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East County | Neighbors

Bruno the Bear is doing well in the America's Favorite Pet Contest for owner Monica Welde of Myakka City. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 14, 2022
Myakka City bear named Bruno chases America's Favorite Pet crown

Monica Welde's 750-pound Syrian brown bear at Bearadise Ranch currently stands third in the contest rankings.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nancy Sykes, a Lakewood Ranch Community Fund board member, is in charge of organizing the fund's first wine soiree. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 13, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Community Fund to host its first wine soiree

Proceeds from the inaugural fundraiser at Esplanade Golf and Country Club will allow the Community Fund to issue grants to regional charities in 2023.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 12, 2022
Pineapple Kitchen of Bradenton hosts sweet charity event

Sisterhood for Good benefits from a special fundraiser at the charcuterie and catering company.

  • East County
  • Business
Easily recognized by its heart-shaped leaves, the highly invasive air potato vine displaces native species and disrupts important ecological functions. (Photo by Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • September 11, 2022
Invasive plants displace natives, threaten biodiversity

Restoring native plant communities supports native wildlife.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Summerfield's Betsy Young and her husband, Jeff Young, can't wait for the Real Men Wear Pink Fashion Show where Jeff Young will walk the runway. (Photo by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 10, 2022
Cancer awareness soars during Real Men Wear Pink fashion show in Sarasota

Male models will be strutting their stuff Sept. 24 at The Mall at UTC in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 8, 2022
East County weather page photo: September 8

Gordon Silver captured these two Sandhill crane colts getting to know each other just hours after emerging from their shells off State Road 70 near Lorraine Road.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Joseph Novak, at 91, has had his 41st book published. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 8, 2022
91-year-old Lakewood Ranch author keeps writing on human learning

Joseph Novak has written 41 books and published more than 150 papers on human learning, cognitive psychology in learning and concept mapping.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Lori Boyd, Marketing Director of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • September 8, 2022
A Day A Local Family Will Not Forget

A 3-year-old’s visit to the ER turns into a positive experience.

  • Health
Sponsored Content
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 3, 2022
Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard in Bradenton celebrates reopening

Labor Day weekend celebration provides opportunity to see additions to East County winery.

  • East County
  • Business
30-year-old Palmetto resident Michael Manuel, pictured with Valentino, participates for help with PTSD, and to learn a new skill. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • September 3, 2022
Equine therapy delivered with heart in Bradenton

East County's Hooves with HEART survives with donations and volunteers to benefit the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 1, 2022
East County weather page photo: September 1

Shellie Robin took this photo of a Gulf fritillary raised in her own butterfly garden in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lee Kotwicki, the director of Workforce Training for SCF Manatee-Sarasota in Lakewood Ranch, hopes more local residents take advantage of the various computer classes. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 1, 2022
State College of Florida enhances computer learning in Lakewood Ranch

SCF of Lakewood Ranch wants people to know that they are not along when it comes to struggling with computers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Instructors Ilee Finocchiaro, Lisa Morningstar and Terri Arnold are equine specialists in mental health and learning. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 29, 2022
Equine therapy nonprofit adds more horsepower to its Myakka facility

With news horses on the way, Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy can make a greater impact providing equine therapy to the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
As president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch since 2005, Rex Jensen heads up one of the most recognizable and sought-after land management, agricultural and development companies in the nation. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 28, 2022
Lakewood Ranch pioneer shares insights on building a community

After 20 years at the helm, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch CEO Rex Jensen sounds off on what makes a community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A sampling of books written by Scribes’ members (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 27, 2022
Scribes club prides itself on giving writers good feedback — the kind way

A Lakewood Ranch writers’ club meets twice monthly to critique each other’s work and build lifetime bonds.

  • 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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