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East County

Help protect imperiled plants like pine lilies, as well as their sensitive ecosystems, by leaving blooms in place, and minimizing our direct and indirect impact on their habitats.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • October 16, 2023
Pine lilies thrive thanks to fire

These imperiled flowers are important indicators of health for Florida habitats.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Crowned king and queen, Mason Kramer and Emily D'Agostino lead the 2022 Buddy Walk.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 16, 2023
Manasota BUDS to host 21st Buddy Walk

The Buddy Walk takes place on Oct. 28 at Bayside Community Church’s Lakewood Ranch campus.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
With so many things to do at the Pumpkin Festival, almost 2-year-old Jameela Williams plays with a flag. Her family was traveling from Tampa back to Sunrise, so they made a pit stop at Hunsader Farms.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 15, 2023
Hunsader Pumpkin Festival opens for its 32nd year

The pumpkin festival runs every weekend through the end of the month in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden Woods' Kathy Varsalona participates in Braden River Library's rock painting class. She's been painting rocks at home to hide in her neighborhood for the past year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 15, 2023
Braden River Library hosts rock painting class for adults

Participants spread joy to others through messages and images on painted rocks.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
University Park's Ronni Loundy and Eileen Cantarella, the co-chairs of Answer to Cancer SRQ, are raising $100,000 this year for research that is exploring the relationship with aging and metastatic breast cancer.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 15, 2023
University Park duo works to raise money for American Cancer Society

Ronni Loundy and Eileen Cantarella's team, Answer to Cancer SRQ, is working to raise $100,000 this year for cancer research.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Seychelle Webster (4) has been competing in SUP races since 2014, of both the sprint and distance variety.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 15, 2023
Stand-up paddler celebrates the sport at Benderson Park

Seychelle Webster, a Guinness World Record holder, won sprint and distance events at the 2023 ICF World Cup.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 14, 2023
High school football roundup: Week eight

As programs prepare for the regular season's final stretch, area teams head in different directions.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 13, 2023
Will Manatee County commissioners' wetlands decision impact 2024 election?

One commissioner suggests that it is mostly Democrats who oppose decision to decrease wetland buffers.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lynn Meder is the owner of Uniquely Yours in Myakka City.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 13, 2023
Jewelry store Uniquely Yours opens in Myakka City

The shop sells handcrafted jewelry, hats, bird feeders and anything owner Lynn Meder is inspired to create.

  • East County
  • Business
How they vote will influence how we vote, Bradenton residents Bob and Pam Luersen said.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 12, 2023
Some Manatee County voters say they won't forget wetlands decision

The Manatee County Commission voted 5-1 to cut additional wetland protections out of the Comprehensive Plan.

  • East County
  • News
Country Club's Diane Sosnosky says Albert, an alligator she found and nicknamed, was in her backyard on the 17th green of Legacy Golf Course in 2011.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 12, 2023
How should you handle wildlife encounters in Lakewood Ranch?

Representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office share information on local wildlife.

  • East County
  • News
Molly Garrett and Thea Pham sing "A Distant Shore." They are among 55 students in Haile Middle School's new choir program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 12, 2023
Haile Middle School in east Bradenton begins new choir program

Students are preparing for their first concert in December.

  • East County
  • Schools
Tampa's Madi Sparks won the Most Creative division of the costume contest at Barks and Boos with 13-year-old Daisy, who seemed to enjoy her perch in a popcorn machine.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 11, 2023
UTC event at The Green features dogs in costume

Barks and Boos drew hundreds of dog-friendly patrons and vendors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The cast and crew of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" rehearse on Oct. 8. The show opens on Oct. 19.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 11, 2023
Lakewood Ranch couple takes on 'The Rocky Horror Show'

The show opens at the Manatee Performing Arts Center on Oct. 19 and runs through Nov. 5.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Helen Lehman and Lois Kersey are both in their 90s.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 11, 2023
Fridays offer friendship and free lunch for seniors in Myakka City

Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee hosts a senior program every Friday at the Myakka Family Worship Center.

  • 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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