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East County

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is opening its SEA site in early October.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 15, 2025
New Mote SEA facility will open in early October

Members get first views on Oct. 6-7 and public on Oct. 8 at its aquarium located near University and I-75 in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hollway oversees a practice during fall 2025. Under the fourth-year coach, ODA has never finished shy of the SSAA state semifinals in three completed seasons.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 15, 2025
Rob Hollway looks comfortable and thriving as ODA football's CEO

The fourth-year Thunder coach is on pace for another stellar season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jenny and Mike Schenk are husband and wife and co-owners of Pineapple Kitchen.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 15, 2025
Manasota BUDS reaps harvest of Pineapple Kitchen's special event

Mac and cheese, apple fritters and hot toddies were on the menu to raise money for the nonprofit.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key's Linda and Larry Keefe attend the Men Wear Pink event to support Pete Vosler of First Physicians Group, who lost both of his grandmothers to cancer.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 14, 2025
Pink is perfect for breast cancer fundraiser at The Mall at UTC

Men Wear Pink makes a fashion statement to support the American Cancer Society.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Event Chair Cassandra Hafner and Manatee County Medical Society President Kinga Porter set the tone for the gala with dramatic red dresses.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 14, 2025
And the Oscar goes to charity in Lakewood Ranch

The Manatee County Medical Society Gala has an "Oscars" theme at the Grove Ballroom.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch search turns up no armed person
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 13, 2025
Lakewood Ranch search turns up no armed person

A suspicious person report south of University Parkway prompts deputy response.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Jason Bearden wants money released from Manatee County's reserves that are nearing $1 billion.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 13, 2025
Manatee County moves to cut millage rate as reserves rise

Following three hurricanes in 2024, Manatee County has nearly $1 billion set aside for reserves in fiscal year 2026.

  • East County
  • News
Nearly 300 grams of cocaine, or about 10.5 ounces, was seized from a home in Sarasota, authorities said.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 12, 2025
Manatee, Sarasota agents make cocaine-trafficking arrest

Raids at locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties resulted in seized cocaine and the arrest of a Bradenton man.

  • East County
  • News
Laurie Breslin was officially sworn in as the superintendent for the School District of Manatee County on Sept. 9.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 12, 2025
Manatee School Board approves $245,000 superintendent contract

Laurie Breslin also has incentives in her contract, a point of contention with two school board members.

  • East County
  • Schools
Heather Hackett, the founder of Local Relief, Inc., points to the slat that bears her name as the 2024 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award recipient.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 10, 2025
Local Relief seeks financial relief

Heather Hackett's disaster recovery nonprofit seeks backers.

  • East County
  • Opinion
In 2018, East Manatee added a ladder truck that reached a maximum of 107-feet high.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 10, 2025
45 years of protection from East Manatee Fire Rescue

East Manatee Fire Rescue keeps climbing another rung with the community.

  • East County
  • News
Mathematics teacher Jeff Hilt and social studies teacher Dan McLean are the last remaining classroom teachers that were there when Braden River High School opened in 2005.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 10, 2025
Braden River High celebrates its 20th anniversary in Bradenton

Original staff members reflect on the past 20 years.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Dylan Walker, the captain of the Out-of-Door Academy football team, organized a fundraiser to benefit the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund. It took place during their rivalry game against Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School on Sept. 5.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 10, 2025
ODA football captain raises $5,400 to benefit local storm recovery

Dylan Walker draws up the strategy for a fundraiser at a rivalry game in Lakewood Ranch to donate to Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund.

  • East County
  • Schools
A 10-foot sidewalk runs along the west side of Bourneside Boulevard from State Road 64 to University Parkway. A 15-foot trail for the east side of Bourneside Boulevard between State Road 70 and University Parkway is being negotiated between Manatee County and Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 10, 2025
Roads take back seat to trails in Manatee transportation priorities

It costs four times more to build a road than a shared-use path.

  • East County
  • News
Planned ball fields at Manatee County park are beyond fiscal prudence
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 9, 2025
Planned ball fields at Manatee County park are beyond fiscal prudence

It's time to take a closer look before any further action is taken, a Country Club East resident writes.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest in East County

1
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research
2
Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
  • April 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League expands to improve accessibility
3
Gabriella Martinez Reyes, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named president of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America. This makes her the first of Manatee County.
  • March 31, 2026
LRHS junior named president for Florida's Future Business Leaders of America
4
Late Commissioner Carol Ann Felts will be honored April 18 at Crane Park.
  • March 31, 2026
Manatee County names Myakka preserve after late commissioner Carol Felts
5
Indigo's Amber Hanratty, who was in the building industry for 25 years, now has her own business called Dirty Sara-Soda.
  • March 31, 2026
Dirty Sara-Soda hopes to clean up with a new beverage

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