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East County

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
Donovan Plakyda poses for a photo on Oct. 27 with the FHSAA Class 3A District 11 trophy. The junior has dropped 14 strokes in an 18-hole format since his freshman season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 11, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Donovan Plakyda

The junior for Lakewood Ranch boys' golf tied for fourth at the FHSAA Class 3A Region 3 championship on Nov. 4 as the Mustangs advanced to the state tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Wild Blue at Waterside home at 8512 Sandpoint St. sold for $1.94 million. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool, and 3,802 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 11, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 27-31 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Reserve at Harbour Walk topped the week’s sales at $4.025 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch's Vincent Van Slyck keeps his flag waving during the Tribute to Heroes Parade Nov. 9 at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 10, 2025
Tribute to Heroes Parade salutes veterans

The Lakewood Ranch event made its November debut after shifting from its traditional Memorial Day Weekend spot.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Premier Sports Campus has brought top soccer competitions to Lakewood Ranch over the years.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 10, 2025
US Soccer might be gone, but Lakewood Ranch remains a soccer destination

Premier Sports Campus once hosted the U-17 Men's National Team, but a national training facility in Georgia has changed the complex's focus.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest in East County

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience
3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
4
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
  • December 3, 2025
Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move
5
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

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