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East County | Neighbors

Judy Young has been a nurse in the area for nearly 40 years.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 16, 2025
LWRMC chief nursing officer leads with empathy-first approach

An empathic and servant leader’s mindset — like the time she covered a shift on Christmas Eve — pushes Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's top-level nurse Judy Young to set up her team and community for success.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
These summer camps inspire future artists, performers and cultural connoisseurs
    By
  • Su Byron
  • May 16, 2025
These summer camps inspire future artists, performers and cultural connoisseurs

Wondering what to do with the kids this summer? Arts camps abound for a variety of interests.

  • Arts + Culture
Lakewood Ranch resident Simi Ranajee founded MN5, then known as Mission Neem 5, in 2019.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 15, 2025
MN5 aims to change the world by empowering the women in it

After facing and overcoming a harrowing medical experience, a Lakewood Ranch resident leads a group of women on a mission to help other women live their best lives.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A natural storyteller and hands-on farmer, Garrett Dakin and his brothers are carrying on a multi-generational dairy legacy in Myakka City.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 15, 2025
At Dakin Dairy Farms, four brothers tend to cows, kin and a vanishing way of life

Got milk? Dakin Dairy does. And here’s what it takes to get it from the cows to the shelf.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Vivid lighting and sparkling water features create a dramatic lakeside setting.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • May 15, 2025
A spectacular home in The Lake Club defines the ultimate in Florida living

After 36 years in the industry, Derek and Kelly Nelson designed a Lake Club home that brings together everything they learned about beauty, function and Florida living.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Camryn Duley has loved snakes since the age of 5. She takes Ghost, her cinnamon pied ball python, in public often to debunk the idea that snakes are dangerous and scary.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 14, 2025
This Ghost, a cinnamon pied ball python, shows off in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch High sophomore Camryn Duley takes her cinnamon pied ball python out in public to show that not all snakes are dangerous.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Waterside's Andrew and Kristine Santucci hold their 2-month-old twins Scarlett and Zayden during the Mother's Day event May 10 at Waterside Place. At 38, Kristine said she was blessed to be celebrating her first Mother's Day as a mom.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 10, 2025
Waterside Place honors moms with a special event

The Petals and Poses fashion show in Lakewood Ranch highlighted the program that drew hundreds.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Platoon Sgt. John Skeen is honored at the Elks Lodge in Lakewood Ranch May 8 on Victory in Europe Day.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 9, 2025
East County WWII veteran knighted into the Legion of Honor

The honor is only awarded to United States veterans who fought on French soil.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rebecca Adams, the CEO of Keller Williams Coastal Living II, finishes a Scripture verse that will go to a child in need of a bed.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 8, 2025
Keller Williams' volunteers work on 'Red Day' to put this problem to bed

Company employees provide labor for the Beds for Kids nonprofit on their annual day of service.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tampa resident and stilt walker Natasha Eriksen performs on Cinco de Mayo at Agave Bandido.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 7, 2025
Agave Bandido hosts Cinco de Mayo event with fire performers, stilt walkers

Guests celebrate in Waterside Place with food, drinks, music and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's 7-year-old Ensley Rondenne learns archery at Rye Preserve May 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 6, 2025
Youth archery program hits the mark at Rye Preserve

Spots are still available for summer camp. Monthly classes will resume in September.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
"Have a good time and forget about what people think," said Jerry Wood. He and his wife of 56 years Carol Wood dance to the blues music, being the only ones dancing at the time.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 4, 2025
Main Street comes alive for Music on Main

Music on Main consisted of live musical entertainment, inflatable games for kids and food and business vendors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ecological connectivity is critical for imperiled native species such as Florida scrub jays, who were last observed at Myakka in 2005.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • May 4, 2025
Connectivity key to healthy habitats

Wildlife corridors help maintain natural processes that support clean air, rich soil and freshwater.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Benjamin Hansen plays Scar.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 3, 2025
'The Lion King Jr.' pounces onto the stage

Students at the Woodland Fine Arts Academy have been working on the production since August.

  • East County
  • Schools
Blues musicians Miguel Primero and Steve Arvey play at Jiggs Landing April 24.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 2, 2025
Thursdays are for the blues at Jiggs Landing

The preserve offers live music every day for three hours before sunset.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Work has either started or will begin soon on four roundabouts on University Parkway, east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. University Parkway also is being widened from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard.
  • July 8, 2026
Necessary construction will snarl University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch
2
FoodTrukt, a new app, aims to bring together food truck owners and customers through making locations, schedules and menus more accessible.
  • July 8, 2026
Find nearby food trucks with new app
3
Deborah Callahan-Stratton, Joy Stone, Barbara Najmy and Jennifer Alokeh are collecting sneakers for the fifth annual Sneakin Back to School Sneaker Drive to benefit The Twig.
  • July 8, 2026
The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle transitions to a nonprofit
4
Avery Banfill (left) and Phoenix Scanlan (right) grew up on the same junior golf circuit. Their respective journeys converged at Parrish Community High and will converge once again at Memphis next fall.
  • July 8, 2026
Stars align for local golfers who are headed for the University of Memphis
5
The Manatee County Property Appraiser is located at 915 4th Ave. W. in downtown Bradenton.
  • July 8, 2026
How your home is appraised in Manatee County

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