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East County

Lakewood Ranch High sophomore Brett Traver (middle) emerged as the team's third best golfer in 2024. Sophomore Owen Gellaty and senior Luke Wilson work alongside Traver on their bunker play in preparation for the 2024 state tournament.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 30, 2024
The top 10 East County athletes to watch in 2025

These 10 athletes are poised to have big seasons in the new year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center is on track to finish its current expansion project by the spring of 2025.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 29, 2024
Nate's Honor expansion will be wrapped up in spring

The $16.5 million Journey Home Capital Campaign for Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center is expected to be finished by spring.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Jason Bearden sits in his office at the Manatee County Administration Building.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 28, 2024
Jason Bearden says he is taking a stand against unsupported development

The Manatee County at-large commissioner says he wants roads built first.

  • East County
  • News
Rachel Walmsley lines up a shot during shooting practice at Braden River High School on Thursday, Dec. 12.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 27, 2024
Braden River senior helps JROTC team have a shot at air rifle tournament

Rachel Walmsley is floating on air after winning her region's air rifle match.

  • East County
  • Schools
Friends Laura Salata and Melissa Monoki are preparing to open a brand-new BODYBAR Pilates studio in Lakewood Ranch on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 26, 2024
New Year's resolution leads to new Lakewood Ranch Pilates studio

Two friends mix community and exercise with new Bodybar Pilates location.

  • East County
  • Business
The Elks' Faith Frost joins Prodigal Daughters' Denise Gattuso and Ruth Perez-Hernandez and the Elks' Darrin Simone in distributing toys to kids in need during the Elks Toy Drive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 24, 2024
Elks show their heart in Lakewood Ranch with toys for children in need

More than 7,500 toys were collected during the Elks Toy Drive with help from Walgreens.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Lake Club home at 15420 Anchorage Place sold for $6.3 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-three-half baths, a pool and 8,095 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 23, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for 2024 in Lakewood Ranch

Seven properties in Lakewood Ranch sold for more than $4.2 million this year, led by a Lake Club home at $6.3 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Boats numbering in the hundreds came out in support of keeping Midnight Pass open.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • December 21, 2024
Your Observer's most-viewed stories of 2024 reveal not-so-surprising observations

Thirteen of the 25 most-viewed stories of 2024 on YourObserver.com were hurricane-related.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Video taken from a doorbell camera shows two people allegedly stealing packages from a Lakewood Ranch home. The Manatee County Sherif's Office has made two arrests in the case.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2024
Suspected Lakewood Ranch porch pirates arrested

The Bradenton suspects were seen on doorbell video, deputies say.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • December 19, 2024
A New Lease on Life, Following Weight-Loss Surgery

For years Russell tried to lose weight through exercise, dieting and medications, but nothing seemed to help. Her decision to finally turn to weight-loss surgery at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center was in part, because of her profession as a licensed practical nurse.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Mike and Sandy Sobzack return home to East County for the holidays. The couple stop by the University Park Country Club for lunch on Dec. 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 18, 2024
East County world travelers stop home for the holidays

Mike and Sandy Sobzack set off on a whirlwind retirement tour around the world in March.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Two-yeear-old Wells Whitehead and his mom Aston Whitehead visit with Santa before the Tara Holiday Golf Cart Parade Dec. 13.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2024
18 holes of community fun at Tara Golf and Country Club

Neighbors decorated their golf carts and themselves to enjoy the Tara Holiday Golf Cart Parade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Laura and John Bourjaily are grateful to be celebrating Christmas together.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 18, 2024
Tara resident saved by daughter's kidney donation

John Bourjaily feels blessed to be alive this Christmas after receiving a kidney from his daughter.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Victoria Caiazzo, a sophomore striker at Braden River, is a special talent said girls soccer Head Coach Don Engelberger.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 18, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Victoria Caiazzo

The Braden River sophomore has made an instant impact in her first year on the varsity soccer team.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Athletics and Aquatics Center at Premier Sports Campus North is expected to be complete by summer 2026.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 18, 2024
Swim and pickleball center at Premier North nears groundbreaking

Manatee County expects the facility to break ground by February and to be finished by summer 2026.

  • East County
  • News
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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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