• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County | Neighbors

Bradenton's Vincent Wang gets some tips from Robert LaVopa of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club during the annual Youth Fishing Tournament in 2023 at Lake Uihlein.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 25, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club reeling in registrations for annual tournament

The Youth and Teen Fishing Tournament will be held Oct. 5 at Lake Uihlein.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Dick Vitale says he's grateful for the staff at Sarasota Memorial Radiation Oncology Center.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 23, 2024
Lakewood Ranch's Dick Vitale finishes final cancer treatment

Vitale's belief in staying positive and having faith keeps him strong during his latest battle with cancer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jordan Sebastiano of Servpro tosses a football.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 20, 2024
East and west are on the same team at tailgate business expo

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance returned to last year's tailgate theme as it hosted its annual expo.

  • East County
  • Business
“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
« 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in East County

1
Three comedians including Bradenton's Tim Boyd will perform at the “Hearts of Hope: A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser to benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry on Feb. 13.
  • February 6, 2026
Nonprofits to host Valentine's comedy fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch
2
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
3
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork
4
Sisterhood for Good members Nikki Pelier-Simon, Samina Morrow and Allison Adams show off some fashions that will be in the spotlight at Tropical Escape July 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • February 4, 2026
Lakewood Ranch fundraiser is a hula for moolah
5
Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now