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East County | Opinion

WEDU PBS isn't a luxury. It's a necessity.
  • By Paul Grove
  • June 17, 2025
WEDU PBS isn't a luxury. It's a necessity.

If you're skeptical of funding media with taxpayer dollars, you're not alone. In fact, you're asking the right question: Should the federal government be in the business of funding media at all?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Heather Hackett, the founder of Local Relief, Inc., points to the slat that bears her name as the 2024 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award recipient.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 11, 2025
Local relief nonprofit continues to draw attention in Lakewood Ranch

The weather disaster app grows into a third hurricane season.

  • 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
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Latest in East County

1
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer defeated East Lake in sudden-death penalty kicks Feb. 17 to win the FHSAA Class 6A-Region 3 title.
  • February 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer advances to state semifinals
2
The Lakewood Ranch High School hockey team huddles together at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex in December. The team could call Lakewood Ranch home if an ice rink is built at Premier Sports Campus North.
  • February 18, 2026
First step taken for ice rink to glide into Lakewood Ranch's Premier Sports Campus
3
Ability to Include's Grace Murby and Chris Collins are thrilled with a $10,000 grant that was presented to them by Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan to help build a universal soccer pitch.
  • February 18, 2026
Nonprofit makes its pitch for a new soccer field in Lakewood Ranch
4
Aurora Pena and Theo Light, second graders at Tara Elementary School, appreciate the new and improved classrooms and cafeteria.They are also looking forward to using the new field and playground when they are complete.
  • February 18, 2026
Final month of $31.4 million renovation at Tara Elementary
5
Braden River girls weightlifting brought home the FHSAA Class 2A state championship in Olympic style Feb. 12 at Lakeland's RP Funding Center. It marks the first in program history.
  • February 18, 2026
Braden River High raises the bar at girls weightlifting state championships

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