• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County

District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh was selected by her fellow commissioners Tuesday to be the 2021 Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 15, 2020
Manatee County Commissioners select Vanessa Baugh as chairman

District 5 commissioner Vanessa Baugh will head Manatee County Commission in 2021.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County commissioners approved a motion Tuesday to designate the section of 44th Avenue from Bradenton's First Street West to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard as the Honorable State Senate President Bill Galvano Parkway.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 15, 2020
Stretch of 44th Avenue in East County named for former Florida Senate President Bill Galvano

Manatee County road will honor former Florida Senate president Bill Galvano.

  • East County
  • News
Eileen Parker with the School District of Manatee County's Food and Nutrition Services hands out lunches during the summer food program. Students will be able to pick up meals for winter break on Dec. 21 and Dec. 28. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2020
Manatee County schools offer free meals during winter break

Manatee County families can pick up free meals at Haile Middle and Myakka Elementary in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Epic Equine's Jaymie Klauber charges in front of the entire Rawhide Creek team in the first chukkar.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 13, 2020
Sarasota Polo Club hosts 30th season opener

Socially-distanced fans appreciate the outdoor event in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Perfect weather greeted those attending the Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge's second annual Car and Truck Show.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 13, 2020
Warm weather, cool cars in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge puts on its second annual car show.

  • East County
  • News
Ian Campbell has taken over the reins of the Well Wishes Benefit Polo Match from his sister, Pippa Campbell.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2020
Concerned Lakewood Ranch teens hold Sarasota Polo Club benefit to build wells in Africa

Lakewood Ranch teens combine to plan the Well Wishes Benefit Polo Match at the Sarasota Polo Club to raise funds to build wells in Africa.

  • East County
  • News
Teacher Teyia Brown of St. Petersburg is excited to get started at Discovery Point.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2020
Discovery Point Child Development Center franchise opens in Bradenton

New York couple moves to East County to open a Discovery Point franchise in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Brett Davis of the Lakewood Ranch Elks and Maribeth Phillips of Meals on Wheels Plus were thrilled with the turnout for the Shoebox Collection.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Elks help Meals on Wheels Plus Manatee deliver successful Shoebox Collection.

Meals on Wheels Plus Manatee collects stuffed shoeboxes to deliver to seniors during the holidays.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Commissioner George Kruse raised the motion to reconsider a Nov. 19 motion to give administrator Cheri Coryea at least a 15-day notice to deliberate the status of her contract.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 10, 2020
Manatee County administrator to keep job after commission reconsiders

Manatee County commissioners vote to reconsider prior motion regarding administrator Cheri Coryea's contract

  • East County
  • News
Legacy Golf Club part-owner John Whittemore plans to build 48 multi-family condo units on his golf course.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 10, 2020
Plans for Legacy Golf Club homes approved by Manatee County commissioners

Legacy Golf Club to build 48 homes after Manatee County approves the plan.

  • East County
  • News
    In Memoriam |
  • December 10, 2020
Lillian Janice Howle

Lillian Janice Howle, fondly known as “Miss Janice”, 91, passed away peacefully in Sarasota, Florida on Monday, November 30, 2020.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 10, 2020
East County weather page photo: December 10

Bruce Silverman captured this sunset over Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Michelle Haney, 48, has been charged with abuse of a dead human body after the body of Jon Christopher Leonard, 40, was found in a trash can in East County. Leonard had been dead since July.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 9, 2020
UPDATE: Body in trash can identified, Bradenton woman charged with abuse of a dead human body

Manatee County Sheriff's Office detectives arrest Bradenton's Michelle Haney, 48. She is charged with abuse of a dead human body after the body of 40-year-old Christopher Leonard was found in a trash can.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 9, 2020
The Rye Road Giraffes Christmas circus stretches holiday calendar in Bradenton

Camels and llamas and ponies, oh my! Christmas weekends with The Rye Road Giraffes

  • East County
  • News
Sandy Shahinian. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 9, 2020
Elves on the loose in Lakewood Ranch

Annual Elf on the Shelf contest continues on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

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

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now