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East County

Teachers and student winners of the fifth grade essay content pose for a photo Feb. 25 at Robert Willis Elementary School in Lakewood Ranch. The contest was held by the Manatee County Retired Educators Association.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • March 5, 2025
Willis Elementary students recall grandparents' love in essay contest

Willis Elementary gets top two spots in Manatee County Retried Educators' Association contest.

  • East County
  • Schools
Liam St. John had never picked up a javelin until last year. Now, he's nearing the school record and he wants to pursue the sport in college.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 5, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High sophomore eyes school javelin record

Liam St. John placed first at last year's district meet one month after he first picked up a javelin.

  • East County
  • Sports
After a career in coporate, Peggy Kronus is her own boss now.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 5, 2025
Lakewood Ranch resident plans a new path

Event planning makes Peggy Kronus' heart happy, and now she's doing it for herself with a new business, PK Events & Services.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A 1,500-foot driveway divides the forest at Triple Oak Preserve, Manatee County's latest acquisition through its Environmental Lands Program.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 5, 2025
Manatee's environmental lands program continues tedious process

After purchasing three properties in four years, the ELMAC program is currently negotiating 11 purchases and two easements.

  • East County
  • News
Country Club's Nancy Opresnick says she loves creating a work of art out of a lump of clay.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 5, 2025
Lakewood Ranch potter throws herself into her work

Nancy Opresnick puts her talent on display at the annual Spring Art Show and Sale.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A speed detecting camera sits in front of Tara Elementary School.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2025
Speed cameras turned off in Manatee County school zones

Commissioners voted 5-2 to terminate the program that issued over 55,000 citations since August.

  • East County
  • News
Due to construction on State Road 70, Greenbrook Boulevard is anticipated to close in both directions sometime in May from State Road 70 to Skip Jack Loop.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2025
State Road 70 construction cruises along in East County

The $98.4 million project is anticipated to be completed in spring 2027.

  • East County
  • News
Francesca Bisordi is the first girls wrestler from Lakewood Ranch to advance to the state championships.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 4, 2025
Mustangs sophomore shows sanctioning girls wrestling was overdue

Francesca Bisordi will be the first Lakewood Ranch High girl to wrestle at the state championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County is considering the purchase of Mixon Fruit Farms, which went on the market in February 2023 for $15.8 million.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2025
Manatee County reconsiders buying Mixon Fruit Farms

The property could become a county complex that includes a library, park and community center.

  • East County
  • News
Barbara Najmy and Nancy Lepain sit on the board for The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2025
The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle celebrates women, philanthropy and community

The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle brought sponsors and recipients together to look back on 2024.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home at 15515 Derna Terrace has three bedrooms and is 3,022 square feet.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 4, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 17-21 in Lakewood Ranch

An Azario Esplanade home on Derna Terrace tops the week's sales at $1.45 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch High senior Jonathan Leatt currently ranks ninth in the 800-meter run in 4A Region 3 after posting a 2:01.09 on Feb. 28.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • March 4, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Jonathan Leatt

Leatt helped the Mustangs win the Lakewood Ranch Invitational with three top-three finishes.

  • East County
  • Sports
Local college presidents, from left, Michele Morgan of Keiser University, Brett Kemker, of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, Dr. Larry Thompson of Ringling College of Art & Design, Tommy Gregory of State College of Florida, and moderator Mark Gordon spoke Feb. 25 at a lunch hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • March 3, 2025
Local college administrators tackle issues with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance

Administrators say partnerships with local businesses strengthen the economy.

  • East County
  • Business
Chad Day loved fishing. His memory is now honored through the Chad Day Memorial Fishing Tournament.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • March 3, 2025
Chad Day Memorial fishing tournament raises funds for Tidewell Hospice

The event has nearly raised $100,000 over its seven years to benefit terminally ill patients.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Bob and Carol Carter dressed the part for Tropical Nights. Carol is the event chair.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 2, 2025
When it comes to Lakewood Ranch fundraisers, that's amore

Tropical Nights Under Paris Light sizzles at the Grove.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Bradenton's Margi Nanney is running for the District 2 school board seat for the School District of Manatee County.
  • July 14, 2026
'Champion for academic excellence' decides to run for Manatee school board
2
When she isn't overseas, Sky Commissar spends most of her time with Southwest Florida Premier FC at the club level. With them, she competes in the girls' regional league of the Elite Clubs National League.
  • July 14, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High soccer player gets international exposure
3
Coastwise student development team members Charles Mesia, Justin Kim (back), Colton McGill, Gabi Otera (back) and John Onesti gather to utilize a NASA STELLA Q-2 VNIR spectrometer, a handheld device that measures light intensity and plant health.
  • July 14, 2026
Free Coastwise summer camp seeks more Manatee student sign-ups
4
Children and teenagers are often seen riding electric bikes and scooters around the Lakewood Ranch area.
  • July 14, 2026
Manatee County responds to growing number of e-bikes, e-scooters
5
This Lake Club home at 17238 Salerno Drive sold for $3 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,754 square feet of living area.
  • July 14, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for June 29-July 3 in Lakewood Ranch

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