• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County | News

Matthew and Gina Messenger celebrate after Gina retained her District 1 seat on the School District of Manatee County board.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 18, 2020
Voting totals final for key Lakewood Ranch area and East County races

The final results

  • East County
  • News
Amy Lowrance drops off her daughter Sophie at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School for her first day of third grade.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 17, 2020
Students return to school in Lakewood Ranch area

School District of Manatee County opens its campuses to students for the start of a new school year.

  • East County
  • News
A grant will help pay for supplies and other needs for girls in the Girl Scouts Fully Funded Troops Program. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 17, 2020
Sarasota, Manatee Girl Scouts program secures $10,000 grant

Donation by Wison-Wood Foundation will support Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida's Fully Funded Troops program.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 17, 2020
Mall at UTC celebrates start of school

Back to School Bash a success in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 14, 2020
Chase ends in arrest Friday on State Road 64 in Bradenton

Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies arrest attempted murder suspect Friday in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Steven Zickafoose, an assistant principal at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, and Angela Lindsey, principal of the school, wear masks while on campus. All students and employees will be required to wear masks at school. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2020
School District of Manatee County provides clarity on mask policy

Cloth masks will be required on school property with exceptions.

  • East County
  • News
Science teacher Jennifer Hall cracks open an egg to see if it's cooked during an experiment. The science labs will be reconfigured for new technology during the renovation. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2020
Braden River Middle expansion moves forward

The $26 million renovation and addition will include a cafeteria expansion, remodeled administration area and a six-classroom addition.

  • East County
  • News
The 2021 Club Crew National Championships will be held July 9-11, 2021 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 13, 2020
National dragon boat event headed to Sarasota

National dragon boat event headed to Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
Lorenzo Liberti hand carves one of the 13 strips that will make the stripes of a 3-foot flag.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2020
Star spangled tribute from Lakewood Ranch teen

Lakewood Ranch student wants to put a hand carved flag in a hospital in every state in the country to show support for healthcare heroes.

  • East County
  • News
Scott Hopes, a School District of Manatee County board member, shows one of the masks that will be distributed as part of the Mask Up Manatee Coalition campaign to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2020
Coalition formed to help keep schools open in Manatee County

County agencies, businesses and schools partner to remind the public about CDC guidelines.

  • East County
  • News
Faith Bench, a math teacher at Braden River Middle School, has removed some of the desks in her classroom to ensure the desks will be spaced out six feet to practice social distancing. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 12, 2020
Learning to adapt in Lakewood Ranch-area schools

School District of Manatee County hopes to maintain standards while students concentrate on health guidelines.

  • East County
  • News
This rendering shows possible property layouts for adding accessory dwelling units. Courtesy rendering.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 12, 2020
Accessory dwellings considered by Manatee

Dumped a year ago by commissioners, the concept of allowing one-bedroom units is being reconsidered.

  • East County
  • News
Rosedale Golf and Country Club resident Fred Booth said Rosedale maintains 87th Street East and residents would be upset if cement trucks use the entrance to get to State Road 70.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 11, 2020
Concrete plant approved on Lena Road

Some Rosedale residents concerned about future impacts.

  • East County
  • News
Rosedale Golf and Country Club's Fred Booth spoke against the proposal.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • August 6, 2020
Manatee County approves Cemex plant

Lena Road site prepped for ready-mix concrete plant.

  • East County
  • News
Scott Hopes, a School District of Manatee County board member, shows one of the masks that will be distributed as part of the Mask Up Manatee Coalition campaign to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2020
Mask up Manatee effort begins with announcement at Braden River High

Manatee County government, schools, businesses and nonprofits partner to create Mask Up Manatee Coalition.

  • East County
  • News
« 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in East County

1
The Manatee River Youth Sailing Program serves kids ages 6 to 16.
  • May 18, 2026
Kids learn lessons on and off the water at Manatee River Youth Sailing Program
2
Jeff Toale stands inside the Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch, where light-filled spaces and a contemporary design reflect a shift toward more personalized, meaningful memorial experiences.
  • May 17, 2026
Jeff Toale looks to deepen and double impact at helm of the LWRCF
3
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Education Foundation as he is announced as the winner of the "Next Gen" award at University Park Country Club May 13.
  • May 16, 2026
Young Leaders Alliance presents its top award in Lakewood Ranch
4
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.
5
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free