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East County | Opinion

Clash of merit vs. politics
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 21, 2024
Clash of merit vs. politics

After 11 years as Manatee’s supervisor of elections, Mike Bennett is retiring March 1. He has recommended an obvious choice: his chief of staff. But a surprise candidate has also applied: Commissioner James Satcher.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Braden River Library is one of seven locations in the Manatee County Public Library System.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 15, 2024
Don't be a knucklehead. Take an eBay class at the Braden River Library.

Mike Ivankovich, an eBay guru, offers free seminar about how to buy and sell online.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Keith Green is making a run for the District 7 at-large Manatee County Commission seat.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 8, 2024
District 7 candidate hits Lakewood Ranch streets

Keith Green explains why he hopes to unseat incumbent George Kruse.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch's Jodi and Ron O'Toole, and Craig and Susan Belesi have formed a bond as the husbands fight Parkinson's disease.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 1, 2024
Lakewood Ranch couples bond to face Parkinson’s

Parkinson Place Center of Sarasota is key to their sustaining their quality of life.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch resident says: 'They paved our paradise'
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 1, 2024
Lakewood Ranch resident says: 'They paved our paradise'

Another Lakewood Ranch resident is not happy with Manatee County's split with the American Library Association.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Jeff Molby plans to cycle 16,000 miles over the next two years, including this leg through Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 25, 2024
Cyclist pedals to find volunteers to support cancer patients

Jeff Molby's cycling adventure to benefit cancer patients takes him through Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
David Sessions, the CEO of Willis Smith Construction, which combined with Fawley Bryant Architecture to build and design the new library, said it's a great balance of being functional and attractive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 18, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Library's design based on what's inside the box

Fawley Bryant Architecture and Willis Smith Construction delivered a simple, and yet beautiful, modern library.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Blue Oyster Cult's Eric Bloom sings at Premier Sports Campus in January, 2017. Lakewood Ranch still has no amphitheater or events center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 11, 2024
Manatee County does well on roads, flunks wetland protections

Our columnist responds to Manatee County's online survey.

  • East County
  • Opinion
District 5 Commissioner Ray Turner says the Commission must do a better job explaining the reasons for its decisions to the public as well as communicating its vision.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 4, 2024
Commissioner says communication with Manatee constituents must improve

District 5's Ray Turner says his constituents "will know what he stands for."

  • East County
  • Opinion
Words for 2024
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 27, 2023
Words for 2024

At the start of each year, we pick a word to live by. We asked others to give us their word for 2024. They all make persuasive cases.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Team USA's David Toms and Brett Quigley look over the green on the No. 9 hole at The Concession Golf Club during the World Champions Cup at The Concession.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 14, 2023
Concession Golf Club makes a major statement during World Champions Cup

Could the 2031 PGA Championship now go to the Lakewood Ranch-area course?

  • East County
  • Opinion
A look at where Manatee County plans to build the amenities at Premier Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2023
Manatee County still dragging its feet at Premier Park

Land purchased in 2017 and 2018 is still waiting for the first amenity to open.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Keith Pandeloglou, the owner of UTC Venture Group and President and CEO of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, won the Best Rancher award at the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's Sandies event Friday at the Grove.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 23, 2023
Work in background propels Keith Pandeloglou to the forefront

The executive director of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities earns "Mr. Lakewood Ranch" title.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The Grinch, in this case Kingsley Sim, appeared at the Santa's Grand Arrival Parade at UTC. His job, however, was to make people smile.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 16, 2023
Santa's Grand Arrival Parade not without a Grinch or two

Traffic congestion at UTC in Sarasota caused the expected social media firestorm.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Madison Huffman was crowned Miss Sunshine Charity Pageant Jr. Teen Ambassador in September.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 9, 2023
Raising funds for charity looks good to pageant winner

Lakewood Ranch High freshman Madison Huffman will raise funds and awareness for Hope Family Services during her reign as Miss Sunshine Charity Pageant Jr. Teen Ambassador.

  • 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
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
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.
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience
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
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
4
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
  • December 3, 2025
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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