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East County | Opinion

Sgt. Steve Gaskins, the public affairs officer for the Florida Highway Patrol, uses a vehicle rollover simulator to demonstrate the dangers of driving aggressively during an FDOT seminar.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 3, 2023
Aggressive drivers on the road to disaster in East County

State Road 70 continues to be a dangerous highway due to crazy driving habits.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Communities' Morgan Bettes-Angell and Nicole Hackel are urging people to vote for The Market at Lakewood Ranch in the American Farmers Market Celebration. Vote at VoteLWR.com.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 29, 2023
Love the Market at Lakewood Ranch? Cast your vote

The America's Farmers Market Celebration competition is running nationwide through Sept. 19.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • June 29, 2023
Opportunities for all

The American dream is alive and well in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Board member Annemarie Neubecker is seeking volunteers for the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 22, 2023
Want to volunteer? The time is right in Lakewood Ranch.

Lakewood Ranch Community Fund is beginning a drive to find volunteers.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Kay Eyermann of Eagle Trace in Lakewood Ranch launched a successful interior design business, Serene Coastal Living, at the age of 70.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 14, 2023
Design talent knows no age when it comes to starting a career

A Lakewood Ranch woman proves that she has an artistic eye when it comes to designing homes.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Mark Clark took over June 1 as the new president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 4, 2023
New Lakewood Ranch Community Fund president takes the helm

Mark Clark says he wants to build the momentum that outgoing board President Nicole Ryskamp began.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of the Lakewood Ranch High Marching Band marched in the parade to honor the veterans.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 31, 2023
Tribute to Heroes Parade back on proper route

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities revived the Memorial Day weekend event.

  • East County
  • Opinion
CASTO Managing Director of Southeast Development Michael Chadwick talks to the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance about his company's many projects.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 24, 2023
More restaurant choices headed to East County

CASTO executive talks about his company's many development projects in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Parrish Community High School senior Ella Raistrick has been showing her artwork at the Waterlefe Art Show since she was a freshman.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 17, 2023
Graduation is a time of celebration and reminiscing

East County graduates, and Observer columnist, have four years worth of memories to treasure.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Concerned about Americans' problem with obesity, Lakewood Ranch's Rich Medford started Americas Wellness Group.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 2, 2023
Lakewood Ranch businessman makes large-scale attack on weight loss

Rich Medford started the business Americas Wellness Group to combat obesity.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Vanessa Baugh replaced Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge for two days as chair before Van Ostenbridge was reinstated.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 26, 2023
Manatee County commissioners embark on another wild ride

A flip-flop of commission board chair and the pursuit of another interim administrator are the latest oddities.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Daniel Lubner is loving life at the new Clive Daniel store in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 20, 2023
Clive Daniel story can't be swept under the rug

The Sarasota interior design/furniture business has driven, and sometimes comical, Clive Daniel owner Daniel Lubner.

  • East County
  • Business
The VFW Braden River Post 12055 marches in the 2022 Tribute to Heroes Parade.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 6, 2023
Will you take a stroll to honor veterans in Tribute to Heroes Parade?

The annual Lakewood Ranch parade to honor veterans and first responders is seeking participants.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells rides in a Ferrari during the 2023 Exotic Car Show on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch March 25. Legendary circus performer Bello Nock follows in the next car.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 31, 2023
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch is still the place to be

The Waterside Place hub is spectacular, but crowds continue to flock to Lakewood Ranch's original hub.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble Conductor Joseph Miller conducts the band during The Star Spangled Banner.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 22, 2023
Artsy sounds welcome in Waterside of Lakewood Ranch

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch's new Sights and Sounds series provides a cultural boost.

  • 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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