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East County | News

Sheriff Rick Wells holds a press conference Aug. 19 at the District 3 Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 20, 2025
Sheriff says no foul play in North Carolina teen's death

Camera footage shows Giovanni Pelletier alone, running down the embankment toward the pond where his body was found.

  • East County
  • News
The two finalists for the superintendent position are Misty Mathis, the executive director of curriculum and instruction for the Nassau County School District, and Laurie Breslin, the executive director of student support and family engagement for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 20, 2025
Superintendent finalists share their goals for Manatee County School District

Laurie Breslin and Misty Mathis spent Aug. 18 being interviewed by the school board and meeting with community members.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bradenton's Steve Doll takes his best shot on Hole 17 at River Run Golf Links, one of the few affordable golf opportunities in Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater, Lesley Dwyer
  • August 20, 2025
Is affordable golf in the Lakewood Ranch area a myth?

Some local opportunities still exist, but the future of affordable golf in East County is cloudy at best.

  • East County
  • News
This map shows where the homes would be clustered in relationship to the Miakka Golf Club, along with the access points to both.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 20, 2025
Some Myakka residents fear TerraNova rezone will set bad development precedent

TerraNova is requesting to lower the minimum lot sizes it is selling from 5 acres to 1 acre.

  • East County
  • News
Commission Chair George Kruse (center) directs staff on Aug. 19 to cancel the Aug. 21 land use meeting.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 19, 2025
Manatee County wetlands vote postponed

Commission Chair George Kruse canceled the Aug. 21 commission meeting.

  • East County
  • News
Factors such as cold stress, boat collisions, fishing gear entanglement and habitat loss contribute to the increase in manatee deaths in Florida
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 19, 2025
Below the surface: The truth about manatee safety

Factors including cold stress, boat collisions, fishing gear entanglement and habitat loss contribute to the increase in manatee deaths in Florida.

  • East County
  • News
Rob Anderson was named CEO of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center in April.
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • August 19, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's new CEO brings experience to its expansion

Rob Anderson relocated from Texas to Lakewood Ranch to run east Manatee County's largest hospital at a critical time for the facility. He aims to manage the growth smartly.

  • East County
  • News
Bruce Cassidy says The Concession is a “second-shot course,” where reaching the green in less than three strokes is key.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 18, 2025
The Concession hunts for its first Major

Sarasota and Manatee county tourism leaders are joining forces with a top-tier golf course in the region for a dream-big goal: land one of the sport's four major title events.

  • East County
  • Sports
The School District of Manatee County proceeds with the full high school option with two academic buildings instead of one, which provides 2,000 student stations.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 18, 2025
New high school will be built in Lakewood Ranch

High School AAA is estimated to cost $200 million with the goal of opening in August 2027.

  • East County
  • Schools
The 96-gallon bins were delivered and in full use by the end of September.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 13, 2025
Big trash bins cause concerns for Manatee County residents

The county is planning Community Cleanup Days to help residents dispose of larger items that won't fit in the new garbage bins.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee detectives investigate shooting, stabbing incident in Silver Lake
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 12, 2025
Manatee detectives investigate shooting, stabbing incident in Silver Lake

A 23-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times while a 21-year-old male was shot twice.

  • East County
  • News
Laurie Breslin of the School District of Manatee County and Misty Mathis of Nassau County School District have been selected as finalists in the superintendent search.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 12, 2025
Manatee School Board selects two finalists for superintendent position

Laurie Breslin and Misty Mathis will meet the public Aug. 18 at Manatee Technical College.

  • East County
  • Schools
Allegiant is one of the top airlines at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2025
Allegiant adds new route from Sarasota to Rochester

Allegiant Air's new route between Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and Rochester, New York, begins Feb. 13, 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Peter and Athena Hotaling enjoy using their phones to connect with friends and family, play games, use social media and more. With the new phone restrictions, they will have to save those things for after school hours.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 11, 2025
New phone policy will be 'learning curve' for Manatee students

Per House Bill 1105, elementary and middle school students will be required to turn off and stow away electronic devices during school.

  • East County
  • Schools
No positive ID on body found in SR 70 pond near I-75
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 10, 2025
No positive ID on body found in SR 70 pond near I-75

Detectives believe the body to be 18-year-old Giovanni Pelletier, who was reported missing from Charlotte County last week.

  • East County
  • News
« 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 »
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Latest in East County

1
Bradenton 3-year-old Zy'heir Curry, a lover of "Paw Patrol," shows off his trophy from playing flag football at The Learning Experience.
  • July 24, 2026
The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch tackles a flag football event
2
Can you eat both halves of a corned beef sandwich? You can test your skills when Wolfie's Hand Cut opens at UTC late this year.
  • July 23, 2026
Can new concept earn the bread for Wolfie's at University Town Center?
3
The Lakewood Ranch Library will open an hour later starting Aug. 1 due to a hiring freeze that was implemented in February. Commissioner George Kruse says hours could be further reduced if the property tax referendum passes in November.
  • July 22, 2026
Property tax cuts will cause 'new normal' in Manatee County
4
Defender Declan Watters (left) is one of several Sarasota Paradise players learning from lead assistant Trevor Sinclair (right). The Paradise are 5-10-3 in USL League One and 6-13-3 overall, as of July 16.
  • July 22, 2026
Assistant coach brings wealth of experience to Sarasota Paradise
5
The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble brings together professional and high skilled musicians.
  • July 22, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble eyes new venue

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