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East County

Biologists Kristen Peterson and Jamie Wolanin monitor the Braden River to check for Old World Tape Grass growth.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 21, 2024
Invasive grass species threatens Braden River ecosystem

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission uses liquid copper to rid the Braden River of tape grass, an aquatic plant that could dominate native vegetation and damage wildlife.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch baseball senior pitcher Lochlan Radloff struck out 77 hitters in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 21, 2024
Pitching gives Lakewood Ranch High baseball the edge

Other East County baseball and softball teams have high hopes.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Mixons' food truck showcases the history of Mixon Fruit Farms.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 21, 2024
Former Mixon Farms owners begin new stage with food truck

Although Mixon Fruit Farms closed, life with the Mixons continues on a food truck.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Clash of merit vs. politics
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 21, 2024
Clash of merit vs. politics

After 11 years as Manatee’s supervisor of elections, Mike Bennett is retiring March 1. He has recommended an obvious choice: his chief of staff. But a surprise candidate has also applied: Commissioner James Satcher.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch High girls lacrosse senior Allie Thompsen.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 20, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Allie Thompsen

The Lakewood Ranch High girls lacrosse senior has 10 goals in her first three games of 2024.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Country Club home at 7418 Mizner Reserve Court sold for $930,000. It has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,008 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 20, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 5-9 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Clearlake Avenue tops the week's sales at $3.75 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The penthouse at 415 L Ambiance Drive sold for $11 million, setting a record for Longboat Key condo sales.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2024
Top Sarasota, Manatee Realtors closed sales of $2.63B in 2023

The Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee released a list of the top individual agents by sales volume.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The new addition will address the growth of Parrish Community High School, which is at capacity this school year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 20, 2024
Parrish Community High begins construction on new addition in April

The 16-classroom addition, which will cost $10.6 million and include two engineering labs, addresses growth and academic needs at the school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee County EMS charges citizens for services.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 20, 2024
Manatee County property taxes don't completely cover EMS services

If you receive care from Manatee EMS, it is likely you will receive a bill.

  • East County
  • News
Kambrie Rowell, a Ballard Elementary kindergartner in 2022, loves working with her literacy mentor, Esplanade's Barbara Liodice, who volunteers for the Books for Kids Kindergarten program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 19, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Rotary needs volunteers to expand Books for Kids

Manatee County principals say the Books for Kids programs spark a love for reading in students and that they want more classes involved.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ezequiel Rodriguez-Guadalupe and Sol Castro will move into a smart home provided by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 19, 2024
Knights of Columbus hosts Patriotic Ball at Tara Country Club

The annual event was held to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River High senior wrestler Gage Wiggins is 54-0 at 165 pounds as of Feb. 18.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • February 19, 2024
Five East County wrestlers stand out as state tournament contenders

Here is a look at athletes have a shot at reaching the state tournament in Kissimmee.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cars line up on The Masters Avenue on Feb. 15 to pick up students at Robert Willis Elementary School.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 18, 2024
Speed cameras to monitor Manatee County school zones

A county study showed 30 schools fell under the category of a "heightened safety risk" for pedestrians.

  • East County
  • News
Zack Kallis uses brandy to light up the saganaki as Renee Amoratis looks on.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 17, 2024
Opa, St. Barbara Greek Festival is back in Sarasota

The annual Greek Glendi is in its 40th year and runs through Sunday at the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jonathan Cortez sings "The Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 17, 2024
Sisterhood for Good soars with Phantom at Sarasota Hyatt Regency

The themed fundraiser expected to raise major funds for Lakewood Ranch area non-profits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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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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