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East County

Manatee County continues to receive complaints about its reduced garbage service.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 20, 2026
Trash collection will be a hot topic at upcoming Manatee commission meeting

Commissioner Bob McCann also added kennel and canopy road concerns to Jan. 27 agenda.

  • East County
  • News
Jaynie Peterson, Tony Pinho, Brady Jo Trombetta and Madison Chuchla all teach dance classes at Fly Dance Fitness in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 20, 2026
Dance fitness studio opens new Lakewood Ranch location

The business offers a variety of dance and fitness classes while aiming to be a judgement-free space.

  • East County
  • Business
Dillon Rosenthal, a fourth-year entrepreneurship major at FGCU, proudly sits beside one of BounceBack Pickle's bins. His business takes old, broken pickleballs and recycles them into new ones.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 20, 2026
BounceBack Pickle succeeds at intersection of sport and sustainability

Dillon Rosenthal, a graduate from The Out-of-Door Academy, has found a niche by recycling pickleballs.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 560 Blue Shell Loop sold for $3.41 million. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,452 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 20, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 5-9 in Lakewood Ranch

A Wild Blue at Waterside home on Blue Shell Loop topped the week's sales at $3.41 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Evan Rowe has distinguished himself in the 165-pound weight class this season and carries aspirations of a top-three finish in March's FHSAA individual championships.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 19, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Evan Rowe

The Braden River senior wrestler ranks No. 2 in the state for the 165-pound weight class.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gardeners Out East president Nancy Schneider gives the plaque for the Japanese blueberry tree that the group donated to Simone Rose, who works as the office manager for Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 19, 2026
Japanese blueberry tree serves as gift to LWR celebration of life center

Gardeners Out East thanks Robert Toale and Sons Celebration of Life Center for donating use of its facility.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Rhonda Leiberick and Roscelyn Guenther snag a selfie together in between the running and yoga portions of the triathlon. They alternated between walking and running every two minutes.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 18, 2026
Triathlon brings mindfulness to Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place

The Mindful Triathlon hosted 136 entrants who ran, meditated and did yoga.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 17, 2026
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO

The appointment of an interim CEO — Fawley Bryant Architecture COO and Partner Amanda Parrish — comes after the former leader of the organization retired.

  • East County
  • Business
The crew from Station 1 walk across the parking lot to grab some lunch. From left to right: Battalion Chief Craig Madsen and firefighters Adam Stem, Evan Berggren and Tyler Schuele.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 16, 2026
Braden River VFW dishes out thanks to East Manatee firefighters

VFW members brought lunch to the East Manatee Fire Rescue administration building, where they hold their monthly meeting.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Harley Busch, 3, is eager to ride the carousel alongside her father John Busch at the Manatee County Fair. She also rode a camel moments before.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 16, 2026
Manatee County Fair, a tradition since 1916, is now open

The fair launched its 11-day run Thursday with a variety of animals, rides, food, live entertainment and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County has announced available cold weather shelters.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 15, 2026
Cold weather shelters open in Manatee, Sarasota counties for frigid spell

Salvation Army, Under One Roof and Turning Points offer warm, safe spaces.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • January 15, 2026
From a Tragic Accident to a Swift Near-Full Recovery

How Lakewood Ranch Medical Center saved the life of a USF Professor.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club members Mike Mulwani and Greg Pogue lost their first scrimmage 11 to nothing in 2023, but that didn't stop them from pursuing the sport to better their skills.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 14, 2026
At 2,300 members, Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club continues to grow

The club, which provides opportunities for novice to advanced players, was founded by Bob Haskin in 2018 with 40 members.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tal Siddique is this year's chair of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 14, 2026
Manatee County explores idea of adopting a charter

New Commission Chair Tal Siddique says a charter can give residents more control of their county.

  • East County
  • News
Jordan Guerrero, a 29-year-old former MiLB pitcher, is the new ODA baseball coach. He takes over for Mike Matthews, who served as coach in 2021-25 and guided the Thunder to the 2021 FHSAA Class 2A state title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 14, 2026
Former minor league player will lead The Out-of-Door Academy baseball program

Jordan Guerrero, a right-handed pitcher in the San Diego Padres' organization, brings a "contagious" energy to the Thunder.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest in East County

1
Lakewood Ranch's Eugene Khutoryanskiy and Yana Parker are celebrating this Valentine's Day as fiances alongside their dogs Mittens and Jesse at Barks & Brews on Feb. 10.
  • February 13, 2026
A little pet lovin' and squeezin' at University Town Center in Sarasota
2
Lee Wetherington says he can visit with potential buyers and his contractors because CEO Dave Hunihan handles the heavy lifting of his business.
  • February 12, 2026
Acclaimed builder continues to put his stamp on Lakewood Ranch
3
The purple piles will carry reclaimed water to Lakewood Ranch Southeast for irrigation.
  • February 11, 2026
New road construction speeds through Lakewood Ranch Southeast
4
Neal Shipley was all smiles after winning the 2025 LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood National Golf Club.
  • February 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch golf fans now asked to support two pro golf tournaments
5
Students in Manatee schools begin learning cursive in third grade. With House Bill 127, that might change to second grade instead. It would also require fifth graders to be evaluated to prove proficiency.
  • February 11, 2026
Cursive writing requirements would change if proposed legislation passes

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