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East County

Anthony Sizemore, a Braden River High freshman, is eager to show his FFA chapter's chapter pig at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 7, 2026
Braden River High FFA students hope to make the grade at Manatee County Fair

After sacrificing much of their free time to care for farm animals, many of the students will be rewarded.

  • East County
  • Schools
Commissioner Amanda Ballard attends the Under One Roof ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 1. She's up for reelection in District 2.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 7, 2026
Manatee County Commission's power structure could be altered by 2026 election

Three seats are up for grabs with incumbents Mike Rahn and Amanda Ballard defending and Jason Bearden bowing out.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch junior goaltender James Devriendt (33) gets some postgame kudos from senior defenseman Jackson Ellis (4). Devriendt's .878 save percentage and 2.05 goals against average through 13 games are both career-best marks on a Mustangs team that has done nothing but win in 2025-26.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High boys hockey team turns heads with unbeaten streak

The Mustangs have won all their games in the Lightning High School Hockey League.

  • East County
  • Sports
Builder John Cannon says he didn't build the Oulina in Waterside to sell, but rather to use as an "idea home."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 7, 2026
John Cannon fires unique shot in LWR residential home market

The Oulina model in Waterside is the result of an collaboration between a builder, architects and artists.

  • East County
  • News
The Southwest Florida Premier Football Club grants about $100,000 worth of scholarships every year to its players.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 6, 2026
When kids can't afford to play soccer, Lakewood Ranch nonprofit steps forward

The Southwest Florida Premier Football Club fundraises to cover about $100,000 each year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
With five main tabs on the home page, the website is intended to be easier to navigate.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 6, 2026
Website, technology updated to help Manatee run smooth 2026 elections

Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Scott Farrington says the new website will be easier for the residents to navigate.

  • East County
  • News
Jamara Clark, director of student enrollment for the School District of Manatee County, presents information on school choice to members of the school board on Dec. 9.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 6, 2026
School choice selections now open in Manatee County schools

Families can apply for their children to attend an out-of-zone school through Jan. 31.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gaby Bichanich, as a freshman, entered winter break as ODA girls basketball's leading scorer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Gaby Bichanich

The freshman guard powers The Out-of-Door Academy girls basketball team on offense.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 612 Blue Shell Loop sold for $3,472,800. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,979 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 6, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 15-19 in Lakewood Ranch

A Wild Blue at Waterside home on Blue Shell Loop topped the week’s sales at $3.47 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The first farmers market of 2026 at Waterside Place draws a large crowd.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 5, 2026
Lakewood Ranch farmers market is a family affair

Many of the vendors operate family businesses in the region.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Concession Golf Club Majority Owner Bruce Cassidy and General Manager Brian Weimann will be the key players in the club hosting the 2026, 2027 and 2028 Senior PGA Championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 5, 2026
Impactful moments loom for East County's sports landscape in 2026

There's plenty of reasons for local sports enthusiasts to be excited about the year ahead.

  • East County
  • Sports
Southside Polo's Mason Wroe talks to fans about the basics of his sport in a short clinic before the Jan. 4 match.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 4, 2026
New seating option a hit at the Sarasota Polo Club

The Mallet Club at midfield has been packed each week since the Dec. 21 season opener.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jessie O Brien is visiting from Ireland and chose to celebrate the new year alongside Lakewood Ranch's Ciara Daly at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 1, 2026
Crowd rings in the new year at Waterside Place

From activities for kids, to live music, to a drone show, there was something for people of all ages.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 15315 Anchorage Place sold for $6,295,000. Built in 2024, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,997 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 29, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for 2025 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in The Lake Club leads the year's top sales at $6.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
All sidewalk murals at Avenue of Art in Burns Court have been removed per order of the Florida Department of Transportation, including this one by artist Beck Lane.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 28, 2025
YourObserver.com's most-read stories of 2025 typically connected with deeper issues

Big-picture issues, such as new trash cans and disappearing art, strike a chord with readers. But there were exceptions in this year's top headlines.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport served more than 4.5 million passengers in 2025.
  • January 13, 2026
Sarasota airport smashes passenger count record at 4.5 million
2
Sarasota's Alyssa Freniere, Beate “Mama G” Goldstein and Blair Sellers are the people behind the new Mama G's location at University Town Center.
  • January 13, 2026
New German bakery, coffeehouse rises at University Town Center
3
Ryan Neuzil started all 17 games at center for the Atlanta Falcons this season. The 2016 Braden River High graduate was ranked No. 7 out of 40 graded centers by Pro Football Focus.
  • January 13, 2026
Ryan Neuzil's success is a case study in hard work
4
Heidi Scott, Bob Simons and Laura Cole make up the panel Jan. 9 during a launch party for the new book, "Lakewood Ranch: A Legacy of Living with the Land."
  • January 13, 2026
Lakewood Ranch hosts a launch party for book on local history
5
This River Club South home at 7003 River Club Blvd. sold for $1,345,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,421 square feet of living area.
  • January 13, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 22 to Jan. 2 in Lakewood Ranch

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