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East County | Opinion

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 28, 2022
The Observer's 2022 primary election recommendations

CEO Matt Walsh shares his recommendations for races in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
One of Lorraine Robertson's passions is playing the piano. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 21, 2022
Far more to come in this Lakewood Ranch story

Staying busy, 87-year-old Lorraine Robertson wrote and released a book, "The Saga of a Holistic Physician," between bridge group, painting sessions and piano recitals.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Austin Bruce holds the award and Zachary Geiger holds the robot they built to win the VEX Robotics Competition at the National TSA Conference in Texas. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 14, 2022
Nothing nerdy about robotics title

Two Lakewood Ranch High students placed second at the National TSA's VEX Robotics Competition, propelling each other toward their aeronautical dreams.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Nancy Castro and Dennis Larson have started End of Life Ready to help people deal with the many problems that follow the death of a spouse or a significant other.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 7, 2022
Locally founded website preps for responsibilities following partner's death

End of Life Ready, a nonprofit started by two Lakewood Ranch residents, goes through various information categories to help prepare for the death of a significant other.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Country Club East's Nicole Pies has started Divorce Real Estate using her doctorate in psychology to help those in high-stress situations.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 30, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Realtor specializes in high-stress sales

Psychologist/Realtor Nicole Pies founds company Divorce Real Estate dedicated to people going through a divorce who want to buy or sell a home.

  • East County
  • Business
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • June 29, 2022
What is liberty?

Americans want to be happy about their country on the Fourth of July. This year, it’s hard to cheer.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Stephanie Peabody's Brain Health Initiative has launched a collaborative program with the School District of Manatee County. (File photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 21, 2022
Lakewood Ranch schools chosen to implement Brain Health Initiative collaboration

The School District of Manatee County will work with Brain Health Initiative to create a better learning environment.

  • East County
  • News
This mongoose lemur was born in May at the Lemur Conservation Foundation in Myakka City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 16, 2022
Myakka 'safety net' provides hope for lemurs

The Lemur Conservation Foundation needs donations to help keep lemurs from going extinct. But don't feel slighted if they don't invite you in. Humans have been the enemy for the past 2,000 years.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Many businesses, such as Wawa, have racks inside with the East County Observer.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 9, 2022
Racking our brains to deliver the paper in Lakewood Ranch area

The East County Observer seeks more outlets, and better online service to make the newspaper available.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes has become the target of some county employees who don't like the direction the county is going.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 3, 2022
Voting only way to reverse county's squabbling

Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes has become the target of some county employees who don’t like the direction the county is going.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Betsy Benac
    By
  • Guest Author
  • June 1, 2022
Betsy Benac says Manatee County administrator, commission throw ethics out window

Former commissioner says mismanagement driving away talented Manatee County employees.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The late Craig Boots of the Country Club was a former Navy pilot who flew planes off aircraft carriers.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 26, 2022
Lakewood Ranch woman talks of Tidewell Hospice's impact

Miriam Boots says her husband's final days were made more peaceful by the hospice's care and kindness.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh says change can be difficult even if it takes Manatee County in a positive direction.
  • By Vanessa Baugh, Manatee County Commissioner | Guest
  • May 25, 2022
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh hopes Manatee County residents embrace change

District 5 commissioner says facts show Manatee County is moving in the right direction.

  • East County
  • Opinion
When a driver on the road is driving recklessly, law enforcement often turns to a helicopter so it's mobile units can back off.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 12, 2022
Fatal crash illustrates pursuit's difficulty

This particular accident was quite different in nature.

  • East County
  • Opinion
ODA graduate Kaylen Rivers was a Brain Health Scholar who served as a program ambassador while she was a student at ODA.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 6, 2022
Becoming a Brain Health Initiative scholar is a no-brainer

No matter what eventually comes out of the Brain Health Initiative, the scholar program should be known as its first stroke of genius.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest in East County

1
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
2
Capri Finan, 7, Madelyn Finan, 9 and Maverick Finan, 3, pose with Santa after telling him what they want for Christmas, which includes a doll house and a trampoline.
  • December 18, 2025
Braden River High transforms into Winter Wonderland
3
Renovations and construction of new concessions in Concourse B at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport are nearly complete.
  • December 18, 2025
Airport's growth in 2025 sets the stage for 2026 planning
4
At a Junior Achievement "Discovery Center'' in Tampa, elementary-aged students run a mock city.Two similar facilities are proposed to be set up at Emma Booker Elementary and Booker Middle schools in Sarasota.
  • December 17, 2025
Rejections sent to Manatee, Sarasota Schools of Hope requesters
5
Lakewood Ranch senior forward Gabriel Lara (11) chases after the ball during a Dec. 15 game against Braden River.
  • December 17, 2025
LRHS's boys soccer team races to an unbeaten start through 10 games

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