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East County

Local tennis professionals from Manatee and Sarasota Counties offer free skill clinics to players at the end of the season. Courtesy photos
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2014
Friendly competition

The Suncoast Tennis League welcomes approximately 1,800 players in five divisions from 30 clubs across Manatee and Sarasota counties.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 22, 2014
High Five Moments of the Week

The top five sports moments of the week.

  • East County
  • Sports
Annie
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Dear Santa:

Students from East County schools share their holiday wishes.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Weather: East County

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover.*

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 6520 The Masters Ave. has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,474 square feet of living area. It sold for $555,000. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 22, 2014
Knightsbridge home sells for $1.05 million

A home in Knightsbridge tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Santas Dennis, Jeffry and Doug say they don’t play Santa; they have become Santa. Photos by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 22, 2014
Santa secrets

Being Santa fills the soul with joy, life and laughter. It's a job these Santas take seriously all year long.

  • East County
  • News
The 1.5-acre restaurant site is located at 8165 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., adjacent to Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. It formerly housed a trailer for Homes by Towne. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 22, 2014
Ranch gains first lakefront restaurant

Texas-based Black Walnut Cafe bought a site adjacent to Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Monday.

  • East County
  • News
Trappers remove gators if Ranch residents report a nuisance. File photo
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 22, 2014
Gator policy still floats

After a warning from an attorney, Town Hall officials will focus on educational efforts to eliminate needless gator trappings.

  • East County
  • News
Joe Willis' display features a collapsible sleigh his college roommate made for him. It takes him a week to get his outside decorations just right. Photos by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 22, 2014
Crazy for Christmas

Joe Willis' decorations started simply enough, but they've grown into an epic display.

  • East County
  • News
Klauber
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Memories & mishaps

In honor of Christmas, we collected your best head-shaking holiday stories. From expired turkeys to mischievous squirrels, these are the memories these readers won't soon forget.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
News Briefs

East County high schools excel in graduation rates; Adoption numbers rising; Music on Main acts set

  • East County
  • News
Dick Vitale says he resonates with the cause of pediatric cancer because he loves children. "I was a school teacher," he says. "Kids brighten me up." Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 22, 2014
Vitale publishes new book

As legendary basketball coach and ESPN commentator sits in the shade of the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club's tennis facility, watching youth volley balls across the tennis court, he has one thing on his mind: impacting children affected by cancer.

  • East County
  • News
Law enforcement authorities estimate more than 300 animals to be inside the raided facility.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Top Stories - East County: February

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is leading a multi-agency raid of Napier's Log Cabin and Animal Sanctuary.

  • East County
  • News
After her mother's death, Ellen Gerth, with her husband, Dave, left, continues to run marathons and continues with her career, despite the fact that closure may never come.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2014
Top Stories - East County: January

Two years after Ina Gross was murdered, her daughter says she still believes the Manatee County Sheriff's Office will arrest the killer.

  • East County
  • News
This week's FYI Friday features news about a lost ferret and a Christmas miracle, an update on downtown Sarasota's nightlife and more!
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2014
FYI Friday - Your weekly news roundup

Catch up on the week's most important and most interesting news stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County with FYI Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
3
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
4
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
5
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man

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