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East County | Opinion

Troopers Ryan Dwyer and Alec Ritter of the Florida Highway Patrol's Central Region Honor Guard lead the casket of Trooper Joseph Bullock into Bayside Community Church Feb. 13.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 19, 2020
Trooper's funeral in Lakewood Ranch stirs emotions, thoughts

Bayside Community Church in Lakewood Ranch hosts trooper's funeral.

  • East County
  • Opinion
New College has become a top producer of students who earn prestigious fellowships. They have awarded 74 Fulbright Fellowships to their students over the past 15 years.
  • By Sen. Joe Gruters and Reps.Wengay “Newt” Newton, Will Robinson, Margaret Good, Tommy Gregory and James Buchanan
  • February 18, 2020
My View: New College is a premier institution, let's not break it

Bill in Tallahassee would make Sarasota college part of FSU system.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Rosedale's Hal Ross is a former Canadian toy industry executive who now will concentrate on writing suspense novels.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 5, 2020
Nothing fictional about Bradenton writer's goals

Former Canadian toy industry executive enjoying life as an author in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Damage caused by feral pigs in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 15, 2020
Letters to the Editor in Lakewood Ranch

Feral Pigs aren't so cute when they aren't tearing up land in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 1, 2020
2020 word of the year: Make it a ‘Golden’ year

Given the past three years of strife in Washington, one word that comes to mind is ‘stop’ — as ‘Stop it!’ But a better approach is to take the high road: the Golden Rule.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Pat and Bill Kopcsak still enjoy telling a story of incredible kindness that allowed them to have a wonderful Christmas in 1976.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2019
Lakewood Ranch couple tells Christmas story of kindness

Hitting a cow and damaged car doesn't stop a wonderful Christmas for Lakewood Ranch couple.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Brett Hutchens, a principal at Casto, talks about the Center Point project in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2019
Impressive Center Point complex comes to Lakewood Ranch; More traffic to follow

Lakewood Ranch gets another restaurant hub with the development of the Center Point project.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Jay Jaudon said he believes pickleball will continue to grow in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 14, 2019
Pickleball continues to explode as a sport in Lakewood Ranch

Pickleball continues to explode as a sport in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Norman Love's artistry will be on display when his Chocolate Salon opens in the UTC area early in 2020.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 14, 2019
Norman Love makes sweet debut in Sarasota

Renowned chocolatier brings Norman Love Confections to UTC area.

  • East County
  • News
Letter writer wants to see road improvements.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • November 11, 2019
Letters to the editor

Letter writer hopes for improvement on dangerous Lakewood Ranch roads.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Although the nest had come down in front of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, the bald eagles still are there along White Eagle Boulevard.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 16, 2019
A land of wonder in Lakewood Ranch ... and a few worries

A land of wonder in Lakewood Ranch ... and a few worries

  • East County
  • Opinion
East County's Katie McCoy plays with her guide dog, Bristol.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 1, 2019
Let Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto take you on a tour of the dark

Side or Ranch: Jay Heater

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 22, 2019
Lakewood Ranch is mastering the art of reinvention

Don’t settle for a home you don’t love. Radical reinvention is possible. Jason and Tracy Cotterill proved it in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County Administrator Cheri Coryea and Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis both say they must react to growth in the eastern portions of their counties.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 14, 2019
Growth in eastern Manatee and Sarasota counties key to administrators

Growth in eastern Manatee and Sarasota counties key to administrators

  • East County
  • Opinion
Pickleball is one sure bet as Manatee County builds a new park adjacent to Premier.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 6, 2019
Have you voiced your hopes for Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch?

Pickleball definitely is coming, but your opinion could form the way the area around Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch is built out.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest in East County

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
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2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
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3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
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Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move
5
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

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