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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
Tennis Coach Dickie Herbst and Cornell Professor Emeritus Joe Novak formed a friendship after Herbst read a story about Novak in the East County Observer. Novak died in September.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 2, 2023
It's always story time at the East County Observer

The Lakewood Ranch-area newspaper celebrates 25 years at the Nov. 3 Music on Main.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Leslie Richards and Deb Anderson of Lakewood Ranch say they haven't played a match on hard courts in years. They oppose hard courts being built at Premier Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 26, 2023
Will Premier Park tennis courts in Lakewood Ranch be hard on the body?

Lakewood Ranch-area tennis players say Manatee County shouldn't build hard-surface tennis courts.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Dan and Deborah Slottke of Mill Creek enjoy their ride through life with their 1979 Trans Am playing a big part.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 18, 2023
On the road with a couple of Bradenton Bandits

The upcoming car show at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church showcases unrelenting passion.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 13, 2023
Will Manatee County commissioners' wetlands decision impact 2024 election?

One commissioner suggests that it is mostly Democrats who oppose decision to decrease wetland buffers.

  • East County
  • Opinion
« 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 »
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Latest in East County

1
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager
2
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff
3
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research
4
Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
  • April 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League expands to improve accessibility
5
Gabriella Martinez Reyes, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named president of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America. This makes her the first of Manatee County.
  • March 31, 2026
LRHS junior named president for Florida's Future Business Leaders of America

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