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East County | Neighbors

A gopher tortoise emerges from the grasses of Heritage Ranch Preserve. More than 350 animal species rely on abandoned burrows like this one for shelter, nesting and survival.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • August 20, 2025
These conservationists of a threatened species may just surprise you

The Heritage Ranch Gopher Tortoise Preserve offers a long-term refuge for slow movers with a big ecological role.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sara Stone has worked at the Market Street Lakewood Ranch Publix for 18 years.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 19, 2025
This Publix bakery staple has been creating confectionary delights for 20 years

Sara Stone is nearing her 20-year anniversary of doing some edible, yet mostly behind the scenes, work: creating and baking some of Lakewood Ranch's tastiest cakes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Manatee County
  • August 18, 2025
Coming October 6 to Unincorporated Manatee County... Big Bins

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
St. Lucie County's Sara Rosenzweig and Volusia County's Copper Reynolds share a moment of excitement as they complete their 100 meter race at the Special Olympics Florida 2025 State Stand Up Paddle Competititon on Aug. 16.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 17, 2025
Special Olympics athletes stand up to the challenge at Sarasota paddling event

The Stand Up Paddle event drew 155 athletes to Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Punta Gorda's Zarita Dixon sings with the Suncoast Swing Band.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 15, 2025
Waterside Place sways to the Suncoast Swing Band

The band performed hits from Glenn Miller to Kool & the Gang.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
William Rasulo and Grayson Blaney do not let the heat stop them from putting their all into a game of soccer. Blaney has played soccer for four years and calls it "fun soccer" when he plays at the Y.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 8, 2025
Lakewood Ranch YMCA wraps up its summer camp program

The summer camp keeps kids busy with sports, crafts, games, pool time and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch resident Arelis Calkins sees life as a beautiful thing despite traumatic experiences in her life. She shares stories and advice in her book "Rising Above Adversity: Healing and Nurturing your Inner Child."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 6, 2025
Lakewood Ranch author writes about blazing path through childhood trauma

"Rising Above Adversity: Healing and Nurturing your Inner Child” documents Arelis Calkins' personal struggles and how she overcame them.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bradenton residents Sandjina Alexis, 5 and Berline Valcius were thrilled to receive backpacks.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 5, 2025
Stillpoint Mission distributes 810 backpacks for students in need

Each backpack includes school supplies and a $35 gift card to use at Bealls.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota resident Dana Crispin and her 4-year-old son Zayden are eager to pose with Dora from "Dora the Explorer" and Valerie Frizzle from "The Magic School Bus."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 3, 2025
Back to School Bash at The Mall at UTC in Sarasota builds excitement

A scavenger hunt for school supplies, dance performances, face painting and more made for an eventful day at the mall.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Brandy Britton is a member of the Bradenton Woman's Club. She was recruited at a Music on Main event last year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 2, 2025
Music on Main is a place to connect in Lakewood Ranch

The monthly event features music, vendors and information about clubs and activities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Curtis Marxen drives a disc down Hole 3 at Bob Gardner Community Park July 21.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 30, 2025
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit promotes disc golf

The East Manatee Disc Golf Club plays Monday nights at Bob Gardner Community Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dari Oglesby, the executive director of Nate's Honor Animal Rescue, and Sharon Pindar, the medical director, are thrilled with a $125,000 grant from The Bishop-Parker Foundation.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 29, 2025
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue receives $125,000 grant from Bishop-Parker

The grant will help Nate's get its new care clinic staffed and running.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor
  • July 28, 2025
Financial Focus® You Have an Estate Plan — Whether You Know It or Not

If you own anything — a home, a car, a savings account, even a pet — you already have an estate plan.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Campers and staff members get soaked by the giant bucket of water.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 26, 2025
Summer Skills Camp in Lakewood Ranch gives kids with special needs a lift

Lift ABA hosts the camp, that includes field trips to places like the Waterside Park splash pad.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch resident Madeline Phillips, 4, felt like a superhero while she was running through the foam during a party at the Creative Child Learning Center in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 25, 2025
Good, clean fun at the Creative Child Learning Center in Lakewood Ranch

The children described the piles of foam as a snow mountain, clouds and pineapples.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
3
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
4
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
5
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man

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