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East County | Opinion

Soleta developer Charles Duff and Hall of Famer Nick Price are combining on just one of the new golf ventures coming to East County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 14, 2024
Golf continues to thrive in Lakewood Ranch area

East County has become a mecca of the one-ailing sport.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Commissioner Ray Turner emcees the celebration ceremony for the Crooked River Ranch on March 1.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 7, 2024
Are Manatee County commissioners really interested in the environment?

Crooked River Ranch acquisition is a step in the right direction for the county.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Scott Gutschewski holds up the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 29, 2024
Director gears up for 2024 LECOM Suncoast Classic

Justin Kristich says increasing the seating is a priority for the Lakewood Ranch event.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The 25,000-square-foot Lakewood Ranch Library is the only project that has been completed at Premier Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 22, 2024
No money, but Manatee County plans for new Palmetto park?

Premier project drags, but $30 million will be spent on a veterans' memorial park.

  • 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
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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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