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East County | Neighbors

American bumblebees are important pollinators for food crops. Light pollution disrupts their day and night cycle, which affects reproduction.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • February 13, 2024
Light pollution disrupts lives of plants and animals

Excessive artificial light at night changes wildlife behaviors, alters ecosystems and damages natural communities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Vice Principal Robin Hamilton and Principal John Hettler run the Sea of Strengths Academy.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 11, 2024
Lakewood Ranch school emphasizes joy of learning

Sea of Strengths Academy, which serves third through 12th graders with learning disabilities, instills confidence in its students alongside its highly structured approach to academics.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Steve and Laura Saladino finish the Run for the Beads together. Steve says Laura, who married him 31 years ago, "is still trying to get away," but she can't run fast enough.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 10, 2024
Run for the Beads returns to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch

The Mardi Gras-themed event produced a fun atmosphere while generating serious funds for community nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Anna and Elsa walk their fans over to a better photo spot. The sisters were mobbed with hugs the minute they arrived.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 10, 2024
Movie in the Park at Waterside Place attracts 'Frozen' super fans

It was a special night in Lakewood Ranch to stay up late and dress like your favorite princess.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ed's Tavern was founded in Lakewood Ranch in 2008.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 9, 2024
Ed's Tavern to host block party at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Co-owners Bob Bender and Albert Myara wanted to celebrate their 10 years of ownership.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
University Park's Bart Schubert lip-synchs to Robert Palmer's "Simply Irresistible" while Dancing Queens, a dance group from University Park, dances in the background.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 8, 2024
Dancers, models take center stage at University Park Fashion Show

Proceeds from the University Park Women's Club event benefit area charities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Becky Calevro competes in the Florida State Western Dressage Championships with the help of Mark Hiser, the executive director of Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy. She is the first exceptional rider to represent SMART in a competition.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 7, 2024
SMART provides competitive opportunities for exceptional riders

Riders with physical, social or emotional disabilities representing Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy compete at western dressage shows, which give a confidence boost while also providing therapy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Morgan Gabrielson fills a stadium with snacks for every Kansas City Chiefs game.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 6, 2024
East Bradenton residents gear up for Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl festivities bring families together for good food and fun.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Conductor Joe Martinez guides the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble through the National Anthem to begin the "Song and Dance" concert Feb. 4 at Peace Presbyterian Church in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 5, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble concert packs Peace Presbyterian

The band plays its final local concert of the season on May 5 in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Out-of-door students and staff wear bell bottoms, head bands and John Lennon's signature sunglasses to stay on theme with the 1960s music.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 3, 2024
Out-of-Door Academy raises money for Manasota BUDS

The orchestra played a 1960s-themed concert at Woodland Community Church in East County on Feb. 2.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch 6-year-old Aurlyn Esler holds on as tight as she can to see how long she can last on the bull.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 3, 2024
Music on Main provides entertainment for all ages in Lakewood Ranch

Whether it's riding a bull, petting a mini horse or dancing to Kettle of Fish, Music on Main was fun for all.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
David Proudfoot won the first Run for the Beads 5K on Feb. 18, 2023.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 31, 2024
Second Mardi Gras-themed race scheduled for Waterside

Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation's Run for the Beads Mardi Gras 5K Run/Walk will again wind through Waterside of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Samina Morrow, Julie Benjamin, John Fain, and Angela Massaro-Fain have a little fun in preparation for Phantom: A Masquerade Ball.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 31, 2024
Sisterhood for Good gives back to community with masquerade ball

Sisterhood for Good of Lakewood Ranch hopes its Phantom: A Masquerade Ball fundraiser produces plenty for those in need.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tyler Hilaire is the "nature boy" on campus. He's always finding sticks to play with.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 30, 2024
Beyond the Spectrum tailors education to each student

The Lakewood Ranch nonprofit works with children and young adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Country Club's Michael Modisett has about 30 plants in the garden area in front of his home. He has at least 90 plants among the three areas around the front of his home in hopes of attracting various butterflies, especially the monarch butterfly.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 29, 2024
Butterfly garden blooms in Lakewood Ranch

A Lakewood Ranch Garden Club class on butterfly gardens inspires a Country Club resident to start his own.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Though Florida Power & Light employs a variety of advanced technology to avoid power failures, often the basic work of tree trimming goes a long way toward heading off trouble.
  • May 24, 2026
With our deep dependence on power, FPL gears up to keep the lights on
2
A rendering of the 12U baseball/softball fields five-plex that will be built at UMR Sports complex in East County.
  • May 23, 2026
Expansion 'gets real' at UMR Sports of Bradenton
3
Oceane Visa, who says she has waited years to walk across the stage for graduation, is congratulated by Head of School Debra Otey.
  • May 22, 2026
Out-of-Door Academy graduates showed up for the moments that matter most
4
Leighton Paul (right), pictured here during the FHSAA Class 5A-Region 3 final May 14 against Gulf Coast, was Braden River's leadoff hitter this season. She went 0-for-3 in the state semifinals against Niceville.
  • May 22, 2026
Late rally not enough for Braden River High softball in state semifinals
5
Lakewood Ranch's Bruce Stamm says residents in District 1 are being denied due process because of a lack of representation.
  • May 22, 2026
Felts' Manatee County Commission seat remains empty

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