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East County

    In Memoriam |
  • March 15, 2024
Stanley “Stan” Pastor

Stanley “Stan” Pastor

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Soleta developer Charles Duff and Hall of Famer Nick Price are combining on just one of the new golf ventures coming to East County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 14, 2024
Golf continues to thrive in Lakewood Ranch area

East County has become a mecca of the one-ailing sport.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Delaney Riggins and Andrew Shackleford say it's crazy how life comes full circle. The couple "dated" in elementary school but grew apart in middle and high school. They reconnected in 2020 and married March 9.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 14, 2024
LRHS teachers tie the knot years after 'dating' in elementary school

Delaney Riggins says fate brought her back together with Andrew Shackleford in 2020 after they dated in elementary school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Barbara Thurston, Barbara Pressman and Barbara Stanton
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 13, 2024
Sarasota, Longboat women bond over shared name: Barbara

Barbaras from around Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and the Keys meet up every month to network and help the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Amara Chepuri, a fifth grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, hopes to make it to the quarterfinals at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 13, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Prep student qualifies for Scripps National Spelling Bee

Amara Chepuri is spelling her way to the top, one letter at a time.

  • East County
  • Schools
Robyn Bell, Lynne Lash, Linda Jacobs and Christine Captain say the Suncoast Food & Wine Fest is their favorite event of the year.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2024
Rotary Club raises $140,000 from Suncoast Food & Wine Fest

The Lakewood Ranch nonprofit has now granted $2.3 million over the years.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
After heart surgery, David Paliotta completely changed his diet and exercise patterns.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2024
Lakewood Ranch senior gives peak performance

After a quadruple bypass surgery, Summerfield's David Paliotta works toward an unlikely goal: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County, USF partnership helps paraprofessionals become teachers
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 12, 2024
Manatee County, USF partnership helps paraprofessionals become teachers

A federal grant will send 60 English for Speakers of Other Languages paraprofessionals to the University of South Florida to earn their teaching degrees.

  • East County
  • Schools
This Riverdale Revised home at 602 Regatta Way sold for $4.2 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,388 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 12, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 26 to March 1 in Lakewood Ranch

A Riverdale Revised home on Regatta Way tops the week's sales at $4.2 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Oats McGoats is adjusting to his new home at the Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary in Myakka City.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 12, 2024
Stray goat finds home in Myakka City

A stray goat that was found wandering the streets of Jacksonville was taken in by the Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brandin Gallaway takes a corner kick for Braden River Soccer Club during a practice at Premier Sports Campus in July 2023. Elliott Falcione said youth soccer will continue to be a cornerstone of the facility's schedule in the coming years.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 12, 2024
Premier Sports Campus of Lakewood Ranch focuses on economic impact

Youth events are easier to land than professional ones and bring a sizable impact to the area, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Executive Director Bureau Elliott Falcione says.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River High boys track and field senior Derek Anders.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 12, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Derek Anders

The Braden River High boys senior track and field athlete set a school record in the high jump on March 8.

  • East County
  • Sports
ODA junior Makenna Larkin catches a pass against Bradenton Christian School on March 7. Larkin scored two goals against BCS.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • March 11, 2024
ODA girls lacrosse using attitude to its advantage

The Thunder is 5-2 as of March 8 after winning just four games in 2023.

  • East County
  • Sports
The location in Fort Myers provides an idea of what to expect in Lakewood Ranch if the project is approved.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 11, 2024
Proposal for dining, entertainment spot worries Lakewood Ranch residents

Residents fear plans for Backyard Social will threaten the hours and character of the Lakewood Ranch community.

  • East County
  • News
Liam Middleton, 6, does a backflip on the bungee trampoline.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 9, 2024
Irish Celtic Festival draws hundreds to Lakewood Ranch

The Irish Celtic Festival featured Irish food and music, along with games and a dog parade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
School Board Member Heather Felton took off her blazer during the May 5 workshop to show her sleeveless shirt is appropriate for students in the Florida heat.
  • May 18, 2026
Manatee Schools to re-evaluate dress code guidelines
2
The Manatee River Youth Sailing Program serves kids ages 6 to 16.
  • May 18, 2026
Kids learn lessons on and off the water at Manatee River Youth Sailing Program
3
Jeff Toale stands inside the Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch, where light-filled spaces and a contemporary design reflect a shift toward more personalized, meaningful memorial experiences.
  • May 17, 2026
Jeff Toale looks to deepen and double impact at helm of the LWRCF
4
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Community Foundation as he is announced as the winner of the "Next Gen" award at University Park Country Club May 13.
  • May 16, 2026
Young Leaders Alliance presents its top award in Lakewood Ranch
5
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
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