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East County

The pool in Taylor Morrison's Esplanade at Azario development in Sarasota's Lakewood Ranch community.
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • December 26, 2025
Builder to bring 1,200-home community to Lakewood Ranch

Homebuilder Taylor Morrison acquired land to build its new Esplanade at Cammaray community of 1,200 homes and condos.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor
  • December 25, 2025
FINANCIAL FOCUS® Managing Risk at Different Stages of Life

What sort of risk should you take when you're investing? It depends on where you are in life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Lakewood Ranch's Rich Vannucci still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 24, 2025
After five decades, this Lakewood Ranch Santa continues to spread joy and more

Rich Vannucci, who still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago, isn't ready to put a wrap on his career.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jay Heater, Lesley Dwyer, Jack Nelson, Madison Bierl
  • December 24, 2025
All I want for Christmas for the Lakewood Ranch area …

Observer readers talk about things that could make our home an even better place to live.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Livia Zamperlini-Ramos (left), Anna Chop (center) and Bailey Loring (right) share some joy while singing "Last Christmas."
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 24, 2025
Lakewood Ranch wrestlers give back to their community through caroling

The Mustangs traded singlets for singing at Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living.

  • East County
  • Sports
Country Club member Bob Smith, Lifestyle Director Tonya Jansson, and General Manager Ryan Glenn show a check for $102,200 raised through Heritage Cares' Lakewood Ranch Cares — Five Days of Giving initiative.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 24, 2025
Lakewood Ranch comes forward as a community of giving

A lot of good done by area nonprofits and organizations goes unnoticed.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Myakka City's Diane and Rich Bartoszek display a handmade ceramic nativity scene each year.
    By
  • Jack Nelson, Lesley Dwyer, Madison Bierl
  • December 23, 2025
Decorating for Christmas with a personal touch in Lakewood Ranch

East County residents share their personal stamps on the holiday season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 23, 2025
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025

The Observer sports columnist reflects on the area's champions, record-breakers and competitors who stood above all others.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 1151 Blue Shell Loop sold for $4,225,000. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,652 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 23, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 8-12 in Lakewood Ranch

A Wild Blue at Waterside home on Blue Shell Loop topped the week's sales at $4.23 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo

The senior midfielder/forward is the leading scorer for The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer through nine games.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County commissioners approve reducing speed limits throughout the county.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 22, 2025
Speed limits reduced on nine roads in Manatee County

Manatee commissioners voted to reduce speeds due to safety concerns.

  • East County
  • News
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love

From Barbies and dogs to roller skates and cyber trucks, elementary students in the Lakewood Ranch area make sure Santa knows what they want.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids

River Club's Guy Vilt has fun bringing technology into his Christmas display.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

Pastor Phil Derstine and his fellow carolers bring hugs and music to taverns on Christmas Eve.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade

This year's Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade was the original organizers' "swan song," who hope new blood will take on the parade and keep the Christmas spirit alive.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Gabriella Martinez Reyes, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named president of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America. This makes her the first of Manatee County.
  • March 31, 2026
LRHS junior named president for Florida's Future Business Leaders of America
2
Late Commissioner Carol Ann Felts will be honored April 18 at Crane Park.
  • March 31, 2026
Manatee County names Myakka preserve after late commissioner Carol Felts
3
Indigo's Amber Hanratty, who was in the building industry for 25 years, now has her own business called Dirty Sara-Soda.
  • March 31, 2026
Dirty Sara-Soda hopes to clean up with a new beverage
4
A Country Club Village home at 7028 Portmarnock Place sold for $4.55 million. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, five-and-three-half baths, a pool and 7,072 square feet of living area.
  • March 31, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 16-20 in Lakewood Ranch
5
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President and CEO Brittany Lamont and Board Chair Wayne Parrish are eager for members to hit the course for the Ranch Scramble.
  • March 30, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance takes a swing at networking

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