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East County

Commissioners Mike Rahn, Amanda Ballard Ray Turner and George Kruse sit at the dais. Kruse is met with silence on March 12 when proposing call-in comments return.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2024
Manatee County and residents at odds over communication restrictions

Residents are not allowed to call in to commission meetings or comment on Manatee County's social media platforms.

  • East County
  • News
Norman Love Confections has reopened its chocolate salon on the other side of University Parkway at The Shoppes at UTC.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2024
Norman Love Confections moves in next to Trader Joe's

The chocolate salon moved to the Manatee County side of UTC to The Shoppes.

  • East County
  • Business
Jessica Thoennes and Azja Czajkowski won the women's pair at the U.S. Rowing Olympic Team Trials to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics (7:37.62). The trials were held at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 7, 2024
Five US rowers punch their ticket to the Paris Olympics at Benderson Park

The Olympic Team Trials were held April 4-7 in Sarasota in preparation for this summer's Olympic Games.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club hosts the Youth and Teen Fishing Seminar at Summerfield Park on April 6.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 7, 2024
Fishing experts teach all the angles

The Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club held its Youth and Teen Fishing Seminar at Summerfield Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rollins College sophomore Zi Burns started her sailing career as crew before switching to skipper this year.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 7, 2024
ODA grad sets sail on new adventure at Rollins College

Zi Burns played basketball with the Thunder but has taken to sailing with the Tars.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River High School sophomore Alexa Helton performs as part of a quartet. She looks forward to seeing her skills as a clarinet player grow as she continues in high school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 6, 2024
Arts Alive showcases Manatee County student talent while supporting the arts

Students from Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools perform or have their artwork work on display.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tesla preparing to open its new Sarasota store at University Town Center.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • April 6, 2024
Tesla set to open UTC dealership by end of April

The electric vehicle manufacturer has built a 55,000-square-foot showroom and service center at University Town Center just off I-75.

  • East County
  • Business
Rep. Tommy Gregory answers interview questions during a public forum on March 26 at SCF. He was hired as SCF's seventh president on Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 5, 2024
Rep. Tommy Gregory accepts post as SCF president

The District 72 representative will be the seventh president of the State College of Florida.

  • East County
  • Schools
Miss Jodi hosts the UTC Kids Club every other week.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 5, 2024
UTC Kids Club participants dance through another Wednesday

Miss Jodi's School of Dance hosts the club every other week at The Green at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kara Kohler celebrates at Nathan Benderson Park after she wins the U.S. Olympic Trials’ women’s single sculls competition on Feb. 26, 2021.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 4, 2024
2024 US Rowing Olympic Team Trials hit Benderson Park this week

The event will determine who heads to the Paris Olympics this summer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Monterey at Lakewood Ranch has two models available, including the Centennial.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 4, 2024
Toll Brothers joins Lakewood Ranch to market new Monterey village

Lakewood Ranch continues to expand its holdings as builders want to capitalize on the brand.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Ellen McLaughlin, the director of Schoolhouse Link with Safe Children Coalition, and David Leubcke, the senior director of programs, are thrilled to receive a grant for the Lake Club Giving Circle for the first time.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 3, 2024
Lake Club Giving Circle grants $30,000 to area nonprofits

The 15 Manatee and Sarasota nonprofits receiving grants from The Lake Club Giving Circle focus on helping women, children and families.

  • East County
  • News
Artwork in the new Big Top gives a tip of the hat to Sarasota's connection with the circus industry.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 3, 2024
Big Top Brewing expands to Fruitville Commons with huge plans

The Sarasota restaurant/brewery targets mid-April for the opening of its 18,000 square-foot business on the southern edge of Lakewood Ranch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Myakka City Historical Society's Walter Carlton and Marilyn Coker talk to "major donors" Barbara and Bob Anson about the Myakka City Historic School House project.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 3, 2024
Donations inject life into Myakka City Historic School House project

The final $60,000 was raised to finish the community center project in late 2024.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Kevin Roy is 13th on the Korn Ferry Tour points list as of March 29.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • April 2, 2024
Lakewood Ranch professional golfer takes winding road to success

Kevin Roy almost gave up golf but now is fighting to get back to the PGA Tour.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest in East County

1
Did our Pig-Away story and photo fool you in our April Fools edition?
  • April 2, 2026
Is the Observer's April Fools edition foolish or just plain fun?
2
Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race
3
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager
4
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff
5
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research

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