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East County | Neighbors

A peninsular cooter, soaking up the sun on a cabbage palm repositioned by the storm.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • December 12, 2022
Nature recovers faster than infrastructure at Myakka River State Park

The ecologically significant recreation venue remains closed while hurricane repairs continue.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tara's Dee and Jack Boenau went all out to participate in the Holiday Boat Parade at Jiggs Landing.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 11, 2022
Jiggs Landing parade brightens community in Bradenton

The annual holiday parade featured 23 boats lighting up a route down the Braden River.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
East County's Siena Williams, 5, attempts to win a prize while volunteer Shirley Bryant watches. Williams scored in the carnival game and brought home a prize.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2022
Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions horse around for holidays

The Myakka City ranch hosts a special Christmas event featuring the stallions.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Denise Kleiner owns the concessions at Jiggs Landing.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2022
Not just for the birds: History buffs welcome at Jiggs Landing

Denise Kleiner stuffs her boat tours with years of knowledge she picked up living on the Braden River.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
River Club's Vera and Jim Slocum have been each other's yin and yang for 65 years.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2022
Chance meeting led to 65 years of marriage for River Club couple

Lakewood Ranch's Jim and Vera Slocum have laughed a lot while being each other's "yin and yang."

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sarasota's Kathy Collums, Lakewood Ranch's Amy Gorman and Sarasota's Brenda Kleiber work to develop lifelong relationships for Sisterhood for Good.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 6, 2022
Sisterhood for Good benefits from the power of partnerships

Concession residents hosted a cocktail party to support Lakewood Ranch's Sisterhood for Good.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch's Gwyneth Paget and Sarah King drop off shoeboxes. They are a part of Esplanade at Lakewood Ranch's Crafts for Cause, which donated 150 shoeboxes and $365 to Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2022
Meals on Wheels collects shoeboxes filled with gifts for senior clients

The nonprofit's Shoebox Drive and Reception is a can't-miss event at the Lakewood Ranch Elks Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nancy Perpall has used many of her experiences as a lawyer to write her first novel with more on the way.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 2, 2022
Real life drama leads to local author's fiction

Lakewood Ranch's Nancy Perpall has turned a page in her life, going from her profession as an attorney to writing novels.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Amanda Duever of Suncoast Cookies describes the cookie offerings to River Club's John and Karen Tagle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 26, 2022
Lakewood Ranch's Main Street market spreads holiday shopping cheer

Main Street Market in Lakewood Ranch, which helps support local small businesses, included numerous vendors from Lakewood Ranch and other areas, as well as live music and performances.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Evangel Baptist Church brings Bethlehem to Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 25, 2022
Evangel Baptist Church brings Bethlehem to Lakewood Ranch

Church members create costumes and set pieces to show what Bethlehem was like at the time of Jesus' birth.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hal Meyers and Cindie Breeze of the Bluegrass Pirates entertain the crowd at Jiggs Landing. (Photo by Jay Heater)
  • By Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2022
Jiggs Landing of Bradenton plots the course of its concert series

The popular Manatee County park hosts live music Wednesday through Sundays.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch's North Pole is filled with gifts that Bradenton's Megan Napolitano and Lakewood Ranch's Jill Campbell, Beth Grogan and Jo Price are hustling to wrap. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
  • By Liz Ramos
  • November 23, 2022
Magic of Mittens delivers gifts to hundreds of Manatee children

River Club's Beth Grogan and her elves delivered thousands of gifts to children in need.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dick and Lorraine Vitale will celebrate 52 years of marriage next May. (Photo by Jay Heater)
  • By Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2022
Dick Vitale talks turkey, lessons and love at Thanksgiving in Lakewood Ranch

The ESPN announcer gave thanks for those donating to the V Foundation, his long tenure at ESPN, his family and his 52-year love affair with his wife, Lorraine.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble founder and conductor Joe Miller will lead the group into its Thanksgiving Concert on Nov. 27 at Peace Presbyterian in Lakewood Ranch. (File photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 21, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble begins its concert season

Peace Presbyterian will host the ensemble's Thanksgiving Concert on Nov. 27.

  • Arts + Culture
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 19, 2022
Waterlefe Fashion Show rocks the runway for Meals on Wheels Plus Manatee.

The show features clothing items from Eyecatcher by P.J's Boutique.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Rising senior quarterback Louisen Desinor will start under center for Braden River High football in the fall. This spring was his opportunity to strengthen bonds with the playmakers around him.
  • May 25, 2026
High school coaches defend relevancy of spring football in Florida
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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

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