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East County | News

Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man

The local victim was the woman's ex-husband, but a second ex-husband also was found dead in Tampa.

  • East County
  • News
Renovations and construction of new concessions in Concourse B at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport are nearly complete.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 18, 2025
Airport's growth in 2025 sets the stage for 2026 planning

After spending some $200 million on expansion, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport sets its sights on more improvements, including a parking deck and new baggage claim system.

  • Sarasota
  • News
At a Junior Achievement "Discovery Center'' in Tampa, elementary-aged students run a mock city.Two similar facilities are proposed to be set up at Emma Booker Elementary and Booker Middle schools in Sarasota.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 17, 2025
Rejections sent to Manatee, Sarasota Schools of Hope requesters

Manatee and Sarasota counties say no to a pair of companies seeking campus space. But that might not be the end of it.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Wild pigs look for food near Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 17, 2025
Manatee County's River Club has a pig problem

Neighbors and the homeowners association have hired trappers to reduce the number of wild hogs.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County administrators address the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Dec. 8. From left to right: Deputy county administrators Corey Stutte, Bryan Parnell, Courtney De Pol and County Administrator Charlie Bishop.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 17, 2025
Convention Center expansion tops 'state of Manatee County' presentation

County administrators spoke to the Manatee Chamber of Commerce at its December luncheon.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River Library is one of seven locations in the Manatee County Public Library System.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 17, 2025
Library Advisory Board needs 2 new members

Manatee County is accepting applications for the board until Monday, Jan. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pator Caleb Free's daughter JoJo Free attends Risen Savior Academy.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 16, 2025
Lutheran church brings more Christian education to Lakewood Ranch

Risen Savior Lutheran Church begins its expansion toward being a K-8 school in January.

  • East County
  • Schools
Residents line up behind the podium to object to a proposal for Altman Rye Townhomes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 15, 2025
Planning commission reviews three projects in east Manatee County

The combined projects would add nearly 400 housing units to the area.

  • East County
  • News
Director of Government Relations Stephanie Garrison leads the work session Dec. 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 10, 2025
Changing millage review process a top priority among Manatee commissioners

Finding a way to cut taxes is a top priority, but finishing improvements on Lorraine Road is not.

  • East County
  • News
SR 64 grocery store, storage facility denied by Manatee commission
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 10, 2025
SR 64 grocery store, storage facility denied by Manatee commission

The proposed site is located next to Neal Communities' Palm Grove development.

  • East County
  • News
Seniors Gavin Moore, Abigail Frint and Ryan Johnson were among 12 students at Lakewood Ranch High School to set up and spread the word about the opportunities available at the new College and Career Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 9, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High's College and Career Center makes its debut

Set up by 12 of Lakewood Ranch's “brightest of the brightest" students, the center can help students explore their career choices.

  • East County
  • Schools
The idea for Moo-Jitsu was a collaboration between 9-year-old Olivia Whitman and her father Brandon Whitman in October of last year. They launched the business in August.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • December 8, 2025
Love of cows adds spice to Lakewood Ranch business

Moo-Jitsu is a new spice company that brands itself through a love of cows and jiu jitsu.

  • East County
  • Business
The Lake Manatee EMS station is due for a replacement. EMS moved into the space in 1982.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 8, 2025
Site for a new Lake Manatee EMS station is under fire

Manatee County commissioners are not in favor of a site that borders Lake Manatee and Lake Manatee State Park.

  • East County
  • News
Capacity of the new operation is up to 18 million gallons a day from 12 million, and the system reduced harmful nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus released into the reclaimed-water irrigation.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 7, 2025
Expanded, improved wastewater plant officially opens

Sarasota County cuts the ribbon on its $210 million Bee Ridge project, east of Interstate 75.

  • Sarasota
  • News
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons

An upgraded brewing system will more than triple Big Top's beer production.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest in East County

1
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
2
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
3
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
4
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
5
Capri Finan, 7, Madelyn Finan, 9 and Maverick Finan, 3, pose with Santa after telling him what they want for Christmas, which includes a doll house and a trampoline.
  • December 18, 2025
Braden River High transforms into Winter Wonderland

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