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East County

Rose Burns places second, Cindy Jackson placed first and Marissa Stephenson places third in the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association's chili cook-off.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 14, 2024
Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association hosts chili cook-off

Participants put their own twist on chili recipes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River Library is one of seven locations in the Manatee County Public Library System.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 14, 2024
Manatee County severs ties with American Library Association

The commission voted to end the county's membership and barred staff from attending conferences of the national library organization.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School sophomore Camryn Shear has her steer hold its head up with pride during the auction.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 13, 2024
Students flourish at Manatee County Fair steer shows

The annual steer show highlights action at the fair on Jan. 13.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 15420 Anchorage Place closed this week for $6.3 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 13, 2024
Lake Club home sells for $6.3 million

The previous owners of the Lakewood Ranch home loved the area so much that they purchased another home in The Lake Club.

  • East County
  • News
Jennifer Kovatch (left) and Keith Pandeloglou (right) of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities present the Volunteer of the Year Award to Lakewood Ranch's Monaca Onstad.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 12, 2024
LWR Community Activities honors Volunteer of the Year

Former SMR Community Relations Director Monaca Onstad won the coveted award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The bounce houses shut down due to high winds, but Bradenton resident Brody Pawelkoski, 3, got a quick bounce in beforehand.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 12, 2024
Bounce houses take over Nathan Benderson Park

The Big Bounce America is billed as the "biggest touring inflatable event in the world."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Some of the estimated 500 people who attended the grand opening of the Lakewood Ranch Library on Jan. 12 gather to listen to the ceremony.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 12, 2024
Hundreds attend Lakewood Ranch Library grand opening

The Lakewood Ranch Library opened Jan. 12 with a huge celebration.

  • East County
  • News
Melvin Pettis, a Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living resident, recalls meeting Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 and again in 1965.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 11, 2024
Lakewood Ranch resident recalls meeting Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s contributions to fighting for the rights of others continue to inspire 94-year-old Melvin Pettis.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Blue Oyster Cult's Eric Bloom sings at Premier Sports Campus in January, 2017. Lakewood Ranch still has no amphitheater or events center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 11, 2024
Manatee County does well on roads, flunks wetland protections

Our columnist responds to Manatee County's online survey.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By American Outdoor Cabinets
  • January 11, 2024
Outdoor Cabinets that Stand the Test of Time

One of the most significant assurances American Outdoor Cabinets provides is the lifetime warranty.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The cast of "Acceptance Pending" performs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Aug. 27-28, 2023.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 10, 2024
Musical from Braden River High alum to make local debut

After a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Gabriel McDerment is bringing his musical, “Acceptance Pending,” on tour in the U.S.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Goodwill Manasota, Inc.
  • January 10, 2024
New Year, New Look: Elevate Your Wardrobe with Goodwill!

Since 1902, Goodwill’s mission-integrated donated goods business model has contributed to the sustainability of the planet.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Lakewood Ranch High senior wrestler Logan Borcsane is 18-0 at 113 pounds as of Jan. 4.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 10, 2024
Lakewood Ranch High wrestler enters 2024 undefeated

As of Dec. 4, senior Logan Borcsane is 18-0 in his second year of wrestling.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarah Orcutt, a second grade teacher at Freedom Elementary School, prepares for the new school year in August 2023. Teachers receive a salary supplement through the 1-mill property tax referendum.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 10, 2024
Teacher salary support again big part of school tax vote

With the 1-mill property tax referendum on the ballot in November, Manatee County School Board members consider their options.

  • East County
  • Schools
Students are ready to represent Sabal house after the completion of the sorting ceremony.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 10, 2024
ODA implements house system to promote positive culture

The house system creates a welcoming culture, positive connections and leadership opportunities at The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • East County
  • Schools
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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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