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East County | Opinion

Members of the Lakewood Ranch High Marching Band marched in the parade to honor the veterans.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 31, 2023
Tribute to Heroes Parade back on proper route

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities revived the Memorial Day weekend event.

  • East County
  • Opinion
CASTO Managing Director of Southeast Development Michael Chadwick talks to the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance about his company's many projects.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 24, 2023
More restaurant choices headed to East County

CASTO executive talks about his company's many development projects in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Parrish Community High School senior Ella Raistrick has been showing her artwork at the Waterlefe Art Show since she was a freshman.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 17, 2023
Graduation is a time of celebration and reminiscing

East County graduates, and Observer columnist, have four years worth of memories to treasure.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Concerned about Americans' problem with obesity, Lakewood Ranch's Rich Medford started Americas Wellness Group.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 2, 2023
Lakewood Ranch businessman makes large-scale attack on weight loss

Rich Medford started the business Americas Wellness Group to combat obesity.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Vanessa Baugh replaced Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge for two days as chair before Van Ostenbridge was reinstated.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 26, 2023
Manatee County commissioners embark on another wild ride

A flip-flop of commission board chair and the pursuit of another interim administrator are the latest oddities.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Daniel Lubner is loving life at the new Clive Daniel store in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 20, 2023
Clive Daniel story can't be swept under the rug

The Sarasota interior design/furniture business has driven, and sometimes comical, Clive Daniel owner Daniel Lubner.

  • East County
  • Business
The VFW Braden River Post 12055 marches in the 2022 Tribute to Heroes Parade.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 6, 2023
Will you take a stroll to honor veterans in Tribute to Heroes Parade?

The annual Lakewood Ranch parade to honor veterans and first responders is seeking participants.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells rides in a Ferrari during the 2023 Exotic Car Show on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch March 25. Legendary circus performer Bello Nock follows in the next car.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 31, 2023
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch is still the place to be

The Waterside Place hub is spectacular, but crowds continue to flock to Lakewood Ranch's original hub.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble Conductor Joseph Miller conducts the band during The Star Spangled Banner.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 22, 2023
Artsy sounds welcome in Waterside of Lakewood Ranch

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch's new Sights and Sounds series provides a cultural boost.

  • East County
  • Opinion
This aerial photo, taken in February, shows construction in The Tides community which features single-family, built-to-rent homes on Lake Spoonbill in Waterside.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 8, 2023
The Tides rolls into Lakewood Ranch's single-family home rental market

Despite sharp rise in rents, the single-family, built-for-rent home market remains hot in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Chef Swaran Singh (center) cuts the ribbon during the grand opening of Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine. Owners Poonam Maini and Shubi Maini are on the left.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 23, 2023
Indian culture, kindness are key ingredients at Tandoor restaurant

Poonam Maini considers all the patrons at Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine in University Town Center to be her extended family.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lee Washington has taken the role of interim Manatee County administrator.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 15, 2023
Has calm come to Manatee County government with new interim administrator?

The choice of former U.S. Marine Lee Washington should provide a respite from the madness.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch's Don Malko, who won a trip for two to the Super Bowl, shows off his drawings of significant members of the aerospace industry.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 2, 2023
Lakewood Ranch aerospace journalist flying high after winning Super Bowl tickets

Don Malko and his grandson are heading to the Super Bowl courtesy of Verizon.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The No. 18 hole at Lakewood National Golf Club often sees big crowds during the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 25, 2023
Volunteer opportunities at Suncoast Classic open as schedule shifts

The Korn Ferry Tour's stop in Lakewood Ranch stop will in mid-April.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 20, 2023
Earn your beads at a Mardi Gras run in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund is hosting its first 5K fundraiser.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest in East County

1
Hysen Muhametaj, Jamison Eige, Ron Major and Sydney Bartlett of Direct Window & Door celebrate Eige's win at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off.
  • March 14, 2026
Spicy showdown at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off
2
"Paradise Runway" fashion show models Judie Jacobson, Patti Wrobel, Cheryl Gross, Janet Nash and Regina Napoli wait to show off their second outfits for the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club fundraiser.
  • March 13, 2026
Paradise Runway fundraiser hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club
3
A bird box for purple martins sits on the golf course at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club of Lakewood Ranch.
  • March 13, 2026
Wildlife checks into the Ritz in Lakewood Ranch
4
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center COO Philip Reber, who has overseen the $120 million tower expansion, has been named the hospital's interim CEO.
  • March 12, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO resigns
5
Art in the Park will take place on March 14-15 at the University Park Country Club. It will feature different mediums of art from 50 artists including Michael Parkinson, a co-chair for Art in the Park.
  • March 12, 2026
University Park's Art in the Park to showcase 50 local artists

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