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East County

Becky Calevro competes in the Florida State Western Dressage Championships with the help of Mark Hiser, the executive director of Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy. She is the first exceptional rider to represent SMART in a competition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 7, 2024
SMART provides competitive opportunities for exceptional riders

Riders with physical, social or emotional disabilities representing Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy compete at western dressage shows, which give a confidence boost while also providing therapy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Waterside Place is a 36-acre lakefront town center in east Sarasota County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 7, 2024
Waterside Place almost sold out as gastropub plans fall opening

With six restaurants expected to open by late 2024, only one space remains in the Lakewood Ranch business and entertainment hub.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Morgan Gabrielson fills a stadium with snacks for every Kansas City Chiefs game.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 6, 2024
East Bradenton residents gear up for Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl festivities bring families together for good food and fun.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Concession home at 8325 Farington Court sold for $2.36 million. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,535 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 6, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 22-26 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Farington Court tops the week's sales at $2.36 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
A rendering of the playground being built at Tom Bennett Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 6, 2024
Upgrades to Bennett Park in Bradenton create destination playground

The ADA-accessible playground in east Manatee County is under construction and planned to open by early May, with a splash pad to follow.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High senior Zackary Groth (23) leaps for an attempted header against Parrish Community High. The attempt would sail wide of the net and Braden River would lose 1-0.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 6, 2024
Parrish-Braden River match proves a one-goal game can be thrilling

The boys soccer district title game featuring Braden River High (12-2-1) and Parrish Community High (10-8-1) showed the kind of effort teams need to get even one goal.

  • East County
  • Sports
Stray dog is on the run in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 6, 2024
Stray dog is on the run in Lakewood Ranch

A King Charles spaniel mix nicknamed Rascal was first spotted in early November. He was caught once and is back on the run.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High softball senior Grace Shaw-Rockey hit .345 with 21 RBIs in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 5, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Grace Shaw-Rockey

The Lakewood Ranch High senior will be a leader on the school’s softball team.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant is now the largest ultrafiltration plant in Florida.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 5, 2024
Manatee promises improved water quality after treatment plant upgrades

Manatee County spent $53 million to retrofit the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant with ultrafiltration membranes.

  • East County
  • News
Conductor Joe Martinez guides the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble through the National Anthem to begin the "Song and Dance" concert Feb. 4 at Peace Presbyterian Church in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 5, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble concert packs Peace Presbyterian

The band plays its final local concert of the season on May 5 in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Out-of-door students and staff wear bell bottoms, head bands and John Lennon's signature sunglasses to stay on theme with the 1960s music.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 3, 2024
Out-of-Door Academy raises money for Manasota BUDS

The orchestra played a 1960s-themed concert at Woodland Community Church in East County on Feb. 2.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch 6-year-old Aurlyn Esler holds on as tight as she can to see how long she can last on the bull.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 3, 2024
Music on Main provides entertainment for all ages in Lakewood Ranch

Whether it's riding a bull, petting a mini horse or dancing to Kettle of Fish, Music on Main was fun for all.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Michael Hager, a water conservation compliance officer with Manatee County Utilites, takes fifth graders through an interactive watershed model to help students understand the importance of water conservation.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 3, 2024
Tara Elementary students learn about water conservation

Manatee County Utilities put on presentation about the importance of water conservation.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Jodi and Ron O'Toole, and Craig and Susan Belesi have formed a bond as the husbands fight Parkinson's disease.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 1, 2024
Lakewood Ranch couples bond to face Parkinson’s

Parkinson Place Center of Sarasota is key to their sustaining their quality of life.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch resident says: 'They paved our paradise'
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 1, 2024
Lakewood Ranch resident says: 'They paved our paradise'

Another Lakewood Ranch resident is not happy with Manatee County's split with the American Library Association.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest in East County

1
Left: Darrel Drury has lived in the Lakewood Ranch area for nearly eight years. Right: David Sessions has overseen the construction of dozens of buildings in the region in the past 35 years.
  • February 15, 2026
Round and round goes the chatter about roundabouts in Lakewood Ranch
2
Negotiations continue between Manatee County and its two garbage haulers — Waste Management and Waste Pro.
  • February 14, 2026
Bulk garbage pickups likely to return for Manatee County residents
3
Lakewood Ranch's Eugene Khutoryanskiy and Yana Parker are celebrating this Valentine's Day as fiances alongside their dogs Mittens and Jesse at Barks & Brews on Feb. 10.
  • February 13, 2026
A little pet lovin' and squeezin' at University Town Center in Sarasota
4
Lee Wetherington says he can visit with potential buyers and his contractors because CEO Dave Hunihan handles the heavy lifting of his business.
  • February 12, 2026
Acclaimed builder continues to put his stamp on Lakewood Ranch
5
The purple piles will carry reclaimed water to Lakewood Ranch Southeast for irrigation.
  • February 11, 2026
New road construction speeds through Lakewood Ranch Southeast

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