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East County

Vito Bavaro underwent knee surgery in December 2025, but despite months of pain and physical limitations, has made his signature impact on the Mustangs' stellar season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 10, 2026
Knee replacement can't keep Lakewood Ranch High coach from his job

Vito Bavaro endures constant paint while his Mustangs boys soccer team make a run at a state championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Shoreview home at 7889 Mainsail Lane sold for $1,525,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,857 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 10, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 26-30 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in the Concession tops the week’s sales at $3.8 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Tom Bergerat (center) was presented with a $3,500 scholarship at Polo with the Pros after being named the Junior Humanitarian of the year while Waterside's Audrey Luke (left), a junior at The Out-of-Door Academy, and Parrish's Mia Polseno (right), a senior at Parrish Community High, each received $750 scholarships.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 10, 2026
Junior humanitarian honored by the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation

The Out-of-Door Academy junior Tom Bergerat stood tall when it came to giving back to his community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
District 5 Commissioner Bob McCann holds a town hall meeting Feb. 2 at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 10, 2026
Garbage collection a hot topic at town hall meeting in Lakewood Ranch

One constituent requested new residents be tested for their skills in negotiating roundabouts.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County's Superintendent Laurie Breslin, Educator of the Year Clifford Dawson and Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services Derek Jensen pose for a photo at the Excellence in Education Awards on Feb. 4.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 9, 2026
Braden River High band director named Educator of the Year

At the Excellence in Education Awards on Feb. 4, Clifford Dawson walked across the stage to accept the honor of 2026 Educator of the Year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Erika Garcia joined Braden River girls weightlifting as a freshman, and now in her fourth season, has been a part of four district championship-winning teams.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 9, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Erika Garcia

The Braden River High senior is headed to the state meet with her teammates.

  • East County
  • Sports
Valor Commons in Manatee County is designed to include a resource center, memorials, walking trails and public event spaces.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 9, 2026
Federal cash streams in for Manatee, Sarasota projects

Local line items are a part of the massive $1.2 trillion spending package.

  • East County
  • News
Lakehouse Cove's 16-month-old Hunter Colon shows his excitement to be inside a fire truck at the Celebrate Our First Responders event Feb. 7 at the Greenbrook Adventure Park.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch CERT hosts the Celebrate Our First Responders event

Greenbrook Adventure Park is filled with emergency vehicles, first responders and CERT volunteers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Second graders Jordan Davis, Dominic Michalo and Sloan Middleton wave flags of Puerto Rico, which was the country they were assigned for the Tara Elementary School Olympics.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 7, 2026
Tara Elementary hosts its own Winter Olympics

Each class was assigned a country to research before participating in an "olympics-style" competition.

  • East County
  • Schools
Three comedians including Bradenton's Tim Boyd will perform at the “Hearts of Hope: A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser to benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry on Feb. 13.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 6, 2026
Nonprofits to host Valentine's comedy fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch

Three local comedians will perform stand-up comedy to raise funds for Harbor58, Foster the Family and Bring on the Ministry.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall

The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club will host the free event Feb. 7 and will feature butterfly enthusiasts Gilbert Daigneau and Joyce Samsel.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork

The Pirates recorded 20 wins in the regular season and hope to continue that success in the postseason.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sisterhood for Good members Nikki Pelier-Simon, Samina Morrow and Allison Adams show off some fashions that will be in the spotlight at Tropical Escape July 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 4, 2026
Lakewood Ranch fundraiser is a hula for moolah

Sisterhood for Good's Tropical Escape presents the ultimate luau at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres

Conservation easements will protect two Manatee County ranches from future development.

  • East County
  • News
Village Idiots Cycling Club member Patrick Franklin Sr. (center) was killed riding his bicycle Jan. 22 when hit by a truck pulling a trailer on Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 4, 2026
Building safer roads for cyclists worth a discussion in Manatee County

The death of a Village Idiots Cycling Club member leaves the community in shock.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest in East County

1
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
2
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Education 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
3
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.
4
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
5
Amanda Parrish was named interim CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. in January.
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County economic development evolves

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