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East County

Lakewood Ranch's John Rapp and Susan Rapp drop off 249 shoeboxes the Acts of Kindness Group at Grace Community Church made. The group more than doubled its donations compared to last year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2023
Community rallies to help seniors in need with Shoebox Collection

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee received hundreds of donated shoeboxes from community members and businesses.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tara's Dennis and Lisa Pyeatt are all aboard the Jiggs Express.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2023
Jiggs Landing shines bright with annual boat parade in east Bradenton

The Holiday Boat Parade is more than a celebration of the holidays to a Tara couple.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Robert Karlsson said he's expecting to be challenged by the three-team format of the World Champions Cup, held Dec. 7-10 at The Concession Golf Club.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 3, 2023
Robert Karlsson brings his analytical eye to World Champions Cup

The golfer known as "The Scientist" will play for Team Europe against Team USA and Team International.

  • East County
  • Sports
Karen MacDougall and her granddaughter Sloane Johnson love Music on Main, especially in December. Sloane is dressed as an Elf on the Shelf.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 2, 2023
Lakewood Ranch's Music on Main hosts its holiday celebration

A long line of families waited patiently as Santa set up shop under the big Christmas tree.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Annette Codelia, executive director of elementary education; Braden River Elementary School Principal Joshua Bennett; Superintendent Jason Wysong; and School Board of Manatee County member Richard Tatum celebrate Bennett being named the district's Principal of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 2, 2023
Braden River Elementary principal named county's Principal of the Year

Joshua Bennett has served as the principal at Braden River Elementary since 2019.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse says his voice has remained the same since he was elected in 2020 and that it's the other commissioners' voices that have changed.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 1, 2023
Kruse doesn’t mind being lone dissenting vote on Manatee Commission

Commissioner George Kruse has been on the short end of 6-1 decisions but says he is offering the "community view."

  • East County
  • News
  • By Safe Children Coalition
  • November 30, 2023
Help Our Community’s Children Dream, Believe, Achieve

SCC – a community-based care agency - is a public/private partnership that worked with nearly 10,000 children across Sarasota, DeSoto and Manatee counties last year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Prine Elementary's Katie Bagley, Barbara A. Harvey Elementary's Joadie Durfee, Lakewood Ranch High's Debra McCarthy and Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary's Jessica Spence are finalists for Educator of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 30, 2023
East County school employees named finalists for excellence awards

In east Bradenton, two teachers were named finalists Manatee County's Educator of the Year and two staff members named for Support Employee of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Whether a parking attendant, Joseph's angel, a wise man's attendant, an angel or any other role, the Walmsley family loves coming together to participate in the living nativity each year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 29, 2023
Nativity tradition continues for East County family

Participating in the Tabernacle Church's annual living nativity is a tradition for the Walmsley family.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
These angels are made from magnolia seed pods. After spraying them for bugs, committee member Vicki Carvelli applies several coats of varnish to preserve the pods.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 29, 2023
Lakewood Ranch angel tree raises thousands for those in need

Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church parishioners raised $35,000 last year by making and selling Christmas ornaments.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Village Idiots cycling group assembled May 19, 2021, to raise awareness of cyclists' rights to public roadways.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 29, 2023
Bike safety still a major issue in Manatee County

A study found that 805 of 9,472 road fatalities in Florida involved cyclists. Manatee County has had 34 bicycle fatalities since 2018.

  • East County
  • News
Bonnie Caulson, Jessica Braemer, Ellie Casebolt, Lora Bostick and Shadeed Wright are at Grace Community Church on Nov. 17. The church made a $25,000 donation to Better Together.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 29, 2023
Grace Community Church focuses on outreach

The Lakewood Ranch church has a hand in many community events and supports several local nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Former Florida Senate President Bill Galvano, Concession owner Bruce Cassidy, PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady, Intersport founder Charles Besser and former PGA Tour star Peter Jacobsen announced the new World Champions Cup in April.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 28, 2023
World Champions Cup to throw block party in Lakewood Ranch

The inaugural PGA Tour Champions event is going all out to thank The Concession and the region.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 8477 Pavia Way sold for $3.04 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 28, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 13-17 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Pavia Way tops the week's sales at $3.04 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Some examples of how the Luxe Flex garages can be customized.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 28, 2023
More luxury garage condos gear up for Lakewood Ranch

Luxe Flex Garage is a more budget-friendly version of the original Luxe Dream Garage, which held its groundbreaking in August 2022.

  • East County
  • News
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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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