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East County

The Country Club East Park, a place of both community and convenience for Willis Elementary families, will be closed off starting May 29 for nine months to build three youth baseball fields.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 28, 2026
Manatee delays construction at Country Club East Park after parents state concerns

The park, which will have three new youth baseball fields built, is a secondary pick up and drop off spot for students.

  • East County
  • News
This Lake Club home at 15421 Anchorage Place sold for $5.65 million. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,892 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 28, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 13-17 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Anchorage Place topped the week’s sales at $5.65 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Paxton Hermann, who specializes in the pole vault, has been a standout sophomore for the Thunder.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 27, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Paxon Hermann

The Out-of-Door Academy track and field sophomore placed top-three in four events at the FHSAA Class 1A-District 11 meet.

  • East County
  • Sports
Zachary Papper and Dillon O'Callaghan carry Tatiana Moskalenko, who plays Tanya, as she sings "Does Your Mother Know" in The Out-of-Door Academy production of "Mamma Mia!"
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 27, 2026
'Mamma Mia!' graces the stage at The Out-of-Door Academy

The students filled 27 acting roles, nine orchestra assignments and 14 jobs on the crew behind the scenes.

  • East County
  • Schools
Commissioner Mike Rahn is running for reelection in Manatee County's District 4.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 27, 2026
Manatee County commissioner says he has more work to do in District 4

Mike Rahn says he will be knocking on as many doors as possible to find out residents' concerns.

  • East County
  • News
Driver pronounced dead after Lakewood Ranch crash
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 26, 2026
Driver pronounced dead after Lakewood Ranch crash

Florida Highway Patrol says a 69-year-old might have experienced a medical episode.

  • East County
  • News
Emma Mandzick, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, plays Elsa and also choreographed the whole show for "Frozen."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 26, 2026
'Frozen' a red-hot hit at Lakewood Ranch High School

The students worked countless hours to put on the production.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota's Axel Neff is glad to welcome community members who are both familiar and unfamiliar with Tim Horton's brand to bond over food and coffee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 26, 2026
Tim Hortons blazes a Florida path with Manatee County restaurant

Tim Hortons, a Canadian breakfast chain, wants customers both familiar and unfamiliar with the brand to walk away with a smile.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Out-of-Door Academy's Chase Smith, Hays Wilson, Zachary Papper and Mason Chase are all National Merit Finalists after earning high test scores and going through the application process.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 26, 2026
Five Lakewood Ranch-area students earn National Merit Finalist status

Four students from the Out-of-Door Academy and one from Braden River High School have the opportunity to earn exclusive scholarships.

  • East County
  • Schools
34-year-old truck driver Stavan Albert Facey was killed in the crash.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 24, 2026
Hit-and-run suspect pleads not guilty in fatal I-75 wreck

The family of the truck driver killed on Monday has opened a GoFundMe page.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop's contract has been extended until February 2027.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 24, 2026
Manatee County administrator's proposed contract raises concerns

Instead of signing a new contract before the election, commissioners extended Charlie Bishop’s current contract through February 2027.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee teen seriously hurt when hit by SUV
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2026
Manatee teen seriously hurt when hit by SUV

The victim was riding an e-bike in a crosswalk at the time of the incident, FHP says.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Mateo Orlandini and East Bradenton's Alex Molina both have a passion for soccer and love to play with new people at the Lakewood Ranch Residents Soccer Club.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 22, 2026
Soccer club provides free space to grow and socialize

With soccer being such a popular sport in Lakewood Ranch, Carrie David wanted to provide a free option for players of all ages and skill levels to play together.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lieutenant Jack Gamble loads a set of bunker gear into the Speed Queen Extractor at Station 1 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 22, 2026
Laundry is priority, not chore, at East Manatee Fire Rescue

Firefighters cut on-the-job cancer risk with face washing and laundry.

  • East County
  • News
Sharon Godlewski stands by the pool at Springlake in The Meadows. Only the owl and CDs remain, but it's enough to keep the ducks away.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 22, 2026
Snowbirds and mallards fight over pool in The Meadows

The homeowners association at Springlake in The Meadows went to great lengths to evict the ducks.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
Partners Animal Hospital Lakewood Ranch hosts a ribbon cutting July 10.
  • July 13, 2026
Partners Animal Hospital opens in Lakewood Ranch
2
Boston's JJ Maguire, 4, Ariel Maguire, 6, and their mom, Kasha Grabowski, wear funky hats while enjoying treats from Jeremiah's Italian Ice at the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch.
  • July 13, 2026
Despite the heat, the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch is still the place to be
3
Brooklyn Cullen's golf career began at Hawaii's Princeville Makai Golf Club when she was 6 years old. It continues now in Florida, where she moved before beginning sixth grade at The Out-of-Door Academy.
  • July 13, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooklyn Cullen
4
Jason Starkman, the director of operations for The Original Wolfie's and Rascal House restaurants, shows off a corned beef sandwich. Wolfie's 21 Hand Cut is coming to UTC in late November or early December.
  • July 10, 2026
Wolfie's Hand Cut headed to University Town Center
5
Two killed in two crashes two hours apart on I-75
  • July 10, 2026
Two killed in two crashes two hours apart on I-75

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