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East County | News

Gov. Ron DeSantis announces July 25 that Manatee County will be audited by the DOGE Task Force.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 28, 2025
Manatee County welcomes audit by Florida DOGE Task Force

Auditors will visit Manatee County in August to review its spending.

  • East County
  • News
Rex Jensen, CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, speaks to residents July 24 about a possible roundabout at the intersection of University Parkway and Legacy Boulevard and Deer Drive.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 25, 2025
SMR executive and residents discuss roundabout for University Parkway

More than 400 residents signed a petition because they do not want a roundabout where Legacy Boulevard and Deer Drive intersect with University Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
Mixon Fruit Farms has been a staple in Manatee County for decades.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 23, 2025
Manatee County commissioners to decide future of Mixon Fruit Farms property

Either the county will purchase the property, or it will be sold to a developer.

  • East County
  • News
Antonella Imperiale, Sebastian Chasey, Naomi Rodriguez and Sarah Arco attended first grade at Braden River Elementary School which was given an A grade for the 2024-2025 school year.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 23, 2025
12 of 17 east Manatee County schools earn overall A grades

The School District of Manatee County receives an overall B rating.

  • East County
  • Schools
Huey Magoo's On the Fly is located in Terminal B, next to Jimmy John's, at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • July 23, 2025
Chicken tender restaurant makes airport debut at SRQ

A new fast-casual dining option is now open at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A rendering of one of the two light industrial buildings that Tavistock Development is constructing on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard in Waterside.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 23, 2025
Tavistock begins light industrial project in Lakewood Ranch

Tavistock's two buildings on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard will offer 93,022 square feet to area businesses.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch residents Chris and Megan Matras are eager to open Jeff's Bagel Run in Lakewood Ranch. They will serve bagels, cream cheese, coffee and more.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 22, 2025
Jeff's Bagel Run to open in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch residents Chris and Megan Matras are eager to bring the Jeff's Bagel Run franchise to Lakewood Ranch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Grace Community Church is expanding its Lakewood Ranch campus to include a student center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch megachurch still growing

Grace Community Church bought a new building for its staff and is constructing an overflow parking lot and student center.

  • East County
  • News
The boathouse and events center planned for Nathan Benderson Park is expected to cost between $60 million and $70 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 16, 2025
Nathan Benderson Park boathouse, events center begins to take shape

Nathan Benderson Conservancy board member says 2026 will be an important fundraising year for the $60 million to $70 million project.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County commissioners hold the second of two required public hearings May 8 to request "extraordinary circumstances" from the state to raise impact fees.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 16, 2025
Manatee receives threat of litigation over increased impact fees

Freedom Housing Alliance Inc. maintains the impact fee increase violates state statute.

  • East County
  • News
A panther kitten peeks out from its den.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2025
Manatee County wildlife corridor faces funding challenges

Over 18 million acres are listed to eventually be part of the state's wildlife corridor.

  • East County
  • News
Daniel Bradshaw, the principal of Parrish Community High School, and Carol Ricks, the principal of Myakka City Elementary School, man the registration desk at Myakka City Elementary as it serves as a shelter during Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2025
What does it take to use Manatee schools as hurricane shelters?

In the midst of a severe storm, no one is turned away from the Manatee County schools that serve as shelters.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County owns and utilizes 4 electric buses: 2 that can go 130 miles on a charge and 2 that can go up to 200. Jamie Warrington, director of transportation for the district, says there are pros and cons in terms of the environment and efficiency.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2025
Manatee needs more testing on electric school buses

Cost and the ability to serve open areas are just some of the areas that need more exploration before the School District of Manatee County purchases additional electric buses.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gorjana stylist Sydney Scovill and Taylor Lingreen, the store manager, want the customers to feel comfortable and beautiful when shopping at their store.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2025
California-based jewelry company opens location at UTC mall

Gorjana makes Sarasota its 106th location.

  • East County
  • Business
Lake Manatee K-8 is the biggest and most well known construction project. The elementary part of the school will open in August, with the middle school set to open the following school year.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 13, 2025
3 major construction projects are almost finished for Manatee schools

Along with the new Lake Manatee K-8, the other two projects will increase capacity for students and help with overcrowding.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Latest in East County

1
Though homesteaded residents would gain property tax savings if Florida's overhaul proposal gains 60% of support in the November elections, even non-homesteaded property owners would see new protections from sharply rising property assessments.
  • June 11, 2026
Property tax overhaul: What you should know
2
EverCreek at Lakewood Ranch will be built by Pulte Homes off Bourneside Boulevard.
  • June 10, 2026
1,000 homes planned for new Lakewood Ranch community
3
Sam Michael Sciturro
  • June 10, 2026
Sam Michael Sciturro
4
Vittoria Ferrisi Alvarez, Gracie Nichols and Sawyer Nowicki, all seventh graders at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, created the book called "Snowball's Iceberg Incident" to compete in the Children's Stories event for Technology Student Association.
  • June 10, 2026
Local students prepare for national TSA competition
5
Madison McKay is in her second and final season with Sarasota Crew. With the club's Youth Women's Eight boat, she'll have a chance at ending her high school rowing career as a junior national champion.
  • June 10, 2026
Team change lifts local rower into the junior national championships

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