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East County

Tara Poulton and Ed Ference are two of the four candidates vying for the Republican nomination in District 6.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 19, 2026
Manatee commission candidates face off in Lakewood Ranch

District 6 candidates spoke their minds about roundabouts, campaign contributions and more.

  • East County
  • News
Vijay Singh watches his drive on the fifth hole at The Concession Golf Club. The World Golf Hall of Famer and 34-time PGA Tour winner shot 5-under par in the third round of the Senior PGA Championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 18, 2026
Championship Sunday approaches at the Senior PGA Championship

Keith Horne leads the field, but Vijay Singh had a third round to remember.

  • East County
  • Sports
Senior Alexis Huffstutler says she enjoys helping younger students, like freshman Naya Cordero, to come out of their shells and express themselves through acting.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 18, 2026
Braden River High School presents 'Godspell'

With a cast and crew of 22 students, theater and dance director Tabetha Walter directed her first show at Braden River High School.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County is working on finding the right wording for Policy 3232, which currently states staff will not be allowed to talk to display anything of a political nature.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 18, 2026
Manatee school board, candidates debate politics, social movements in schools

The School District of Manatee County school board will vote on the exact wording of a policy regarding politics at an upcoming board meeting.

  • East County
  • Schools
Stewart Cink watches his drive off the 10th-hole tee. He sits two strokes behind the leaders entering the third round of the Senior PGA Championship, in pursuit of his first senior major title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 17, 2026
Sun sets on first half of Senior PGA Championship

Scott Hend and Brian Gay are tied at the top, but Stewart Cink isn't far behind.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Rosedale Golf Classic for Homes for Our Troops was founded by Kathi Skelton and Deb Kehoe in 2013. Prior to this year's money raised, $1.5 million has been donated to the organization from their efforts.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 17, 2026
Rosedale Golf Classic brings veterans, community members together

Rosedale's Kathi Skelton and Deb Kehoe have been raising money for Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit that builds homes for veterans, since 2013.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The boathouse and events center planned for Nathan Benderson Park is expected to cost between $60 million and $70 million.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 17, 2026
Contractor sought for Benderson boathouse project

The request for proposals calls for completion of the $60 million addition in time for the summer 2028 World Rowing Championships.

  • East County
  • News
Rangeland High School, previously referred to as AAA High School, is being built near Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch and is set to open to freshmen and sophomores in August 2027.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 17, 2026
New high school in Lakewood Ranch is getting closer to being named

Now referred to as AAA High School, the School District of Manatee County has been gathering feedback on what the school should be named.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bernhard Langer reads the 10th green before attempting a putt. The 47-time winner on the PGA Tour Champions and two-time Masters Tournament champion shot six under par in his opening round.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 16, 2026
Senior PGA Championship tees off at The Concession Golf Club

Bernhard Langer is one of four golfers tied for the lead after the first round.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sue Ann Miller's story is featured in the Donate Life display at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 15, 2026
Lakewood Ranch volunteer puts her second heart to good use

After receiving a heart transplant, Sue Ann Miller has gone on to volunteer for several nonprofits, including LifeLink of Florida.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County has renegotiated its contracts with Waste Pro and Waste Management to bring back limited bulk trash pickup for one year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 15, 2026
Manatee County launches $3M pilot program for bulk garbage pickup

Regular bulk pickup was eliminated when the "Big Bin Advantage" was introduced in October.

  • East County
  • News
Junior Jackson Zackery (left) celebrates with senior Peyton Hens (right) after a goal against Sarasota High on April 9 in the FHSAA Class 2A-District 12 quarterfinals. Lakewood Ranch advanced with a 13-4 victory.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 15, 2026
'Unfinished business' for Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse

Guided by a strong senior class, the Mustangs have sought redemption for past shortcomings.

  • East County
  • Sports
Steve Herrig, the owner of the Miakka Golf Club, which is expected to open in November, stands in front of a fairway and one of the many wetland areas formed by his course's construction.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 14, 2026
Miakka Golf Club's commitment to nature isn't enough for some neighbors

Steve Herrig says he has done everything possible to assure his Myakka City land is in better shape than when he brought it.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Dick Vitale, 86, has been with ESPN since the 1979-80 season and has called over 1,000 games for the network. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 14, 2026
Vitale reveals a new cancer diagnosis

The 86-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident and sports announcer says treatment begins next week.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Phil Orapallo and Sarasota's Kendra Simpkins Walsh are eager to welcome veterans and golfers alike to the Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club on April 27.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 14, 2026
Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic to benefit local veterans

The second annual Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic was founded by a Lakewood Ranch resident who knows the kind of trauma veterans can go through.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Education Foundation as he is announced as the winner of the "Next Gen" award at University Park Country Club May 13.
  • May 16, 2026
Young Leaders Alliance presents its top award in Lakewood Ranch
2
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.
3
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
4
Amanda Parrish was named interim CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. in January.
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County economic development evolves
5
Entering this season, Braden River softball hadn't won a district title in seven years. The squad is now two wins away from a state championship.
  • May 14, 2026
Braden River High softball advances to state semifinals

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