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East County

At Myakka River State Park, imperiled native species like black skimmers find undisturbed habitats and abundant food.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • January 16, 2025
Myakka counts record black skimmers

Clean water and undisturbed natural habitats attract and sustain imperiled native bird species.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Passengers will have ground-level views of Allegiant jets in the new Concourse A at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 15, 2025
Concourse A officially opens at SRQ

With a gala reception and ribbon-cutting, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport opened its new five-gate, ground-level facility serving Allegiant Air's growing local presence.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River Middle Principal Kimberlain Zenon, Reading Coach Tasheta Riley and Assistant Principal Tamara Cornwell have directed their efforts toward motivating students to get back on track for grade-level standards.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 15, 2025
Braden River Middle gets creative to keep students on track

Motivational programs have put Braden River Middle on the cusp of an "A" school status.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High student Dallace Ryan poses with her steer, Sterling, during after-school work at Braden River High School ahead of the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 15, 2025
East County students ready to compete for ribbons at Manatee County Fair

Future Farmers of America students put in months of work to show animals to judges.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dakin Dairy is one of only three dairy farms left in Manatee County. The other two, Cameron Dakin Dairy and Boys Ag, are also owned and operated by Dakins.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 15, 2025
Agriculture, development boundary priorities grow in Manatee

The Manatee County Commission sets priorities for 2025, with preserving agriculture and the Future Development Area Boundary at the top of the list.

  • East County
  • News
Olivia Hadad has elevated her game in her senior season with the Lakewood Ranch High girls varsity soccer team.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 15, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Olivia Hadad

The senior forward has been the offensive engine of the Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team.

  • East County
  • Sports
Nolan Middle School student Danni Hammond poses with her cow ahead of the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 15, 2025
Don't miss these events at the Manatee County Fair

Key information as the Manatee County Fair begins its 2025 run in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Pomello home sold for $2,825,000. It has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,943 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 14, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 30-Jan. 3 in Lakewood Ranch

A Pomello home on 77th Avenue East tops the week's sales at $2.83 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Kevin Van Ostenbridge sits through one of his last meetings as commissioner on Oct. 22, 2024. He's since filed two lawsuits claiming defamation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 14, 2025
Former Manatee commissioner sues another commissioner for defamation

Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who was the District 3 commissioner in Manatee County, is suing former at-large Commissioner Betsy Benac.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch junior midfielders Paolo Morales (front) and Ryan Johnson have been essential in helping transform the Mustangs' offensive strategy this season.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch boys soccer charges toward the postseason

The Mustangs look to rectify last season's loss to North Port High in the district tournament later this month.

  • East County
  • Sports
Don O'Leary and East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Lee Whitehurst celebrate O'Leary's 2019 retirement as fire commissioner.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's No. 1 ambassador dies at 90

Don O'Leary was a pillar of the community who advocated for more fire stations.

  • East County
  • News
Marcus Walfridson, team owner of the Sarasota Paradise, hopes that 2025 will be the team's most successful year to date in its new home at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 13, 2025
The Sarasota Paradise will call Lakewood Ranch home

The soccer team will begin playing home games at Premier Sports Campus in 2025.

  • East County
  • Sports
The new Manatee County Board of County Commissioners is pursuing "extraordinary circumstances" to increase impact fees beyond the state's maximum allowance.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 13, 2025
New commissioners prepare to 'fight' for higher impact fees

The increase could garner millions more in fees for Manatee County by the end of 2025 if passed.

  • East County
  • News
ThunderBug amps up the crowd just before the first puck drop between the Lightning and Devils at a watch party held on Lakewood Ranch Main Street on Saturday, Jan. 11.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch shows its hockey pride at Tampa Bay Lightning Watch Party

People of all ages enjoyed a ball hockey tournament and a Lightning vs. Devils game.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Star Farms residents Barbara Malta and Lynette Cahill attend the expo to explore medical services because they're new to town.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 11, 2025
Sarasota wellness expo showcases local medical services

The annual New Year, New You Health & Wellness Expo was held at the Mall at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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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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