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East County

The primary election in Florida will be held Tuesday, Aug. 18.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 7, 2026
Registration deadline for August primary is July 20

Because Florida is a closed-primary state, voters may only vote for candidates in the party they are registered with in partisan races.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Wyatt Wittman, ranked a four-star punter by Kohl's Professional Camps, will contribute both kicking and punting for Braden River football this fall under first-year coach Rick Farmer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Wyatt Wittman

The rising junior kicker/punter for Braden River High has embraced his switch from soccer to football.

  • East County
  • Sports
Palmetto's Leland Taylor is one of six candidates vying for the Republican nomination in District 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 6, 2026
Palmetto lawyer vies for District 1 Republican nomination

Criminal defense attorney Leland Taylor, who is running for a Manatee County Commission seat, was born and raised in District 1.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Harper Fraser, 7, Jack Fraser, 5, and their mom, Melissa Fraser, test out the Royally Cosmic photo booth at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 5, 2026
Star-Spangled Spectacular lights up Lakewood Ranch

The Waterside Place event attracted thousands to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Pops Orchestra of Sarasota and Bradenton performs on the second stage.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 4, 2026
Nathan Benderson Park goes big for Fireworks on the Lake

The lineup included a band, a pops concert, a waterskiing show and an apple pie eating contest.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Emersyn Baker, 3, woke up Thursday morning eager to ride in the bike parade at the Kiddie Academy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 3, 2026
Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch kicks off Independence Day weekend

Children created hats, decorated bikes and rode in style to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 3, 2026
Voices of America: What will America look like in another 250 years?

In our series of questions for Americans in honor of the country's 250th birthday, we explore the future of the U.S.

  • Spirit of America
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 2, 2026
So, you want to be a citizen?

Thousands of people are naturalized as Americans every year. But how?

  • Spirit of America
A sign at Selby Library announces the Sarasota History Day Contest.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 2, 2026
US history marches on, as does how it's taught in Manatee, Sarasota schools

Analysis is emphasized in classrooms as teachers follow the lead of state standards to engage students.

  • Spirit of America
Kids share their perspectives on the Fourth of July
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Madison Bierl
  • July 2, 2026
Kids share their perspectives on the Fourth of July

Kids say the darndest things — especially when you ask them about Independence Day, U.S. History and what it means to be a good citizen.

  • Spirit of America
Sarasota History Center Manager Josh Goodman is an avid historian who loves checking out maps of the region in the 1700s.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2026
The land almost no one wanted

Historians say few braved the brutal Sarasota environment when our forefathers were signing the Declaration of Independence.

  • Spirit of America
A crew clears vegetation and downed trees from the Braden River in May 2025, but there's about $18.8 million of cleaning left to complete in waterways around Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 2, 2026
Cleaning waterways will cost Manatee County another $18.8 million

Manatee County spent $10.5 million to clean waterways of debris in 2025 but the job isn't done.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2026
Voices of America: What do you like best about America?

In our series of questions for Americans in honor of the country's 250th birthday, we ask respondents what they like best about America.

  • Spirit of America
“I thought he was trying to die on us. But then they stopped the bleeding and I felt hopeful again.” - Linda Stelle, Wife of patient Roger Stelle
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • July 2, 2026
Critical Patient Is Saved by Quick Efforts of Hospital Teams

When Roger Stelle collapsed at home, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center was there to help.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Tony Barrett appears before Judge Gilbert A. Smith Jr. July 1. He's on the screen. His attorney Richard Reinhart appeared in person.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 1, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate arrested for a second time

Tony Barrett is running for the District 6 at-large seat.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
Partners Animal Hospital Lakewood Ranch hosts a ribbon cutting July 10.
  • July 13, 2026
Partners Animal Hospital opens in Lakewood Ranch
2
Boston's JJ Maguire, 4, Ariel Maguire, 6, and their mom, Kasha Grabowski, wear funky hats while enjoying treats from Jeremiah's Italian Ice at the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch.
  • July 13, 2026
Despite the heat, the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch is still the place to be
3
Brooklyn Cullen's golf career began at Hawaii's Princeville Makai Golf Club when she was 6 years old. It continues now in Florida, where she moved before beginning sixth grade at The Out-of-Door Academy.
  • July 13, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooklyn Cullen
4
Jason Starkman, the director of operations for The Original Wolfie's and Rascal House restaurants, shows off a corned beef sandwich. Wolfie's 21 Hand Cut is coming to UTC in late November or early December.
  • July 10, 2026
Wolfie's Hand Cut headed to University Town Center
5
Two killed in two crashes two hours apart on I-75
  • July 10, 2026
Two killed in two crashes two hours apart on I-75

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