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East County

The Mustangs salute their student section following a 10-8 win over Gibbs High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 21, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High football picks up third win of 2023

The Mustangs (3-5) were 10-8 victors over Gibbs High (0-7) at home.

  • East County
  • Sports
Luna and Zander Hartman enjoy the pumkin patch at The Green at UTC.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 20, 2023
UTC Night Market in Sarasota embraces the fall season

Innovative vendors lined The Green at the Mall at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Shoppes at University Town Center in east Manatee county will soon be home to a Trader Joe's.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 20, 2023
Trader Joe's opens Oct. 26 in The Shoppes at UTC

California-based grocer Trader Joe’s is known for its signature food items and loyal following.

  • East County
  • Business
The Greenbrook Adventure Park pavilion was burned down over the Fourth of July 2023 and is expected to be rebuilt by July 2024.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 19, 2023
Greenbrook Adventure Park pavilion rebuild due in July

The Inter-District Authority is working on the design of the new pavilion after the previous one was destroyed by fireworks in July.

  • East County
  • News
Seven-time PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel hosts the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour Thursday and Friday at The Concession.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 18, 2023
Minority golfers take their shot at Billy Horschel Invitational

Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour makes a stop at The Concession in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Dan and Deborah Slottke of Mill Creek enjoy their ride through life with their 1979 Trans Am playing a big part.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 18, 2023
On the road with a couple of Bradenton Bandits

The upcoming car show at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church showcases unrelenting passion.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Waterlefe's Glenda Myers works with Ballard Elementary kindergartner Kemora Wallace once per week through the Books for Kids Kindergarten program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 18, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Rotary kicks off ninth year of Books for Kids program

The Books for Kids Kindergarten program, which helps students discover a love for reading and increases reading scores, is expanding into more Manatee and Sarasota County classrooms this school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Andy Butterfield is named chief of staff, a brand new position within the Manatee County government.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 18, 2023
Manatee County adds a chief of staff position

Andy Butterfield was the frontrunner for the county administrator position before commissioners decided on Charlie Bishop.

  • East County
  • News
The pool at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club's Athletic Center is being renovated. Work is scheduled to be complete by Dec. 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 18, 2023
Renovated pool on schedule at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club

The new hard-shell pool will be completed in December and include a larger area for water aerobics.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High School's Andrew Boudreau and Tyler Patten give it their all during a performance.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 18, 2023
Manatee County high school marching bands gear up for state competition

The Braden River, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish bands are concentrated on growth in hopes of earning a medal at the top level.

  • East County
  • Schools
This Rye Wilderness Estates at 16503 First Drive N.E. sold for $1.7 million. It has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,875 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • October 17, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 2-6 in Lakewood Ranch

A Rye Wilderness Estates home on First Drive Northeast tops the week's sales at $1.7 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
East County's Ellie Blitz and her horse, Gunner, look forward to improving at Western dressage and continuing to volunteer at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 17, 2023
East Bradenton teen forms winning partnership with American paint horse

Gunner, an 8-year-old American paint horse, has excelled both in dressage and helping with therapy at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ellenton's Barbara Bostrom, the niece of Gilbert McNeal, Lakewood Ranch's Jessica Chmielarski, the granddaughter of McNeal, and Dylan and Michael Chmielarski, the great-grandsons of McNeal, celebrate his legacy at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School's 20th anniversary.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 17, 2023
McNeal Elementary School celebrates 20th anniversary

Teachers, students and administrators, past and present, celebrate 20 years of learning and making memories.

  • East County
  • Schools
This sign hangs along County Road 675. Resident groups regularly band together to attend commission meetings to prevent development east of the Future Development Area Boundary.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 17, 2023
Manatee studies cost of moving county boundary on future development

Commissioners vary whether to hold the Future Area Development Boundary, get rid of it or move it east.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River sophomore Molly Horalek (16), sophomore Mia McGuire (7), senior Riley Hinkle (9), junior Morgan Beane (13) and junior Baylee Hinkle (15) celebrate a win over ODA.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 16, 2023
Braden River High volleyball has its eyes on third-straight district title

The Pirates overcame the loss of a senior leader to finish the regular season 18-6.

  • East County
  • Sports
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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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