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East County

Paddlers based at Nathan Benderson Park celebrated their selection to Team USA.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 9, 2025
Local paddlers to represent Team USA in dragon boat championships

Twenty-two athletes who train at Nathan Benderson Park will race in the IDBF World Championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
Commissioners Bob McCann and Amanda Ballard question the efficiency of Manatee County's hiring practices and budget process.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 9, 2025
Manatee County commissioners debate whether a hiring freeze is needed

As the budget season approaches, commissioners question the current processes.

  • East County
  • News
Michelle Davis, grants division manager for Manatee County, presents the county's Action Plan to residents June 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 6, 2025
Manatee County 'only' granted $253 million for hurricane recovery

Unmet needs from the 2024 hurricane season total over $1 billion.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2025
Sarasota, Manatee counties offer free sandbags

To help residents prepare for hurricane season, Sarasota and Manatee counties will hold self-service sandbag filling at multiple locations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jerry Bickel, founder and executive director of Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre, says his main goal at his shows is to inspire children to immerse themselves in stories and to read books.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 5, 2025
One voice as lifetime puppeteer performs at Lakewood Ranch Library

Jerry Bickel, founder and executive director of Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre, thrills local crowd.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
In keeping with recent gray-sky trends, there is no less than a 50% chance of rain through the coming weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 4, 2025
Recent rains wash away Manatee burn ban

Wildfire risk diminishes with the onset of rainy season.

  • East County
  • News
Waterbury Park offers four luxury semi-custom home floor plans, including this Seaside 2 model home.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 4, 2025
Neal launches new home development in Lakewood Ranch

Waterbury Park will offer 21 homesites in the rapidly growing eastern segment of the community.

  • East County
  • News
School board member Cindy Spray said "students are students to me." She has the most charter school students in her district. She made a visit to ¡HOLA! Elementary School on April 1. Spray was walking through the hallways and saw Dalba Lopez's music class dancing and they performed a special routine for her.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 4, 2025
Manatee school board will vote to give charters a cut of half-penny tax

Since 2023, charter schools have not received funding from the half-penny sales tax.

  • East County
  • Schools
Interim superintendent Kevin Chapman's contract was finalized in a special board meeting May 29. He will be interim until January 5, 2026 or whenever the school board hires someone in his place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 4, 2025
Manatee school board wants fast process to find new superintendent

The School Board of Manatee County aims to have a new superintendent in place by the time the 2025-26 school year begins in August.

  • East County
  • Schools
The East County spring prep players of the year
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 4, 2025
The East County spring prep players of the year

These athletes made a difference on and off the field.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Concession Golf Club has been working to land the Senior PGA Championship for the past three years, General Manager Brian Weimann said.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 3, 2025
Sarasota commits $4.5 million to promote Senior PGA Championship

The major tournament is coming to The Concession for three years, beginning in 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Haile Middle School teacher arrested on charge of lewd contact
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 3, 2025
Haile Middle School teacher arrested on charge of lewd contact

The student told deputies that the teacher sent an explicit photo.

  • East County
  • News
Gordon Silver took this photo of a male and female bald eagle in a nest in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 3, 2025
Eagles’ nest delays construction on 44th Avenue East extension

Manatee County staff made several accommodations for wildlife during the planning and construction of the roadway.

  • East County
  • News
A Country Club Village home at 6809 Belmont Court sold for $2.2 million. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,701 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 3, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for May 19-23 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Baycross Drive topped the week’s sales at $4.8 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch area soccer player Sky Commissar will represent Great Britain at the 2025 Maccabiah Games.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • June 3, 2025
Lakewood Ranch soccer player selected to 'Jewish Olympics'

Sky Commissar will represent Great Britain at the 2025 Maccabiah Games.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest in East County

1
Jeff Toale stands inside the Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch, where light-filled spaces and a contemporary design reflect a shift toward more personalized, meaningful memorial experiences.
  • May 17, 2026
Jeff Toale looks to deepen and double impact at helm of the LWRCF
2
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
3
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.
4
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
5
Amanda Parrish was named interim CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. in January.
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County economic development evolves

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