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East County | Neighbors

“I can care for myself and get involved in my community again, thanks to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.” - Patricia Shaw, Surgical Patient
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • September 19, 2024
Patient is Back to Active Lifestyle after Surgery

“I had so much confidence in Dr. Dexter, and I respect his surgical skills. He explained everything and made sure I was knowledgeable about my experience,” she says.

  • Health
Sponsored Content
Members of the Suncoast Builders Association's Professional Women in Building Council complete a playhouse for a 5-year-old girl who has cancer.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 18, 2024
Suncoast Builders Association builds playhouses for children with cancer

Local developers come together to support Roc Solid Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Becky Ayech has held fundraisers to help preserve the Old Miakka Schoolhouse for the past 39 years.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 18, 2024
Old Miakka Fall Hootenanny benefits schoolhouse

Becky Ayech has put on the "country" fundraiser for 39 years.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Christian Retreat welcomes all denominations to stay and worship.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 17, 2024
The Family Church at Christian Retreat welcomes all denominations

The retreat was founded in 1968 and sits on 110 acres overlooking the Manatee River.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Wetlands provide essential wildlife habitat, buffers for excess rain and filter impurities that would otherwise degrade our waterways.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • September 16, 2024
Myakka wetlands showcase a filtration system at work

By removing impurities, filtration by wetlands improves downstream water quality.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Real estate experts say Lakewood Ranch's lifestyle aspect have kept it more of a sellers market as compared to the rest of Sarasota and Manatee counties.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2024
Sunset Volleyball keeps sand between their toes at Waterside Place

MVP Sports organizes pickup league games every Wednesday night at Waterside in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chip Bennett, lead pastor of Grace Community Church in Lakewood Ranch, says his church sees 4,000 worshippers on a typical Sunday during season.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 12, 2024
Churches mirror huge growth in Lakewood Ranch

Faith communities say rapid expansion is a blessing and a challenge

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Britta Rhode, Jimmy Rhode, Karissa Rhode and Ellerie Rhode believe Lakewood Ranch is their forever home.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2024
Families grow with Lakewood Ranch: The Rhodes

Jimmy and Karisa Rhode moved to the area from snowy Minnesota and never looked back.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Derek and Stephanie Schmitt, Kirsten (Schmitt) and Trevor Lovett, and Bob and Charleen Schmitt stand in front of Bob and Charleen's Summerfield home.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2024
Families grow with Lakewood Ranch: The Schmitts

From first baby to larger families, the Schmitt family has grown on the Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Karen and Malcolm Ronney have operated The Granary since August 2015.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2024
The Granary remains a Lakewood Ranch breakfast and lunch staple

Karen and Malcolm Ronney found Lakewood Ranch to be the perfect place to host their business ventures.

  • East County
  • Business
Chief Nursing Officer Judy Young, surgeon Samuel Yelverton, CEO Andy Guz and Director of Quality and Accreditation Malou Kaseta enjoy working at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center together.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2024
LWR Medical Center maintains small-town feel, offers advanced care

The Lakewood Ranch Medical Center opened 10 years after Schroeder-Manatee Ranch started building Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Division Chief Bob Mikulski, Administrative Officer Stephen Beecher and Chief Lee Whitehurst work out of Station 1 on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2024
SMR ignited trust for fire district growth

In 1994, there was only one fire station. Now, East Manatee Fire Rescue has 10 stations and a training tower.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Olivia Escorcia, 7, and Marco Escorcia, 5, meet the Easter Bunny at Eggstravaganza.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2024
Community Activities makes connections by focusing on smaller gatherings

Quality and intentional connections are key to the nonprofit's successful growth.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Faculty and staff spell out "ODA" to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Out-of-Door Academy's upper school in 1995 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2024
The Out-of-Door Academy expands with Lakewood Ranch

From dirt roads to school expansion, ODA's "crazy" idea to open its upper school in Lakewood Ranch continues to pay off 28 years later.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The runners sprint away at the start of the Run for the Beads 5K at Waterside Place. Funds for the race support area nonprofits through the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2024
Nonprofits play key role in Lakewood Ranch's growth

A small-town feel prompts newcomers to immerse themselves in the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 »
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Latest in East County

1
The idea for Moo-Jitsu was a collaboration between 9-year-old Olivia Whitman and her father Brandon Whitman in October of last year. They launched the business in August.
  • December 8, 2025
Love of cows adds spice to Lakewood Ranch business
2
Francesca Bisordi poses for a photo on Dec. 4 during a Lakewood Ranch wrestling practice. Currently competing in the 155-pound weight class, she formerly wrestled at 170 in both 2024 and 2023.
  • December 8, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Francesca Bisordi
3
The Lake Manatee EMS station is due for a replacement. EMS moved into the space in 1982.
  • December 8, 2025
Site for a new Lake Manatee EMS station is under fire
4
Capacity of the new operation is up to 18 million gallons a day from 12 million, and the system reduced harmful nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus released into the reclaimed-water irrigation.
  • December 7, 2025
Expanded, improved wastewater plant officially opens
5
St. Petersburg's Ella Brown and Sarasota's Mike Chambers take full advantage of the live music to show off their best dance moves at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Dec. 6.
  • December 7, 2025
Lakewood Ranch music fans aren't crying the blues after festival

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