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East County | Trending

Senior Jaden Morales (top) controls Middleburg junior Nathan Harvey (bottom). The Pirate won their match by decision, 6-4, and ultimately placed sixth at 126 pounds.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 10, 2026
Braden River High wrestlers earn five medals at state meet

Jacob Fuentes tops the Pirates with a second-place finish at 144 pounds in 2A action.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant can filter 84 million gallons of water per day.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 10, 2026
Manatee County changes plans for water supply needs

Current demand projections indicate the need for an additional 5 million gallons of water per day by 2030.

  • East County
  • News
Sweetwater's Whit and Taylor Wesenberg founded Humu's Island Treasures after selling five handmade art pieces within a day of being posted on Facebook marketplace.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 10, 2026
Lakewood Ranch small business carves out good vibes

Humu's Island Treasures sells carved and painted art pieces via social media and art shows.

  • East County
  • Business
A Lakehouse Cove at Waterside home at 7947 Waterbend Trail sold for $1,827,000. Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,654 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • March 10, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 23-27 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lakehouse Cove at Waterside home on Waterbend Trail tops the week's sales at $1.83 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Rex Jensen welcomes Fabienne and Brett Hutchens to the party at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 9, 2026
Having fun makes horse sense at the Sarasota Polo Club

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch hosts a "fun day" Polo Brunch party with 250 guests.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan, Meals on Wheels Plus President and CEO Maribeth Phillips, and Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation President Jeffrey Toale gather together after Phillips accepted a $25,000 grant to beautify Daybreak.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 9, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation honors 2025 grant recipients

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation gave $90,000 worth of grants to 22 nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Leighton Paul holds team-high marks for batting average, runs and hits through the first six games of the Pirates' 2026 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 9, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Leighton Paul

With red-hot hitting, the junior has been an offensive force for Braden River High softball.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bradenton's Madison Hokanson, 5, and Jaxson Hokanson, 2, came dressed for the occasion to the Irish Celtic Festival at Greenbrook Adventure Park on March 7.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 8, 2026
Irish Celtic Festival paints the park green in Lakewood Ranch

The Irish Celtic Festival featured Irish music, dance, food and more at the Greenbrook Adventure Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 7, 2026
Bankrupt Saks Fifth Avenue to close Sarasota-UTC store

A Saks has been in the Sarasota-Manatee market for at least three decades.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The former Mixon Fruit Farms store is being discussed as a future site for a library.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 7, 2026
Monthly farmers market coming to Mixon Farms site

The first round opens March 15, with dates in April and May. A nine-month season will resume in September.

  • East County
  • News
Gracie, who was trained at Dogs Inc., has returned happiness to the life of Lakewood Ranch's Mark Thornsbrough.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 6, 2026
By the Grace of Dogs Inc., Lakewood Ranch resident sees the light

Detached retinas sent Mark Thornsbrough into darkness and depression, but Gracie the guide dog has restored his passion for life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Medallion Home's Kellie Reith (left) and Mark Santiago (right) chat with Judy Athari (center) of Berkshire Hathaway during the 2026 Manatee Realtor Preview event March 5 at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 6, 2026
Realtors, builders ready for the parade in Lakewood Ranch-area

The Suncoast Builders Association runs its 2026 Parade of Homes from March 7-29.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This photo offers an idea of what the townhomes would have looked like if approved.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 5, 2026
Manatee County commissioners deny 232 townhomes off Lorraine Road

During the same land use meeting, commissioners approved a freestanding ER on State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
Gail Cristello will be a featured artist at the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch's Spring Art Show and Sale March 14 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 5, 2026
Late start doesn't keep Lakewood Ranch artist from success

Country Club's Gail Cristello will be a featured artist at the Creative Art Association's Spring Art Show and Sale.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Linda Medina and Aliana Donald, second graders at Daughtrey Elementary, are eager to answer any questions Miss Gina might ask about the books she reads.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 4, 2026
Books for Kids continues to bring reading passion to elementary students

The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch program provides reading volunteers to 10 schools in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 »
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  • May 5, 2026
Summer Wine Walk
2
Traffic was rerouted around a water-main repair site on Tuttle Avenue.
  • May 5, 2026
Water advisory posted after Sarasota pipe break
3
Damages on Longboat Key after Hurricane Ian.
  • May 5, 2026
Seminar scheduled for disaster preparedness
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Sarai Castro gave up on softball in 2023. Now, she's the Pirates' leading hitter in her first season at the high school level.
  • May 5, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Sarai Castro
5
At the Women's Golf Association season farewell on April 28 at the Longboat Key Club, players enjoyed perfect golfing conditions. Pictured, Brenda Baril, Donna Newton, Jennifer Cahill, Regina Repenning, Michelle Swartz, Katie Moulton, Louise Berg and Joyce Welch.
  • May 5, 2026
Women's Golf Association scrambles to close out season

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