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East County

Entering this season, Braden River softball hadn't won a district title in seven years. The squad is now two wins away from a state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 14, 2026
Braden River High softball advances to state semifinals

With a wire-to-wire effort from Kaydence Evans, the Pirates are FHSAA Class 5A-3 regional champions.

  • East County
  • Sports
Holiday House SRQ's Megan Micale, executive director, and Sepi Ackerman, co-founder and executive president, say a grant would allow for 350 Title I students to receive school uniforms, shoes and a holiday experience.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 14, 2026
Sisterhood for Good hosts annual Grant Expo in Lakewood Ranch

Of the 129 applicants who applied for grants this year, 23 were represented at the Grant Expo May 11.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Richard Frank Wokoun
    In Memoriam |
  • May 14, 2026
Richard Frank Wokoun

Richard Frank Wokoun, age 69, of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, passed away on April 26, 2026.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
A rendering of BayCare HealthHub on Moccasin Wallow Road.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 14, 2026
Health care expands in the area in a big way

Health care systems are expanding in and around Lakewood Ranch — for both the short- and long-term.

  • East County
  • News
Seniors Eliana Yeboah, Suzan Ikele, Jeffrey Crabtree and Sara Johnson are among the first class of graduating seniors to complete all four years at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 13, 2026
East Manatee seniors prepare for final assignment: A graduation speech

The chosen speakers for the various Manatee County commencement ceremonies are eager to connect with their peers.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sophie Bell had never rowed until middle school. From May 16-17, she'll return to the place where her career started, now a sophomore competing at the NCAA Division I level.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 13, 2026
Local rower-turned-Division I athlete returns to area for Big 12 Championships

Old Dominion's Sophie Bell, a Lakewood Ranch High graduate, will be competing at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
Commissioner George Kruse stops to greet Chula, a 2-year-old mastiff mix, during a walk-through of the Bishop Animal Shelter May 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 13, 2026
Animal activists continue complaints despite efforts to improve Bishop shelter

The Manatee County expansion project is up to $12 million, but some residents say it's not enough.

  • East County
  • News
The main building at the Bishop Animal Shelter has 52 dog kennels. The expansion adds 120 more kennels.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 13, 2026
Dog tired of spending money on Manatee County's animal shelters

After $12 million of improvements at the Bishop Animal Shelter, some county residents aren't satisfied with the conditions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
My-Lien Truong and Dwight Fitch, the radiation oncologists at Advocate Radiation Oncology in Lakewood Ranch, both studied chemical engineering before pursuing radiation oncology.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 12, 2026
Radiation, oncology center opens Lakewood Ranch office

Advocate Radiation Oncology has opened at 8946 77th Terrace E., to go with its previous location on S.R. 64 in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Business
Rick Farmer carries plenty of experience calling plays on defense, but his new role leading the Pirates represents his first head-coaching appointment in high school football.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 12, 2026
No time to waste for new Braden River High football coach

Rick Farmer, the team's former defensive coordinator, was hired on the first day of spring practice.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Country Club Village home at 6963 Westchester Circle sold for $3,025,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,897 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 12, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 27-May 1 in Lakewood Ranch

A Wild Blue home on Blue Shell Loop tops the week's sales at $3.68 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Triple Oak Preserve in Myakka City is one of the purchases Manatee County made using funds collected from the 2020 referendum.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 12, 2026
Environmental lands referendum one step closer to 2026 ballot

Manatee County commissioners were presented with four funding options to acquire additional lands and development rights.

  • East County
  • News
Bradenton's Trey Johnson finishes his swing during the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Golf Tournament, which raises funds for local nonprofits.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch rallies to support golf tournament fundraiser

Eighty-three golfers entered the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Golf Tournament at Colusa Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brooks Bartram improved his fastball velocity from 84 miles per hour in September 2025 to 94 mph by February. Now, he'll play NCAA Division II baseball in the fall.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 11, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooks Bartram

After one season with Braden River, the senior right-hander has signed with Eckerd College.

  • East County
  • Sports
Waterside’s Victoria Ortiz, 24, said her 7-month-old son, Flynn, has changed her life for the better.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 10, 2026
Mothers discuss their journeys before their special day

Lakewood Ranch mothers share how motherhood has helped them grow through both happy moments and hardship.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Partners Animal Hospital Lakewood Ranch hosts a ribbon cutting July 10.
  • July 13, 2026
Partners Animal Hospital opens in Lakewood Ranch
2
Boston's JJ Maguire, 4, Ariel Maguire, 6, and their mom, Kasha Grabowski, wear funky hats while enjoying treats from Jeremiah's Italian Ice at the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch.
  • July 13, 2026
Despite the heat, the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch is still the place to be
3
Brooklyn Cullen's golf career began at Hawaii's Princeville Makai Golf Club when she was 6 years old. It continues now in Florida, where she moved before beginning sixth grade at The Out-of-Door Academy.
  • July 13, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooklyn Cullen
4
Jason Starkman, the director of operations for The Original Wolfie's and Rascal House restaurants, shows off a corned beef sandwich. Wolfie's 21 Hand Cut is coming to UTC in late November or early December.
  • July 10, 2026
Wolfie's Hand Cut headed to University Town Center
5
Two killed in two crashes two hours apart on I-75
  • July 10, 2026
Two killed in two crashes two hours apart on I-75

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