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East County | Neighbors

Second grader Abel Hilliard and his mother, Megan Hilliard, try to score as many balls in the net as possible during a game of hockey. "Maybe I should try out for the (Tampa Bay) Lightning," Megan Hilliard says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2022
East Bradenton mothers and sons compete for gold at Freedom Elementary School Olympics

The Freedom Elementary School PTO hosts mother-and-son Olympics with eight events.

  • East County
  • Schools
First graders Kingston Miller, Reghen Miller and Tomas Norwood strike a superhero pose.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 29, 2022
Superheroes take over Braden River Elementary in Lakewood Ranch

Students, teachers and parents dress as superheroes, and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention team visits for Superhero Day.

  • East County
  • Schools
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 28, 2022
East County weather page photo: April 28

Darlene Edelman took this photo while kayaking on the Braden River.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Carroll the bear will be doing a paw painting demonstration during the Teddy Bear Tea Party May 7 at Bearadise Ranch in Myakka City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 28, 2022
It's tea time with mama bear at Myakka ranch

Conservation habitat facility Bearadise Ranch in Myakka City is hosting education and demonstration events with its bears.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 23, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosts concert at Greenbrook Adventure Park

Residents listen to Jah Movement, a Sarasota reggae band, perform during the Concert in the Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 23, 2022
Tara Elementary hosts Spring Dance Luau in east Bradenton

Hawaiian dance sets the stage for luau at Tara Elementary in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Schools
Diego Perilla, the chief operating officer of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, gives a speech about the importance of organ donation.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 22, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center flies high promoting organ donation

A heart transplant recipient led a special ceremony at the hospital during Donate Life Month.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 21, 2022
East County weather page photo: April 21

Gordon Silver captured this wood stork at a pond in Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Central Park's Dasha Schultz is raising money to support refugees in her home country of Ukraine. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 20, 2022
Lakewood Ranch woman raises money for her home country of Ukraine

The war in her homeland of Ukraine inspires Central Park's Dasha Schultz to support those affected.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lisa Burns, the owner of Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary, spends time with Valentine, one of the horses at the sanctuary. Burns says every donation makes a difference at the sanctuary. Photo by Liz Ramos.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 18, 2022
Lakewood Ranch-area nonprofits have high hopes for the Giving Challenge

East County nonprofits hope Giving Challenge allows them to make a greater impact.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 16, 2022
Eggstravaganza egg hunt puts families in the Easter spirit in Sarasota

More than 1,000 families gather at the Mall at University Town Center for egg hunts and live entertainment.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Cheryl Beecher John and her husband, Tommy John, socialize with Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge members.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 15, 2022
Tommy John recalls his MLB pitching career at Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge

Pitcher Tommy John, known for his revolutionary 1974 elbow surgery, helped the Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge raise money for Southeastern Guide Dogs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 14, 2022
East County weather page photo: April 14

Marty Franssen captured this heron feeding in a pond in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 14, 2022
Lakewood Ranch's Ranch Nite Wednesdays offers opportunity to support small businesses

Every second Wednesday of the month, the night market is available for people to shop small businesses during Ranch Nite Wednesdays.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Down-covered limpkin chicks leave the nest within a day after hatching, with both parents protecting and feeding them until they can fly. (Photo courtesy of Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • April 11, 2022
Limpkins learn to thrive

Nearly killed off by hunting, Myakka provides this specialist species with the food, and wetland habitats they need to survive.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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