• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2011
Creature spotted at Benderson Park

APRIL FOOLS' DAY - They're calling her Benderson Bessie.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch may be forced to stop using its name because of a provision contained in the property's original land grant.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 1, 2011
JEOPARDY

APRIL FOOLS' DAY - Because of original land grants from the Spanish government, Lakewood Ranch may be forced to pay a $5 billion 'territorial payment' or change its name.

  • East County
  • News
Derricks such as these will dot the Summerfield community.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 1, 2011
Ranch CDD considers oil drilling

APRIL FOOLS' DAY - At least one Lakewood Ranch CDD 1 official hopes the option of oil drilling on CDD property could help reduce assessments for residents.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 1, 2011
Ranch Friends challenge incorporation group to sumo

APRIL FOOLS' DAY - Friends of Lakewood Ranch leaders want to settle the debate regarding incorporation through ancient Japanese wrestling.

  • East County
  • News
The new mascot for the combined Lakewood Ranch/Braden River team will be a live horse wearing a pirate hat.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 1, 2011
District to combine Braden River, Lakewood teams

APRIL FOOLS' DAY - To help balance both schools' budgets, the Lakewood Ranch Mustangs and Braden River Pirates will become one team beginning next fall.

  • East County
  • News
The Jensen statue will be similar to the famous Rocky statue in Philadelphia, Pa.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 1, 2011
SMR to build Jensen statue

APRIL FOOLS' DAY -- Just two weeks after Schroeder-Manatee Ranch unveiled the name and logo of its new sports complex off State Road 70, officials have decided to change both.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 1, 2011
Ranch changes signature color

APRIL FOOLS' DAY - One year after changing its signature color, Lakewood Ranch is again swapping swatches.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 1, 2011
GOTCHA!

Welcome to our the East County Observer's 2011 April Fools' issue!

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 1, 2011
Meet the new Lakewood Ranch

APRIL FOOLS' DAY - After watching the incorporation debate rage in their neighboring community to the south, leaders in Heritage Harbour, GreyHawk Landing, Greenfield Plantation and Mill Creek have organized to petition for incorporation.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • April 1, 2011
Meet the new Lakewood Ranch

APRIL FOOLS' DAY - After watching the incorporation debate rage in their neighboring community to the south, leaders in Heritage Harbour, GreyHawk Landing, Greenfield Plantation and Mill Creek have organized to petition for incorporation.

  • East County
  • News
General Manager Darrin Foil, founder Bill Shumate and Vice President of Operations Bill Milner represented Square 1 Burgers, which opened in the East County March 1.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 31, 2011
GALLERY: EDC Hob Nob

Severe thunderstorms and a last-minute venue change didn't keep business professionals away from an annual Hob Nob barbecue event hosted by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council. Hundreds of guests enjoyed an evening of food and drink, live entertainment and networking March 31 at the Manatee Civic Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 31, 2011
Lady Pirates swing past Lady Rams

The Braden River High softball team defeated Riverview 4-1 March 29.

  • East County
  • Sports
Fifth-grade students demonstrated tricks during Bashaw Elementary's Jump for Fun event March 30.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 31, 2011
GALLERY: Bashaw Elementary Jump for Fun

Students at Bashaw Elementary School showed off their jump-roping skills during the school's annual Jump for Fun event March 30. Fifth-grade students demonstrated a variety of jump-roping tricks before the rest of the school joined in on the fun.

  • East County
  • Schools
Diane Block had her eye on a Godiva chocolate gift basket.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • March 31, 2011
GALLERY: Elegantly Fresh

Ladies in the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club gathered March 30 at the Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom for the club's fifth annual luncheon and fashion show, which this year was themed "Elegantly Fresh."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Primrose School kindergartner Cameron Phayre and his father, Scott, celebrated after learning their family had won third-prize in the Family Dance-off video contest.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • March 30, 2011
GALLERY: Phayre Family Celebration

Kindergarten students at Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch Town danced their hearts out in celebration after fellow classmate Cameron Phayre and his family were named the third-prize winners of the Family Dance-off March 30. In honor of the Phayre family's victory, Primrose presented a $15,000 check to All Children's Hospital. The Phayre family also received a check for $1,500.

  • East County
  • Schools
« 1406 1407 1408 1409 1410 1411 1412 1413 1414 1415 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in East County

1
Sisterhood for Good's Glo Reber presents Harbor58's Ari Gibbons and Annie Wilson a grant for $7,500 to go towards a mentoring program for foster kids.
  • June 26, 2026
Another monster year for Sisterhood for Good, which gives 29 grants worth $150,095
2
Savanna at Lakewood Ranch's Camden Bedinghaus, 23, is running for the District 5 seat on the Manatee County school board to be a "voice for his generation."
  • June 26, 2026
Lakewood Ranch 23-year-old wants to represent Gen Z on Manatee school board
3
MJ Price
  • June 26, 2026
Voices of America: How do you reflect your patriotism?
4
Bill Schey is a Marine Corps veteran and a board member for the Folds of Honor Southwest Florida and Chicago chapters (with his wife, Connie Schey).
  • June 25, 2026
Voices of America: What is a patriot today?
5
Myakka City's Mike Harrison is running for the District 1 seat on the Manatee County Commission.
  • June 24, 2026
Myakka City resident throws his cowboy hat into Manatee County Commission race

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free