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East County | News

Sgt. John Skeen, who died Oct. 21, was honored at the Elks Lodge in Lakewood Ranch May 8 on Victory in Europe Day.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 4, 2025
World War II hero dies at 107 years old

Bradenton's John Skeen reluctantly told stories about fighting with the U.S. Army's 70th Infantry Division.

  • East County
  • News
A new Outback Steakhouse opens Nov. 11 on the corner of State Road 70 and Crossland Trail.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 1, 2025
Outback Steakhouse opens in Lakewood Ranch on Nov. 11

The popular Australian-themed restaurant will open on the corner of State Road 70 and Crossland Trail on Nov. 11.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A silver Volkswagen SUV was reported leaving the Town Square University Parkway with several leafy plants strapped to a roof cargo rack.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 29, 2025
Burglar makes off with Manatee senior center's therapeutic garden

Town Square University Parkway hopes donors now can help replace what was stolen.

  • East County
  • News
The second floor of the Lakewood Ranch Library could open as early as April 2026.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 29, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Library's second floor could be built out by April

The second floor buildout is one of several projects Manatee County Libraries has slated for the upcoming year.

  • East County
  • News
Bob's barricades have found a temporary home outside Lakewood Ranch Town Hall as road crews move them on and off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard as lane closures are required.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 27, 2025
Lakewood Ranch-area road projects continue to move forward

Work is wrapping up on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, but lane closures continue on State Road 70 and Upper Manatee River Road.

  • East County
  • News
Carved Crafted Sandwiches, located at Waterside Place, will serve hot and cold sandwiches, salads, bowls, soups, beer and wine. They will also have grab and go items.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 24, 2025
Gourmet sandwich shop to open in Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch

Owned and operated by Mark and Carrie Botros, Carved Crafted Sandwiches makes its debut early in November.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Director of Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy retires
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 23, 2025
Director of Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy retires

Jay Romine served 33 years in law enforcement and over 12 years as a director at MTC in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Schools
The new pavilion and restrooms at Greenbrook Adventure Park are open to the public.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 22, 2025
Pavilion, restrooms open at Greenbrook Adventure Park

More than two years after smoldering fireworks caused the original structure to burn, the replacement is complete.

  • East County
  • News
District 5 Commissioner Bob McCann votes against approving Manatee County's FY2026 budget.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 22, 2025
Manatee County commissioner calls DOGE audit 'accurate'

Commissioner Bob McCann said it's time to "tighten the belt and cut some people loose."

  • East County
  • News
Circle Chiropractic's Zoey Young, Greg Hengel, Ben Duke and Alex Scholz welcomed clients for the first time at their new location in Lakewood Ranch on Oct. 6.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 21, 2025
Chiropractic office opens in Lakewood Ranch

Their own injuries prompted Circle Chiropractic Owner Ben Duke and Clinic Director Greg Hengel to pursue careers in chiropractic care.

  • East County
  • Business
One of Intercoastal Medical Groups offices at 965 Beneva Road in Sarasota. Aetna is dropping Intercoastal Medical Group from its Medicare Advantage plan coverage.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • October 20, 2025
Intercoastal patients lose Aetna Medicare Advantage coverage

After Nov. 30, patients who have an Aetna plan and use Intercoastal Medical Group will have to change doctors or get new coverage.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia holds a press conference in Manatee County Oct. 16.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 16, 2025
Manatee 'overspent' $112.4 million to grow government, Florida CFO says

Blaise Ingoglia held a press conference Oct. 16 at Pier 22 in Bradenton to criticize the county's government.

  • East County
  • News
This bridge on Singletary Road in Myakka City is due for a $3 million replacement.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 16, 2025
2 East County projects make Manatee's legislative priorities list

Manatee County is asking the state and federal government for $24 million across seven projects.

  • East County
  • News
Residents in Summerfield Bluffs are rescued after the Braden River flooded their street following Hurricane Debby in 2024.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 15, 2025
Manatee County inches toward initiating stormwater fees

Despite public pushback in 2019, Manatee County is taking another shot at implementing a stormwater program.

  • East County
  • News
Greg Crawford, area president of M/I Homes, Erika Walker, Pelotonia's philanthropy and stewardship manager and Chase Knopt and Ashtyn Crockett, construction managers at M/I homes pose with the $141,000 check at the Sweetwater benefit home.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 14, 2025
M/I Homes donates $141,000 toward cancer research

The sale of the M/I Homes dwelling in Lakewood Ranch is going to Pelotonia, a nonprofit that supports cancer research.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
The idea for Moo-Jitsu was a collaboration between 9-year-old Olivia Whitman and her father Brandon Whitman in October of last year. They launched the business in August.
  • December 8, 2025
Love of cows adds spice to Lakewood Ranch business
2
Francesca Bisordi poses for a photo on Dec. 4 during a Lakewood Ranch wrestling practice. Currently competing in the 155-pound weight class, she formerly wrestled at 170 in both 2024 and 2023.
  • December 8, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Francesca Bisordi
3
The Lake Manatee EMS station is due for a replacement. EMS moved into the space in 1982.
  • December 8, 2025
Site for a new Lake Manatee EMS station is under fire
4
Capacity of the new operation is up to 18 million gallons a day from 12 million, and the system reduced harmful nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus released into the reclaimed-water irrigation.
  • December 7, 2025
Expanded, improved wastewater plant officially opens
5
St. Petersburg's Ella Brown and Sarasota's Mike Chambers take full advantage of the live music to show off their best dance moves at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Dec. 6.
  • December 7, 2025
Lakewood Ranch music fans aren't crying the blues after festival

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