• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • 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
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • 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
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

East County | Opinion

    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 11, 2022
Windward at Lakewood Ranch launches latest salvo in amenities race

The Neal Communities property shows how middle- to upper-middle-class families are living the country club lifestyle.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch High student Kathleen Cravens just returned from an internship sponsored by NASA. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 8, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High student finds the perfect space for her astronomic career goals

"I like the whole concept of exploration. It's humanity pushing its limits. It the curiosity. There is going to be another space race. But it's going to be Mars."

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lake Club Giving Circle founder Barbara Najmy and member Julie Swan show off some of the sneakers the giving circle collected for The Twig nonprofit. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 28, 2022
The Lake Club's circle of giving increases

"If you stay the course and continue to surround yourself with like-minded women, then great things come of it," founder Barbara Najmy says.

  • 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
« 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 »
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
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

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.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now