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East County

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
Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools earned “A” grades for the third consecutive year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
East County high schools excel in graduation rates, school grades

Two East County high schools received "A" grades and had high graduation rates in the 2013-2014 school year, a Florida Department of Education report shows.

  • East County
  • News
Ajanique Jones and Chloe Corleto dance to the music.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Middle Snowcoming Dance

Sixth- through eighth-grade students put on their formal gowns and suits for the Snowcoming Dance, Dec. 18, in Braden River Middle School's cafeteria.

  • East County
  • News
Jan and Gene Albrycht show off their gingerbread house — a staple in the parade.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Horseshoe Cove Christmas Golf Cart Parade

Residents of Horseshoe Cove lined their golf carts with ornaments, lights and other holiday decorations for the 16th annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade Dec. 18. Participants drove their themed vehicles around the community for an excited audience who photographed the unique carts from the sidelines.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club resident Ron Jarvis pointed out the community doesn’t have a clear cut policy in place to prevent gators from being trapped and killed.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 17, 2014
Gator policy still floats

Despite a legal opinion from legal counsel stating the Ranch shouldn't create a gator policy, Town Hall officials are working to create an educational presentation that help the reptiles stay put.

  • East County
  • News
First Friday festivities mean new musical acts for attendees of free Music on Main events.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Future Music on Main acts set

Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty announced its Music on Main series of acts performing through June.

  • East County
  • News
This year's menorah was filled with 90,000 coins.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Hanukkah Celebration

Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch welcomed the public and Jewish community to a special Hanukkah celebration Dec. 17, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brady Theisen plays Santa and surprises the audience at the end of the production.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: December Celebrations: A Tour Around the World

Gene Witt Elementary kindergarten students sang and played instruments during the December Celebrations: A Tour Around the World production, Dec. 17, in the school's cafeteria. Fourth- and fifth-grade students who are members of the school's "Orff"estra kicked off the play with drums and other instruments they played for their audience.

  • East County
  • News
Dik and Patsy Hall fill their plates with fresh shrimp. Photos by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Neighborhood news

Waterlefe opens remodeled River Club; GreyHawk revs up holiday spirit

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2014
Food and fun

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and its Young Leaders Alliance have something to talk about: the organizations collected 764 pounds of nonperishable food and $1,295 cash to benefit The Food Bank of Manatee/Meals on Wheels PLUS.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Parade perfect

River Club's Cheryl Kaufman says she's still pinching herself.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Santa lineup

A little 'Ho! Ho! Ho!' can go a long way this holiday season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Lakewood Ranch's Mateo Orlandini and East Bradenton's Alex Molina both have a passion for soccer and love to play with new people at the Lakewood Ranch Residents Soccer Club.
  • April 22, 2026
Soccer club provides free space to grow and socialize
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Lieutenant Jack Gamble loads a set of bunker gear into the Speed Queen Extractor at Station 1 in Lakewood Ranch.
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Stewart Cink (left) embraces his caddie after winning the Senior PGA Championship on April 19 at The Concession Golf Club. It marked his first major title on the PGA Tour Champions.
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PGA of America, The Concession reflect on Senior PGA Championship
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Love local news? There's an app for that. The Observer recently rolled out a smartphone application that makes it even easier to stay connected.
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