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East County

University Town Center is poised to welcome more than a dozen new tenants, Ikea this summer to Dick's House of Sport in 2027.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 3, 2026
13 new retailers, eateries coming to University Town Center

Restaurants and retailers are among the new businesses coming to the UTC area.

  • East County
  • Business
Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service

When Tyler LaPlaca realized there wasn't a Leo Club to encourage young people to be involved in community service, he took matters into his own hands.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 3, 2026
Panther Ridge mom hopes to make connections in District 5 school board seat

Chantal Wilford is attempting for the second time to be a member of School Board of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Maddie Baehr was hesitant to join Braden River flag football as a freshman. Now, she's a member of the Ireland Flag Football Women's National Team with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics just over two years away.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • June 3, 2026
Braden River High graduate takes her dual athleticism overseas

Although she is headed toward Division I soccer, Maddie Baehr played in May for the Ireland Flag Football Women's National Team.

  • East County
  • Sports
The U.S. Soccer U17 Men's National Team prepares to face Brazil in the 2011 Nike International Friendlies at Premier Sports Campus. Lakewood Ranch won't play host to any games in the upcoming men's FIFA World Cup, but is home to no shortage of soccer enthusiasts.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • June 2, 2026
Approaching men's FIFA World Cup brings back memories in Lakewood Ranch area

The global soccer tournament, which will run from June 11 through July 19, is the first to be co-hosted by the U.S. since it hosted solo in 1994.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Country Club Village home at 13318 Palmers Creek Terrace sold for $3.2 million. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 5,874 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • June 2, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for May 18-22 in Lakewood Ranch

A Country Club home on Palmers Creek Terrace topped the week’s sales at $3.2 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Several residents report checks mailed from the post office in Lakewood Ranch have been stolen and washed.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Post Office mail theft investigation continues

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office says progress has been made but adds it can't release details at this time.

  • East County
  • News
Louisen Desinor posted an 81.8% completion rate in Braden River's jamboree May 22 against Charlotte and Sarasota.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • June 1, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Louisen Desinor

The rising senior quarterback guided Braden River High football to a pair of spring victories.

  • East County
  • Sports
The pools are waiting on water, and the shaded pickleball structure behind them is waiting on paint for the courts.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 1, 2026
Pool, pickleball facilities close to opening at Premier Sports Campus North

The second floor of the Lakewood Ranch Library also will be built out and open by fall on the north campus.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Cole Mule and Bodie Hogan, both 3 years old, explore the bee-themed magnet activity.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 31, 2026
Literacy lessons a hot summer topic at Lakewood Ranch Library

The Summer Learning Kickoff Party provided activities May 30 and marked the start of several programs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
For the final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season, Randy Bordon and Bri Rivera of the Bri Rivera Band perform for the crowd.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 30, 2026
Crowd jams final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season

The weekly event runs October through May at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan's appointments to U.S. service academies for the fall include (from left) Micah Pubillones, Lakewood Ranch High graduate Jack Crosbie, Caine Cokkinias, Hunter Wilk, Dax Morgan, Caitlin Nguyen, and John Wheaton.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch grads named to service academies

Congressman nominates 16 seniors from his district.

  • East County
  • Schools
Matthew Myers is the chief of Emergency Management for Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 29, 2026
Custom equipment, software to accelerate Manatee County hurricane response

Manatee County has invested over $600,000 to fortify its hurricane response since 2024.

  • East County
  • News
Cash grab in Manatee, too
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 28, 2026
Cash grab in Manatee, too

While the Sarasota County tax collector has drawn ire for taking school district money, the Manatee County tax collector has taken even more and been doing it longer.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Novalee Roberts, a third grader at Myakka City Elementary, is eager to participate in the Tape the Principal (Carol Ricks) event.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 28, 2026
Myakka City Elementary celebrates test achievements with 'Jump a Bucket'

Carol Ricks, the principal at Myakka City Elementary, wanted to recognize her students for their achievements.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Latest in East County

1
Partners Animal Hospital Lakewood Ranch hosts a ribbon cutting July 10.
  • July 13, 2026
Partners Animal Hospital opens in Lakewood Ranch
2
Boston's JJ Maguire, 4, Ariel Maguire, 6, and their mom, Kasha Grabowski, wear funky hats while enjoying treats from Jeremiah's Italian Ice at the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch.
  • July 13, 2026
Despite the heat, the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch is still the place to be
3
Brooklyn Cullen's golf career began at Hawaii's Princeville Makai Golf Club when she was 6 years old. It continues now in Florida, where she moved before beginning sixth grade at The Out-of-Door Academy.
  • July 13, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooklyn Cullen
4
Jason Starkman, the director of operations for The Original Wolfie's and Rascal House restaurants, shows off a corned beef sandwich. Wolfie's 21 Hand Cut is coming to UTC in late November or early December.
  • July 10, 2026
Wolfie's Hand Cut headed to University Town Center
5
Two killed in two crashes two hours apart on I-75
  • July 10, 2026
Two killed in two crashes two hours apart on I-75

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