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East County | News

Manatee County has renegotiated its contracts with Waste Pro and Waste Management to bring back limited bulk trash pickup for one year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 15, 2026
Manatee County launches $3M pilot program for bulk garbage pickup

Regular bulk pickup was eliminated when the "Big Bin Advantage" was introduced in October.

  • East County
  • News
Dick Vitale, 86, has been with ESPN since the 1979-80 season and has called over 1,000 games for the network. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 14, 2026
Vitale reveals a new cancer diagnosis

The 86-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident and sports announcer says treatment begins next week.

  • East County
  • News
Government protections remain important in keeping the Myakka River healthy and pristine.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 13, 2026
Some residents say Manatee pulled 'bait and switch' on Myakka River monitoring

Two technicians were supposed to monitor the Myakka River, but they were hired to cover all of Manatee County instead.

  • East County
  • News
County Administrator Charlie Bishop is typically seated at the dais with commissioners during meetings, but he was absent during the discussion about his contract April 7.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 12, 2026
Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop's contract up for renewal

Commissioners reviewed Bishop's contract but opted to make changes before renewing it.

  • East County
  • News
The Ikea franchise system includes 58 retail locations in the United States. There are 412 Ikea stores worldwide in 32 countries.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 11, 2026
Ikea to open at UTC in Sarasota

The store will span 48,000 square feet off Cattlemen Road.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
    By
  • Elizabeth King, Lesley Dwyer
  • April 10, 2026
Manatee County Commission changes course on Bradenton EDC

Commissioners chose to partner with the EDC and approved a $292,450 annual contract.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County's District 1 commission seat was left vacant after Carol Felts died suddenly Feb. 24.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee County District 1 commission seat open for applications

Gov. Ron DeSantis has the option to appoint someone to fill the remaining seven months left before the general election.

  • East County
  • News
Construction has advanced quickly from Feb. 8 when this aerial photo was taken. The vantage point shows how close the school is from one of the runways at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee Technical College flying into SRQ with new aviation program

The Aviation Maintenance Technician School is on schedule to open in January 2027.

  • East County
  • Schools
Five more hotels are in the works for Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2026
Five new hotels slated for Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch currently has just four hotels within its boundaries.

  • East County
  • News
Florida Statute 1001.42(4)(f)2 will require high schools, including Braden River High (pictured) and Lakewood Ranch High, to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. unless the district submits paperwork and gets accepted to keep the current start times.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 7, 2026
Manatee County School District might fight starting time mandate

A 2025 Florida Statute states high schools cannot start before 8:30 a.m. unless the district submits paperwork to prove such a change causes disruption.

  • East County
  • Schools
Greenbrook's Tara Poulton is running for Manatee County's District 6 commission seat.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch resident brings government experience to District 6 race

Tara Poulton's resume includes working for DeSoto County, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Congressman Vern Buchanan.

  • East County
  • News
John Atanassov and Joel King, co-owners of Blu Kouzina, are eager to serve and get to know new customers at their new location at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 6, 2026
Blu Kouzina adds its Greek flavor at University Town Center

With a focus on fresh ingredients and making customers feel at home, Blu Kouzina hopes to win over East County patrons.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Under Southwest Florida Water Management District's Phase III restrictions, water fountains can only run four hours per day.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 5, 2026
Manatee County among 14 Southwest Florida counties under water restrictions

A Modified Phase III Extreme Water Shortage is in effect from April 3 through July 1.

  • East County
  • News
Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race

Tony Barrett hopes to earn a seat as his term as fire commissioner comes to an end.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff

The purchase of an administration building in Lakewood Ranch and the expanded Information Outreach department were cited as examples of excessive spending.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
For the final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season, Randy Bordon and Bri Rivera of the Bri Rivera Band perform for the crowd.
  • May 30, 2026
Crowd jams final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season
2
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan's appointments to U.S. service academies for the fall include (from left) Micah Pubillones, Lakewood Ranch High graduate Jack Crosbie, Caine Cokkinias, Hunter Wilk, Dax Morgan, Caitlin Nguyen, and John Wheaton.
  • May 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch grads named to service academies
3
Matthew Myers is the chief of Emergency Management for Manatee County.
  • May 29, 2026
Custom equipment, software to accelerate Manatee County hurricane response
4
Cash grab in Manatee, too
  • May 28, 2026
Cash grab in Manatee, too
5
Novalee Roberts, a third grader at Myakka City Elementary, is eager to participate in the Tape the Principal (Carol Ricks) event.
  • May 28, 2026
Myakka City Elementary celebrates test achievements with 'Jump a Bucket'

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