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East County | News

This rendering illustrates the plan for three youth baseball fields at Country Club East Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 11, 2026
$7.2M youth baseball fields move forward in Lakewood Ranch

Regardless of the Manatee County Commission's decision, Country Club East residents are not finished raising concerns.

  • East County
  • News
The Florida Agricultural Crimes Intelligence Unit meets at the Sarasota County Farm Bureau Feb. 19.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 11, 2026
Florida agricultural intelligence unit protects country assets

Law enforcement and wildlife officers meet monthly to share resources and intel.

  • East County
  • News
The Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant can filter 84 million gallons of water per day.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 10, 2026
Manatee County changes plans for water supply needs

Current demand projections indicate the need for an additional 5 million gallons of water per day by 2030.

  • East County
  • News
Sweetwater's Whit and Taylor Wesenberg founded Humu's Island Treasures after selling five handmade art pieces within a day of being posted on Facebook marketplace.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 10, 2026
Lakewood Ranch small business carves out good vibes

Humu's Island Treasures sells carved and painted art pieces via social media and art shows.

  • East County
  • Business
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 7, 2026
Bankrupt Saks Fifth Avenue to close Sarasota-UTC store

A Saks has been in the Sarasota-Manatee market for at least three decades.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The former Mixon Fruit Farms store is being discussed as a future site for a library.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 7, 2026
Monthly farmers market coming to Mixon Farms site

The first round opens March 15, with dates in April and May. A nine-month season will resume in September.

  • East County
  • News
This photo offers an idea of what the townhomes would have looked like if approved.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 5, 2026
Manatee County commissioners deny 232 townhomes off Lorraine Road

During the same land use meeting, commissioners approved a freestanding ER on State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
Doug Melcher is the co-owner of BellaBlue Berry Farm and Winery in Myakka City.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2026
Myakka City bee and berry farms still standing after historic cold snap

Two Myakka City farms experienced little to no losses, but it took a lot of strategizing.

  • East County
  • News
Several residents report checks mailed from the post office in Lakewood Ranch have been stolen and washed.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2026
Officials release few details in Lakewood Ranch check washing scam

Multiple residents have reported checks being stolen from the post office in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Brian Taylor, who works as executive vice president for Perform[cb], has been working from CoworkLWR since 2021 in order to have a separation between work and home life. He enjoys the opportunities to network with fellow remote workers at the new location.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 3, 2026
CoworkLWR moves to a new, larger Lakewood Ranch location

Keith Pandeloglou's business had spent the past 10 years on Lakewood Main Street.

  • East County
  • Business
With scissors in one hand and a whip in the other, Commissioner Carol Felts cuts the ribbon on a historical marker for The Florida Cracker Trail Feb. 13 at Manatee Village Historical Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 3, 2026
Manatee County mourns the death of its 'feisty' commissioner

Carol Ann Felts, a citizen activist who scored a stunning political victory in 2024, died Feb. 24.

  • East County
  • News
Rev. Phil Woods stands in the newly renovated 10,000-square-foot sanctuary.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch church wraps up $7.7 million expansion

Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch now worships in an artful 10,000-square-foot sanctuary.

  • East County
  • News
Woman, two children identified in Lakewood Ranch death investigation
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2026
Woman, two children identified in Lakewood Ranch death investigation

Manatee County deputies were called to a residence on Friday night.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Paradise owner Marcus Walfridson says he expects his team to be competitive immediately in USL League One because "we don't do this to lose games."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 27, 2026
Will pro soccer find paradise in Lakewood Ranch?

Owner Marcus Walfridson says a pro soccer team is just what the region needs to bring everyone together.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Day is celebrated in Tallahassee Feb. 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 25, 2026
Local legislators and businesses come together on Manatee County Day

The inaugural event welcomed over 80 attendees and 24 businesses and nonprofits.

  • 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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