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East County | Opinion

Lakewood Ranch's Adrian Olivo brings his canoe to shore after competing in the Men's Masters B 200 meters of the ACA Sprint Canoe National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park. He finished third in 57.911.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 13, 2023
Nathan Benderson Park exec says local rowing/paddling talent will surface

The Sarasota park will continue to host world class events with a new staff in place.

  • East County
  • Opinion
LJ Govoni, president of Fat Point Brewing Co., offers up a Keywaydin Island blonde ale at the grand opening July 28 at UTC.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2023
Fat Point Brewing offers pint-sized satisfaction at UTC

Sarasota's newest craft beer pub opened at a small, intimate setting on Cattlemen Road.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Little Free Library founder Elizabeth Henderson and Neel Menon dedicate the new library in Bob Gardner Park to Jai Menon, Neel's brother who died in 2016.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 27, 2023
Little Free Libraries continue to grow in the Lakewood Ranch area

The smallish libraries have a great impact to the communities they serve.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch's Janice Wagner says singing is an uplifting experience for those of any age.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 19, 2023
Magic of Manatee singing group names new director

Lakewood Ranch's Janice Wagner will head the Sweet Adeline's group.

  • 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
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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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