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East County | News

Gordon Folkes (on the left) explains how the drone works to members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance in August 2024.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 7, 2025
Manatee County EMS drone expands coverage area

The Lakewood Ranch coverage area expanded from serving about 5,000 residents to about 42,000.

  • East County
  • News
As members of VFW Post 12055, Post Commander Dave Daily and retired U.S. Army Col. Gill Ruderman meet once a month with post members at Wolveshead Pizza and Wings.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 3, 2025
Is veterans park a sugar pill being fed to taxpayers?

Manatee County wants the planned Palmetto veterans memorial park and connections hub to serve the region, but local VFW members say it's too far out of the way.

  • East County
  • News
Myakka City's Bennett Simunovic, 8, wasn't expecting to fly out of the slide so fast, but he doesn't mind.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 30, 2025
Urban Air Adventure Park opens in Lakewood Ranch

The 60,000-square-foot facility is the largest Urban Air in the country.

  • East County
  • Business
The barricades heading north on Lena Road from the roundabout at 44th Avenue East will be removed Oct. 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 29, 2025
Lena Road will connect State Road 64 to State Road 70 on Oct. 1

Manatee County plans to open the connection but emphasizes it won't be the urban corridor originally planned.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Katelyn Diaz, 19, is studying business and learning through hands-on experience with Sip n Brew.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 27, 2025
New business owners connect with Lakewood Ranch through coffee

Sip n Brew, a new coffee trailer owned and operated by a Lakewood Ranch family, will be at various locations throughout each week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Waxing Bye Felicia opened on Sept. 22, and owner Felicia Michaels began her day waxing the arms of one of her past clients, Stacey Oaster. Oaster drove nearly two hours for her services and says she plans to continue to do so.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 24, 2025
Waxing Bye Felicia opens in Lakewood Ranch

Felicia Michaels, owner of Waxing Bye Felicia, said it is her priority to make her clients feel comfortable and satisfied with her services.

  • East County
  • Business
Duette Preserve has become home to 131 relocated gopher tortoises since Manatee County opened a recipient site in December 2023.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 24, 2025
Gopher tortoises pay to stay in Manatee County

The county just brokered a deal that will bring in over $725,000 to house 191 tortoises.

  • East County
  • News
District 5 Commissioner Bob McCann votes against approving Manatee County's FY2026 budget.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 24, 2025
With one no, Manatee County approves $1.3 billion budget

Commissioner Bob McCann was the only commissioner to vote against the approval.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Mary Glass is retiring after an 18 year presidency with the Manatee Education Foundation.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 23, 2025
Education Foundation chief steps aside after 18 years of making a difference

Over the course of Mary Glass' presidency at the Manatee Education Foundation, $12 million was given to the School District of Manatee County to fund programs and events.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lindsey Leigh's children splash in the Myakka River. Leigh is advocating for Manatee County to protect its portion of the river.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 23, 2025
Myakka River sometimes looks like chocolate milk, residents say

Property owners ask Manatee County for help in saving the waterway.

  • East County
  • News
In a vote of 4-3, Manatee County commissioners opt not to renew the county's contract with the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 19, 2025
County ends funding of Manatee EDC

Other public and private sources still exist, but commissioners question the value of their contribution.

  • East County
  • News
Employees will mainly be working out of cubicles, but the administration building has several collaborative meeting spaces of all sizes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 17, 2025
Manatee County starts shift of some administration services to Lakewood Ranch

Director of Property Management Cary Knight provides a first look inside the new administration building at 9000 Town Center Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
Kratom products are displayed in a case at Wild Smoke Shop off of State Road 64. Kratom can be bought in a variety of forms from powders to drinks.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 16, 2025
Manatee County debates banning kratom and other designer drugs

Commissioners are undecided, but the sheriff and state attorney are in support of regulations.

  • East County
  • News
Braden River High student arrested for social media threats of gun violence
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 15, 2025
Braden River High student arrested for social media threats of gun violence

A 14-year-old allegedly posted on Snapchat stating he was going to shoot people at Braden River High School.

  • East County
  • News
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is opening its SEA site in early October.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 15, 2025
New Mote SEA facility will open in early October

Members get first views on Oct. 6-7 and public on Oct. 8 at its aquarium located near University and I-75 in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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