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East County

Julie Fanning took over the chairmanship of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 16, 2025
Hear from the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's new chair

Julie Fanning, the chair of Lakewood Ranch's leading pro-business group, comes to the role — during a milestone year — with an unwavering belief in the organization's mission.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Judy Young has been a nurse in the area for nearly 40 years.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 16, 2025
LWRMC chief nursing officer leads with empathy-first approach

An empathic and servant leader’s mindset — like the time she covered a shift on Christmas Eve — pushes Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's top-level nurse Judy Young to set up her team and community for success.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
These summer camps inspire future artists, performers and cultural connoisseurs
    By
  • Su Byron
  • May 16, 2025
These summer camps inspire future artists, performers and cultural connoisseurs

Wondering what to do with the kids this summer? Arts camps abound for a variety of interests.

  • Arts + Culture
Tsunami's Sashimia appetizer mixes sashimi, crunch and color for a dish that's as fun to admire as it is to devour. The tuna tartare is artful and flavorful — wrapped in avocado, crowned with a quail egg and an edible flower and served in a savory ponzu sauce.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • May 16, 2025
Tsunami Sushi continues to evolve with menu items aimed to please everyone

Jeffrey Karasawa and Jason Klamson share their recipe for excellence at Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Grill's Lakewood Ranch location.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Kaele Smith, Sophia Eastman, Miley Walker and Sam Baker show their excitement for graduating from Braden River High School.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 15, 2025
Commencement speaker punctuates Braden River High's graduation ceremony

Louann McCord says graduation is just a "comma" in the students' lives.

  • East County
  • Schools
Benderson Development has been growing the tenant base in the UTC area for at least the past decade.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 15, 2025
Check out what's coming soon to UTC

From Tesla to Trader Joe's, the University Town Center districts that straddle Manatee and Sarasota counties just outside Lakewood Ranch have redefined the region's retail scene.

  • East County
  • Business
Flower Child is known for its customizable bowls, wraps, salads and overall healthy menu.
    By
  • Abby Weingarten
  • May 15, 2025
New restaurant seeks local following with fresh-first take on casual dining

An Arizona restaurant concept popular with yogis, foodies and lots of health-conscious people in between choose the Lakewood Ranch area to make its Florida debut.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Lakewood Ranch resident Simi Ranajee founded MN5, then known as Mission Neem 5, in 2019.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 15, 2025
MN5 aims to change the world by empowering the women in it

After facing and overcoming a harrowing medical experience, a Lakewood Ranch resident leads a group of women on a mission to help other women live their best lives.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Back: Victor Van Den Broek, Sarasota Paradise CEO Marcus Walfridson, Enzo Panozzo; Front: Mathis Leveque and Angel Velasquez of the Sarasota Paradise.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 15, 2025
Sarasota Paradise brings a whole new level of soccer to Lakewood Ranch

A dogged Swedish soccer player-turned-coach-turned-team owner is determined to push through on an ambitious goal: to sustain professional soccer in the region.

  • East County
  • Sports
A natural storyteller and hands-on farmer, Garrett Dakin and his brothers are carrying on a multi-generational dairy legacy in Myakka City.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 15, 2025
At Dakin Dairy Farms, four brothers tend to cows, kin and a vanishing way of life

Got milk? Dakin Dairy does. And here’s what it takes to get it from the cows to the shelf.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Vivid lighting and sparkling water features create a dramatic lakeside setting.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • May 15, 2025
A spectacular home in The Lake Club defines the ultimate in Florida living

After 36 years in the industry, Derek and Kelly Nelson designed a Lake Club home that brings together everything they learned about beauty, function and Florida living.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mark Eubanks IV reads his essay “Chess with My Grandma” at the school board meeting April 29.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 14, 2025
Willis Elementary fifth grader wins contest with essay on grandma

Mark Eubanks won the Florida Retired Educators Association contest for Manatee County with his essay "Chess with my grandma."

  • East County
  • Schools
Commencement speaker Nadia Gandi makes her way to receive her diploma while waving to the crowd.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High School graduates hit the finish line

Valedictorian Olivia Spiegel compares graduation to winning a big race.

  • East County
  • Schools
Camryn Duley has loved snakes since the age of 5. She takes Ghost, her cinnamon pied ball python, in public often to debunk the idea that snakes are dangerous and scary.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 14, 2025
This Ghost, a cinnamon pied ball python, shows off in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch High sophomore Camryn Duley takes her cinnamon pied ball python out in public to show that not all snakes are dangerous.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County commissioners hold the second of two required public hearings May 8 to request "extraordinary circumstances" from the state to raise impact fees.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 14, 2025
Manatee County collects data it hopes will raise impact fees

Commissioners hope reports can prove the county is experiencing economic extraordinary circumstances.

  • East County
  • News
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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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