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East County | Trending

Kindergartner Emmet Johnson checks people out after purchasing their food. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 12, 2022
Restaurant event serves lessons to Tara Elementary kindergartners

Josephine Johnson's students run a one-night restaurant to test their math, science and social skills.

  • East County
  • Schools
Although much of the Lakewood Ranch area doesn't have too many concerns from a hurricane's storm surge, high winds cause create a disastrous situation.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 12, 2022
Manatee offers preparedness expo as hurricane season approaches

Designed to help residents form a plan, the Hurricane Preparedness Expo will feature 45 displays and more than 20 emergency vehicles.

  • East County
  • News
Lieutenant Shawn Battick helps the team load the firehose onto the truck after a training exercise.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 11, 2022
East Manatee Fire Rescue names its major award winners

Firefighter Ryan Berggren and Lt. Shawn Battick go above and beyond for the department.

  • East County
  • News
Andrew Shackleford was hired as Lakewood Ranch High's director of sports performance in 2021. Shackleford and athletic director Kent Ringquist are leading the school's efforts to renovate the weight room after 24 years.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 11, 2022
Lakewood Ranch High begins fundraising to renovate its weight room

Personalized workout-tracking technology would result as part of a $100,000 fundraising effort.

  • East County
  • Sports
The boathouse would be constructed just behind these docks on shore at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 10, 2022
County approves $20M for indoor sports complex at Benderson Park

The two-story complex at Sarasota's Nathan Benderson Park is planned to have a boathouse on the bottom and basketball/volleyball courts above.

  • East County
  • News
Mark Bruce says the course will be a par 71 when it is finished. It will be 6,900 yards from the back tees.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 10, 2022
Commission approves hotel, resort villas for Bradenton golf course

The hotel and resort villas will give Heritage Harbour a stay-and-play identity in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
In a remarkable adaptation, a fawn's spotted coat blends in with the dappled pattern of sunlight on the forest floor, helping conceal them from predators. (Photo courtesy of Miri Hardy)
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • May 10, 2022
White-tail deer were nearly hunted to extinction

One of Myakka State Park's earliest managers helped relocate and breed the species that now thrives.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Amanda Lee.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 10, 2022
East County Athlete of the Week: Amanda Lee

The Lakewood Ranch High softball player had the game-winning RBI in the Mustangs' 1-0 district championship win over Venice High.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kevin Negandhi, Rod Gilmore, Dick Vitale, Scott Drew, Keyshawn Johnson and V Foundation CEO Shane Jacobson stand together at the Dick Vitale Gala. The 2022 gala raised $11.1 million for the V Foundation, an event record.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 10, 2022
Dick Vitale turns own challenges into record-setting gala

Dick Vitale shares intimate details of his cancer treatments on social media to raise more funds for the V Foundation.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River High School's Ricardo Robinson-Shinall is Florida Studio Theatre’s Write a Play educator of the year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 10, 2022
Braden River High teacher and students earn Florida Studio Theatre's Write a Play awards

Braden River students' story of snack envy leads to Write a Play award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dave Daily of Braden River VFW Post 12055 was the grand marshal in 2019, the last time the Tribute to Heroes Parade was held. (File photo)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 9, 2022
Tribute to Heroes parade to return to Lakewood Ranch

After a two-year layoff due to the pandemic, more than 75 groups are expected to march in the parade at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dewitt Scott and Joan Scott of Lakewood Ranch are energized by the music.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 7, 2022
Silent Disco Cinco de Mayo offers a different spin in Sarasota

The UTC event uses headphones to allow participants to be in the moment.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sara Byers, who is visiting from Atlanta, dances with her sister Leisa Frye, who lives in Lakewood Ranch, at Music on Main.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 7, 2022
Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch keeps the Wheels turning

Meals on Wheels Plus benefit from the monthly concert series in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
ODA graduate Kaylen Rivers was a Brain Health Scholar who served as a program ambassador while she was a student at ODA.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 6, 2022
Becoming a Brain Health Initiative scholar is a no-brainer

No matter what eventually comes out of the Brain Health Initiative, the scholar program should be known as its first stroke of genius.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 5, 2022
East County weather page photo: May 5

Gordon Silver captured this narcissistic heron admiring itself in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Summer Wine Walk
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Traffic was rerouted around a water-main repair site on Tuttle Avenue.
  • May 5, 2026
Water advisory posted after Sarasota pipe break
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Damages on Longboat Key after Hurricane Ian.
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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.
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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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