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East County | Opinion

Investors are not hurting the housing market
  • By Eliza Terziev, Adrian Moore
  • June 11, 2025
Investors are not hurting the housing market

The lack of supply is the biggest culprit in housing climbing to unaffordable levels in the area.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Gardeners Out East members Carolyn Lowry-Nation, Nancy Schneider and Melodie Friedebach stand by the Gold Star Memorial installed by the club at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 21, 2025
A Memorial Day service in Lakewood Ranch would warrant a gold star

Move of Tribute to Heroes Parade to November leaves a void.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee does it again
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 14, 2025
Manatee does it again

Learning Manatee commissioners voted to pursue voiding a contract was too much for SMR’s Rex Jensen.

  • East County
  • Opinion
County should study traffic before buying admin building
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • May 13, 2025
County should study traffic before buying admin building

Give animals on University Parkway a brake, one Observer reader says.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 7, 2025
Manatee's proposed $23.5 million purchase raises transparency issues

While buying a Lakewood Ranch building appears to be positive for East County, residents had little chance to offer input.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Stillpoint Mission's Marge Slepica, Gene Tischer, Linda Burman, Gary Scott and Jim Keiner and Annual Appeal fundraisers Bob Smith, Diane Brune, Judy Balmer and Bob Keehn celebrate the record $84,017 raised.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 30, 2025
Stillpoint Mission Appeal sets another record for Bob Smith and friends

Time to celebrate charity, and to get some swim lessons, in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
LWRCF's Mark Clark and Kate Mulligan stand with former humanitarians of the year Philip Reber (representing Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's selection in 2021), Bob Smith (2022) and Heather Hackett (2024) in front of the now up-to-date plaque.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 16, 2025
LWR Community Foundation makes a statement by taking care of little problem

Its plaque to honor the humanitarian of the year is once again up-to-date.

  • East County
  • Opinion
George Foreman
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 24, 2025
A huge interview with Big George Foreman

The heavyweight champion taught us all about the benefits of having a little compassion.

  • East County
  • Opinion
You can now watch airplanes come and go from the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport's Aircraft Observation Area.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 19, 2025
Just an observation: I love airplanes

Manatee County and the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport open their new Aircraft Observation Area.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch's Bob Krieg and Sarah Burt are excited about his new book, "Ocean Speed."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2025
Lakewood Ranch author tells his sailing adventures in 'Ocean Speed'

Bob Krieg describes his 3.5-year sail around the world, but the book also gives tips and advice on long-distance sailing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Justin Kristich, Juan Gutierrez, Kay Scholten, and Mike Hope are recruiting volunteers for the LECOM Suncoast Classic golf tournament at Lakewood National.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 6, 2025
Help wanted: It's LECOM Suncoast Classic Tournament time

The Korn Ferry event returns to Lakewood Ranch and needs another 200 volunteers.

  • East County
  • Opinion
After years of working with the military and law enforcement with explosives, Lakewood Ranch's John Scomillio found his best partner was a dog. He now works part-time at Dogs Inc.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 27, 2025
Former explosives expert gets a charge out of helping dogs

Lakewood Ranch's John Scomillio has made a home for himself at Dogs Inc.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Jim Keiner, Gene Tischer, Marge Slepica, Bob Keehn, Bob Smith and Diane Brune celebrate the 2024 donation to Stillpoint Mission.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 19, 2025
Stillpoint Appeal remains simple, and effective, in Lakewood Ranch

Bob Smith and his golf and poker buddies continue to have a heart of gold.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Commissioner's thoughts on moratoriums are misguided
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 18, 2025
Commissioner's thoughts on moratoriums are misguided

Please use caution when Sandhill cranes are present, a reader says.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Blues artist Dylan Triplett gets up close and personal with the fans during the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 12, 2025
Local promoter plans next Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival

Morgan Bettes Angell is considering tweaks to better serve the community.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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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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