• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • 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
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • 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
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County | News

Lakewood Ranch residents Chris and Megan Matras are eager to open Jeff's Bagel Run in Lakewood Ranch. They will serve bagels, cream cheese, coffee and more.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 22, 2025
Jeff's Bagel Run to open in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch residents Chris and Megan Matras are eager to bring the Jeff's Bagel Run franchise to Lakewood Ranch.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Grace Community Church is expanding its Lakewood Ranch campus to include a student center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch megachurch still growing

Grace Community Church bought a new building for its staff and is constructing an overflow parking lot and student center.

  • East County
  • News
The boathouse and events center planned for Nathan Benderson Park is expected to cost between $60 million and $70 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 16, 2025
Nathan Benderson Park boathouse, events center begins to take shape

Nathan Benderson Conservancy board member says 2026 will be an important fundraising year for the $60 million to $70 million project.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County commissioners hold the second of two required public hearings May 8 to request "extraordinary circumstances" from the state to raise impact fees.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 16, 2025
Manatee receives threat of litigation over increased impact fees

Freedom Housing Alliance Inc. maintains the impact fee increase violates state statute.

  • East County
  • News
A panther kitten peeks out from its den.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2025
Manatee County wildlife corridor faces funding challenges

Over 18 million acres are listed to eventually be part of the state's wildlife corridor.

  • East County
  • News
Daniel Bradshaw, the principal of Parrish Community High School, and Carol Ricks, the principal of Myakka City Elementary School, man the registration desk at Myakka City Elementary as it serves as a shelter during Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2025
What does it take to use Manatee schools as hurricane shelters?

In the midst of a severe storm, no one is turned away from the Manatee County schools that serve as shelters.

  • East County
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County owns and utilizes 4 electric buses: 2 that can go 130 miles on a charge and 2 that can go up to 200. Jamie Warrington, director of transportation for the district, says there are pros and cons in terms of the environment and efficiency.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2025
Manatee needs more testing on electric school buses

Cost and the ability to serve open areas are just some of the areas that need more exploration before the School District of Manatee County purchases additional electric buses.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gorjana stylist Sydney Scovill and Taylor Lingreen, the store manager, want the customers to feel comfortable and beautiful when shopping at their store.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2025
California-based jewelry company opens location at UTC mall

Gorjana makes Sarasota its 106th location.

  • East County
  • Business
Lake Manatee K-8 is the biggest and most well known construction project. The elementary part of the school will open in August, with the middle school set to open the following school year.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 13, 2025
3 major construction projects are almost finished for Manatee schools

Along with the new Lake Manatee K-8, the other two projects will increase capacity for students and help with overcrowding.

  • East County
  • Schools
Stefanie and William Booth thank crew members from the West Bradenton EMS station Jan. 23 for saving his life the month before.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 11, 2025
Manatee County’s Emergency Medical Services recognized for excellence

EMS received a gold achievement award from the American Heart Association.

  • East County
  • News
The Manatee County Tax Collector's Office east branch at 10705 Technology Terrace, Bradenton.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 9, 2025
Tax collector charges Manatee County schools $1.5M

The Manatee County tax collector decides to take a $1.5 million commission from the school district's referendum funds.

  • East County
  • Schools
Melody Reedy is one of several Manatee County residents to hold up signs during the land use meeting Oct. 5, 2023 in an attempt to stop commissioners from cutting wetland protections out of the Comprehensive Plan.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 9, 2025
Senate Bill 180 handcuffs Manatee County commissioners

Florida legislators' actions might have stripped commissioners' attempts to make voter-supported changes.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioners Tal Siddique, Jason Bearden, Amanda Ballard and George Kruse visit the House of Representatives in Tallahassee in March to discuss Manatee County's legislative priorities.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 8, 2025
Manatee County hit hard by governor's appropriation vetoes

Gov. Ron DeSantis' vetoes total $1.35 billion across the state, including $576 million in line-item vetoes.

  • East County
  • News
Unincorporated Manatee County residents can now file some police reports online without having to wait on a deputy.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 7, 2025
Unincorporated Manatee County residents can file police reports online

In the first two weeks of service, about 200 online reports were filed through the Manatee County Sheriff's Office website.

  • East County
  • News
The Myakka City Historical Society has been restoring the Myakka City School House since 1993.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 2, 2025
Historical sites tell Manatee County's story

Preserving history is a joint effort between government, nonprofits and residents.

  • East County
  • News
« 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 »
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
Seniors Gavin Moore, Abigail Frint and Ryan Johnson were among 12 students at Lakewood Ranch High School to set up and spread the word about the opportunities available at the new College and Career Center.
  • December 9, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High's College and Career Center makes its debut
2
Martha McKlveen, a Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center volunteer and donor, is eager for Kitty City to be able to support more cats that are in need, just like the over 1,000 she has fostered since 2009.
  • December 9, 2025
Kitty City built at Nate's Honor with $250,000 donation from volunteer
3
A Wild Blue at Waterside home at 1058 Blue Shell Loop sold for $3.25 million. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,607 square feet of living area.
  • December 9, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 24-28 in Lakewood Ranch
4
Four boys compete for Sarasota Scullers in the Plant High Winter Sprints on Dec. 6 at Nathan Benderson Park. The Scullers, founded in 1991, are hosting a fundraiser on Dec. 13 to build back from damages suffered during past hurricane seasons.
  • December 9, 2025
Sarasota Scullers pursue 1 million meters
5
Miracle League Board President Robyn Graham, Elks Golf Tournament Director Mark Liddell, Elk Sarah Davis and Miracle League Executive Director Chris Cushman celebrate the Elks' $1,500 donation to the league.
  • December 9, 2025
The miracle of caring is celebrated at Longwood Park in Sarasota

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 © 2025 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.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now