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East County | Opinion

Carol Ricks, principal at Myakka City Elementary, says the point of the Jump a Bucket event was to motivate the students and take the anxiety out of the equation while test taking.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 22, 2026
Manatee School District teachers deserve our thanks

Fifteen schools in East County are awarded an A rating by the state.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Work has either started or will begin soon on four roundabouts on University Parkway, east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. University Parkway also is being widened from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 8, 2026
Necessary construction will snarl University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch

Motorists should avoid as much of the congestion as possible by planning their trips ahead.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Boston's Simeon John of Community Rowing celebrates his title in the USRowing Junior National Championships Sunday at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota. Would Nathan Benderson Park be around if Sarasota County didn't have access to property taxes?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 17, 2026
Will Sarasota, Manatee counties lose their luxury living with reduced property taxes?

Both counties' signature amenities could be affected if amendment passes.

  • East County
  • Opinion
An aerial rendering of Premier Park's upcoming racket and aquatic center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 4, 2026
Residents receive little warning about Premier plan detours

Several of the minor plans for the park in Lakewood Ranch have been scrubbed.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Cash grab in Manatee, too
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 28, 2026
Cash grab in Manatee, too

While the Sarasota County tax collector has drawn ire for taking school district money, the Manatee County tax collector has taken even more and been doing it longer.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Take a long look at contributions
  • By Letter to the editor
  • May 20, 2026
Take a long look at contributions

East County Observer Editor writes fiction

  • East County
  • Opinion
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Michelson Fleurant places a rose on a plaque at the Manatee County Law Enforcement Memorial Service May 14 in Bradenton.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 20, 2026
Law enforcement officers' calling demands our attention

The Manatee County Law Enforcement Memorial Service is a reminder that men and women place their lives at risk for our safety.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The main building at the Bishop Animal Shelter has 52 dog kennels. The expansion adds 120 more kennels.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 13, 2026
Dog tired of spending money on Manatee County's animal shelters

After $12 million of improvements at the Bishop Animal Shelter, some county residents aren't satisfied with the conditions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Commissioner George Kruse proved you can govern without letting special interests influence your decisions after substantial campaign donations.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 6, 2026
Don't judge Manatee County candidates solely on campaign contributions

Developers and builders have every right to contribute to candidates that represent their best interests.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Love local news? There's an app for that. The Observer recently rolled out a smartphone application that makes it even easier to stay connected.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 22, 2026
App makes local news even easier to find

The Observer rolls out a new digital feature to connect with the community.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Steve Herrig, the owner of the Miakka Golf Club, which is expected to open in November, stands in front of a fairway and one of the many wetland areas formed by his course's construction.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 14, 2026
Miakka Golf Club's commitment to nature isn't enough for some neighbors

Steve Herrig says he has done everything possible to assure his Myakka City land is in better shape than when he brought it.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Readers responded to Jay Heater's column, asking if they enjoy the April Fools' edition. Were you fooled by the story about speed bumps on White Eagle Boulevard?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 8, 2026
East County Observer readers have last word on April Fools

Most of the readers who responded love the April Fools tradition.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Did our Pig-Away story and photo fool you in our April Fools edition?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 2, 2026
Is the Observer's April Fools edition foolish or just plain fun?

The East County Observer gets plenty of reactions from the 2026 April Fools edition.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The LECOM Suncoast Classic has averaged about 20,000 fans per year and has given back more than $1 million to the community.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2026
LECOM Suncoast Classic generates more than $1 million for students and charities

LECOM's Student Scholarship Fund has benefited by more than $700,000 for its Lakewood Ranch campus students.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Ted Lindenberg thanks students from Rogers Garden Elementary for singing a couple songs during the Books for Kids annual luncheon at Lakewood Ranch Country Club March 12.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 18, 2026
Books for Kids' passion runs cover to cover

Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch's reading program spells out success.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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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

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