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East County | Trending

An alligator rests at the edge of a pond in Heritage Harbour, where two residents started a Nextdoor group to advocate against the removal of alligators from ponds in East County communities. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • May 5, 2021
East County residents wrestle with alligator issues

Alligator removal sparks fierce debate in East County

  • East County
  • News
Vivian Quinones-Solano hopes to collect blood and platelet donations that might eventually help those going through cancer treatments, like her.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 5, 2021
SunCoast Blood Bank executive from Lakewood Ranch beats the odds

Cancer survivor challenges others to give blood in Mother's Day Challenge.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • May 5, 2021
Trade show forges alliances

Trade show becomes largest Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance event during pandemic

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Mackenzie Loukota, who is 21 months old, and her mother, Vicki Loukota, play at the park together.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 5, 2021
Mom's love prevails in the Lakewood Ranch area

Lakewood Ranch area moms talk about what it takes to be a good mother in 2021.

  • East County
  • News
Brody Winch. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 5, 2021
Students enjoy box of quackers in east Bradenton

Tara Elementary School class cares for and learns about ducklings.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A worker paves a road that starts at the Mallaranny property's driveway and stretches toward the back of the property on April 29.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • May 5, 2021
Construction continues in Myakka City while Manatee County code officials under investigation

Sarasota Medieval Fair on Myakka property requires special permit, but construction continues

  • East County
  • News
Jackie Llamas, a parent of a Lakewood Ranch High School senior, is happy she's able to coordinate a prom for seniors like Nick Lenchinsky with his mother, Angie Lenchinsky Scarpa.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 5, 2021
Private prom excites Lakewood Ranch High students

Lakewood Ranch High School seniors ready to have prom memories.

  • East County
  • News
Bruce Pearl's AUTLIVE program raises awareness for for cancer prevention and detection. Photo courtesy Shanna Lockwood/Auburn Athletics.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 5, 2021
Gala's guest offers pearl of wisdom

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy is expected to have about 740 students enrolled if the school opens in August 2022. Within five years, the school is projected to have an enrollment of 1,965 students. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 5, 2021
Traditional vs. charter: The differences

Lakewood Ranch Charter Academy will provide a new option for East County parents.

  • East County
  • News
Dawn Zielinski, president of the Village Idiots Cycling Club, and Tom Williams, outreach director for the club, donates bike helmets to Megan Podolan, a fifth grade teacher at Willis Elementary School, to give to students.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 5, 2021
Safer rides in Lakewood Ranch

Village Idiots Cycling Club donates helmets to east Bradenton schools.

  • East County
  • News
Steven Zickafoose, an assistant principal at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, and Angela Lindsey, principal of the school, wear masks while on campus. The administrators might not have to wear masks next year. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 5, 2021
School District of Manatee County considers letting masks down

School Board of Manatee County considers a voluntary mask policy for summer school and the 2021-22 school year.

  • East County
  • News
Horseback riders from Panther Ridge and the Concession show their opposition to a land use amendment that would add 15 single-family homes near the entrance to the Concession.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • May 4, 2021
Concession and Panther Ridge residents protest pending development in east Manatee County

About 25 people protested a pending amendment to add homes near the entrance to the Concession in east Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office received reports Saturday evening about an exchange of gunfire between two vehicles on Cattlemen Road in Sarasota near University Town Center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 2, 2021
Shots fired Saturday night in University Town Center area in Sarasota.

Those riding in two sedans exchanged gunfire on Cattlemen Road in Sarasota on Saturday night but no injuries were reported.

  • East County
  • News
A bullet hole is in the window above the garage at 6706 Oakmont Way after a shooting early Sunday morning in Bradenton.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 2, 2021
UPDATE — Shooting erupts after River Club party in Bradenton

Two suffer non life-threatening injuries trying to flee the scene at River Club in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 29, 2021
East County weather page photo: April 29

Gordon Silver captured this pelican having a bass lunch along White Eagle Boulevard.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Dick Vitale, even amid his battle with melanoma, kept the focus of his 21st annual gala in Sarasota on helping kids fight — and beat — cancer.
  • May 6, 2026
Dick Vitale reminds us, once more, pediatric cancer research matters
2
A single-family residence at 3515 Gulf of Mexico Drive has been under construction for years and is nearing completion.
  • May 6, 2026
Application tweaks aim to streamline permitting process
3
Caroline Bartlomiejczuk, Sage Alcorn and Sofia Ortega are members of the orchestra at Lakewood Ranch High School.
  • May 6, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High music department earns national recognition
4
Alannis Peterson of Prism Artistry "eats" fire at Agave Bandido for its Cinco de Mayo Celebration May 5.
  • May 6, 2026
Agave Bandido hosts Cinco de Mayo party in Waterside of Lakewood Ranch
5
Circus Trail currently runs along the east side of Circus Boulevard before crossing over the road to the east and then back again.
  • May 6, 2026
Circus Trail envisioned to connect Fruitville to 17th Street Park

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