• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • 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
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County | Opinion

General Manager Steve Dietz shows off the pristine conditions at Waterlefe Golf & River Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 21, 2023
The grass is greener after $5M renovation at Waterlefe Golf & River Club

The Bradenton upscale community is improving the golf course and expanding its clubhouse.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Waterside of Lakewood Ranch's Bob Smith was honored as Humanitarian of the Year by the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund in 2022.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 14, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Community Fund's Humanitarian of the Year nominations due

A new Junior Humanitarian of the Year will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The playground at the Greenbrook Adventure Park in Lakewood Ranch is designed to flood during huge weather events, but Hurricane Idalia left only puddles.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 6, 2023
I shudder to think of the consequences of not putting up shutters

Residents of Lakewood Ranch area mostly were confident of not having to put up shutters for Hurricane Idalia.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Our Lady of the Angels' Pat Martino joins Catholic Charities' Gloria Romero and Eddie Gloria as they collect items for the Boots and Bandanas' silent auction.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 31, 2023
Our Lady of the Angels event brings out the best in the community

Lakewood Ranch's generosity is on display as Catholic Charities' Boots and Bandanas event approaches.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County Commissioners Raymond Turner, James Satcher, Kevin Van Ostenbridge, Jason Bearden and George Kruse celebrated the opening of the 44th Avenue Bridge over the Braden River on Aug. 7. Commissioners Amanda Ballard and Mike Rahn were not in attendance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 24, 2023
Manatee County commissioners record new highs and lows

The decision to cut wetland protections sparks anger while the 44th Avenue extension generates joy.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch's Adrian Olivo brings his canoe to shore after competing in the Men's Masters B 200 meters of the ACA Sprint Canoe National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park. He finished third in 57.911.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 13, 2023
Nathan Benderson Park exec says local rowing/paddling talent will surface

The Sarasota park will continue to host world class events with a new staff in place.

  • East County
  • Opinion
LJ Govoni, president of Fat Point Brewing Co., offers up a Keywaydin Island blonde ale at the grand opening July 28 at UTC.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2023
Fat Point Brewing offers pint-sized satisfaction at UTC

Sarasota's newest craft beer pub opened at a small, intimate setting on Cattlemen Road.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Little Free Library founder Elizabeth Henderson and Neel Menon dedicate the new library in Bob Gardner Park to Jai Menon, Neel's brother who died in 2016.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 27, 2023
Little Free Libraries continue to grow in the Lakewood Ranch area

The smallish libraries have a great impact to the communities they serve.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch's Janice Wagner says singing is an uplifting experience for those of any age.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 19, 2023
Magic of Manatee singing group names new director

Lakewood Ranch's Janice Wagner will head the Sweet Adeline's group.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sgt. Steve Gaskins, the public affairs officer for the Florida Highway Patrol, uses a vehicle rollover simulator to demonstrate the dangers of driving aggressively during an FDOT seminar.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 3, 2023
Aggressive drivers on the road to disaster in East County

State Road 70 continues to be a dangerous highway due to crazy driving habits.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Communities' Morgan Bettes-Angell and Nicole Hackel are urging people to vote for The Market at Lakewood Ranch in the American Farmers Market Celebration. Vote at VoteLWR.com.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 29, 2023
Love the Market at Lakewood Ranch? Cast your vote

The America's Farmers Market Celebration competition is running nationwide through Sept. 19.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 29, 2023
Opportunities for all

The American dream is alive and well in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Board member Annemarie Neubecker is seeking volunteers for the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 22, 2023
Want to volunteer? The time is right in Lakewood Ranch.

Lakewood Ranch Community Fund is beginning a drive to find volunteers.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Kay Eyermann of Eagle Trace in Lakewood Ranch launched a successful interior design business, Serene Coastal Living, at the age of 70.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 14, 2023
Design talent knows no age when it comes to starting a career

A Lakewood Ranch woman proves that she has an artistic eye when it comes to designing homes.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Mark Clark took over June 1 as the new president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 4, 2023
New Lakewood Ranch Community Fund president takes the helm

Mark Clark says he wants to build the momentum that outgoing board President Nicole Ryskamp began.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 »
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
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

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 © 2026 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.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free