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East County

Savanna at Lakewood Ranch's Camden Bedinghaus, 23, is running for the District 5 seat on the Manatee County school board to be a "voice for his generation."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 26, 2026
Lakewood Ranch 23-year-old wants to represent Gen Z on Manatee school board

Camden Bedinghaus created a "Cam Plan" to improve common sense academics, accountability and transparency, and mastery of real world skills.

  • East County
  • Schools
MJ Price
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 26, 2026
Voices of America: How do you reflect your patriotism?

In our series of questions for Americans in honor of our country's 250th birthday, we explore the idea of modern-day patriotism.

  • Spirit of America
Bill Schey is a Marine Corps veteran and a board member for the Folds of Honor Southwest Florida and Chicago chapters (with his wife, Connie Schey).
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 25, 2026
Voices of America: What is a patriot today?

In our series of questions for Americans in honor of the country's 250th birthday, we explore the idea of modern-day patriotism.

  • Spirit of America
Myakka City's Mike Harrison is running for the District 1 seat on the Manatee County Commission.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 24, 2026
Myakka City resident throws his cowboy hat into Manatee County Commission race

Mike Harrison is vying for the Republican nomination in District 1; he's up against five other candidates.

  • East County
  • News
Reclaimed water systems run separately from drinking-water systems.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 24, 2026
Dry weather cuts into Manatee reclaimed-water system's pressure

County officials stress drinking-water system is not affected.

  • East County
  • News
This house in Plantation Oaks is advertised on several booking platforms as sleeping up to 32 guests.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 24, 2026
Manatee County commissioners consider regulating vacation rentals

Plantation Oaks rental causing major annoyance with noise at all hours, cars parked up and down the road, and excessive garbage along the street.

  • East County
  • News
Mia Busser's recruitment opened June 15 following the USA Gymnastics Women's Development Program National Championships. There, she placed fourth in the all-around, second on floor and fourth on vault.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • June 24, 2026
Lakewood Ranch gymnast soars to career-best success

Mia Busser, a 16-year-old Level 10 gymnast, has her eyes on college following a podium-worthy performance on the national stage.

  • East County
  • Sports
Dan Bue, a U.S. Navy veteran, is both a client and a team member at Operation Warrior Resolution.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 24, 2026
Manatee nonprofit shortens path to wellness for veterans

Operation Warrior Resolution offers brain-based healing to help veterans deal with past trauma.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sparklers are among the items not allowed under Manatee County's burn-ban rules.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 23, 2026
Manatee County sets burn ban as dry conditions persist

Rainfall is well below levels seen in 2025.

  • East County
  • News
Scarlett and Amelia Evancic express art through various mediums, including pencil, paint, photography, digital art, cardboard and more.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 23, 2026
When it comes to art, these sisters know where to draw the line

Scarlett and Amelia Evancic share a common passion for art but what role it plays in their future has yet to be decided.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sydney McCullough takes mom, Belle, and 2-week-old foal, Nezuko, for a walk Wednesday at Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions in Myakka City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 23, 2026
New foal brings joy to Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions

"Nezuko" joins the all-star lineup in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Official renderings for the multiplex will be completed after the site plan is finalized, but this rendering offers a glimpse of what the facility at Premier Sports Campus North could look like.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 23, 2026
Public-private partnership ready to bring ice rink to Premier in Lakewood Ranch

Manatee County would contribute $5 million to the approximately $80 million multiplex project.

  • East County
  • News
During a drop-in practice, 11-year-old Cara Johnston swims at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA. Head swim coach Jack Belshe said the Hurricanes have around 35 members, as of June 18, following their May 4 launch.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • June 23, 2026
Lakewood Ranch YMCA takes another shot at hosting a swim team

The new competitive team, the Hurricanes, want to have success with a smaller, family-based squad.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Lake Club home at 16420 Daysailor Trail sold for $3.69 million. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,992 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 23, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for June 8-12 in Lakewood Ranch

Lake Club home tops Lakewood Ranch-area sales at $4.45 million

  • East County
  • Real Estate
The pizzeria offers mostly 13-inch and a handful of 8-inch pies.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 23, 2026
Michelin-recommended pizzeria opens at University Town Center

Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza is known for its artisanal star-shaped pizzas.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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Latest in East County

1
Bob Bowling (left) chews out his son, Matt Bowling (right), while coaching football at Palmetto High. Before Braden River, he worked at Palmetto from 1993-2004.
  • July 21, 2026
Family, friends remember longtime coach, athletic director Bob Bowling
2
Tom Bleakley's "The Preacher" follows a young Detroit lawyer who takes on the defense of a woman charged with the killing of her husband. It is co-authored by Marcia Krajewski, another Lakewood Ranch resident.
  • July 21, 2026
Lakewood Ranch author uses 50-year law career to write fiction novels
3
The playground is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
  • July 21, 2026
Manatee County moves forward with Mixon Farms makeover
4
This home in Wild Blue at Waterside at 600 Blue Shell Loop sold for $3.55 million. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,979 square feet of living area.
  • July 21, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for July 6-10 in Lakewood Ranch
5
About 50 local, state and federal candidates attended "Meet the Candidates" at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing July 16.
  • July 20, 2026
Meet the candidates event draws hundreds to Lakewood Ranch

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