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East County

Vicky Henderson and Tory Delaney at Allswell
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • November 20, 2025
New Lakewood Ranch restaurants serve up fresh culinary offerings for every taste

With innovation on the menu, these five eateries bring a whole host of dining options to town.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
"Jiggs is a community asset in every sense," Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department Director Charlie Hunsicker says. "We’ve preserved a wonderful river and lake environment for this generation and the next."
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • November 20, 2025
Jiggs Landing preserves the best of Old Florida for the next generation

At Jiggs Landing Preserve and Outpost in Manatee County, fishing, food and live music come together on the banks of the Braden River.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bill Schmeising, John Stryhn and Al Knezevich display their radio-controlled Soling 1-Meter yachts at Nathan Benderson Park’s Green Parrot Lake.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 20, 2025
Camaraderie trumps competition for the members of this racing club

Meet the members of the Sarasota Model Yacht Club, who find purpose, rivalry and plenty of laughter steering their "toy boats" across Benderson Park's Green Parrot Lake.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The formal living room boasts a striking painting of a rhino, acquired during a recent safari in South Africa.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • November 20, 2025
Drama and luxury characterize this estate-size home in The Lake Club

This Lake Club home balances timeless design with contemporary comfort — and the distinctive artistry of its owners.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Michael Saunders & Company
  • November 19, 2025
For Sale: 13635 Legends Walk Ter., Lakewood Ranch

This stunning custom-built Peregrine home is perfectly positioned on one of the most sought-after homesites in Lakewood Ranch Golf & CC!

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Sponsored Content
Fourth grade students Liam Aikin, Tate Brase, Raymond Burdick and Madden Dabek will be fifth graders next year and will only have one class above them when sixth grade opens at Lake Manatee K-8.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 19, 2025
Lake Manatee K-8 to open middle school in phases

With the new rezoning maps comes the decision to open only sixth grade in August instead of sixth, seventh and eighth all at once.

  • East County
  • Schools
Penny Robinson, a member of Fiber Friends, has knitted a couple of bears, a rhinoceros and a hedgehog after being inspired by other artists to do so. Fiber Friends is made up of 28 members who come together to knit, crochet, sew and more.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 19, 2025
Fiber Friends of Lakewood Ranch will give you the needle

Whether it is knitting, crocheting or sewing, these club members can spin a yarn that will keep you interested.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ryan Waldschmidt runs the bases during a spring training game with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was selected No. 31 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Kentucky, and now ranks as the organization's No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 19, 2025
Braden River High graduate blazes a path toward MLB

Ryan Waldschmidt, a 23-year-old outfielder, was named the Arizona Diamondbacks' Minor League Player of the Year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Steve Postle and Tom Walrath are changing the way ponds are maintained in Lakewood Ranch's Central Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 19, 2025
Grant funding flows to Lakewood Ranch community ponds

Central Park has 29 ponds, five of which are being supplied with plants thanks to the Healthy Pond Collaborative.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputies are stationed at the exit of Cars and Coffee Nov. 8.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 19, 2025
Cars & Coffee cuts the gas on revving engines

Organizers of the Sarasota event warned motorists to quiet down or be banned from all future events.

  • East County
  • News
Kendra Simpkins has been working in brain-based health with military veterans for nearly a decade.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 19, 2025
Ambitious nonprofit resolves to help more military veterans

With new space at the ready, Kendra Simpkins has big plans for Operation Warrior Resolution — dedicated to providing holistic mental health services for the region's veterans.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Eric Nuxol, the championship director for the Senior PGA Championship, says community involvement will be a huge key to success for the tourney.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 19, 2025
Sarasota, Manatee community involvement key to Senior PGA Championship success

Championship Director Eric Nuxol stimulates interest as ticket sales and volunteer registration has begun.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Ella Javier and Paityn Carr, sophomores who plays flute in the Braden River High School Marching Band, didn't let their nerves get the best of them at the FFCC Outdoor Championships, where they earned the title of Grand Champion.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 18, 2025
More marching band championships for Braden River High School

The Pirates were named the FFCC Grand Champion overall, the 3A Class Champion and the Best in Class for color guard and percussion.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kaden Knott challenges his players during a practice-opening hustle drill. The first-year coach is tasked with leading the Mustangs to their first winning season since 2021-22.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 18, 2025
Coach brings high energy and intensity to Lakewood Ranch boys basketball

The former Florida State graduate assistant looks the part of a program-changing leader.

  • East County
  • Sports
John Morrison takes his Gadsden flag down after receiving two notices from his homeowners association saying the flag violates community deed restrictions.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 18, 2025
Preserve at Tara HOA tells resident to remove his Gadsden flag

The homeowner says the flag fits within the community's guidelines, but he removed it when threatened with fines.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
2
Capri Finan, 7, Madelyn Finan, 9 and Maverick Finan, 3, pose with Santa after telling him what they want for Christmas, which includes a doll house and a trampoline.
  • December 18, 2025
Braden River High transforms into Winter Wonderland
3
Renovations and construction of new concessions in Concourse B at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport are nearly complete.
  • December 18, 2025
Airport's growth in 2025 sets the stage for 2026 planning
4
At a Junior Achievement "Discovery Center'' in Tampa, elementary-aged students run a mock city.Two similar facilities are proposed to be set up at Emma Booker Elementary and Booker Middle schools in Sarasota.
  • December 17, 2025
Rejections sent to Manatee, Sarasota Schools of Hope requesters
5
Lakewood Ranch senior forward Gabriel Lara (11) chases after the ball during a Dec. 15 game against Braden River.
  • December 17, 2025
LRHS's boys soccer team races to an unbeaten start through 10 games

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