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East County

Over the past 25 years at Braden River Middle School, Kathleen Brown has taught sixth and seventh grade math, U.S. History, and Civics. Her principal, Kimberlain Zenon, described her as a lifelong learner who is solution driven, tenacious, knowledgeable and collaborative.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 2, 2025
3 east Manatee school employees are finalists for excellence awards

Braden River Middle's Kathleen Brown, Braden River High's Clifford Dawson and Lakewood Ranch High's Kristen Martin are finalists for Manatee County's Excellence in Education Awards.

  • East County
  • Schools
Newton, a 9-month-old lab, is being raised by Nick and Brenda Paradiso through the LWR Puppy Raisers club. Brenda Paradiso described him as "quite the character" who is a "love bucket."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 2, 2025
LWR Puppy Raisers help train dogs for important service careers

The volunteers say the program is rewarding, even if they shed some tears when sending the puppy to Dogs Inc.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A Wild Blue at Waterside home at 564 Blue Shell Loop sold for $3,136,600. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,452 square feet of living area.​
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 2, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 17-21 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Wild Blue at Waterside on Blue Shell Loop topped the week’s sales at $3.1 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch's Harris Pierce performs at The Peculiar Pub Oct. 7.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 1, 2025
Arriving at the punchline can be a difficult journey

Lakewood Ranch comedian Harris Pierce can laugh at the tough road to success in his business.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mica Sarraco (white) battles with Olivia Uchiritz (blue) during a polo match at Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 1, 2025
Sarasota Polo Club gallops forward with new women's league

Introduced for the 2026 season, the 6-8 goal league will run Fridays from Jan. 9 through Feb. 20.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota's David Farr picks up 21-month-old Henry Farr, who is dazzled by the giant ornaments on the tree on The Green during the Mall at UTC's ongoing holiday celebration.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 1, 2025
Families flock to UTC for the holidays

The entertainment and attractions are open through Jan. 4.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Siesta Key's Owen Slater, 5, loves animals and couldn't leave the market without getting a homemade octopus from Stitch Fabels, which took 10 hours to make.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 28, 2025
Market at Nathan Benderson Park provides midweek shopping

The new Sarasota market began Oct. 21 and will run weekly on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Runners pack the starting area for the 2025 Florida Turkey Trot Nov. 27 at foggy Nathan Benderson Park. The race had a record 4,558 participants.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 27, 2025
Record 4,558 runners participate in 2025 Florida Turkey Trot

The Nathan Benderson Park event in Sarasota raises funds for the park conservancy and the Big Bill Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor
  • November 27, 2025
FINANCIAL FOCUS® Generosity Meets Strategy with Tax-Savvy Donations

Understanding the tax benefits of a charitable donation can help make your money go farther.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Despite their 30 year age difference, Marge DeSimone and Courtney Barr have become great friends and share a deep love for Nikki, Barr's 7-year-old Bordoodle. They compete in dock diving to keep all of the "Three Musketeers," as Barr said, active and engaged.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 26, 2025
Dock-diving dog helps two single women form a bond of friendship in Myakka

Marge DeSimone, 88, acts as a releaser for border collie-poodle mix Nikki, who has made a positive splash in her life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of the Del Webb Lakewood Ranch Association of Veterans and Military Supporters and MacDill personnel take a photo together in 2019 before the COVID pandemic changed the operation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 26, 2025
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit feeds veterans for Thanksgiving

Operation Thanksgiving feeds active duty military personnel stationed out of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Coach Cezar Sharbono talks his players through drills during practice. He's entering his sixth season at the helm of the Braden River wrestling program.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 26, 2025
Braden River High wrestling hopes to build on record-setting 2024-25 season

The Pirates sent eight wrestlers to the state tourney last year and are seeking their first-ever girls place-winner.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mission in Motion's Ruth Barker, Rose Marie Hartley, Faith Michael, Mothers Helping Mothers director of donations Barbara Braun, Debbie Apple and Judy Kirkpatrick fill a truck with toy donations.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 25, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's Mission in Motion delivers the goods to local charities

Gathering both physical and monetary donations, Mission in Motion is currently supporting eight organizations.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
With seven goals and one assist through five games, Avery Rice has already made a winning impact for undefeated Out-of-Door Academy girls soccer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 25, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Avery Rice

The sophomore has found the net early and often with Out-of-Door Academy girls soccer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Construction on the Athletics and Aquatics Center is underway at Premier Sports Campus North.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 25, 2025
No hotel at Premier Sports — yet

Another 126 acres was rezoned to build out the now 236-acre campus.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
Tara Elementary Principal Laura Campbell tells fifth grader Melany Ojeda that she is a future leader and can do anything she wants to do as long as she goes after it.
  • January 21, 2026
Tara Elementary principal reminisces before taking on new adventure
2
Aaron Virgin says he often spots 40 to 50 species of birds on a walk around Lake Patton in Lakewood Ranch.
  • January 21, 2026
Audubon eyes go to the skies in Lakewood Ranch
3
Lakewood Ranch junior Ricardo Rengifo wrestles Javier Puchi in the 138-pound weight class.
  • January 21, 2026
First 'in-school' wrestling matches hosted by Lakewood Ranch High
4
The green rectangle on the top is where the homes would be clustered.
  • January 21, 2026
80-home project gets thumbs down from the Manatee Planning Commission
5
Danielle Ziegler is the shelter director. She's cuddling with Lyza, a 9-year-old Catahoula mix with chronic ear infections.
  • January 21, 2026
Struggling for funds is a way of life at the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch

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