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East County | Neighbors

Conductor Lynn Cleary leads the Manatee Community Concert Band at Waterside Place on Aug. 27.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 12, 2024
Manatee Community Concert Band kicks off a new season

The Manatee Community Concert Band is open to all ages and skill levels, but members must read sheet music.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sean Rabus, who is 5, defies the odds every day, making his mother, Maureen Flood Rabus, beam with pride.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 11, 2024
Lakewood Ranch family to support epilepsy research with Seany's Shuffle

Sean Rabus is defying the odds as he continues to thrive living with Menkes disease, a rare type of epilepsy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gilbert McNeal first grader Alec Adams made a sign for the parade that was close to his heart.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 10, 2024
McNeal Elementary students honor veterans with parade

Lakewood Ranch High's band and color guard help McNeal students pay tribute to veterans.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Parrish's Diane Fogo-Harter shows off the Valentino Loco Rose purse she won. "It's a beautiful bag," she says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 10, 2024
Designer Bag Bingo bigger, better than ever in Sarasota

Sisterhood for Good's annual Bingo night draws 230 women to the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
What would the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade be without Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving at the Mall at University Town Center?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 10, 2024
Santa's Grand Arrival Parade a gift to thousands in Sarasota

The annual parade provides helicopter stunts by Erendira Wallenda, bright lights, music and fun for the masses at the Mall at UTC.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rita Lewis, owner of the Linger Lodge, and Gretchen Nasman serve gumbo.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 9, 2024
Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee fills bowls at Lakewood Main Street

Local restaurants served soup to raise funds for Meals on Wheels' Food Bank of Manatee.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nik Wallenda puts a charge into the crowd as well as the 50-foot Christmas Tree at University Town Center by crossing Cattlemen Road on the high wire Nov. 11, 2023.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 5, 2024
King of the High Wire to usher in holiday season at Santa's Grand Arrival Parade

Nik Wallenda loves performing in his hometown of Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Independent Jones' Antonio Hernandez, Paul Benjamin of Benjamin Productions and Independent Jones' Morgan Bettes Angell stand at the bridge leading into Waterside Park. The bridge will serve as the entrance into the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival Dec. 7.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 5, 2024
Final preparations in order for inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival

Producer Paul Benjamin says the Lakewood Ranch location should be a great place for the event to prosper.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jaclyn McCarthy makes sure Tito Toniolo Teixeira gets just the right candy during the Kiddie Academy Halloween parade.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 3, 2024
Fun for the kiddies at the Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch on Halloween

The students were treated to a parade through a sweet trunk or treat section.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Country Club West's Michele Campbell and Blythe Hanson are VIPs at this year's Suncoast Food & Wine Fest.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 3, 2024
Foodies flock to Premier Sports Campus for Suncoast Food & Wine Fest

Over 30 local restaurants prepared dishes for the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch's premier event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
East County's Arthur Matney was showing off his 2020 C8 Corvette at the Knights Car Show. "It's the most awesome car I've ever had," he says.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 2, 2024
Knights' car show in Lakewood Ranch benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Classic cars spark fun stories by all who attend the event at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jamie Kahns and Bob Kahns with Bank of America and Tim Estep, the manager for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, get into the western theme for the alliance's Hob Nob.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 31, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's Hob Nob BBQ brings community together

Approximately 400 people attend the BBQ at Lakewood Ranch Library.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gecko's Grill and Pub chef Scott Kleinberg will share his passion for cooking at the Suncoast Food and Wine Fest during a cooking demonstration.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 30, 2024
Local chefs to share their passion through Food & Wine Fest demos

Pascone's Ristorante and Gecko's Pub and Grille chefs will take guests on a culinary journey.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Though Myakka’s ecosystems adapted to seasonal flooding, increased threats of pollutant runoff from outside the park is concerning.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • October 30, 2024
Hurricane's fury can benefit wetlands, such as Myakka River State Park

It can play an important role in shaping healthy, albeit dramatically changed, ecosystems.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cindy McCollough, founder of TANKS, Inc., has a one-on-one with Marmalade. It can take months to build trust with some of the rescues. Others will never let a human handle them.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 30, 2024
Myakka City sanctuary takes in senior and special needs cats

TANKS Inc. is home to 50 cats, seven beagles and five steer.

  • 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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