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East County | Neighbors

Lakewood Ranch's Misdee Miller won the four-in-hand division of the 2025 Combined Driving at TerraNova event but has decided not to defend later this month.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2026
Top Lakewood Ranch equestrian athlete changes her competition focus

Misdee Wrigley Miller has decided not to defend her "four-in-hand" title at the upcoming Combined Driving at TerraNova event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Heidi Scott, Bob Simons and Laura Cole make up the panel Jan. 9 during a launch party for the new book, "Lakewood Ranch: A Legacy of Living with the Land."
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 13, 2026
Lakewood Ranch hosts a launch party for book on local history

Ghostwriter Heidi Scott said readers can turn to any page in "Lakewood Ranch: A Legacy of Living with the Land" and find a golden nugget about Lakewood Ranch history.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
St. Petersburg's Bob Boguslaw has been in the music business for 50 years with 22 of them being an active member of the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band. He said muscle memory comes into play and it brings back an array of memories.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 12, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble to host 2026 debut concert

The concert will feature pianist Bob Boguslaw, who spent 22 years in the United States Marine Band.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Hasan Tezduyar gives a pat of appreciation to Rachel Apple, a wellness associate with Qualliv, at the Health and Wellness Expo at The Mall at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 10, 2026
New Year, New You expo provides health resources at The Mall at UTC

The event, hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and presented by Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, brought together 60 vendors revolving around health and wellness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Anthony Sizemore, a Braden River High freshman, is eager to show his FFA chapter's chapter pig at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 7, 2026
Braden River High FFA students hope to make the grade at Manatee County Fair

After sacrificing much of their free time to care for farm animals, many of the students will be rewarded.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Southwest Florida Premier Football Club grants about $100,000 worth of scholarships every year to its players.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 6, 2026
When kids can't afford to play soccer, Lakewood Ranch nonprofit steps forward

The Southwest Florida Premier Football Club fundraises to cover about $100,000 each year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The first farmers market of 2026 at Waterside Place draws a large crowd.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 5, 2026
Lakewood Ranch farmers market is a family affair

Many of the vendors operate family businesses in the region.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Southside Polo's Mason Wroe talks to fans about the basics of his sport in a short clinic before the Jan. 4 match.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 4, 2026
New seating option a hit at the Sarasota Polo Club

The Mallet Club at midfield has been packed each week since the Dec. 21 season opener.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jessie O Brien is visiting from Ireland and chose to celebrate the new year alongside Lakewood Ranch's Ciara Daly at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 1, 2026
Crowd rings in the new year at Waterside Place

From activities for kids, to live music, to a drone show, there was something for people of all ages.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
All sidewalk murals at Avenue of Art in Burns Court have been removed per order of the Florida Department of Transportation, including this one by artist Beck Lane.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 28, 2025
YourObserver.com's most-read stories of 2025 typically connected with deeper issues

Big-picture issues, such as new trash cans and disappearing art, strike a chord with readers. But there were exceptions in this year's top headlines.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor
  • December 25, 2025
FINANCIAL FOCUS® Managing Risk at Different Stages of Life

What sort of risk should you take when you're investing? It depends on where you are in life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Lakewood Ranch's Rich Vannucci still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 24, 2025
After five decades, this Lakewood Ranch Santa continues to spread joy and more

Rich Vannucci, who still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago, isn't ready to put a wrap on his career.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jay Heater, Lesley Dwyer, Jack Nelson, Madison Bierl
  • December 24, 2025
All I want for Christmas for the Lakewood Ranch area …

Observer readers talk about things that could make our home an even better place to live.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Myakka City's Diane and Rich Bartoszek display a handmade ceramic nativity scene each year.
    By
  • Jack Nelson, Lesley Dwyer, Madison Bierl
  • December 23, 2025
Decorating for Christmas with a personal touch in Lakewood Ranch

East County residents share their personal stamps on the holiday season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love

From Barbies and dogs to roller skates and cyber trucks, elementary students in the Lakewood Ranch area make sure Santa knows what they want.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager
2
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff
3
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research
4
Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
  • April 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League expands to improve accessibility
5
Gabriella Martinez Reyes, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named president of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America. This makes her the first of Manatee County.
  • March 31, 2026
LRHS junior named president for Florida's Future Business Leaders of America

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