• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

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
Jack Zimmerman is attempting to recruit more Lakewood Ranch seniors to his Sarasota Senior Softball Association leagues.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2021
Lakewood Ranch senior softball players forced to travel to compete

Sarasota Senior Softball Association gives Lakewood Ranch players an option.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Bill and Tina Gardner (center) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their children, Jennifer Shimkonis, Doug Gardner, Julie Warren and Billy Gardner.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 8, 2021
Lakewood Ranch couple celebrates 60th anniversary at the Country Club

Lakewood Ranch octogenarians celebrate their 60-year marriage at the Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, thanks the community for its support during a difficult school year.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • June 9, 2021
School District of Manatee County Superintendent gives thanks to community for support

School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders applauds teachers, students, staff members and the community for a successful school year.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sarasota Polo Club owner James Miller says the community support he has received has energized him for the future.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 2, 2021
Community Support energizes Sarasota Polo Club owners

James Miller says he can't wait for the 2021-22 Sarasota Polo Club season

  • East County
  • Opinion
Scott and Sarah Stevens both graduated with a master's degree in analytics from Georgia Tech University in Atlanta May 7 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 26, 2021
River Club of Lakewood Ranch area family masters education

Father/daughter finish off master's degree in analytics in May at Georgia Tech.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The late Richard Albero, who lived in Del Webb, wrote a book about his 1,200-mile walk from Tampa to New York to raise $56,000 for the Wounded Warrior project. He died in 2020 and is being honored at the Tribute to Heroes Concert.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 18, 2021
Tribute to Heroes Concert in Lakewood Ranch a chance to support vets

Tribute to Heroes Concert will be held at the Greenbrook Adventure Park in Lakewood Ranch on May 22.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lisa Genova will be the guest speaker in the Brain Health Matters series.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 12, 2021
Best-selling author featured in Brain Health Matters lecture in Lakewood Ranch

Lisa Genova will appear via Zoom in a fundraiser to support the Brain Health Scholars program.

  • East County
  • News
A letter writer says vaccines don't meet proper standards.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 14, 2021
Lakewood Ranch-area man says vaccines don't meet the standard

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Will Manatee County Commission turmoil lead to needed change?

  • East County
  • Opinion
Country Meadows' Michelle Noel has gone from jobless due to the pandemic to the owner of Wicked Awesome Ice Cream Emporium in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 17, 2021
Pandemic planted seeds for Wicked Awesome Ice Cream Emporium in Lakewood Ranch

New ice cream emporium in Lakewood Ranch melts together fun and whimsy.

  • East County
  • News
Pine View senior Kaki France sings the National Anthem before Sarasota Polo Club play March 7.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 9, 2021
A Star Spangled Banner day at the Sarasota Polo Club

National Anthem always will play at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Bryson DeChambeau leads some invited fans up to the ninth fairway at The Concession.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 3, 2021
Will Lakewood Ranch-area golf event at The Concession pay off for Manatee County?

World's best players loved The Concession in Bradenton, but no PGA Tour event is planned for the future.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Letters rip, praise Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • February 22, 2021
Lakewood Ranch area letters hammer, support Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh

Some call for Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh's resignation, others praise her work to get a vaccination site in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Rex Jensen
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 16, 2021
Whirlwind effort delivers 3,000 COVID-19 vaccinations in Lakewood Ranch

State delivers three days of 1,000 vaccinations to Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Boat captain Denise Kleiner said the $25 sunset tours at Jiggs Landing offer incredible sights.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 13, 2021
Jiggs Landing concession in Bradenton fights to survive pandemic

Did you know Jiggs Landing of Bradenton offers live music, food and beer along the waterside?

  • East County
  • News
« 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 »
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
Allen Clark set records at The Out-of-Door Academy. Now, his focus has shifted to his future, and what college he'll compete for.
  • February 16, 2026
Out-of-Door Academy football star navigates recruiting chaos
2
The only access point to Bradenton Estates II is proposed from 18th Avenue East.
  • February 16, 2026
Manatee County commissioners approve 80 homes on 18th Avenue East
3
Manatee County Library Services Manager Tammy Parrott and Sue Ann Miller, president of the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, believe the second floor of the facility will be put to good use.
  • February 16, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Library is about to reach new heights
4
Kelly Gilliland grew up in Sarasota and has now lived in Lakewood Ranch for 25 years.
  • February 16, 2026
Resident's long-lasting heart for Lakewood Ranch stems from a mother's love
5
Left: Darrel Drury has lived in the Lakewood Ranch area for nearly eight years. Right: David Sessions has overseen the construction of dozens of buildings in the region in the past 35 years.
  • February 15, 2026
Round and round goes the chatter about roundabouts in Lakewood Ranch

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