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East County

Madison Huffman was crowned Miss Sunshine Charity Pageant Jr. Teen Ambassador in September.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 9, 2023
Raising funds for charity looks good to pageant winner

Lakewood Ranch High freshman Madison Huffman will raise funds and awareness for Hope Family Services during her reign as Miss Sunshine Charity Pageant Jr. Teen Ambassador.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Owner Bruce Cassidy has turned The Concession Golf Club into a major player on the world stage.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 9, 2023
The man putting The Concession Golf Club on the elite level

Bruce Cassidy has used his coal industry work ethic to bring major golf events to the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Can you match the character pumpkin to the book title?
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 8, 2023
Can you match the character pumpkin to the book title?

McNeal Elementary first graders decorate pumpkins to look like characters from fictional books.

  • East County
  • Schools
The current Manatee County Commission is represented by James Satcher, Amanda Ballard, Jason Bearden, Raymond Turner, George Kruse, Mike Rahn and Kevin Van Ostenbridge.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 8, 2023
Annoyance not enough to change look of Manatee County Commission in 2024

District-only voting, a lack of competition and deep pockets are factors that will make it tough on those vowing to oust current commissioners during the 2024 election year.

  • East County
  • News
Austria photo wins Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 8, 2023
Austria photo wins Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest

Pam and Russell Hyatt have won the It's Read Everywhere contest for 2023 and will be going on a seven-day Celebrity Cruise to be booked by Marc Bokoff of Cruise Planners.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
ODA senior defensive back Jack Taraska.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 7, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Jack Taraska

The ODA football senior has set a program record with five interceptions in his first year of the sport.

  • East County
  • Sports
MaryAnn McWilliams waves to friends as she goes down the runway
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 7, 2023
Tara fashion show raises funds for Pace Center for Girls

Tara residents raise $1,200 for statewide nonprofit through annual fall fashion show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bob and Michele Bowermaster live along the Braden River in East County. Bob Bowermaster earned two Purple Hearts for his service with the U.S. Marines in Vietnam.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 7, 2023
Vietnam battles still take a toll on East County veteran

U.S. Marine Bob Bowermaster tells of the Nông Sơn Mountain attack that left him with two bullet wounds and shrapnel injuries.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Country Club home at 12311 Newcastle Place sold for $1.52 million. It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,199 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 7, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 23-27 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Newcastle Place tops the week's sales at $1.52 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
James Abelson, the East Manatee Bulldogs offensive coordinator, works with quarterback Nick Monserez at a Nov. 1 practice. Monserez will play for Cardinal Mooney High next season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • November 7, 2023
East Manatee Bulldogs U14 football team puts together special season

The Bulldogs won their conference championship game 28-8 over the Manatee Wildcats on Oct. 28.

  • East County
  • Sports
Amy Ebert of Pop Craft offers some handcrafted frozen treats at the Lakewood Ranch Community Campout on Feb. 19-20, 2023.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 7, 2023
Manatee County food trucks could face new regulations

While Manatee County has basic rules of conduct, more specific language is being proposed for the Land Development Code.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 6, 2023
Avelo Airlines adds service to Philadelphia-area airport from SRQ

The discount carrier now offers flights to three destinations to and from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ruth Harenchar, Sharon Mitchell, Mike Mitchell, Theresa Phillips and Emmy Treston (not pictured) are members of the Peace and Justice Ministry who organized the Prayer Service for Victims of Gun Violence.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 6, 2023
Church prayer service held for victims of gun violence

Our Lady of the Angels in Lakewood Ranch tries to organize the community to demand stricter control on assault weapons.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The School of Rock is open in Lakewood Ranch. The soft opening was on Sept. 11, and the grand opening was on Oct. 29.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 6, 2023
Bradenton couple brings personal experience to School of Rock

Gary and Kelley Falcon, who opened the new Lakewood Ranch music education school, have spent more than 30 years in the music business.

  • East County
  • Business
Gene Kennedy, the owner of Bandit Movie Cars, brought a replica of the 1969 Charger used in the movie "Dukes of Hazzard."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 5, 2023
Burt Reynolds still the Boss Hogg at Lakewood Ranch Car Show

The Knights of Columbus event expects to raise $10,000 for St. Jude Children's Hospital.

  • 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
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