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East County

Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Doug Wagner, the deputy superintendent of operations, congratulate Kelly Smith-Williams (center), a Lakewood Ranch High School teacher, on being a finalist for Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High instructor earns Manatee's top teacher award

Kelly Smith-Williams, an anatomy and physiology teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, is named the School District of Manatee County's Teacher of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
    In Memoriam |
  • February 13, 2023
Abdul Gaffar, PhD

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Abdul Gaffar, PhD; a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and inventor, in Lakewood Ranch FL, on February 2, 2023.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy sixth grader Ely Chappell conducts observational data collection with Stephanie Peabody, the founder of the Brain Health Initiative, and sixth grader Cadence Clay.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2023
Brain Health Initiative develops program with Lakewood Ranch Prep

The new program Schools for Brain Health teaches students the importance of brain health and the impacts of a brain healthy lifestyle.

  • East County
  • Schools
Greenbrook 13-year-old Drake Cohen settles into the campsite with his father, Tom Cohen, during Lakewood Ranch Community Activities' Community Campout.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Community Activities to host its Community Campout

The Community Campout has become a tradition for Lakewood Ranch families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Yianni Chalvadakis is ready to serve up saganaki and loukaniko at the Greek Glendi.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 12, 2023
Greek Glendi in Sarasota adds to its menu

From saganaki to frappés, St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church is providing new food and drink items at the annual festival.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Third grader Kaylee Casablanca loves dancing with her sister Briana Casablanca and third grader Aubrielle Deaugustinis.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 11, 2023
Tara Elementary hosts its annual Sweetheart Dance

The annual dance gives students and their families a chance to show off their moves.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Doug Wagner, the deputy superintendent of operations, congratulate Kelly Smith-Williams (center), a Lakewood Ranch High School teacher, on being a finalist for Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 9, 2023
Manatee schools names Lakewood Ranch High teacher as Teacher of the Year

Kelly Smith Williams, an anatomy and physiology teacher, is the School District of Manatee County's 2023 Teacher of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office arrested a Parrish Community High student for making a video threat against the school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 9, 2023
Students arrested for making mass shooting threats at Parrish Community High

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has arrested two Parrish Community High students for posting a video simulating a shooting on campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
School District of Manatee County board members Richard Tatem, Mary Foreman, Chad Choate, Cindy Spray and Gina Messenger are seeking input on the superintendent search.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 9, 2023
Public's feedback sought on hiring of next Manatee district superintendent

The School Board of Manatee County is looking for input on what qualities and characteristics the community wants to see in the next leader of the district.

  • East County
  • News
The new substation will be located at 11506 Rangeland Parkway, which used to be the Lakewood Ranch Information Center.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 9, 2023
Manatee County Sheriff's Office is opening new substation in Lakewood Ranch

Former Lakewood Ranch Information Center will house substation until new facility is built at Premier Park.

  • East County
  • News
The Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy announced a shakeup of its leadership on Wednesday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 8, 2023
Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy hires new COO

Bruce Patneaude replaces Stephen Rodriguez, who guided the Sarasota park to being one of the world's top rowing facilities.

  • East County
  • News
Cassidy David and her Childlike Productions will be bringing smiles to the faces of children during the Bradenton Area River Regatta Feb. 11.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 8, 2023
Bradenton regatta features racing, bands and lots of kids' entertainment

Lakewood Ranch's Cassidy David leads the effort to make kids smile on the River Walk.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, says Parrish Community High School has been cleared and is safe after bomb threats were made against the school.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 7, 2023
Manatee County Sheriff's Office investigating bomb threats at Parrish Community High School

The campus has been declared safe after students were evacuated and a thorough search was conducted.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Observer Staff
  • February 7, 2023
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2022-23

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2022-23 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
County Administrator Scott Hopes served as Manatee County administrator for 22 months.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 7, 2023
Scott Hopes out as Manatee County administrator

The embattled administrator, who was hired in May 2021, had reorganized the face of Manatee County's government.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
Residents line up behind the podium to object to a proposal for Altman Rye Townhomes.
  • December 15, 2025
Planning commission reviews three projects in east Manatee County
2
Maddox and Lou Towery have packed up shoeboxes during the Community Holiday Shoebox Collection Drive for the last seven years.
  • December 15, 2025
Lakewood Ranch community rallies to support seniors with shoebox event
3
Kelis McGrady poses for a photo on Dec. 11 before Braden River girls basketball's home game against Manatee. The forward/guard has been the engine behind the Pirates' early-season success.
  • December 15, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kelis McGrady
4
Lakewood Ranch's Karen and Tom Eckert work as master gardener volunteers with the University of Florida to educate the public about gardening, plants, landscaping and more.
  • December 15, 2025
Master gardeners plant seeds of wisdom at Lakewood Ranch Library
5
Katherine Pike (on the left) salsa dances with the cast of "Casa Havana:" Dairon Batista, Isabella Serrano and Jack Gaudreau.
  • December 13, 2025
Palm Aire Women's Club members learn to salsa

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