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East County

Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 7, 2025
Manatee's proposed $23.5 million purchase raises transparency issues

While buying a Lakewood Ranch building appears to be positive for East County, residents had little chance to offer input.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 7, 2025
Manatee County purchases administration building in Lakewood Ranch

The downtown administration building will remain in place, but several departments are relocating.

  • East County
  • News
Christian Link described being a bus driver as his unexpected dream job. He has worked there for three and a half years and has trained other drivers for two and a half.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 7, 2025
Manatee County aims to fill school bus driver shortage

Between sick days, vacations and leaves of absence, Manatee County needs more bus drivers to ensure students get to school efficiently.

  • East County
  • Schools
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 7, 2025
Braden River baseball's playoff run is no accident

A senior-laden Pirates team is playing as if every game is its last.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch sophomore Liam St. John set the school record for the longest javelin throw (53.36 meters) at the 4A Region-3 meet on May 3.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 6, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Liam St. John

Lakewood Ranch sophomore sets the school record for longest javelin throw at regional meet.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brando Fetzek, vice president and project executive for NDC Construction Company and Jessica Roddenberry, the project manager from HKS Architects & Designers led the tour.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 6, 2025
Lake Manatee K-8 school is set to open for elementary students in August

HKS Architects and Designers along with NDC Construction Company are working to ensure they deliver phase one in time for the 2025-2026 school year.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bradenton's 7-year-old Ensley Rondenne learns archery at Rye Preserve May 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 6, 2025
Youth archery program hits the mark at Rye Preserve

Spots are still available for summer camp. Monthly classes will resume in September.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 6923 Westchester Circle has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,010 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 6, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for April 21-25 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club Village home on Westchester Circle tops the week’s sales at $4.45 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The Out-of-Door Academy football team has made a habit out of setting high expectations just four years removed from not having enough players to finish a season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 6, 2025
Out-of-Door Academy football readies for 'best season'

The Thunder are armed with seasoned seniors and promising underclassmen.

  • East County
  • Sports
Former county administrator Scott Hopes has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 6, 2025
Former Manatee County administrator faces additional charges

While four additional charges were filed, Scott Hopes filed a motion to dismiss three of the charges.

  • East County
  • News
The Juice Pod serves cold press juices, smoothies, bowls, wellness shots and specialty toasts.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 5, 2025
The Juice Pod is open on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

After a series of setbacks, owners Tali and Jeremy Williams are up and running with the brand's first Florida franchise.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
"Have a good time and forget about what people think," said Jerry Wood. He and his wife of 56 years Carol Wood dance to the blues music, being the only ones dancing at the time.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 4, 2025
Main Street comes alive for Music on Main

Music on Main consisted of live musical entertainment, inflatable games for kids and food and business vendors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County is considering purchasing 9000 Town Center Parkway for a new administration building.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 4, 2025
Manatee County government looks at moving east

Staff is proposing to move the administration building to Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Ecological connectivity is critical for imperiled native species such as Florida scrub jays, who were last observed at Myakka in 2005.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • May 4, 2025
Connectivity key to healthy habitats

Wildlife corridors help maintain natural processes that support clean air, rich soil and freshwater.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Benjamin Hansen plays Scar.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 3, 2025
'The Lion King Jr.' pounces onto the stage

Students at the Woodland Fine Arts Academy have been working on the production since August.

  • East County
  • Schools
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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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