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East County

Lakewood Ranch residents Kathy Flora, Laura Moninski, Nicholas Keen and Susan Solz are happy with the July 28 outcome.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 2, 2026
Manatee considers sliding iceplex to a different location

Residents persuaded county commissioners to reconsider the Premier Sports Campus site for the planned ice rink.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch 11-year-old Finn Morris, who has been playing soccer for six years, likes competing at the Sarasota Paradise youth soccer camp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 31, 2026
Sarasota Paradise's 'language' brings kids together

Paradise's youth summer camp speaks to children from 5 to 13 who learn all about soccer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Stock Custom Homes Vice President Sam Canham says that the Sophia IV's sale for $6,775,000 in April was more confirmation that there is a demand for elite homes in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2026
Lakewood Ranch remains No. 1 in sales in mid-year survey

RCLCO Real Estate Consulting releases its rankings with Lakewood Ranch being No. 1 in multigenerational, master-planned community sales.

  • East County
  • News
Guadalupe Barajas, an ICU nurse at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, meets new CEO Jason Madsen for the first time in the new tower's ICU wing.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center begins to plan its future with a new CEO

CEO Jason Madsen is "bullish" on the hospital's future as Universal Health Services shows an appetite for making major investments.

  • East County
  • News
Conductor Joe Martinez leads the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble with Waterside Place in the background. Could the ensemble be playing at the new Rangeland High theater?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2026
Manatee County should take a starring role with theater project

Helping the school district expand its Rangeland High theater is common sense.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The Wawa store on State Road 70 at Lorraine Road sold the winning Mega Millions ticket that totals $800 million.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch store sells $800 million lottery ticket

The winning ticket came from the Wawa at State Road 70 and Lorraine Road.

  • East County
  • News
Henry Wainscott eyes first base with his throw during an around-the-horn drill at July 21 practice. He was one of 12 players who made up the 11U All-Stars — a team which finished 7-1 this summer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League 11U All-Stars finish third at state tournament

The 11U team was the league's first to play at the state level since 2023.

  • East County
  • Sports
Angie Elmendorf and Jon Minton, on either side of Allswell owner Tory Delany, are behind the Lakewood Ranch/UTC Foodies Restaurant Reviews Facebook page and the newly formed Lakewood Ranch Dinner Club.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Dinner Club serves up connections

Strangers become friends over dinner through the Lakewood Ranch Dinner Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This waterfall at Patton Park in Lakewood Ranch was being fed by heavy rainfall July 29.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 29, 2026
Drought runs deep in Manatee, Sarasota

Although storms have popped up, below-normal rain will take months from which to recover.

  • East County
  • News
Where are the statesmen?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 29, 2026
Where are the statesmen?

Too many county commission candidates can make old-timers nostalgic for past public servants. And how sad: The drumbeat to stop development and vilify developers is myopic and dangerous rhetoric.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Observer recommends: Local races
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 29, 2026
Observer recommends: Local races

The Observer’s recommendations for primary races for Manatee County Commission and Manatee School Board; Sarasota County Commission, Sarasota City Commission, Sarasota School Board, Sarasota Hospital Board and Charter Review Board.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sharon Jefferson, a homegrown Manatee student and 27-year educator, wants to be the voice of District 2 for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 28, 2026
Longtime teacher wants to be the voice of her fellow instructors in District 2

Sharon Jefferson, who grew up attending Manatee schools and has taught within them for 27 years, wants to do more than she can within a classroom.

  • East County
  • Schools
Nick Myers of Lakewood Ranch orchestrates the Sarasota Paradise supporters' group's symphony of support. He conducts not with a baton, but a megaphone.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 28, 2026
'The Helm' is heard in Paradise

The Sarasota Paradise's supporters' group is present at every home match, bringing the noise from first to final minute.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Concession home at 19443 Beacon Park Place sold for $2.55 million. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,459 square feet of living area.​
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 28, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for July 13-17 in Lakewood Ranch

A Concession home on Beacon Park Place tops the week's sales at $2.55 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Associate Superintendent Kevin Chapman said the School District of Manatee County is eager to expand their performing arts footprint through a top quality auditorium at the new Rangeland High School.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 27, 2026
School district considers opening Rangeland High auditorium for public use

Several regional nonprofits have voiced interest in making use of the planned facility.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Latest in East County

1
Country Club's Lilly Chaddha and her daughter, Simi Ranajee, find Shanti Yoga to be a place of peace, relaxation and growth.
  • August 7, 2026
Shanti Yoga sharpens the mind, body and soul
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
James T. Golden, who previously represented District 5 on the school board from 2018-2022, is now running once again to represent District 2.
  • August 5, 2026
Past school board chair wants to serve Manatee County School District again
5
In Denver, Colorado, Florida Premier FC SWFL played five matches in five days and came up one win short of a national title. It previously won the U.S. Club Soccer Florida Cup in May to qualify.
  • August 5, 2026
Florida Premier finishes as the runner-up in a national soccer tournament

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