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East County | News

A rendering of Optimal Outcomes' HealthPark II that will be built in Lakewood Ranch with the groundbreaking early in 2026.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 5, 2025
Optimal Outcomes builds a second health park in Lakewood Ranch

The health care real estate development company expects to break ground in early 2026.

  • East County
  • Business
The Lakewood Ranch Community Action Group protests a possible gas station on the corner of 44th Avenue East and White Eagle Boulevard Nov. 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 5, 2025
Lakewood Ranch-area residents protest possible gas station

A pre-application was submitted for a 24-hour convenience store and gas station on 44th Avenue and White Eagle Boulevard.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County has issued a burn ban to help prevent wildfire.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 4, 2025
Manatee bans burning until next week at earliest

Similar restrictions are already in place for Sarasota.

  • 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
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Latest in East County

1
Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
2
Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair
3
Greenbrook's David, Hannah and Jaime Marco all had a part in creating Jaime Marco's new book “Unfunkt: Quiet the Noise. Ignite the Light.”
  • December 12, 2025
Readers can shed the funk with Lakewood Ranch author's 'Unfunkt'
4
SMR's new coffee table book, "Lakewood Ranch — A Legacy of Living with the Land" is available locally and on Amazon.
  • December 10, 2025
'Lakewood Ranch — A Legacy of Living with the Land' is a fun history lesson
5
Carrie Walden, the Project Edge classroom instructor, is teaching 10 students including Mia Pardella and Justin Torres in the Project Edge program at MTC East.
  • December 10, 2025
MTC program teaches students with disabilities skills to enter workforce

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