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East County | Opinion

The Athletics and Aquatics Center at Premier Sports Campus North is pictured Oct. 17 under construction. Soon to offer the only long-course pool in Lakewood Ranch, it figures to be the main destination for the area's top swimming talents.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 3, 2025
Hey Santa, how about a finished Premier park for Lakewood Ranch?

The wish is for the long overdue park project to be finished in the next couple years.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The runners all reach for their watches as the 2024 Florida Turkey Trot begins at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 24, 2025
Pass the turkey, and the thanks during a special holiday

Lakewood Ranch has so much contributors who make our home a great place to live.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Food for thought at Thanksgiving
  • By Greg Campbell
  • November 22, 2025
Food for thought at Thanksgiving

Local Chef Greg Campbell talks about the impact of food trucks.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Eric Nuxol, the championship director for the Senior PGA Championship, says community involvement will be a huge key to success for the tourney.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 19, 2025
Sarasota, Manatee community involvement key to Senior PGA Championship success

Championship Director Eric Nuxol stimulates interest as ticket sales and volunteer registration has begun.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The initial staff of Sarasota Memorial Hospital in November 1925. The Hospital, held a celebration for its 100th anniversary last week.
  • By David Verinder
  • November 5, 2025
Sarasota Memorial celebrates a century of care

Sarasota Memorial Hospital President and CEO David Verinder shares his thoughts about the complex's 100 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Patty Notarianni's work will be featured at the Creative Art Association of Lakewood Ranch's Fall Art Show and Sale Nov. 15 at the Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 5, 2025
Small events make Lakewood Ranch a big draw

As big events come and go, clubs and organizations highlight talented residents.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Panther Preserve's Emily Kasperski shows off her beloved Bam, which will be on display at the Knights of Columbus Car Show and Cookout Nov. 1 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 29, 2025
Bam takes center stage at Our Lady of the Angels car show

The Knights of Columbus event raises funds for St Jude Children's Hospital.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Commissioner Bob McCann has looked into the possibility of a hiring freeze in Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 23, 2025
DOGE witch-hunt haunts Manatee County

Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia's press conference smacks of a political ploy.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Former Lakewood Ranch barbershop owner Barry Rainwater has launched his career as an author with "2025: Gardens and Creeks."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 16, 2025
Former Lakewood Ranch barbershop owner writes a new life chapter

Barry Rainwater's science fiction thriller "2525: Gardens and Creeks" is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

  • East County
  • Opinion
David Sessions, Andrea Saputo Cox and Joseph Najmy were the speakers at Pioneers of Progress: Founding Businesses of Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 24, 2025
Business 'pioneers' talk about Lakewood Ranch's success

Their business fortunes skyrocketed with the Ranch, and they hope smart planning keeps it that way.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Heather Hackett, the founder of Local Relief, Inc., points to the slat that bears her name as the 2024 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award recipient.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 10, 2025
Local Relief seeks financial relief

Heather Hackett's disaster recovery nonprofit seeks backers.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Planned ball fields at Manatee County park are beyond fiscal prudence
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • September 9, 2025
Planned ball fields at Manatee County park are beyond fiscal prudence

It's time to take a closer look before any further action is taken, a Country Club East resident writes.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Even Commission Chair George Kruse has been frustrated by state agencies that are trying to stop Manatee County from implementing its wetland buffer policies.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 4, 2025
State's special interest favoritism plagues Manatee

Manatee County commissioners are trying to figure out wetlands conundrum.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Denise Allen and fiancé Mark Latcheran of Parrish visit with Dr. Shilpa Jadeja, who was part of Latcheran's care team at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 20, 2025
Chalk up a life saved for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

Parrish's Mark Latcheran tells a feel-good story about the hospital's staff.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Women's suffrage still a work in progress
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 19, 2025
Women's suffrage still a work in progress

The path to suffrage was not universal or equal; many barriers continued to exist for the full participation of all women, an Observer reader says.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest in East County

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience
3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
4
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
  • December 3, 2025
Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move
5
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

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