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East County

SMR's new coffee table book, "Lakewood Ranch — A Legacy of Living with the Land" is available locally and on Amazon.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 10, 2025
'Lakewood Ranch — A Legacy of Living with the Land' is a fun history lesson

The coffee table book, written by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, documents the development of a successful, southwest Florida community.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Carrie Walden, the Project Edge classroom instructor, is teaching 10 students including Mia Pardella and Justin Torres in the Project Edge program at MTC East.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 10, 2025
MTC program teaches students with disabilities skills to enter workforce

At Manatee Technical College, Project Edge is transitional program for students with intellectual disabilities to learn foundational skills.

  • East County
  • Schools
Samara Williamson has been at the Lake Club for more than four years, moving to her general manager position from that of assistant general manager in 2023.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2025
Lake Club manager named tops in her field

The honor was part of November's Lakewood Ranch Community Appreciation Awards.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gabriella Rawles holds a Fighting Irish tennis ball and poses for a photo at Notre Dame Stadium. The senior at ICL Academy online is headed to South Bend, Indiana, in January as an early enrollee.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 10, 2025
Notre Dame commit rekindles love for tennis after recovery from a shoulder injury

Gabriella Rawles was once unsure if she'd ever return to the sport after the injury caused her passion to fade.

  • East County
  • Sports
The “A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser will benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry. Harbor 58 broke ground on its new housing development for teens aging out of foster care in November.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 10, 2025
Harbor58 breaks ground on $4.5 million housing project in Manatee County

The East County nonprofit supports young adults who have aged out of foster care.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Director of Government Relations Stephanie Garrison leads the work session Dec. 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 10, 2025
Changing millage review process a top priority among Manatee commissioners

Finding a way to cut taxes is a top priority, but finishing improvements on Lorraine Road is not.

  • East County
  • News
SR 64 grocery store, storage facility denied by Manatee commission
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 10, 2025
SR 64 grocery store, storage facility denied by Manatee commission

The proposed site is located next to Neal Communities' Palm Grove development.

  • East County
  • News
Seniors Gavin Moore, Abigail Frint and Ryan Johnson were among 12 students at Lakewood Ranch High School to set up and spread the word about the opportunities available at the new College and Career Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 9, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High's College and Career Center makes its debut

Set up by 12 of Lakewood Ranch's “brightest of the brightest" students, the center can help students explore their career choices.

  • East County
  • Schools
Martha McKlveen, a Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center volunteer and donor, is eager for Kitty City to be able to support more cats that are in need, just like the over 1,000 she has fostered since 2009.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 9, 2025
Kitty City built at Nate's Honor with $250,000 donation from volunteer

Martha McKlveen is passionate about cats, especially those who have issues that keep them from being adopted.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A Wild Blue at Waterside home at 1058 Blue Shell Loop sold for $3.25 million. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,607 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 9, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 24-28 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Wild Blue at Waterside topped the week's sales at $3.25 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Four boys compete for Sarasota Scullers in the Plant High Winter Sprints on Dec. 6 at Nathan Benderson Park. The Scullers, founded in 1991, are hosting a fundraiser on Dec. 13 to build back from damages suffered during past hurricane seasons.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 9, 2025
Sarasota Scullers pursue 1 million meters

The youth rowing organization's presence exceeds its humble numbers and is hoping its upcoming fundraiser can fuel an even better future.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Miracle League Board President Robyn Graham, Elks Golf Tournament Director Mark Liddell, Elk Sarah Davis and Miracle League Executive Director Chris Cushman celebrate the Elks' $1,500 donation to the league.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 9, 2025
The miracle of caring is celebrated at Longwood Park in Sarasota

The Miracle League of Manasota honors the late Joanne DiCarlo, a local Elks member who supported the program for years.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The idea for Moo-Jitsu was a collaboration between 9-year-old Olivia Whitman and her father Brandon Whitman in October of last year. They launched the business in August.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 8, 2025
Love of cows adds spice to Lakewood Ranch business

Moo-Jitsu is a new spice company that brands itself through a love of cows and jiu jitsu.

  • East County
  • Business
Francesca Bisordi poses for a photo on Dec. 4 during a Lakewood Ranch wrestling practice. Currently competing in the 155-pound weight class, she formerly wrestled at 170 in both 2024 and 2023.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 8, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Francesca Bisordi

The junior wrestler for Lakewood Ranch High is the program's first female to reach the state tourney.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lake Manatee EMS station is due for a replacement. EMS moved into the space in 1982.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 8, 2025
Site for a new Lake Manatee EMS station is under fire

Manatee County commissioners are not in favor of a site that borders Lake Manatee and Lake Manatee State Park.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
Jeff Toale stands inside the Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch, where light-filled spaces and a contemporary design reflect a shift toward more personalized, meaningful memorial experiences.
  • May 17, 2026
Jeff Toale looks to deepen and double impact at helm of the LWRCF
2
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Education Foundation as he is announced as the winner of the "Next Gen" award at University Park Country Club May 13.
  • May 16, 2026
Young Leaders Alliance presents its top award in Lakewood Ranch
3
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.
4
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
5
Amanda Parrish was named interim CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. in January.
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County economic development evolves

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