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East County

Clayton McCurry is a senior ranger at Duette Preserve.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 14, 2026
Prescribed burns are a hot topic in Manatee County

The county's burn team set fire to 13,950 acres of preserves last year to safeguard residents and wildlife.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Misdee Miller won the four-in-hand division of the 2025 Combined Driving at TerraNova event but has decided not to defend later this month.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2026
Top Lakewood Ranch equestrian athlete changes her competition focus

Misdee Wrigley Miller has decided not to defend her "four-in-hand" title at the upcoming Combined Driving at TerraNova event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Commissioner George Kruse says adopting a county charter is worth exploring. "Anything we can do to have a say, is a good thing," he says.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2026
Charter for Manatee County is an interesting prospect

In wake of a $40 million veterans project, residents might want more impact on major financial decisions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport served more than 4.5 million passengers in 2025.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2026
Sarasota airport smashes passenger count record at 4.5 million

More than twice as many fly through SRQ than in 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota's Alyssa Freniere, Beate “Mama G” Goldstein and Blair Sellers are the people behind the new Mama G's location at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 13, 2026
New German bakery, coffeehouse rises at University Town Center

Mama G's opened its doors of a new Sarasota-Bradenton location on Dec. 15 under the leadership of two 26-year-old managing partners.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Ryan Neuzil started all 17 games at center for the Atlanta Falcons this season. The 2016 Braden River High graduate was ranked No. 7 out of 40 graded centers by Pro Football Focus.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 13, 2026
Ryan Neuzil's success is a case study in hard work

The Atlanta Falcons center and Braden River High graduate earned the right to be a full-time NFL starter — and proved he belongs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Heidi Scott, Bob Simons and Laura Cole make up the panel Jan. 9 during a launch party for the new book, "Lakewood Ranch: A Legacy of Living with the Land."
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 13, 2026
Lakewood Ranch hosts a launch party for book on local history

Ghostwriter Heidi Scott said readers can turn to any page in "Lakewood Ranch: A Legacy of Living with the Land" and find a golden nugget about Lakewood Ranch history.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This River Club South home at 7003 River Club Blvd. sold for $1,345,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,421 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 13, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 22 to Jan. 2 in Lakewood Ranch

A Reserve at Harbour Walk home on Regatta Way topped the week’s sales at $3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Mike Newhams began teaching science at the Out-of-Door Academy in 1997 and was known for helping anyone and everyone with anything they might need. This included staying extra hours to provide academic support and attending clubs and events.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 12, 2026
Beloved Out-of-Door Academy teacher dies

Mike Newhams, who began teaching at ODA in 1997, died due to complications from his cancer treatments.

  • East County
  • Schools
Danielle Dube of Lakewood Ranch girls basketball, as of Jan. 5, stood less than 50 points away from 1,000 in her high school career.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 12, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Danielle Dube

Lakewood Ranch's junior guard/forward has been one of the state's most prolific scorers this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
St. Petersburg's Bob Boguslaw has been in the music business for 50 years with 22 of them being an active member of the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band. He said muscle memory comes into play and it brings back an array of memories.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 12, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble to host 2026 debut concert

The concert will feature pianist Bob Boguslaw, who spent 22 years in the United States Marine Band.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Crooked River Ranch sits along the Manatee River and is the first property that was recommended by ELMAC and also purchased by the county.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 12, 2026
Conservation, parks referendum could return to Manatee County ballot in 2026

Nationwide nonprofit Trust for Public Lands is exploring the county's financial options to make additional land purchases.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota's Hasan Tezduyar gives a pat of appreciation to Rachel Apple, a wellness associate with Qualliv, at the Health and Wellness Expo at The Mall at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 10, 2026
New Year, New You expo provides health resources at The Mall at UTC

The event, hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and presented by Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, brought together 60 vendors revolving around health and wellness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Manatee County commissioners from left to right are Tal Siddique, Carol Felts, George Kruse, Mike Rahn, Amanda Ballard, Jason Bearden and Dr. Robert McCann. Siddique, Felts and McCann were newly elected in 2024. Kruse was re-elected.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 8, 2026
'Lectern guy' files to run for Manatee County Commission

Parrish's Adam Johnson sued six of seven commissioners in 2025, alleging corruption, and participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot in the Capitol Building.

  • East County
  • News
Laurie Breslin was officially sworn in as the superintendent for the School District of Manatee County on Sept. 9.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 8, 2026
Student safety, mold issues loom for new Manatee schools superintendent

Laurie Breslin cites facility upgrades, academic improvement and higher graduation rates as high priorities for 2026.

  • East County
  • Schools
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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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