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East County | News

Bradenton's Pam Page, Joanne Telesco, Valerie Lipscomb and David Daniels stand outside the School District of Manatee County's School Support Center to express their disapproval of the district's policy on reviewing books and materials.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 7, 2024
Manatee County School District finalizes book review procedure

Despite concerns from a board member and some residents, the district approved a procedure for parents and residents to object to the use of a book in the classroom.

  • East County
  • Schools
Waterside Place is a 36-acre lakefront town center in east Sarasota County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 7, 2024
Waterside Place almost sold out as gastropub plans fall opening

With six restaurants expected to open by late 2024, only one space remains in the Lakewood Ranch business and entertainment hub.

  • East County
  • News
A rendering of the playground being built at Tom Bennett Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 6, 2024
Upgrades to Bennett Park in Bradenton create destination playground

The ADA-accessible playground in east Manatee County is under construction and planned to open by early May, with a splash pad to follow.

  • East County
  • News
Stray dog is on the run in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 6, 2024
Stray dog is on the run in Lakewood Ranch

A King Charles spaniel mix nicknamed Rascal was first spotted in early November. He was caught once and is back on the run.

  • East County
  • News
The Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant is now the largest ultrafiltration plant in Florida.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 5, 2024
Manatee promises improved water quality after treatment plant upgrades

Manatee County spent $53 million to retrofit the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant with ultrafiltration membranes.

  • East County
  • News
Commission Chair Mike Rahn, County Administrator Charlie Bishop, Commissioner George Kruse and Commissioner Ray Turner enjoy the first sip of water after Manatee County spent $53 million to retrofit the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant with new filters.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 31, 2024
Upgraded Manatee water treatment system serves its first drink

Manatee County's $53 million retrofit uses ultrafiltration membranes to block additional contaminants.

  • East County
  • News
Renderings of the playground being built at Tom Bennett Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 31, 2024
ADA-accessible playground coming to Tom Bennett Park

Manatee County commissioners and the Bradenton Kiwanis Club celebrated the groundbreaking on a state-of-the-art playground that will be accessible to all children.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County is having trouble filling its citizen advisory boards. Boards typically meet on the fifth floor of the Administration Building.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 30, 2024
Manatee County considers value of citizen advisory boards

Chief of Staff Andy Butterfield is in the process of reviewing all 18 advisory boards.

  • East County
  • News
What was once the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch's administration building now sits empty.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 24, 2024
Lease termination settlement costs Manatee County $375,000

Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, a child and family services nonprofit, originally requested $2.96 million in compensation after its lease was terminated.

  • East County
  • News
First affordable housing project approved in East County
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 22, 2024
First affordable housing project approved in East County

The proposed apartment complex between Interstate 75 and Lena Road, Amara, will offer 25% of its units at an affordable rate.

  • East County
  • News
Co-owner Adam Myara serves up a smashburger to the wait staff in the Ed's Tavern kitchen. The new Ed's Tavern had a soft opening for its second Lakewood Ranch location on Friday.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 19, 2024
Ed's Tavern opens its second Lakewood Ranch restaurant

The new building on Upper Manatee River Road hosted a soft opening on Friday before it opened to the public on Saturday.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Team USA's Jerry Kelly hits a shot on the No. 1 hole at The Concession Golf Club on day one of the World Champions Cup. Kelly and teammate Justin Leonard earned a total of 20 points, 10 in each session, for Team USA on day one.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 18, 2024
World Champions Cup books The Concession for 2024, 2025 and 2028

Team USA won the inaugural event, held at The Concession in December in the Lakewood Ranch area, in dramatic fashion.

  • East County
  • Sports
Six pickleball courts opened at UMR Sports in early 2022.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 17, 2024
Athletic academy plans expansion into all-encompassing sports complex

UMR Sports will add baseball and softball fields, mini golf and a multipurpose field for soccer, football and lacrosse to its campus in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Myakka Rancher Jim Strickland says Florida residents have to think about what the future of the state will look like so they can make proper decisions today.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 17, 2024
Rancher says Manatee County faces key conservation decisions

Myakka's Jim Strickland says Florida is headed toward ecological disaster if the public doesn't deal with important issues now.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 16, 2024
Studies examine SR 64 widening, White Eagle speed limits

With area growth, the subject is whether to widen State Road 64 to four lanes from Lorraine Road to Verna Bethany.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience
3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
4
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
  • December 3, 2025
Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move
5
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

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