• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County | News

Triple Oak Preserve in Myakka City is one of the purchases Manatee County made using funds collected from the 2020 referendum.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 12, 2026
Environmental lands referendum one step closer to 2026 ballot

Manatee County commissioners were presented with four funding options to acquire additional lands and development rights.

  • East County
  • News
Saucy! is expanding on the Gulf Coast, with a Lakewood Ranch and Trinity location opening May 4 and 5, respectively.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2026
Saucy new chicken spot opens in Lakewood Ranch

As the name of the KFC spinoff suggests, dipping sauces are front and center in the restaurant on Lena Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Manatee County commissioners approve an over $50,000 a month contract for a backup generator for the administration building at 9000 Town Center Parkway.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 6, 2026
$12.48M generator request causes concern over Manatee County 'money pit'

Commissioner Bob McCann said the Lakewood Ranch administration building is becoming a "money pit."

  • East County
  • News
Deputy Sarah Brown works for the Manatee County Sheriff's Office in the traffic unit.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 6, 2026
Ride-along offers insight into the job of a Manatee County deputy

With more than 400,000 residents in Manatee County, only 24 Sheriff's Office deputies comprise the traffic unit.

  • East County
  • News
Former District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge continues to allege he was defamed during the 2024 election by Betsy Benac and Take Back Manatee.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 5, 2026
Former Manatee County commissioner continues to allege defamation

Kevin Van Ostenbridge's lawsuit against Betsy Benac was dismissed, but he has requested a rehearing.

  • East County
  • News
John Dunn is a former U.S. Air Force medic. He's also a graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 5, 2026
'Dunn' with special interests, Duette resident enters District 1 race

John Dunn wants the people to run Manatee County, not special interests or even commissioners.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioners George Kruse and Mike Rahn supported the project from the start.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 4, 2026
Compromise gives Lakewood Ranch-area development another shot

After an initial denial, Manatee County commissioners approved a 195,000-square-foot commercial project near Uihlein Road.

  • East County
  • News
Kelly Kirschner is the son of the late Kerry Kirschner, who led the Argus Foundation and also was mayor of Sarasota.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 3, 2026
Former Sarasota mayor joins race to fill Buchanan's Congressional seat

Kelly Kirschner, 51, was elected to the City Commission in 2007.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rangeland High School, previously referred to as AAA High School, is being built near Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch and is set to open to freshmen and sophomores in August 2027.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 1, 2026
New school in Lakewood Ranch is officially named Rangeland High School

The School District of Manatee County School Board voted unanimously on the school's name, which has been referred to as AAA High School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Supervisor of Elections Scott Farrington stands next to one of the new voting machines.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 30, 2026
Elections forge ahead with revamped Supervisor of Elections office

Manatee County’s Scott Farrington will get his first major tests after winning a high-profile election in 2024.

  • East County
  • News
Hurricane Milton at 8:05 p.m. Oct. 9, 2024.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 29, 2026
Climate Adaptation Center predicts fewer storms this hurricane season

The annual forecast by the local nonprofit predicted a total of two major hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Country Club East Park, a place of both community and convenience for Willis Elementary families, will be closed off starting May 29 for nine months to build three youth baseball fields.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 28, 2026
Manatee delays construction at Country Club East Park after parents state concerns

The park, which will have three new youth baseball fields built, is a secondary pick up and drop off spot for students.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Mike Rahn is running for reelection in Manatee County's District 4.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 27, 2026
Manatee County commissioner says he has more work to do in District 4

Mike Rahn says he will be knocking on as many doors as possible to find out residents' concerns.

  • East County
  • News
Driver pronounced dead after Lakewood Ranch crash
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 26, 2026
Driver pronounced dead after Lakewood Ranch crash

Florida Highway Patrol says a 69-year-old might have experienced a medical episode.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota's Axel Neff is glad to welcome community members who are both familiar and unfamiliar with Tim Horton's brand to bond over food and coffee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 26, 2026
Tim Hortons blazes a Florida path with Manatee County restaurant

Tim Hortons, a Canadian breakfast chain, wants customers both familiar and unfamiliar with the brand to walk away with a smile.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in East County

1
Bradenton 3-year-old Zy'heir Curry, a lover of "Paw Patrol," shows off his trophy from playing flag football at The Learning Experience.
  • July 24, 2026
The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch tackles a flag football event
2
Can you eat both halves of a corned beef sandwich? You can test your skills when Wolfie's Hand Cut opens at UTC late this year.
  • July 23, 2026
Can new concept earn the bread for Wolfie's at University Town Center?
3
The Lakewood Ranch Library will open an hour later starting Aug. 1 due to a hiring freeze that was implemented in February. Commissioner George Kruse says hours could be further reduced if the property tax referendum passes in November.
  • July 22, 2026
Property tax cuts will cause 'new normal' in Manatee County
4
Defender Declan Watters (left) is one of several Sarasota Paradise players learning from lead assistant Trevor Sinclair (right). The Paradise are 5-10-3 in USL League One and 6-13-3 overall, as of July 16.
  • July 22, 2026
Assistant coach brings wealth of experience to Sarasota Paradise
5
The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble brings together professional and high skilled musicians.
  • July 22, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble eyes new venue

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free