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East County

Students of Bayside College gather for orientation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 3, 2025
Bayside College adds dorms to Lakewood Ranch campus

The $3 million housing project will eventually accommodate 256 students.

  • East County
  • News
Sophi Jo Branscomb says her life is busy but rewarding on her Myakka ranch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 3, 2025
Family comes together to help Myakka City ranch thrive

After death of the family matriarch, Sophi Jo Branscomb has taken over her mom's role on the Sandlot Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Government Efficiency Liaison Committee meets for the first time Aug. 26 at the Manatee County Administration Building.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 3, 2025
Manatee County DOGE committee gets to work

The five-member committee will dig through 4,500 documents over the next year to find savings in Manatee's budget.

  • East County
  • News
New sportswriter is back among the palms
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 2, 2025
New sportswriter is back among the palms

Jack Nelson, a UCLA graduate, joins the East County and Sarasota/Siesta Key Observers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Artist Andrew Viera has been working on seven murals at Mote SEA since April 2024.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 2, 2025
Setting the scene at the Mote Science Education Aquarium one mural at a time

Gifted local artist Andrew Viera places his talent on exhibit at the Sarasota landmark.

  • East County
  • News
Residents wear red shirts to a Town Hall meeting July 24 to show their opposition to a roundabout on University Parkway at Legacy Boulevard and Deer Drive.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 2, 2025
Manatee County consent agendas cause controversy

Some say the tool meant to streamline commission meetings is used to hide information.

  • East County
  • News
This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 1202 Blue Shell Loop sold for $2.85 million. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,756 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • September 2, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Aug. 18-22 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Wild Blue at Waterside on Blue Shell Loop topped the week’s sales at $2.85 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
A group of strangers band together Aug. 17 to save seven ducklings from a drainage grate on 44th Avenue East near Lena Road.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 1, 2025
44th Avenue East rescue stops ducklings from going down the drain

Bradenton good samaritans have all their ducks in a row during the three-hour rescue operation.

  • East County
  • News
Laurie Breslin has been named the new superintendent for the School District of Manatee County in a unanimous vote on Aug. 26.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 1, 2025
Superintendent shares five goals for Manatee County School District

Laurie Breslin graduated from Manatee High School in 1995, and 30 years later, she will run the district.

  • East County
  • Schools
Third grader Alexander Muenchow chose to draw an axolotl. He says he enjoys using special tools on the iPad that may not be in the classroom such as a glitter tool and stickers.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 31, 2025
Gene Witt Elementary digital art lab is in full swing with community support

Funds from Neal Communities, The Patterson Foundation and fundraisers paved the way for the elementary school to start a digital lab.

  • East County
  • Schools
  • By Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor
  • August 28, 2025
Financial Focus® Look At Your Financial Situation Holistically

When planning for your financial future, bring all elements of yourself into the picture.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Laurie Breslin has been named the new superintendent for the School District of Manatee County in a unanimous vote on Aug. 26.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 27, 2025
Laurie Breslin named as the new Manatee County superintendent

After a two-month superintendent search, the Manatee County School Board decided to hire from within.

  • East County
  • Schools
Georgie Hristov, Christian Womeldorph, Antonio Saviano and Gregory Kotlarczyk are eager to explore the partnership between Wellness Concepts and Florida Premier.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 27, 2025
Wellness Concepts offers Premier service in Lakewood Ranch

Wellness Concepts partners with Florida Premier FC SWFL to provide free injury prevention training and services to soccer players.

  • East County
  • News
Mote Ranch's Keith Paynter is a teacher at Braden River Middle School and a volunteer mangrove ranger.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 27, 2025
Braden River Middle School teacher subs as mangrove ranger

Keith Paynter is among the Suncoast Waterkeeper volunteers who help monitor local mangrove forests.

  • 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
  • Jay Heater
  • August 27, 2025
Concession Golf Club owner builds a village

Bruce Cassidy takes on general chair role for the 2026 Senior PGA Championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest in East County

1
Negotiations continue between Manatee County and its two garbage haulers — Waste Management and Waste Pro.
  • February 14, 2026
Bulk garbage pickups likely to return for Manatee County residents
2
Lakewood Ranch's Eugene Khutoryanskiy and Yana Parker are celebrating this Valentine's Day as fiances alongside their dogs Mittens and Jesse at Barks & Brews on Feb. 10.
  • February 13, 2026
A little pet lovin' and squeezin' at University Town Center in Sarasota
3
Lee Wetherington says he can visit with potential buyers and his contractors because CEO Dave Hunihan handles the heavy lifting of his business.
  • February 12, 2026
Acclaimed builder continues to put his stamp on Lakewood Ranch
4
The purple piles will carry reclaimed water to Lakewood Ranch Southeast for irrigation.
  • February 11, 2026
New road construction speeds through Lakewood Ranch Southeast
5
Neal Shipley was all smiles after winning the 2025 LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood National Golf Club.
  • February 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch golf fans now asked to support two pro golf tournaments

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