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East County | News

Lakewood Ranch High teen arrested for making shooting threats
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High teen arrested for making shooting threats

A 14-year-old student made social media posts about carrying out a shooting Friday.

  • East County
  • News
Construction on Upper Manatee River Road has been underway since August 2024, so it's hit commissioners' "point of no return."
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 12, 2025
Will more lanes solve traffic concerns in Manatee County?

Commissioners say their priority should be to improve existing infrastructure as opposed to adding more lanes.

  • East County
  • News
Salads, bowls and wraps are on the menu at Flower Child.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 11, 2025
National healthy restaurant to make Florida debut in Lakewood Ranch

Flower Child offers a menu filled with fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Commissioners Mike Rahn and Tal Siddique vote against terminating the contract with Red Speed.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 11, 2025
Manatee commissioners shut down speed cameras, fine collections continue

A motion by Commissioner Robert McCann to refund $100 citations was changed to terminate the speed detecting program entirely.

  • East County
  • News
The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation is helping Manatee County upgrade the ball hockey rink at Lakewood Ranch Park with an $87,000 donation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 10, 2025
Tampa Bay Lighting adds upgrades to Lakewood Ranch hockey rink

The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation donated $87,000 to Manatee County to make improvements to the outdoor rink.

  • East County
  • News
A 1,500-foot driveway divides the forest at Triple Oak Preserve, Manatee County's latest acquisition through its Environmental Lands Program.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 5, 2025
Manatee's environmental lands program continues tedious process

After purchasing three properties in four years, the ELMAC program is currently negotiating 11 purchases and two easements.

  • East County
  • News
A speed detecting camera sits in front of Tara Elementary School.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2025
Speed cameras turned off in Manatee County school zones

Commissioners voted 5-2 to terminate the program that issued over 55,000 citations since August.

  • East County
  • News
Due to construction on State Road 70, Greenbrook Boulevard is anticipated to close in both directions sometime in May from State Road 70 to Skip Jack Loop.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2025
State Road 70 construction cruises along in East County

The $98.4 million project is anticipated to be completed in spring 2027.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County is considering the purchase of Mixon Fruit Farms, which went on the market in February 2023 for $15.8 million.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2025
Manatee County reconsiders buying Mixon Fruit Farms

The property could become a county complex that includes a library, park and community center.

  • East County
  • News
Local college presidents, from left, Michele Morgan of Keiser University, Brett Kemker, of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, Dr. Larry Thompson of Ringling College of Art & Design, Tommy Gregory of State College of Florida, and moderator Mark Gordon spoke Feb. 25 at a lunch hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • March 3, 2025
Local college administrators tackle issues with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance

Administrators say partnerships with local businesses strengthen the economy.

  • East County
  • Business
After Hurricane Debby hit the area Aug. 5, 2024, an East Manatee Fire Rescue worker paddles toward a flooded home on Quonset Road along the Braden River to rescue the occupant.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 25, 2025
Manatee County addresses Hurricane Debby flooding

A county study finds plenty that didn't happen during Hurricane Debby, but few causes other than an enormous rainfall.

  • East County
  • News
Citizens attend a workshop to discuss the comprehensive plan Sept. 1 at the Lakewood Ranch Library. Commissioners discussed the comp plan Feb. 19, but additional citizen sessions will be held this summer.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 22, 2025
Manatee County chips away at comprehensive plan rewrite

Residents will get another chance to weigh in on the process this summer.

  • East County
  • News
On Swann features contemporary American cuisine like hot chicken tenders with paprika honey butter.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • February 21, 2025
2 restaurants coming to Sarasota's UTC in 2026

Olivia and On Swann have Tampa locations and are expanding to the Sarasota market.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Bob Haskin returns a serve against Alan Bartlett at a recent pickleball game at Lakewood Ranch High School.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 20, 2025
Pickleball players search for home courts closer to home

Passionate pickleball players — which is to say just about all of them — are dinking and dunking for new Lakewood Ranch courts to compete on. A solution might be in play.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch Library has been open for over a year now.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 19, 2025
What's ahead for the year-old Lakewood Ranch Library

The second floor buildout is in the design phase as library and Manatee County personnel consider how to best use it.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO
  • January 17, 2026
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO
2
The crew from Station 1 walk across the parking lot to grab some lunch. From left to right: Battalion Chief Craig Madsen and firefighters Adam Stem, Evan Berggren and Tyler Schuele.
  • January 16, 2026
Braden River VFW dishes out thanks to East Manatee firefighters
3
Bradenton's Harley Busch, 3, is eager to ride the carousel alongside her father John Busch at the Manatee County Fair. She also rode a camel moments before.
  • January 16, 2026
Manatee County Fair, a tradition since 1916, is now open
4
Manatee County has announced available cold weather shelters.
  • January 15, 2026
Cold weather shelters open in Manatee, Sarasota counties for frigid spell
5
The Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club members Mike Mulwani and Greg Pogue lost their first scrimmage 11 to nothing in 2023, but that didn't stop them from pursuing the sport to better their skills.
  • January 14, 2026
At 2,300 members, Lakewood Ranch Pickleball Club continues to grow

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