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East County | News

District 5 Commissioner Bob McCann votes against approving Manatee County's FY2026 budget.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 24, 2025
With one no, Manatee County approves $1.3 billion budget

Commissioner Bob McCann was the only commissioner to vote against the approval.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Mary Glass is retiring after an 18 year presidency with the Manatee Education Foundation.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 23, 2025
Education Foundation chief steps aside after 18 years of making a difference

Over the course of Mary Glass' presidency at the Manatee Education Foundation, $12 million was given to the School District of Manatee County to fund programs and events.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lindsey Leigh's children splash in the Myakka River. Leigh is advocating for Manatee County to protect its portion of the river.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 23, 2025
Myakka River sometimes looks like chocolate milk, residents say

Property owners ask Manatee County for help in saving the waterway.

  • East County
  • News
In a vote of 4-3, Manatee County commissioners opt not to renew the county's contract with the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 19, 2025
County ends funding of Manatee EDC

Other public and private sources still exist, but commissioners question the value of their contribution.

  • East County
  • News
Employees will mainly be working out of cubicles, but the administration building has several collaborative meeting spaces of all sizes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 17, 2025
Manatee County starts shift of some administration services to Lakewood Ranch

Director of Property Management Cary Knight provides a first look inside the new administration building at 9000 Town Center Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
Kratom products are displayed in a case at Wild Smoke Shop off of State Road 64. Kratom can be bought in a variety of forms from powders to drinks.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 16, 2025
Manatee County debates banning kratom and other designer drugs

Commissioners are undecided, but the sheriff and state attorney are in support of regulations.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High student arrested for social media threats of gun violence
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 15, 2025
Braden River High student arrested for social media threats of gun violence

A 14-year-old allegedly posted on Snapchat stating he was going to shoot people at Braden River High School.

  • East County
  • News
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is opening its SEA site in early October.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 15, 2025
New Mote SEA facility will open in early October

Members get first views on Oct. 6-7 and public on Oct. 8 at its aquarium located near University and I-75 in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch search turns up no armed person
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 13, 2025
Lakewood Ranch search turns up no armed person

A suspicious person report south of University Parkway prompts deputy response.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Jason Bearden wants money released from Manatee County's reserves that are nearing $1 billion.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 13, 2025
Manatee County moves to cut millage rate as reserves rise

Following three hurricanes in 2024, Manatee County has nearly $1 billion set aside for reserves in fiscal year 2026.

  • East County
  • News
Nearly 300 grams of cocaine, or about 10.5 ounces, was seized from a home in Sarasota, authorities said.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 12, 2025
Manatee, Sarasota agents make cocaine-trafficking arrest

Raids at locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties resulted in seized cocaine and the arrest of a Bradenton man.

  • East County
  • News
Laurie Breslin was officially sworn in as the superintendent for the School District of Manatee County on Sept. 9.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 12, 2025
Manatee School Board approves $245,000 superintendent contract

Laurie Breslin also has incentives in her contract, a point of contention with two school board members.

  • East County
  • Schools
In 2018, East Manatee added a ladder truck that reached a maximum of 107-feet high.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 10, 2025
45 years of protection from East Manatee Fire Rescue

East Manatee Fire Rescue keeps climbing another rung with the community.

  • East County
  • News
A 10-foot sidewalk runs along the west side of Bourneside Boulevard from State Road 64 to University Parkway. A 15-foot trail for the east side of Bourneside Boulevard between State Road 70 and University Parkway is being negotiated between Manatee County and Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 10, 2025
Roads take back seat to trails in Manatee transportation priorities

It costs four times more to build a road than a shared-use path.

  • East County
  • News
A semi takes a wide turn onto Lorraine Road from 44th Avenue East.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 9, 2025
Lorraine Road widening project stalled until 2030s

Several smaller transportation projects have gained favor in the Manatee County capital improvement plan.

  • East County
  • News
« 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 »
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Latest in East County

1
Bernhard Langer hits a drive on the third hole during the first round of the 2025 Charles Schwab Cup Championship. He's won an all-time record 12 senior majors in his storied career.
  • April 13, 2026
Who to root for at the Senior PGA Championship
2
Government protections remain important in keeping the Myakka River healthy and pristine.
  • April 13, 2026
Some residents say Manatee pulled 'bait and switch' on Myakka River monitoring
3
Outside weightlifting and wrestling, Freedom McDaniel also plays defensive end/defensive tackle for Braden River football. His 43 solo tackles in 2025 were second-most on the team.
  • April 13, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Freedom McDaniel
4
Chloe Jarvis, Vice President Donna Quilici-Smith and Sara Sweetnich socialize before the scholarships are given out at Palm Aire Country Club April 10.
  • April 12, 2026
Palm Aire Women's Club awards scholarships to local students
5
County Administrator Charlie Bishop is typically seated at the dais with commissioners during meetings, but he was absent during the discussion about his contract April 7.
  • April 12, 2026
Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop's contract up for renewal

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