustangs look the part of a true regional contender.

  • East County
  • Sports
2-year-old critical after SR 70 crash in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 12, 2025
2-year-old critical after SR 70 crash in Lakewood Ranch

A Ford SUV drove into the back of a Fort Pierce school bus that was stopped.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Jenna Ziegler works quickly to move as much water as she can with a hand pump at the Dakin Harvest Festival Oct. 12 in Myakka.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 12, 2025
Harvest Festival makes a big splash at Dakin Dairy Farm

The event continues every Saturday and Sunday in October.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Seniors Gavin Moore, Abigail Frint and Ryan Johnson were among 12 students at Lakewood Ranch High School to set up and spread the word about the opportunities available at the new College and Career Center.
  • December 9, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High's College and Career Center makes its debut
2
Martha McKlveen, a Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center volunteer and donor, is eager for Kitty City to be able to support more cats that are in need, just like the over 1,000 she has fostered since 2009.
  • December 9, 2025
Kitty City built at Nate's Honor with $250,000 donation from volunteer
3
Four boys compete for Sarasota Scullers in the Plant High Winter Sprints on Dec. 6 at Nathan Benderson Park. The Scullers, founded in 1991, are hosting a fundraiser on Dec. 13 to build back from damages suffered during past hurricane seasons.
  • December 9, 2025
Sarasota Scullers pursue 1 million meters
4
Miracle League Board President Robyn Graham, Elks Golf Tournament Director Mark Liddell, Elk Sarah Davis and Miracle League Executive Director Chris Cushman celebrate the Elks' $1,500 donation to the league.
  • December 9, 2025
The miracle of caring is celebrated at Longwood Park in Sarasota
5
The idea for Moo-Jitsu was a collaboration between 9-year-old Olivia Whitman and her father Brandon Whitman in October of last year. They launched the business in August.
  • December 8, 2025
Love of cows adds spice to Lakewood Ranch business

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