• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County | Neighbors

Hysen Muhametaj, Jamison Eige, Ron Major and Sydney Bartlett of Direct Window & Door celebrate Eige's win at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 14, 2026
Spicy showdown at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off

On March 12 in Lakewood Ranch, members tasted and voted for their favorite out of 13 entrants.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
"Paradise Runway" fashion show models Judie Jacobson, Patti Wrobel, Cheryl Gross, Janet Nash and Regina Napoli wait to show off their second outfits for the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club fundraiser.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 13, 2026
Paradise Runway fundraiser hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club

The club raises funds for four charities — Hope Family Services, Solve Maternity Homes, Smart With Heart and Children's Guardian Fund.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A bird box for purple martins sits on the golf course at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club of Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2026
Wildlife checks into the Ritz in Lakewood Ranch

The Ritz-Carlton Members Club earns recertification with the Cooperative Sanctuary Program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Art in the Park will take place on March 14-15 at the University Park Country Club. It will feature different mediums of art from 50 artists including Michael Parkinson, a co-chair for Art in the Park.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 12, 2026
University Park's Art in the Park to showcase 50 local artists

The annual event enters its 26th year and gives professional and amateur artists a chance to showcase their work.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rosemarie Herke, the president of the German American Social Club of Sarasota, has been in that position for 10 years. She said the club is about preserving German culture through dance and socialization.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 11, 2026
German American Social Club of Sarasota has danced through 75 years

The club celebrated its 75th anniversary with a special event at Tara Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Garden Club members Bethy Bacon, Cheryl Scheid, Brenda Rooks (back), Brenda Webb, Sylvia Abdelsalam and Penny Kress (front) are eager to welcome community members to Garden Fest March 14.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 10, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Garden Club to host Garden Fest

On March 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., community members will have the opportunity to learn about gardening and nature from experts.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rex Jensen welcomes Fabienne and Brett Hutchens to the party at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 9, 2026
Having fun makes horse sense at the Sarasota Polo Club

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch hosts a "fun day" Polo Brunch party with 250 guests.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan, Meals on Wheels Plus President and CEO Maribeth Phillips, and Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation President Jeffrey Toale gather together after Phillips accepted a $25,000 grant to beautify Daybreak.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 9, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation honors 2025 grant recipients

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation gave $90,000 worth of grants to 22 nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Madison Hokanson, 5, and Jaxson Hokanson, 2, came dressed for the occasion to the Irish Celtic Festival at Greenbrook Adventure Park on March 7.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 8, 2026
Irish Celtic Festival paints the park green in Lakewood Ranch

The Irish Celtic Festival featured Irish music, dance, food and more at the Greenbrook Adventure Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gracie, who was trained at Dogs Inc., has returned happiness to the life of Lakewood Ranch's Mark Thornsbrough.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 6, 2026
By the Grace of Dogs Inc., Lakewood Ranch resident sees the light

Detached retinas sent Mark Thornsbrough into darkness and depression, but Gracie the guide dog has restored his passion for life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Medallion Home's Kellie Reith (left) and Mark Santiago (right) chat with Judy Athari (center) of Berkshire Hathaway during the 2026 Manatee Realtor Preview event March 5 at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 6, 2026
Realtors, builders ready for the parade in Lakewood Ranch-area

The Suncoast Builders Association runs its 2026 Parade of Homes from March 7-29.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Linda Medina and Aliana Donald, second graders at Daughtrey Elementary, are eager to answer any questions Miss Gina might ask about the books she reads.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 4, 2026
Books for Kids continues to bring reading passion to elementary students

The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch program provides reading volunteers to 10 schools in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Curran Foundation's flagship project in Wake County, North Carolina is the Triangle Aquatic Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2026
Curran Foundation is new to Lakewood Ranch but not to giving

The foundation has made a nearly $13 million investment in Wake County, North Carolina, and now is investing in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2026-27
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 4, 2026
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2026-27

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2026-27 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Stillpoint Mission has outgrown its current building and hopes to bring in enough funds to purchase a new building to better serve clients.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 3, 2026
15th annual Stillpoint Mission Appeal has a new goal

Lakewood Ranch's Bob Smith and friends have been a huge source of funding for the nonprofit, which hopes to purchase a new building.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

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

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free