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East County | Neighbors

Gabrielle Finnegan, chapter president of the Lakewood Ranch High School Future Farmers of America, checks out Lucy the cow with 7-year-old camper Luca Bellantonio.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 3, 2026
Camp churns out important agricultural lessons in Lakewood Ranch

Future Farmers of America members teach campers about animal and plant science and environmental leadership.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service

When Tyler LaPlaca realized there wasn't a Leo Club to encourage young people to be involved in community service, he took matters into his own hands.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Cole Mule and Bodie Hogan, both 3 years old, explore the bee-themed magnet activity.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 31, 2026
Literacy lessons a hot summer topic at Lakewood Ranch Library

The Summer Learning Kickoff Party provided activities May 30 and marked the start of several programs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
For the final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season, Randy Bordon and Bri Rivera of the Bri Rivera Band perform for the crowd.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 30, 2026
Crowd jams final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season

The weekly event runs October through May at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
James Bacigalupi and Trevor Garofalo give Harry Noordzy a lift, just as they did five years ago at Station 12.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2026
Myakka's Station 12 remains a part of Harry's world

Now 5, the firehouse baby returned to visit the firefighters who helped deliver him.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Heather Hackett, the founder of Local Relief, Inc., earned the 2024 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award for her work with her nonprofit.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 27, 2026
Don't sleep on hurricane season because 2025 was slow

Side of Ranch March 28

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Yolanda Mancha is the foundation's vice president of philanthropy, and Veronica Thames is the CEO.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 26, 2026
Manatee Community Foundation is perpetually giving

The advantage of donating to MCF is that a donation today can quadruple over time.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ellie Tullidge, 6, is glad to help her grandfather Bob Smith celebrate raising another $114,507 for Stillpoint Mission this year, which makes the 15 year total $633,507.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 26, 2026
Lakewood Ranch effort raises $114,507 for the Stillpoint Mission

The donation is critical at a time the mission hopes to purchase a new building.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Zach Zeller co-owns three restaurants in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 22, 2026
A high-flying spirit has led Lakewood Rancher to adventure, in business and life

Lakewood Ranch restaurant owner Zach Zeller, be it on the ground or in the sky, emphasizes hard work — and helping others.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
From left: Katelyn Diaz serves up smiles at Sip n Brew, the coffee trailer she launched with her parents shortly after graduating from Lakewood Ranch High. Partners Scott Wacha, left, and Brandon Whitman hold their Moo-Jitsu spice blends, a backyard-idea-turned-growing-business rooted in family, flavor and a bit of humor. Jason Huh, founder of STEEL Supplements, showcases Sodi Pop and Omni — two of the company’s expanding beverage lines aimed at a broader audience.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 22, 2026
These entrepreneurial families launched their new ventures right here at home

In Lakewood Ranch, ideas sparked at kitchen tables and backyard gatherings are taking root — and growing into something more.

  • East County
  • Business
A visitor points in wonder inside Mote SEA’s expansive habitat, where sharks, rays and reef life glide through a luminous underwater world.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • May 22, 2026
Summer's hot. Here's a list of activities that don't require SPF.

Lakewood Ranch and its surroundings offer plenty of ways to step inside, cool down and make the most of the season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home’s exterior is a carefully balanced geometric composition.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • May 22, 2026
The Florida lifestyle is glorified in a lavish new home in Waterside

A showstopping model home in Waterside marks a milestone: Modern has arrived at The Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nevriye Yesil, the founder of the Lakewood Ranch Happiness Circle, is glad to share her wisdom with friends and strangers alike, including Lisa Lieberman-Wang.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 21, 2026
Happiness Circle helps find light at the end of the tunnel

The newly formed club is led by Nevriye Yesil, who has a Master's degree in happiness studies. It is meant to help members embrace what life has to offer every day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Manatee River Youth Sailing Program serves kids ages 6 to 16.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • May 18, 2026
Kids learn lessons on and off the water at Manatee River Youth Sailing Program

The Manatee River Youth Sailing Program is rebuilding — focused on access, community and the future of youth sailing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 17, 2026
Jeff Toale looks to deepen and double impact at helm of the LWRCF

Jeff Toale carries forward a family legacy while helping shape a more connected, compassionate Lakewood Ranch.

  • 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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