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East County

3. Andrew Novak rallied to win the 2020 LECOM Suncoast Classic in February.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2020
East County's top sports moments of 2020

These athletes and teams were the talk of the town.

  • East County
  • Sports
Four Braden River High School students created an app that could save lives.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 23, 2020
East Bradenton students honored for dosage app

Four Braden River High students win 16th Congressional District App Challenge.

  • East County
  • News
Superintendent Cynthia Saunders, Faith Bench, a math teacher at Braden River Middle School, and Genelle Zoratti Yost, deputy superintendent of instructional services, honor Bench as a finalist for Educator of the Year. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 23, 2020
With contract extended, School District of Manatee County superintendent focuses on future

Superintendent of the School District of Manatee County has contract extended through June 2023.

  • East County
  • News
A time to keep our perspective
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 23, 2020
A time to keep our perspective

Caesar Augustus and Herod were all about self-centered status, power and ego. Mary and Joseph were the antithesis: humble, not materially wealthy, ordinary in all appearances. And yet they were extraordinary.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • December 22, 2020
Michael Petruzziello

On December 16th Michael (Mike) Petruzziello beloved husband, son, brother and friend passed away at home with his wife Debbi and their cat CoCo after a courageous battle with Cholangiocarcinoma.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Murray Margolis and Ardene Chodosh have struggled since their jewelry store was robbed in 2016.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 22, 2020
Effects of Lakewood Ranch jewelry store robbery linger

Four years later after burglary, The Family Jeweler owners are out of business in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County deputy Antonio Hernandez was killed in a car accident Dec. 20 while off duty.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 21, 2020
Off-duty Manatee County deputy dies in car accident on I-75

Manatee County Deputy Antonio Hernandez died after an early-morning crash Dec. 20 on I-75 near the SR 64 exit ramp.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County libraries have received a $30,400 grant from the Bradenton COVID-19 Response Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation to support the community and enhance its virtual services and programming. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 21, 2020
Manatee libraries receive grant from Bradenton COVID-19 Response Fund

Manatee County libraries receive a $30,400 grant to enhance virtual services and programming.

  • East County
  • News
The Elks' Brett Davis and Darrin Simone present Operation Santa 2020's Dolly Johnson with a huge toy donation on behalf of the Elks and Walgreens.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2020
Operation Santa a success

Elks Mighty Southwest District and Walgreens provide hundreds of toys for Myakka City's Operation Santa.

  • East County
  • News
RN Margo Post works at SunCoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch Dec. 18 with blood to be shipped out.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2020
Convalescent plasma donations in Lakewood Ranch provide Pennsylvania Christmas miracle

SunCoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch provide convalescent plasma donations to Bethlehem, Pa., for a Christmas miracle.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Madison Abbacchi knows the grade she received in every class in school — A.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Lakewood Ranch student finishes academic career with perfect A record

Lakewood Ranch's Madison Abbacchi recorded an A in every class throughout her academic career.

  • East County
  • News
Robin Ruhnke says the Sheriff's Office retired horses will have green grass — and carrots as Valor enjoys — forever in her fields.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Heaven for horses in Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office horses enjoy retired life at the Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County has unanimously voted to extend Superintendent Cynthia Saunders' contract for two years. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 17, 2020
School Board of Manatee County extends superintendent's contract

School District of Manatee County's superintendent Cynthia Saunders is under contract to serve another two years.

  • East County
  • News
As of Thursday, Dec. 17, 1,738 patients have tested positive at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and 140 COVID-19 patients have died.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
Tracking COVID-19 cases in Sarasota, Manatee

As of Thursday, the state lists 16,389 confirmed positive cases in Sarasota and 19,612 in Manatee. In Sarasota, 454 positive individuals have died, and 400 have died in Manatee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
East County weather page photo: December 17

This double rainbow over Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch was captured by Gordon Silver.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man

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