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East County | Neighbors

Nicole Hackel (Lakewood Ranch Communities), Morgan Bettes Angell (Independent Jones), Paul Benjamin (Benjamin Productions) and Antonio Hernandez (Independent Jones) gather at Waterside Park to announce the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 20, 2024
Lakewood Ranch lands its own blues festival

The former Bradenton Blues Festival is headed for Waterside Park in December.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Skin contact with prairie iris causes a serious rash, and ingestion is harmful to humans and pets.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • March 19, 2024
Prairie iris blooms herald spring at Myakka

Though highly attractive to pollinators, these striking native wildflowers utilize toxic compounds to repel herbivores.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Each of Mill Creek's Wilma Kroese's pottery pieces are unique. She uses horse hair, wood, seaweed and other materials to add a natural look to her pottery.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 19, 2024
East Bradenton artist incorporates cultural history into her pottery

With clay, horse hair and other natural pieces, Mill Creek's Wilma Kroese creates unique pottery.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The University Park Country Clubs invites the public to Art in the Park on March 16 and 17.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 17, 2024
University Park Country Club hosts Art in the Park

Residents, club members and staff displayed and sold their artwork at the annual event in University Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mary Jo Hansen leads the models for the final walk.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 16, 2024
Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch hosts Divas and Dogs

The annual fundraiser is on track to net $90,000, which will go toward operating costs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Delaney Riggins and Andrew Shackleford say it's crazy how life comes full circle. The couple "dated" in elementary school but grew apart in middle and high school. They reconnected in 2020 and married March 9.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 14, 2024
LRHS teachers tie the knot years after 'dating' in elementary school

Delaney Riggins says fate brought her back together with Andrew Shackleford in 2020 after they dated in elementary school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Barbara Thurston, Barbara Pressman and Barbara Stanton
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • March 13, 2024
Sarasota, Longboat women bond over shared name: Barbara

Barbaras from around Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and the Keys meet up every month to network and help the community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Robyn Bell, Lynne Lash, Linda Jacobs and Christine Captain say the Suncoast Food & Wine Fest is their favorite event of the year.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2024
Rotary Club raises $140,000 from Suncoast Food & Wine Fest

The Lakewood Ranch nonprofit has now granted $2.3 million over the years.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
After heart surgery, David Paliotta completely changed his diet and exercise patterns.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2024
Lakewood Ranch senior gives peak performance

After a quadruple bypass surgery, Summerfield's David Paliotta works toward an unlikely goal: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Oats McGoats is adjusting to his new home at the Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary in Myakka City.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 12, 2024
Stray goat finds home in Myakka City

A stray goat that was found wandering the streets of Jacksonville was taken in by the Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Liam Middleton, 6, does a backflip on the bungee trampoline.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 9, 2024
Irish Celtic Festival draws hundreds to Lakewood Ranch

The Irish Celtic Festival featured Irish food and music, along with games and a dog parade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Mark Wandall Foundation offers an annual sleepaway camp in partnership with nonprofit Comfort Zone Camp.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 8, 2024
Mark Wandall Foundation supports, connects youth navigating grief

After the death of her husband, Melissa Wandall started The Mark Wandall Foundation to help children cope with the loss of a family member.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Panther sightings in Manatee have increased.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 7, 2024
Local expert to lead presentation on Florida panthers, increased sightings

Florida Panther Project founder Bill Samuels will talk about the past and future of the Florida Panther.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Marci Weisgold's sculpture "Rhythmic Gold" was Best in Show at the 2023 Art in the Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 6, 2024
Anatomy expertise led sculptor to molding masterpieces

Event co-founder Marci Weisgold, a renowned sculptor, heads more than 160 artists who will display their work at the 24th annual Art in the Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bella, a 14-week-old puppy, seems excited about making new friends at the Suncoast Walkathon. "She's having a great time," says her owner, Palmetto's Robert Wildt."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • March 3, 2024
Suncoast Walkathon a paws-itive fundraiser

More than 100 people and their dogs walk around Nathan Benderson Park to support Southeastern Guide Dogs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience
3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
4
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
  • December 3, 2025
Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move
5
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

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