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East County

Lakewood Ranch's Melodie Marchena and her husband, Sanddy Marchena, are excited to make an impact on children as the new owners of Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 3, 2022
Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch undergoes new ownership

Lakewood Ranch's Melodie and Sanddy Marchena are ready to make impact at Kiddie Academy.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes has become the target of some county employees who don't like the direction the county is going.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 3, 2022
Voting only way to reverse county's squabbling

Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes has become the target of some county employees who don’t like the direction the county is going.

  • East County
  • Opinion
County Administrator Scott Hopes speaks at a town hall event. (File photo)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 2, 2022
After Manatee administrator contract disagreements, officials say it’s still business as usual

The county clerk's allegations place additional stress on the commissioners, who clash on the administrator's job performance.

  • East County
  • News
Robert E. Willis Elementary School's Ellie Gehndyu, a kindergartner, enjoys her first father-daughter dance with her father, Janjay Gehndyu. Dances, like the father-daughter dance, were able to return after two years. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 2, 2022
Manatee schools pull away from pandemic

Live events return at the end of the school year, and hopes are high that the pandemic is in the rear-view mirror.

  • East County
  • Schools
Freshman Allan Tran and junior Dylan Jackson set up a drone. They passed a safety course that brings them one step closer to driving drones commercially.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 2, 2022
Braden River High School's drone program takes off

Braden River High students pass a drone safety course that brings them closer to flying commercially.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 1, 2022
Concession home tops sales at $4 million

A Concession home on Parkstone Terrace tops the week's sales at $4 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Betsy Benac
    By
  • Guest Author
  • June 1, 2022
Betsy Benac says Manatee County administrator, commission throw ethics out window

Former commissioner says mismanagement driving away talented Manatee County employees.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Braden River senior Bryan Kearse stepped up to play quarterback for the Pirates in 2021 after spending three years as a wide receiver.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 1, 2022
Columnist Ryan Kohn names his personal favorite moments from the 2021-2022

Big wins, huge compassion top 2021-22 moments.

  • East County
  • Sports
Eileen Parker with the School District of Manatee County's Food and Nutrition Services hands out lunches during the summer food program. Students will be able to pick up meals at various Lakewood Ranch-area locations. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 1, 2022
Free 2022 summer meals for Manatee County students

Students can go to multiple east Bradenton locations to receive meals.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ellen Jaffe Jones.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 1, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Ellen Jaffe Jones

The 69-year-old runner took third place in her division of the women's 800 meter run at the 2022 National Senior Games in Fort Lauderdale.

  • East County
  • Sports
Willis Smith executives Dave Sessions and John LaCivita with Howard Tibbals at the groundbreaking of the Ringling Museum Tibbals Circus Museum in 2003.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 31, 2022
Willis Smith celebrates 50 years of impact in the Sarasota and Manatee counties region

Mote, Ringling and schools projects highlight the Lakewood Ranch company's resume.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 28, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High softball wins second-straight Class 7A state title

The Mustangs defeated Lake Brantley High 8-2 on Saturday night in Clermont, getting revenge for two regular-season losses to the Patriots.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's Eric Coffin is seeking investors for his “Quad-Gen” system.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2022
Lakewood Ranch engineer wants to revolutionize air conditioning industry

Eye on business: Eric Coffin seeks investors for his "Quad-Gen" air conditioning system.

  • East County
  • Business
Robert and Jeff Toale say the Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch will be on the cutting edge of modern funeral home service.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2022
New Lakewood Ranch funeral home on the cutting edge

Celebration of Life Center is set to open in Lakewood Ranch with a rousing open house.

  • East County
  • Business
A Manatee County Sheriff's Office report says two deaths in Lakewood Ranch likely were the result of a murder-suicide.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2022
Two Lakewood Ranch deaths believed to be murder-suicide

Manatee County Sheriff's Office says suspicious circumstances surround deaths of senior couple found at Lake Vista Condos.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
2
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
3
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
4
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
5
Capri Finan, 7, Madelyn Finan, 9 and Maverick Finan, 3, pose with Santa after telling him what they want for Christmas, which includes a doll house and a trampoline.
  • December 18, 2025
Braden River High transforms into Winter Wonderland

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