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East County

Manasota Veterans Inc. and the Manatee County Veterans' Council will host a Memorial Day event May 25. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 22, 2020
Manatee, Sarasota veterans honor fallen military members

A Facebook Live ceremony will offer a time to honor military on Memorial Day.

  • East County
  • News
Stacey Gadeken and Alison Denboggende cheer for seniors as they drive by the school to pick up their caps and gowns. Their sons, Andrew Denboggende and Brandon Gadeken, are graduating this year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 21, 2020
Cheers for Lakewood Ranch graduates

Parents, teachers and staff members celebrate seniors as they pick up caps and gowns for July graduation

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 21, 2020
East County weather page photo: May 21

Gordon Silver captured this alligator along the shoreline of a pond in Del Webb.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Andrew Arbanas, center, is happy to be able to interact with his family after a month of intensive care for COVID-19 patients. Jaxson, Tiffany, Jude and Aryella are thrilled to be able to hug him.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2020
Not so safe at home for Lakewood Ranch area nurses

Healthcare worker isolates himself from his family to protect them.

  • East County
  • News
Jacquie McLaurin, a fifth grade teacher at Robert E. Willis Elementary, is disappointed her career ends with e-learning as she retires this year, but she has enjoyed the time with her students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
New lesson in retirement for Lakewood Ranch-area teachers

Retiring teachers and staff members disappointed with the ending but happy for the memories.

  • East County
  • News
Sheila Milazzo, Anita and Ed Hagen and Jo Fava enter Our Lady of the Angels for the first in-person Mass in two months.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
Cautious reopening for Lakewood Ranch-area churches

East County churches excited but cautious with reopening

  • East County
  • News
DVA Arena originally envisioned a hockey arena, construction of which began in 2005, on the site. It was demolished in 2009 by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch and now is vacant land. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2020
No longer on ice in Lakewood Ranch

After years of uncertainty, former hockey arena site headed for development in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Crystal Landkas-Coronas feeds carrots to Melman and Twiggs. The giraffes love carrots and enjoy romaine lettuce, fresh branches from trees and other foods.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2020
In Lakewood Ranch area: Here's looking at zoo, kid

Public gets a free look at Rye Road Giraffes in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Deputy Damon Ackerman. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
Stadium lights honor Manatee County high school seniors

High school seniors in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch honored with shining of stadium lights.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
KB Belton is the new head football coach at The Out-of-Door Academy. Photo courtesy ODA.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 20, 2020
New ODA football coach wants to continue recent success

K.B. Belton moves up from offensive coordinator to replace Chris Kempton.

  • East County
  • Sports
Pre-kindergartners like Brayden Hackman, a pre-kindergartner at Gene Witt Elementary School, could be a part of the VPK summer program, which will be done online this year. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 20, 2020
Summer school attendance could drop in Manatee County

District could see fewer students in summer programs as result of move to online learning.

  • East County
  • News
East County's Arne Hansen told stories of his time as a bombardier during WWII.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 20, 2020
Bradenton man shares stories of life and death aboard a B-17 in WWII

WWII bombardier from Bradenton talks about his days aboard a B-17.

  • East County
  • News
Suncoast Blood Centers' blood product numbers are at a "urgent" need level. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 20, 2020
Blood donations in high demand in Lakewood Ranch area

With so many blood drives having been cancelled, blood donation centers ask the community for help in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • East County
  • News
Fitz and Kim Fitzpatrick run their business, Illuminate Landscape Designs, out of their Mill Creek home. The couple try to not only shed light on people's homes but also in people's lives.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 19, 2020
Perseverance comes in handy in east Bradenton

Illuminate Landscape Designs owners Fitz and Kim Fitzpatrick navigate struggles of COVID-19 impacts.

  • East County
  • News
Vacation rentals like this one in East County currently are not allowed for short-term rentals. File photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 19, 2020
Manatee County advances plan to reopen vacation rentals

The plan must be reviewed by state the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the governor's office.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer defeated East Lake in sudden-death penalty kicks Feb. 17 to win the FHSAA Class 6A-Region 3 title.
  • February 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer advances to state semifinals
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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

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