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East County | Opinion

Panther Ridge's Jody Nolan took up stained glass art because she wanted to find a hobby that would take her outside her comfort zone.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2021
Panther Ridge artists host art studio tour in eastern Manatee County

Artists try to build support to start a Panther Ridge Arts and Crafts Association in eastern Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Elks Tom Sweeney and Jerry Ditty stand with veteran Michael Monthervil during a fundraiser for Homes for Our Troops.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 5, 2021
Homes for our Troops benefits from Lakewood Ranch Elks and Rosedale Golf Classic fundraisers.

Army Specialist Michael Monthervil was paralyzed in Afghanistan, but Homes for our Troops builds him a home with help from the Lakewood Ranch Elks and the Rosedale Golf Classic.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Work has been done in Myakka City on a lot that will host the Sarasota Medieval Fair.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • October 27, 2021
With Sarasota Medieval Fair approaching, Myakka City resident questions landowners agritourism goals

Sarasota Medieval Fair in Myakka City, Manatee County's special election, environment all topics of letter writers.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Jeremy Croteau tends to his livestock on his Myakka City farm that will host the Sarasota Medieval Fair.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 20, 2021
Dark clouds hover over Sarasota Medieval Fair in Myakka City

Sarasota Medieval Fair in Myakka City goes forward despite special permit questions from Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Brittany Lamont has been hired as the new CEO and president of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 5, 2021
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hires new CEO and president

Brittany Lamont will head Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance after 11 years at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County's Palmetto animal shelter has been run down and overcrowded for years.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 29, 2021
Manatee County commissioners should show patience before junking Palmetto animal shelter

Palmetto animal shelter renovation could save Manatee County money.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 14, 2021
Manatee County Commissioners approve $6 million for animal shelter, $14.9 million for Lakewood Ranch library

Manatee County Commissioners note they can change their mind down the road if the funding seems inappropriate.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Air Force veteran Eugene Vaadi, who flew missions in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, died Aug. 28 at the age of 100.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 31, 2021
Sarasota war hero dies at age 100

Sarasota's Gene Vaadi, who died Aug. 28, flew missions in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Paul Amato, Trevor Kelliher and Greg Kelliher, all of Lakewood National, are hoping All Friends Network can make a difference in the lives of those who have developmental disabilities.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 24, 2021
Lakewood Ranch man with cerebral palsy makes All Friends Network a reality

All Friends Network gives those with cerebral palsy, autism and developmental disabilities a place to build relationships.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Overcrowding at Lakewood Ranch High might have paved way for a new charter school in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 20, 2021
Viability of Lakewood Ranch charter school pondered

Manatee school board approves a charter school that hopes to open in Lakewood Ranch in 2022

  • East County
  • Opinion
With Nate's Honor Animal Rescue expanding in Lakewood Ranch, would the county be smart to try to establish a public-private partnership with the nonprofit?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 5, 2021
Letter writer says Manatee County needs new animal shelter

As Manatee County considers building a new animal shelter in East County, some letter writers back public-private partnerships.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Drivers should be aware as the School District of Manatee County opens its new school year Aug. 10.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 5, 2021
Beware perilous intersections in Lakewood Ranch area as school opens

As school opens in Lakewood Ranch, east Bradenton area, watch out for construction, dangerous intersections.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Deanna Murchie and Susan Giroux show the new dog kennels they have added to their Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch site in Myakka City. Could the county benefit from a public-private partnership with the nonprofit?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2021
Manatee County should slow down on building new animal shelter

If Bishop Animal Shelter donation comes to fruition in Bradenton, Manatee County might not need to build a new shelter.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Dom DiMaio has stepped down after two years as president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 28, 2021
Search for Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance leader begins again

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance would covet a leader who would stay longterm.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Mark, Elyse and Aaron Gordon on the first day of Kindergarten at Willis Elementary School in August, 2013
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 23, 2021
Bus(ted) the first day

The first day of school is full of joyous rituals and anxieties — for parents, of course.

  • East County
  • Schools
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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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