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East County

Morgan Bettes Angell and the company she founded, Independent Jones, has helped put on the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 17, 2025
Blues Festival makes its return on the Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival, primed for its second year, has a varied and voluminous history in the region.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sydney Elliott turns toward an obstacle aboard QC Diamantaire in her final winning run in The Event at TerraNova's CCI4 class.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 16, 2025
Competition season leaps into action at TerraNova Equestrian Center

Some of the world's top equestrian athletes and horses compete in The Event at TerraNova.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Julia Wilhelm and Renee Myers check out the pieces of art for sale at LKM Fanciful Creations by Linda McMillan.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 16, 2025
A 'gift from the heart' offered at Lakewood Ranch art show

The 23rd annual Fall Art Show and Sale showcases artists of many mediums at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Laurie Breslin was named superintendent of the School District of Manatee County in August.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 16, 2025
Manatee School District welcomes a new leader

The new head of the School District of Manatee County brings a local flavor to the job.

  • East County
  • Schools
Maribeth Phillips is the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, and Andy Guz, CEO of Manatee Memorial Hospital, is the board chair.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 15, 2025
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch hosts Empty Bowls

The annual event benefits the Food Bank of Manatee.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
An average of 4,500 people attend Music on Main each month.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer, Mark Gordon
  • November 15, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Main Street motors past a milestone

Some tenants have left. Others have been there for 10, or even 20, years. Amid the changes, Main Street at Lakewood Ranch maintains its original calling: a go-to gathering spot.

  • East County
  • News
Shawna Hicks-Cranston of PostNet raises her Sandies award for the Community Champion category. The annual Sandies was held by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Nov. 14 at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch community leaders are saluted with Sandies awards

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosts its annual awards program at the Grove.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Accidental drowning confirmed in Manatee disappearance
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 14, 2025
Accidental drowning confirmed in Manatee disappearance

A teenager ran from a car traveling along Interstate 75 in August.

  • East County
  • News
Rex Jensen, the CEO and president of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, is the 2025 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award winner.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's 'visionary' honored by the Community Foundation

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch CEO and President Rex Jensen receives the 2025 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award at The Soirée at the Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center has 120 beds and is operated by a subsidiary of national health care provider Universal Health Services.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 13, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center scores third A in a row

Leapfrog's top score in twice-a-year schedule is the first under the management of new CEO Robbert Anderson.

  • East County
  • News
It's Read Everywhere winner finds high ground in Swiss Alps
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 12, 2025
It's Read Everywhere winner finds high ground in Swiss Alps

This year's winner of the Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest enjoyed the "trip of a lifetime" and showed that the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer is as well traveled as Agent 007.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Taryn Nguyen gets ready to tee off at Heritage Isles Golf and Country Club on Nov. 5 in the regional tournament. She tied for 12th, which qualified her for a fourth-straight state tournament berth.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 12, 2025
Braden River High senior golfer etches a legacy of consistency

Taryn Nguyen heads to the state tournament again after winning her fourth consecutive district title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Angela Long coaches the veterans team at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 12, 2025
Veterans find camaraderie in paddling at Nathan Benderson Park

The veterans dragon boat team operates under the umbrella of the park's nonprofit conservancy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sue Ann Miller, Regina Negrycz and Sue Glass represent the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, which won the award for the Group/Club of the Year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 11, 2025
Youth fishing volunteer hooks big award in Lakewood Ranch

Ed Van Stedum snags Volunteer of the Year award at the Community Appreciation Awards.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
During field trips at Mote Marine Laboratory, students are given the opportunity to see sea creatures up close and explore whether or not a career in science is for them.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 11, 2025
Freshwater education grants awarded to two East County schools

The Southwest Florida Water Management District presented $3,000 to Lakewood Ranch High School and $2,500 to Bashaw Elementary School.

  • East County
  • Schools
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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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