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East County

Kevin Van Ostenbridge sits through one of his last meetings as commissioner on Oct. 22, 2024. He's since filed two lawsuits claiming defamation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 14, 2025
Former Manatee commissioner sues another commissioner for defamation

Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who was the District 3 commissioner in Manatee County, is suing former at-large Commissioner Betsy Benac.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch junior midfielders Paolo Morales (front) and Ryan Johnson have been essential in helping transform the Mustangs' offensive strategy this season.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch boys soccer charges toward the postseason

The Mustangs look to rectify last season's loss to North Port High in the district tournament later this month.

  • East County
  • Sports
Don O'Leary and East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Lee Whitehurst celebrate O'Leary's 2019 retirement as fire commissioner.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's No. 1 ambassador dies at 90

Don O'Leary was a pillar of the community who advocated for more fire stations.

  • East County
  • News
Marcus Walfridson, team owner of the Sarasota Paradise, hopes that 2025 will be the team's most successful year to date in its new home at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 13, 2025
The Sarasota Paradise will call Lakewood Ranch home

The soccer team will begin playing home games at Premier Sports Campus in 2025.

  • East County
  • Sports
The new Manatee County Board of County Commissioners is pursuing "extraordinary circumstances" to increase impact fees beyond the state's maximum allowance.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 13, 2025
New commissioners prepare to 'fight' for higher impact fees

The increase could garner millions more in fees for Manatee County by the end of 2025 if passed.

  • East County
  • News
ThunderBug amps up the crowd just before the first puck drop between the Lightning and Devils at a watch party held on Lakewood Ranch Main Street on Saturday, Jan. 11.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch shows its hockey pride at Tampa Bay Lightning Watch Party

People of all ages enjoyed a ball hockey tournament and a Lightning vs. Devils game.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Star Farms residents Barbara Malta and Lynette Cahill attend the expo to explore medical services because they're new to town.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 11, 2025
Sarasota wellness expo showcases local medical services

The annual New Year, New You Health & Wellness Expo was held at the Mall at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brian Dryfhout, director of marketing and communications for SunCoast Blood Centers, stands in front of the nearly empty cooler at the Lakewood Ranch location. SunCoast is asking the community for donations due to a shortage of blood.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 11, 2025
Lakewood Ranch blood center needs donations to stock shelves

SunCoast Blood Centers provides blood to area hospitals and the Sarasota Fire Department.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch doctor charged with soliciting porn from minor
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 10, 2025
Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch doctor charged with soliciting porn from minor

Investigators say the chat took place on the social media platform Reddit.

  • East County
  • News
The Toasted Yolk Cafe is at 6562 University Pkwy., Suite 150.
    By
  • Elizabeth King, Jay Heater
  • January 10, 2025
Toasted Yolk Cafe opens in Lakewood Ranch

The breakfast and lunch cafe opened its doors in the Center Point development on University Parkway.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The 7,700-yard Miakka Golf Club course will be mostly topped with zoysiagrass, which is used more in Asia. No opening date has been set.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 9, 2025
Miakka Golf Club built to be secret garden, 'environmental win'

Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design created the newest Myakka City golf club to extraordinary environmental standards.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Memorial opens a free standing emergency room at 7250 University Parkway on Jan. 7.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 9, 2025
Freestanding emergency room opens in Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota Memorial opened the ER at 7250 University Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
Blues artist Dylan Triplett ventures into the crowd to perform at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 8, 2025
Readers sound off about Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival

The price, length of concert and name recognition were all concerns noted by the residents.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Still No. 1 in sales, Lakewood Ranch will see more infrastructure built in 2025
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 8, 2025
Still No. 1 in sales, Lakewood Ranch will see more infrastructure built in 2025

SMR CEO and President Rex Jensen cites well-planned infrastructure as key to Lakewood Ranch's sales success and says focus will continue in 2025 with 16 new roundabouts.

  • East County
  • News
Tiernan George is a senior captain on the Out-of-Door Academy girls varsity soccer team.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 8, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Tiernan George

The Out-of-Door Academy senior is the defensive lynchpin on the girls varsity soccer team.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest in East County

1
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
2
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
3
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
4
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
5
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

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