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East County | News

While construction abounds around The Marketplace at Heritage Harbour, Portillo's is not among the businesses preparing to move into the shopping center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 25, 2026
Chicago hot dog eatery reverses course on Manatee County location

Portillo's is no longer planning to open a restaurant in The Marketplace at Heritage Harbour.

  • East County
  • News
The School District of Manatee County Superintendent Laurie Breslin, School Board Chair Cindy Spray, Vice Chair Richard Tatem, and School Board Members Heather Felton and Charlie Kennedy were among the group of people to break ground on AAA High School.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 24, 2026
Manatee School District breaks ground for new Lakewood Ranch high school

AAA High School, located at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch, is set to open to ninth and 10th graders in August 2027.

  • East County
  • Schools
The green rectangle on the top is where the homes would be clustered.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 21, 2026
80-home project gets thumbs down from the Manatee Planning Commission

Bradenton Estates II is being proposed near the intersection of 18th Avenue East and Morgan Johnson Road.

  • East County
  • News
The old Station 11, owned by East Manatee Fire Rescue, is being sold to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 21, 2026
Manatee County Sheriff's Office finds a home in Myakka City

East Manatee Fire Rescue sells the old fire station in Myakka City to the Sheriff's Office.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County continues to receive complaints about its reduced garbage service.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 20, 2026
Trash collection will be a hot topic at upcoming Manatee commission meeting

Commissioner Bob McCann also added kennel and canopy road concerns to Jan. 27 agenda.

  • East County
  • News
Jaynie Peterson, Tony Pinho, Brady Jo Trombetta and Madison Chuchla all teach dance classes at Fly Dance Fitness in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 20, 2026
Dance fitness studio opens new Lakewood Ranch location

The business offers a variety of dance and fitness classes while aiming to be a judgement-free space.

  • East County
  • Business
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 17, 2026
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO

The appointment of an interim CEO — Fawley Bryant Architecture COO and Partner Amanda Parrish — comes after the former leader of the organization retired.

  • East County
  • Business
Manatee County has announced available cold weather shelters.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 15, 2026
Cold weather shelters open in Manatee, Sarasota counties for frigid spell

Salvation Army, Under One Roof and Turning Points offer warm, safe spaces.

  • East County
  • News
Tal Siddique is this year's chair of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 14, 2026
Manatee County explores idea of adopting a charter

New Commission Chair Tal Siddique says a charter can give residents more control of their county.

  • East County
  • News
Clayton McCurry is a senior ranger at Duette Preserve.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 14, 2026
Prescribed burns are a hot topic in Manatee County

The county's burn team set fire to 13,950 acres of preserves last year to safeguard residents and wildlife.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport served more than 4.5 million passengers in 2025.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2026
Sarasota airport smashes passenger count record at 4.5 million

More than twice as many fly through SRQ than in 2019.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota's Alyssa Freniere, Beate “Mama G” Goldstein and Blair Sellers are the people behind the new Mama G's location at University Town Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 13, 2026
New German bakery, coffeehouse rises at University Town Center

Mama G's opened its doors of a new Sarasota-Bradenton location on Dec. 15 under the leadership of two 26-year-old managing partners.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Mike Newhams began teaching science at the Out-of-Door Academy in 1997 and was known for helping anyone and everyone with anything they might need. This included staying extra hours to provide academic support and attending clubs and events.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 12, 2026
Beloved Out-of-Door Academy teacher dies

Mike Newhams, who began teaching at ODA in 1997, died due to complications from his cancer treatments.

  • East County
  • Schools
Crooked River Ranch sits along the Manatee River and is the first property that was recommended by ELMAC and also purchased by the county.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 12, 2026
Conservation, parks referendum could return to Manatee County ballot in 2026

Nationwide nonprofit Trust for Public Lands is exploring the county's financial options to make additional land purchases.

  • East County
  • News
The Manatee County commissioners from left to right are Tal Siddique, Carol Felts, George Kruse, Mike Rahn, Amanda Ballard, Jason Bearden and Dr. Robert McCann. Siddique, Felts and McCann were newly elected in 2024. Kruse was re-elected.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 8, 2026
'Lectern guy' files to run for Manatee County Commission

Parrish's Adam Johnson sued six of seven commissioners in 2025, alleging corruption, and participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot in the Capitol Building.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
Calusa Country Club's Gene Bohland will be performing as a member of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble for the April 19 concert “The Magic of Music."
  • April 14, 2026
Music speaks to retired educator through his heart
2
A Riverdale home at 4003 Hawk Island Drive sold for $3.25 million. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,815 square feet of living area.
  • April 14, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 30 to April 3 in Lakewood Ranch
3
Bernhard Langer hits a drive on the third hole during the first round of the 2025 Charles Schwab Cup Championship. He's won an all-time record 12 senior majors in his storied career.
  • April 13, 2026
Who to root for at the Senior PGA Championship
4
Government protections remain important in keeping the Myakka River healthy and pristine.
  • April 13, 2026
Some residents say Manatee pulled 'bait and switch' on Myakka River monitoring
5
Outside weightlifting and wrestling, Freedom McDaniel also plays defensive end/defensive tackle for Braden River football. His 43 solo tackles in 2025 were second-most on the team.
  • April 13, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Freedom McDaniel

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