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East County

Gardeners Out East members Carolyn Lowry-Nation, Nancy Schneider and Melodie Friedebach stand by the Gold Star Memorial installed by the club at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 21, 2025
A Memorial Day service in Lakewood Ranch would warrant a gold star

Move of Tribute to Heroes Parade to November leaves a void.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The big bins are just 4 inches taller than the recycling bins and 1 inch wider.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 21, 2025
Pending changes to Manatee County's trash collection raises questions

Manatee County moves toward the "Big Bin Advantage" with 96-gallon trash cans, but some residents say the coming change just stinks.

  • East County
  • News
Former School District of Manatee County Superintendent Jason Wysong
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 20, 2025
Manatee School Board fires superintendent

Mainly citing concerns over communication, the Manatee County School Board on Tuesday fired Superintendent Jason Wysong with just over 13 months remaining on his contract.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Lakewood Ranch High School Music Department has received the "Support Music Merit Award" from The NAMM Foundation in honor of its outstanding commitment to music education. The music department staff includes orchestra director Thomas Durante, band director John Wilkerson and choir director Rebekah Lester.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 20, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High honored with Support Music Merit Award

The award from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation recognizes schools that demonstrate exceptional achievement.

  • East County
  • Schools
A group of Tara residents dons red shirts and takes a tour bus to Manatee County's Administration Building May 8 to oppose a development project.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 20, 2025
Organized Manatee resident group wins out over builder again

County commissioners voted 5-2 to deny a proposal for one of the last parcels in the Tara community.

  • East County
  • News
A Lake Club home at 16010 Topsail Terrace sold for $3 million. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,738 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 20, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for May 5-9 in Lakewood Ranch

A home on Taylor Drive tops the week's sales at $3.564 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Cindy Gordon, board chair of the Florida West Coast Avian Society, says pet birds such as parrots have special needs, but the upside of ownership is well worth it. Chewy and Chester obviously think so.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 20, 2025
Florida West Coast Avian Society takes flight at Music on Main

Those who attend can learn about the responsibilities of having a pet bird.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pirates senior Nick Curbelo celebrates scoring the first run of a 9-3 win over Manatee on a triple by senior Camden Pope in a regional semifinal game on May 1 at Braden River High School.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 20, 2025
Braden River's baseball run one of top stories of year in East County

Record-breaking runs, championships and breakthroughs make this spring special.

  • East County
  • Sports
Katherine Lo, a seventh grader in digital art, created a piece inspired by video games and titled the game she created "Knight's Revenge." She generated the background using artificial intelligence.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 19, 2025
Mona Jain Middle of Lakewood Ranch hosts its second annual Art Show

Digital and traditional art pieces were featured at the show using different mediums.

  • East County
  • Schools
  • By Chris Moss with Edward Jones
  • May 19, 2025
How Should You Respond to Tariffs?

How should you respond to tariffs - as a consumer and an investor?

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Co-owners Zach Zeller and Chef Evan Percoco design their latest restaurant to feel like a backyard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 19, 2025
Twisted Pit BBQ opens on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

The Twisted Pit is Zach Zeller and Chef Evan Percoco's third establishment to open on Main Street.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A wealth of new home construction throughout the metropolitan area is contributing to its nation-leading percentage of home ownership.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 19, 2025
Sarasota metro has highest home ownership rate in the country

At 82.3%, the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota area was rated No. 1 by financial services website SmartAsset among all metros across the country in residents who own their homes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Out-of-Door Academy freshman Michael Garzia (No. 0) ran for over 100 yards, scored a touchdown and made an interception in the a 19-14 win over The Master's Academy on May 15.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • May 19, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Michael Garzia

Out-of-Door Academy freshman had a breakout performance in spring game win.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation hosts Casino Royale May 14 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 16, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation bets on new fundraiser

The foundation is already planning its second Casino Royale event for next April.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Communities' Nicole Hackel was named the Young Leaders Alliance Member of the Year at the Next Gen Awards Thursday at Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 16, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance presents its Next Gen Awards

Lakewood Ranch Communities' Nicole Hackel earns the Young Leaders Alliance' Member of the Year award.

  • East County
  • Business
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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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