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East County | Opinion

Hal Meyers and Cindie Breeze of the Bluegrass Pirates entertain the crowd at Jiggs Landing. (Photo by Jay Heater)
  • By Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2022
Jiggs Landing of Bradenton plots the course of its concert series

The popular Manatee County park hosts live music Wednesday through Sundays.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The watercolor paintings of Stacey Lipton will be featured at the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch's 20th annual Fall Show and Sale on Nov. 19 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 10, 2022
Lakewood Ranch artist hopes to draw crowds to Fall Show and Sale

Painter Stacey Lipton will be featured during the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch event Nov. 19.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Janet and Dean Mixon might have to sell their beloved Mixon Fruit Farms in East County. (File photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 27, 2022
Days numbered for historic Mixon Fruit Farms in Bradenton

After crushing agricultural factors hit Florida, owners Janet and Dean Mixon say they will listen to offers for their farmland.

  • East County
  • News
Palm Aire's Nick Barbi is seeking members for his new Science and Technology Society.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 21, 2022
Unique club seeks science-minded members in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch

Nick Barbi hosts his first Science and Technology Society event with restaurateur Ed Chiles as the main speaker.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 20, 2022
Observer recommends . . .

City and county charter questions in Manatee and Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • October 14, 2022
Observer recommends: State constitutional amendments

A key measure for voters to consider: do the amendments limit your freedom?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance volunteer Patrick Larivaud takes a break from packing food to visit with Meals On Wheels Plus CEO/President Maribeth Phillips.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 12, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance volunteers give back to help hurricane victims

The LWRBA's annual "Alliance Gives Back " event takes on extra meaning after Hurricane Ian.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Monica Welde shows a porcelain angel that flew from her Welcome Barn to a spot under her bedroom window during Hurricane Ian. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 5, 2022
Angel flies through the storm at Bearadise in Myakka

Bearadise owner Monica Welde says miracle flight of a porcelain angel during Hurricane Ian was a sign from her late husband.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rosedale Golf and Country Club resident Fred Booth said Rosedale maintains 87th Street East and residents would be upset if cement trucks use the entrance to get to State Road 70. (File photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 22, 2022
Rosedale residents struggle with Lena Road extension

Manatee County is planning to connect the two lengths of Lena Road, but residents worry that turning Lena into a frontage road is going to greatly increase traffic overall, especially truck traffic.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 14, 2022
East Lakewood Ranch home highlights Sotheby's first live real estate auction

Just off State Road 70 near Myakka City, the 41.9-acre ranch is expected to soar high above its current $2.01 million bid.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh wasn't even up for election in the primaries but had a major impact on the winners. (File photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 8, 2022
Constant attacks on Manatee commissioner backfired during election

Intensified attacks on Vanessa Baugh could have hurt incumbents' run for reelection.

  • East County
  • Opinion
(File photos)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 1, 2022
New schools continue to be a growing topic

The big question is when to forge ahead with new schools in a slowing real estate market.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Pumpkin has beautiful eyes among other qualities. Ava Biasini is trying to find a home for Pumpkin. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 25, 2022
Bradenton 18-year-old spends summer finding homes for stray cats

Chemical engineering will have to wait for the cat-loving University of Florida student.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Joe Martinez started Friends of Lakewood Ranch Performing Arts Center to promote interest in building a theater. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2022
Is performing arts center in Lakewood Ranch just a dream?

The organization Friends of Lakewood Ranch Performing Arts Center forms to stir up support to build a theater.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Joe Di Bartolomeo
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 15, 2022
Tara CDD, Seat 1: Joe Di Bartolomeo

Meet the candidate.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
2
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork
3
Sisterhood for Good members Nikki Pelier-Simon, Samina Morrow and Allison Adams show off some fashions that will be in the spotlight at Tropical Escape July 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • February 4, 2026
Lakewood Ranch fundraiser is a hula for moolah
4
Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres
5
Village Idiots Cycling Club member Patrick Franklin Sr. (center) was killed riding his bicycle Jan. 22 when hit by a truck pulling a trailer on Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.
  • February 4, 2026
Building safer roads for cyclists worth a discussion in Manatee County

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