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East County

The Lakewood Ranch High School Music Department has received the "Support Music Merit Award" from The NAMM Foundation in honor of its outstanding commitment to music education. The music department staff includes orchestra director Thomas Durante, band director John Wilkerson and choir director Rebekah Lester.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 20, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High honored with Support Music Merit Award

The award from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation recognizes schools that demonstrate exceptional achievement.

  • East County
  • Schools
A group of Tara residents dons red shirts and takes a tour bus to Manatee County's Administration Building May 8 to oppose a development project.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 20, 2025
Organized Manatee resident group wins out over builder again

County commissioners voted 5-2 to deny a proposal for one of the last parcels in the Tara community.

  • East County
  • News
A Lake Club home at 16010 Topsail Terrace sold for $3 million. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,738 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 20, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for May 5-9 in Lakewood Ranch

A home on Taylor Drive tops the week's sales at $3.564 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Cindy Gordon, board chair of the Florida West Coast Avian Society, says pet birds such as parrots have special needs, but the upside of ownership is well worth it. Chewy and Chester obviously think so.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 20, 2025
Florida West Coast Avian Society takes flight at Music on Main

Those who attend can learn about the responsibilities of having a pet bird.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pirates senior Nick Curbelo celebrates scoring the first run of a 9-3 win over Manatee on a triple by senior Camden Pope in a regional semifinal game on May 1 at Braden River High School.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 20, 2025
Braden River's baseball run one of top stories of year in East County

Record-breaking runs, championships and breakthroughs make this spring special.

  • East County
  • Sports
Katherine Lo, a seventh grader in digital art, created a piece inspired by video games and titled the game she created "Knight's Revenge." She generated the background using artificial intelligence.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 19, 2025
Mona Jain Middle of Lakewood Ranch hosts its second annual Art Show

Digital and traditional art pieces were featured at the show using different mediums.

  • East County
  • Schools
  • By Chris Moss with Edward Jones
  • May 19, 2025
How Should You Respond to Tariffs?

How should you respond to tariffs - as a consumer and an investor?

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Co-owners Zach Zeller and Chef Evan Percoco design their latest restaurant to feel like a backyard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 19, 2025
Twisted Pit BBQ opens on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

The Twisted Pit is Zach Zeller and Chef Evan Percoco's third establishment to open on Main Street.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A wealth of new home construction throughout the metropolitan area is contributing to its nation-leading percentage of home ownership.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2025
Sarasota metro has highest home ownership rate in the country

At 82.3%, the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota area was rated No. 1 by financial services website SmartAsset among all metros across the country in residents who own their homes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Out-of-Door Academy freshman Michael Garzia (No. 0) ran for over 100 yards, scored a touchdown and made an interception in the a 19-14 win over The Master's Academy on May 15.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 19, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Michael Garzia

Out-of-Door Academy freshman had a breakout performance in spring game win.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation hosts Casino Royale May 14 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 16, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation bets on new fundraiser

The foundation is already planning its second Casino Royale event for next April.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Communities' Nicole Hackel was named the Young Leaders Alliance Member of the Year at the Next Gen Awards Thursday at Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 16, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance presents its Next Gen Awards

Lakewood Ranch Communities' Nicole Hackel earns the Young Leaders Alliance' Member of the Year award.

  • East County
  • Business
Julie Fanning took over the chairmanship of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 16, 2025
Hear from the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's new chair

Julie Fanning, the chair of Lakewood Ranch's leading pro-business group, comes to the role — during a milestone year — with an unwavering belief in the organization's mission.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Judy Young has been a nurse in the area for nearly 40 years.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 16, 2025
LWRMC chief nursing officer leads with empathy-first approach

An empathic and servant leader’s mindset — like the time she covered a shift on Christmas Eve — pushes Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's top-level nurse Judy Young to set up her team and community for success.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
These summer camps inspire future artists, performers and cultural connoisseurs
    By
  • Su Byron
  • May 16, 2025
These summer camps inspire future artists, performers and cultural connoisseurs

Wondering what to do with the kids this summer? Arts camps abound for a variety of interests.

  • Arts + Culture
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Latest in East County

1
Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race
2
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager
3
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff
4
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
5
Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
  • April 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League expands to improve accessibility

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