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East County

Lakewood Ranch High boys golfer Parker Severs finished second individually at the Class 3A state tournament in 2023.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 3, 2024
10 East County athletes to watch in 2024

These athletes combine natural talent and diligence to excel in their respective sports.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sisterhood for Good is a group of women who have joined together to make philanthropy affordable.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 3, 2024
Sisterhood for Good makes philanthropy affordable

The Lakewood Ranch nonprofit shows how powerful a group of women can be when they combine forces for a cause.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Danielle Dosne says learning about the muscles can help prevent injuries.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 3, 2024
Lakewood Ranch bodybuilder gives tips to those making fitness resolutions

Danielle Dosne began bodybuilding after a scoliosis diagnosis, and it turned into a lifetime of fitness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Mill Creek home at 1808 141st St. E. sold for $1.2 million.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 2, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 11-22 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Salerno Drive tops the week's sales at $2.8 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Mote Science Education Aquarium will be 110,000 square feet. Interior work will speed forward approximately in July.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 2, 2024
Construction speeds forward on Mote SEA with 2025 expected opening

Mote Science Education Aquarium construction should be complete around Thanksgiving with doors of the facility near University Town Center and Nathan Benderson Park opening in February 2025.

  • East County
  • News
Isabelle Monroe, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, loves showing cows at the Manatee County Fair. She names each of her cows after a car part of maker.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 2, 2024
Students pick the perfect name for their Manatee County Fair animals

Whether it's for laughs, a reference to a favorite food or a tradition, students put thought into picking an animal's name.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gina Lyons, the owner of A Vine Affair which hosts the new VIP Champagne Lounge at the Sarasota Polo Club, greets guests on opening day Dec. 31.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 1, 2024
Sarasota Polo Club opens 2024 season with new VIP section

A Vine Affair offers a more formal setting for those who want to enjoy polo in style at the Lakewood Ranch club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Seven roundabouts will be installed on State Road 70.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 1, 2024
Major East County road projects to progress in 2024

Seven roundabouts will be installed on State Road 70, and Lena Road will be expanded to connect S.R. 70 and S.R. 64.

  • East County
  • News
Scott Gutschewski holds up the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 31, 2023
Lakewood Ranch sports scene should generate lots of excitement in 2024

Big-time national events and intriguing local storylines fill the calendar.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Elks Co-event Chairs Faith Frost and Darrin Simone show Susan Goodman of the Myakka City Methodist Church some of the 10,000 toys they collected from Walgreen's stores during the Community Gift Drive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 30, 2023
Walgreens, Lakewood Ranch Elks collect over 10,000 toys for children

More than 10,000 toys were collected from 25 Walgreens stores in the region as part of the Mighty Southwest District's Community Gift Drive of the Florida State Elks Association.

  • East County
  • News
Nathan Benderson hosted its annual fireworks display the night before the Fourth of July in 2023.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 29, 2023
Put these can't-miss East County events on your calendar for 2024

Save the date of these 15 events that will lead to a memorable 2024 in east Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Rob Oglesby, the development director at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue, is thrilled to see the nonprofit's expansion project nearing its end. The project is expected to be complete in April.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 28, 2023
Animal rescue expansion completes in April for increased care

Nate's Honor Animal Rescue has been able to boost its intake and services as its expansion project nears completion.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch library is located at 16410 Rangeland Parkway.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 27, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Library set to open Jan. 12

The public is invited to attend the grand opening celebration at 10 a.m. Jan. 12.

  • East County
  • News
Words for 2024
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 27, 2023
Words for 2024

At the start of each year, we pick a word to live by. We asked others to give us their word for 2024. They all make persuasive cases.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
East County: 2023 Through the lens
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2023
East County: 2023 Through the lens

Here’s a taste of what the East County Observer saw through the camera lens during a fascinating 2023.

  • 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
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.

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