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East County

Our Lady of the Angels' Pat Martino joins Catholic Charities' Gloria Romero and Eddie Gloria as they collect items for the Boots and Bandanas' silent auction.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 31, 2023
Our Lady of the Angels event brings out the best in the community

Lakewood Ranch's generosity is on display as Catholic Charities' Boots and Bandanas event approaches.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Caddy's sign in Bradenton along the Manatee River takes on a different meaning after Hurricane Idalia went through.
    By
  • Jay Heater, Liz Ramos
  • August 30, 2023
Lakewood Ranch only dealt a glancing blow from Hurricane Idalia

Those on the Manatee River were threatened with flooding, but most of East County escaped unscathed.

  • East County
  • News
U.S. Army veteran Eric Onstad of Lakewood Ranch waves while riding in Lakewood Ranch's 2023 Tribute to Heroes Parade.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 30, 2023
Lakewood Ranch man retires after 41-year career in law enforcement

Army veteran Eric Onstad, a Country Club resident, worked in Customs and Immigration, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kylee Davis, an eighth grader at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, diligently works on a pre-AP World History and Geography assignment.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 30, 2023
Manatee County middle schools add pre-AP classes

The pre-Advanced Placement classes prepare students for more rigorous courses in high school.

  • East County
  • Schools
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
  • August 30, 2023
Shorthanded Braden River High volleyball ready for another big year

The Pirates won their season opener 3-0 over ODA despite sickness, injury and a rowdy crowd.

  • East County
  • Sports
A Menzi Muck machine owned by Manatee County makes clearing out a canal an easier proposition.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 30, 2023
Stormwater team clears canals and ditches to prevent flooding

Stormwater Section of Manatee County Public Works employees strive to keep system functioning at 100%.

  • East County
  • News
Julie Farmer stops by the sandbag station at the Myakka Community Center. She's not as worried about her cabin off River Road as she is her cottage on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 29, 2023
Myakka City residents are calm, but they respect Idalia's threat

No one was overly worried about Hurricane Idalia's possible impacts, but preparations carried on just in case.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 7951 Matera Court sold for $1.99 million. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,938 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 29, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 14-18 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Matera Court tops the week's sales at $1.99 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Deputy Director of Development Services Denise Greer stands by for questions, as Robert Giarraputo looks at a map of his neighborhood. Giarraputo attended the workshop to offer input on Manatee County's comprehensive plan.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 29, 2023
Residents offer opinions on shaping Manatee development plan

Workshops were held to ask citizens on what they'd like to see in the plan moving forward.

  • East County
  • News
A heron hides in the grass at Perico Preserve. The former farmland is now a bird sanctuary.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 29, 2023
Manatee County implements a wetland mitigation program

Establishment of a "mitigation bank" of land aims at keeping forced wetland improvements within Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Deputy Director of Public Safety Steve Litschauer briefs the commissioners on Hurricane Idalia at an emergency commission meeting on Aug. 28.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 28, 2023
Manatee County in state of emergency as Idalia approaches

The county says Freedom Elementary School in Bradenton will be a shelter site along with two others not in East County.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 28, 2023
Manatee County garbage bills increase by 65%

Twice-weekly pickup remains in place, but collection rates increase as of Oct. 1.

  • East County
  • News
ODA senior linebacker Charlie Tack stretches the ball over the goal line for a pick six against Berean Christian.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 28, 2023
ODA football uses season-opening win as prep for rest of season

The Thunder beat Berean Christian 42-0 at home Aug. 25.

  • East County
  • Sports
Carl Backman and Nancy Cunningham, members of Aloha Ukulele, perform with the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities club for Play Music on the Porch Day on Aug. 26, 2023.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 27, 2023
Heat sends music event inside at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall

That didn't bother 35 attendees who sang along with Aloha Ukulele during the Play Music on the Porch event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hurricane Idalia at 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 27, 2023
Hurricane Idalia news, updates in Sarasota, Manatee

Idalia made landfall at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 3 hurricane with 125 mph winds.

  • Hurricane Season
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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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