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East County

JoAnn Shakon and Jim Wingert of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch join with Mike Hornyak of The UPS Store to show off donated books.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 17, 2022
UPS Store in Lakewood Ranch donates 1,707 books to the Rotary's Books for Kids program

The Books for Kids program distributes more than 30,000 books a year now and has given away more than 100,000 books since 2013.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Stephen Moody works with the stylists at Yellow Strawberry.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 16, 2022
Lakewood Ranch hair stylists get lessons from a legend

Stephen Moody, a noted educator of stylists, teaches his craft at Yellow Strawberry Salon.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
ODA senior Tristan McWilliam stands atop the podium after his 1,600 meter run in the Class 1A championships. McWilliam won the race in 4:17.97.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 15, 2022
ODA senior earns gold in the Class 1A boys 1,600-meter run at state championships

Distance runner Tristan McWilliam wins the area's only state track gold medal; Lakewood Ranch High's Grace Marston earns silver.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 15, 2022
World of Wonder Academy showcases students' art in Lakewood Ranch

After finishing each book, the class worked on an art project based on its theme.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch resident Cynthia Friedman pets a mini Aussie, Willow.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 15, 2022
Barks and Brews event in Sarasota benefits Nate's Honor Animal Rescue

The event at The Green at UTC featured adoptable dogs, craft brews and live music.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 15, 2022
Local athletes clean up at FHSAA track and field championships

Gold, silver and bronze medals were all brought home from the championships, which were held May 11-14 in Gainesville.

  • East County
  • Sports
Olivia D'Orazio, a Lakewood Ranch High School senior, has always wanted to serve in the military, so she joined the school's JROTC program. Now she plans to attend Auburn University for its ROTC program. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 13, 2022
Lakewood Ranch students earn big money in scholarships

Lakewood Ranch High's Olivia D'Orazio and Braden River High's Gabriel French are among the top students who strike gold with their academic work.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 12, 2022
East County weather page photo: May 12

Gordon Silver snapped this polka dot wasp moth on lantana in Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
When a driver on the road is driving recklessly, law enforcement often turns to a helicopter so it's mobile units can back off.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 12, 2022
Fatal crash illustrates pursuit's difficulty

This particular accident was quite different in nature.

  • East County
  • Opinion
This Country Club home at 8009 Royal Birkdale Circle sold for $1.42 million. It has six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a pool and 4,367 square feet of living area. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 12, 2022
Country Club East home tops sales at $1.58 million

A Country Club East home tops this week's sales at $1.58 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Kindergartner Emmet Johnson checks people out after purchasing their food. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 12, 2022
Restaurant event serves lessons to Tara Elementary kindergartners

Josephine Johnson's students run a one-night restaurant to test their math, science and social skills.

  • East County
  • Schools
Although much of the Lakewood Ranch area doesn't have too many concerns from a hurricane's storm surge, high winds cause create a disastrous situation.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 12, 2022
Manatee offers preparedness expo as hurricane season approaches

Designed to help residents form a plan, the Hurricane Preparedness Expo will feature 45 displays and more than 20 emergency vehicles.

  • East County
  • News
Lieutenant Shawn Battick helps the team load the firehose onto the truck after a training exercise.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 11, 2022
East Manatee Fire Rescue names its major award winners

Firefighter Ryan Berggren and Lt. Shawn Battick go above and beyond for the department.

  • East County
  • News
Andrew Shackleford was hired as Lakewood Ranch High's director of sports performance in 2021. Shackleford and athletic director Kent Ringquist are leading the school's efforts to renovate the weight room after 24 years.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 11, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High begins fundraising to renovate its weight room

Personalized workout-tracking technology would result as part of a $100,000 fundraising effort.

  • East County
  • Sports
The boathouse would be constructed just behind these docks on shore at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 10, 2022
County approves $20M for indoor sports complex at Benderson Park

The two-story complex at Sarasota's Nathan Benderson Park is planned to have a boathouse on the bottom and basketball/volleyball courts above.

  • 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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