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East County | News

Rangeland High School, previously referred to as AAA High School, is being built near Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch and is set to open to freshmen and sophomores in August 2027.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 1, 2026
New school in Lakewood Ranch is officially named Rangeland High School

The School District of Manatee County School Board voted unanimously on the school's name, which has been referred to as AAA High School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Supervisor of Elections Scott Farrington stands next to one of the new voting machines.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 30, 2026
Elections forge ahead with revamped Supervisor of Elections office

Manatee County’s Scott Farrington will get his first major tests after winning a high-profile election in 2024.

  • East County
  • News
Hurricane Milton at 8:05 p.m. Oct. 9, 2024.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 29, 2026
Climate Adaptation Center predicts fewer storms this hurricane season

The annual forecast by the local nonprofit predicted a total of two major hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Country Club East Park, a place of both community and convenience for Willis Elementary families, will be closed off starting May 29 for nine months to build three youth baseball fields.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 28, 2026
Manatee delays construction at Country Club East Park after parents state concerns

The park, which will have three new youth baseball fields built, is a secondary pick up and drop off spot for students.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Mike Rahn is running for reelection in Manatee County's District 4.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 27, 2026
Manatee County commissioner says he has more work to do in District 4

Mike Rahn says he will be knocking on as many doors as possible to find out residents' concerns.

  • East County
  • News
Driver pronounced dead after Lakewood Ranch crash
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 26, 2026
Driver pronounced dead after Lakewood Ranch crash

Florida Highway Patrol says a 69-year-old might have experienced a medical episode.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota's Axel Neff is glad to welcome community members who are both familiar and unfamiliar with Tim Horton's brand to bond over food and coffee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 26, 2026
Tim Hortons blazes a Florida path with Manatee County restaurant

Tim Hortons, a Canadian breakfast chain, wants customers both familiar and unfamiliar with the brand to walk away with a smile.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
34-year-old truck driver Stavan Albert Facey was killed in the crash.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 24, 2026
Hit-and-run suspect pleads not guilty in fatal I-75 wreck

The family of the truck driver killed on Monday has opened a GoFundMe page.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop's contract has been extended until February 2027.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 24, 2026
Manatee County administrator's proposed contract raises concerns

Instead of signing a new contract before the election, commissioners extended Charlie Bishop’s current contract through February 2027.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee teen seriously hurt when hit by SUV
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 23, 2026
Manatee teen seriously hurt when hit by SUV

The victim was riding an e-bike in a crosswalk at the time of the incident, FHP says.

  • East County
  • News
Lieutenant Jack Gamble loads a set of bunker gear into the Speed Queen Extractor at Station 1 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 22, 2026
Laundry is priority, not chore, at East Manatee Fire Rescue

Firefighters cut on-the-job cancer risk with face washing and laundry.

  • East County
  • News
Sharon Godlewski stands by the pool at Springlake in The Meadows. Only the owl and CDs remain, but it's enough to keep the ducks away.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 22, 2026
Snowbirds and mallards fight over pool in The Meadows

The homeowners association at Springlake in The Meadows went to great lengths to evict the ducks.

  • East County
  • News
FHP troopers arrested an 18-year-old Cocoa man and impounded a 2022 Ford Mustang after a deadly crash on Interstate 75 Monday morning.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 21, 2026
Man arrested in deadly Manatee County crash

An 18-year-old from Cocoa was booked on vehicular homicide charges in Monday's Interstate 75 incident.

  • East County
  • News
Carol Ann Felts' sons Kiel and Nicholas Felts unveil the new sign at David J. Crane Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 21, 2026
Manatee County remembers Carol Ann Felts at Crane Park memorial

The late commissioner had a Myakka City preserve named in her honor.

  • East County
  • News
Truck driver killed in Interstate 75 wreck
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 20, 2026
Truck driver killed in Interstate 75 wreck

Troopers are looking for the black Mustang that drove away after the crash near State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
School Board Member Heather Felton took off her blazer during the May 5 workshop to show her sleeveless shirt is appropriate for students in the Florida heat.
  • May 18, 2026
Manatee Schools to re-evaluate dress code guidelines
2
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
3
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
4
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Community 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
5
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
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