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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
Laurie Breslin was officially sworn in as the superintendent for the School District of Manatee County on Sept. 9.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 8, 2026
Student safety, mold issues loom for new Manatee schools superintendent

Laurie Breslin cites facility upgrades, academic improvement and higher graduation rates as high priorities for 2026.

  • East County
  • Schools
A Manatee County Sheriff's Office substation is under construction at Premier Sports Campus North.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 7, 2026
New county facilities headed for Lakewood Ranch area in 2026

Manatee County has multiple projects slated for Lena Road and Premier Sports Campus North.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital has 897 beds.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota hospitals gain Forbes' recognition

The magazine's 2026 Top Hospitals list includes four from the Manatee-Sarasota region.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
  • April 10, 2026
Manatee County Commission changes course on Bradenton EDC
2
Angelina Goesch and her mom, Ana Goesch, founder of Dogs of Lakewood Ranch, pose with Ana's 4-year-old Golden retriever, Maple.
  • April 8, 2026
The Dogs of Lakewood Ranch club allows canine lovers to network
3
Manatee County's District 1 commission seat was left vacant after Carol Felts died suddenly Feb. 24.
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee County District 1 commission seat open for applications
4
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.
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee Technical College flying into SRQ with new aviation program
5
Five more hotels are in the works for Lakewood Ranch.
  • April 8, 2026
Five new hotels slated for Lakewood Ranch

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