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East County

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
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
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Latest in East County

1
Colin Montgomery, a two-time winner of the Senior PGA Championship, is in the 135-player field committed to play April 16-19.
  • April 3, 2026
All-star field set for Senior PGA Championship
2
Did our Pig-Away story and photo fool you in our April Fools edition?
  • April 2, 2026
Is the Observer's April Fools edition foolish or just plain fun?
3
Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race
4
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager
5
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff

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