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East County | Trending

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
Braden River High rising senior tight end Cody Kawcak.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 17, 2023
East County Athlete of the Week: Cody Kawcak

The rising senior Braden River High tight end will be a key contributor to the Pirates in the fall.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brad Kroenig
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 17, 2023
Model Brad Kroenig inspired a fashion icon before becoming a local Realtor

Brad Kroenig's modeling career reached new heights after meeting fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nikki Pelier Simon, John Simon and their daughter Ashley Sanchez are carrying on the legacy of this popular boutique.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • May 17, 2023
Scout & Molly’s new owners share their roots in fashion

When Scout & Molly’s former owner died last year, John Simon, Nikki Pelier Simon and their daughter Ashley Sanchez decided to carry on the legacy of this popular boutique.

  • East County
  • Business
Avian club members are devoted to all feathered creatures
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 17, 2023
Avian club members are devoted to all feathered creatures

The Lakewood Ranch Avian Club and Cindy Gordon, its founder and president, come together over their love of birds — no matter where they find them.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Trevor Kelliher no longer feels alone in his struggle with cerebral palsy.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 17, 2023
Everyone needs friends. All Friends Network helps ensure everyone has them.

Trevor Kelliher started All Friends Network to connect people with cerebral palsy, autism and other developmental disabilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Svetlana Stelmach (Homes by Towne), Harry Fendt (Anchor Builders), Mike Woolery (Pulte Homes), Jack Cannon (John Cannon Homes), Adrienne Bookhamer (LWRCF), David Hunihan (Lee Wetherington Homes), Dominick Giallombardo (Stock Development) and Ashley Miller (AR Homes) gather at Waterside Place to announce the Builders Give Back program.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 16, 2023
Lakewood Ranch builders join Community Fund project

The Builders Give Back program will help area nonprofits through the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch senior Holden Pollard slides safely into home against Winter Haven High.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 16, 2023
Upstart Lakewood Ranch High baseball players excited for the future

The Mustangs have lots of talent and room for further growth in 2024.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jason Wysong says he feels "as well prepared as anyone could be to come into a superintendent seat."
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 16, 2023
Jason Wysong named Manatee County schools' next superintendent

If the contract is approved, Wysong will take the helm of the district July 1.

  • East County
  • Schools
Benny Hedgepeth, a senior at Braden River High School, has played baseball since he was 4 years old. He looks forward to continue with his passion for sports at Florida State University.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 16, 2023
Braden River High senior pursues a dream job in sports

Benny Hedgepeth's love for baseball and sports in general inspires him to pursue a career in sports law.

  • East County
  • Schools
This Lake Club home at 16218 Daysailor Trail sold for $2.6 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,025 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • May 16, 2023
Top residential real estate sales for May 1-5 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Daysailor Trail tops the week's sales at $2.6 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Kelli Kennedy with the School District of Manatee County's Adult, Career and Technical Education department cuts the ribbon to Lakewood Ranch High School's upgraded agriculture lab.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 16, 2023
Lakewood Ranch High agriculture program beefs up labs

The school's agriculture lab underwent upgrades that double its beef barn and provide a new swine facility.

  • East County
  • Schools
Schnitzel, a zebra shark, was brought to Sarasota from an aquarium in Minnesota to be featured at the Science Education Aquarium
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 16, 2023
Mote prepares for the animals it will house in its new aquarium

As the infrastructure of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium's new Science Education Aquarium is being completed, the aquatic creatures who will live there are being prepared to move to their new home.

  • East County
  • Business
Mustangs senior Cassidy McLellan will play for the University of Florida next season.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 15, 2023
Lakewood Ranch powerhouse teams ousted early in playoffs

After making at least the Final Four two years in a row, Lakewood Ranch High's softball program and ODA's baseball program can't build upon their recent domination.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tara Elementary School's Loreena Durrance helps chef and kindergartner Francis Lantican serve rice.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 15, 2023
Tara Elementary opens Banana Leaf Restaurant for one night only

Kindergartners took on roles within the restaurant, which served Italian, Peruvian, Thai and Vietnamese food.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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