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East County

Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager

Sydney McCullough displays the art at Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff

The purchase of an administration building in Lakewood Ranch and the expanded Information Outreach department were cited as examples of excessive spending.

  • East County
  • News
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research

Dick Vitale, a four-time cancer survivor, hosted the event at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League expands to improve accessibility

Creative scheduling allows 762 children to participate in the league.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gabriella Martinez Reyes, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named president of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America. This makes her the first of Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 31, 2026
LRHS junior named president for Florida's Future Business Leaders of America

Gabriella Martinez Reyes will lead 11,000 members of Florida Future Business Leaders of America.

  • East County
  • Schools
Late Commissioner Carol Ann Felts will be honored April 18 at Crane Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 31, 2026
Manatee County names Myakka preserve after late commissioner Carol Felts

The Carol Ann Billberry Felts Preserve at David J. Crane Park Dedication and Public Memorial Service will be held April 18 at Crane Park in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • News
Indigo's Amber Hanratty, who was in the building industry for 25 years, now has her own business called Dirty Sara-Soda.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 31, 2026
Dirty Sara-Soda hopes to clean up with a new beverage

The "dirty soda" mobile business is owned by Lakewood Ranch's Amber Hanratty, who saw an opening in the market.

  • East County
  • Business
Braden River High girls weightlifting coach Jordan Borges (right) shares a hug with senior Payton Mangay-Ayam (left). Borges said he has seen multiple Florida high school coaches leave their positions because of financial strain.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 31, 2026
SB 538 will improve pay for some coaches but leave many behind

The bill, which has already passed the Florida Legislature, is poised to benefit booster-friendly programs.

  • East County
  • Sports
A Country Club Village home at 7028 Portmarnock Place sold for $4.55 million. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, five-and-three-half baths, a pool and 7,072 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 31, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 16-20 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Portmarnock Place tops the week's sales at $4.55 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President and CEO Brittany Lamont and Board Chair Wayne Parrish are eager for members to hit the course for the Ranch Scramble.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 30, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance takes a swing at networking

The Ranch Scramble draws 140 golfers and 40 businesses to Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Traffic often backs up from the Cortez Bridge intersection onto Longboat Key during peak season.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 30, 2026
Manatee looking for MPO citizens advisory committee members

The Metropolitan Planning Organization develops plans, policies and priorities that guide transportation decision making.

  • East County
  • News
Mickey Cohen is the leading scorer for Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse this season. He surpassed 100 career goals as a junior in 2025.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 30, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Mickey Cohen

The senior has been on a scoring tear for Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kelley Klepper, a vice president and senior planner for Kimley-Horn, speaks with Indigo’s Suzanne Henke following the Envision Manatee presentation at the Lakewood Ranch Library March 28.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 30, 2026
Workshops seek feedback on Manatee County's comprehensive plan updates

Engineering firm Kimley-Horn has been working on the comprehensive plan update for three years.

  • East County
  • News
Pam Yulke, modeling an outfit by J. McLaughlin at the "Lights, Camera, Legacy" fashion show, is a past president and has been in the University Park Women's Club for 23 years.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 29, 2026
A fashionable event for the University Park Women's Club

Held at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch, the fashion show celebrated 25 years of the club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch sisters Jade Lowrey, 5, and Hazel Lowrey, 3, had fun collecting eggs and getting their faces painted at Eggstravaganza.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 28, 2026
It's no yoke! 600 children scoop 10,000 eggs at Eggstravaganza

The annual event is hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and sponsored by Grace Community Church in Waterside.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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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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