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East County

Myakka's Sarah Wiegand bakes cream wafers from scratch. The cookies are a Christmas tradition for her family.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 26, 2020
Christmas cookie tradition won't crumble in Lakewood Ranch area

Christmas cookie recipes have been passed down through generations of these Lakewood Ranch area families.

  • East County
  • News
Tara's Donna Sutton Van Riper and Gerald Van Riper used this Christmas tree topper as their wedding cake topper.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 26, 2020
Lakewood Ranch area residents tell stories of what makes their Christmas ornaments special

Lakewood Ranch area residents share stories about what makes their Christmas ornaments precious.

  • East County
  • News
Vanessa Spingola, the emergency department clinical leader for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center receives the hospital's first Moderna COVID-19 vaccination from Derek Whitecotton, a hospital pharmacist.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 23, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center receives first shipment of Moderna vaccine

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's healthcare workers began receiving the Moderna vaccinations Wednesday afternoon.

  • East County
  • News
Florida Department of Transportation community outreach manager Brian Bollas stands on a new I-75 bridge over the Braden River. The first bridge was constructed in 1979 when I-75 was extended through Manatee and Sarasota counties.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 23, 2020
I-75/State Road 70 construction entering homestretch

$80.8 million project at interchange of I-75 and S.R. 70 scheduled for summer 2021 finish

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 23, 2020
Singing for Rosie in east Bradenton

Cypress Springs carolers sing to resident recovering from fall in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Father Sebastian Szczawinski said stained glass in the modern Catholic Church represent themes of light, which are common throughout the religion.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 23, 2020
Faith shines bright through Our Lady of the Angels' new stained glass

Our Lady of the Angels of Lakewood Ranch fills windows with stained glass, hopes to finish in 2021

  • East County
  • News
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
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Latest in East County

1
The Lakewood Ranch High School hockey team huddles together at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex in December. The team could call Lakewood Ranch home if an ice rink is built at Premier Sports Campus North.
  • February 18, 2026
First step taken for ice rink to glide into Lakewood Ranch's Premier Sports Campus
2
Ability to Include's Grace Murby and Chris Collins are thrilled with a $10,000 grant that was presented to them by Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan to help build a universal soccer pitch.
  • February 18, 2026
Nonprofit makes its pitch for a new soccer field in Lakewood Ranch
3
Aurora Pena and Theo Light, second graders at Tara Elementary School, appreciate the new and improved classrooms and cafeteria.They are also looking forward to using the new field and playground when they are complete.
  • February 18, 2026
Final month of $31.4 million renovation at Tara Elementary
4
Braden River girls weightlifting brought home the FHSAA Class 2A state championship in Olympic style Feb. 12 at Lakeland's RP Funding Center. It marks the first in program history.
  • February 18, 2026
Braden River High raises the bar at girls weightlifting state championships
5
General manager Desmond Hill brings warmth and ease to Lucky Pelican’s welcoming, neighborhood vibe.
  • February 18, 2026
Lucky Pelican's general manager shares how he keeps the restaurant flying high

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