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East County | Trending

A time to keep our perspective
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 23, 2020
A time to keep our perspective

Caesar Augustus and Herod were all about self-centered status, power and ego. Mary and Joseph were the antithesis: humble, not materially wealthy, ordinary in all appearances. And yet they were extraordinary.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • December 22, 2020
Michael Petruzziello

On December 16th Michael (Mike) Petruzziello beloved husband, son, brother and friend passed away at home with his wife Debbi and their cat CoCo after a courageous battle with Cholangiocarcinoma.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Murray Margolis and Ardene Chodosh have struggled since their jewelry store was robbed in 2016.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 22, 2020
Effects of Lakewood Ranch jewelry store robbery linger

Four years later after burglary, The Family Jeweler owners are out of business in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County deputy Antonio Hernandez was killed in a car accident Dec. 20 while off duty.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 21, 2020
Off-duty Manatee County deputy dies in car accident on I-75

Manatee County Deputy Antonio Hernandez died after an early-morning crash Dec. 20 on I-75 near the SR 64 exit ramp.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County libraries have received a $30,400 grant from the Bradenton COVID-19 Response Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation to support the community and enhance its virtual services and programming. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 21, 2020
Manatee libraries receive grant from Bradenton COVID-19 Response Fund

Manatee County libraries receive a $30,400 grant to enhance virtual services and programming.

  • East County
  • News
The Elks' Brett Davis and Darrin Simone present Operation Santa 2020's Dolly Johnson with a huge toy donation on behalf of the Elks and Walgreens.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2020
Operation Santa a success

Elks Mighty Southwest District and Walgreens provide hundreds of toys for Myakka City's Operation Santa.

  • East County
  • News
RN Margo Post works at SunCoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch Dec. 18 with blood to be shipped out.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2020
Convalescent plasma donations in Lakewood Ranch provide Pennsylvania Christmas miracle

SunCoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch provide convalescent plasma donations to Bethlehem, Pa., for a Christmas miracle.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Madison Abbacchi knows the grade she received in every class in school — A.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Lakewood Ranch student finishes academic career with perfect A record

Lakewood Ranch's Madison Abbacchi recorded an A in every class throughout her academic career.

  • East County
  • News
Robin Ruhnke says the Sheriff's Office retired horses will have green grass — and carrots as Valor enjoys — forever in her fields.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Heaven for horses in Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office horses enjoy retired life at the Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
The School Board of Manatee County has unanimously voted to extend Superintendent Cynthia Saunders' contract for two years. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 17, 2020
School Board of Manatee County extends superintendent's contract

School District of Manatee County's superintendent Cynthia Saunders is under contract to serve another two years.

  • East County
  • News
As of Thursday, Dec. 17, 1,738 patients have tested positive at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and 140 COVID-19 patients have died.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
Tracking COVID-19 cases in Sarasota, Manatee

As of Thursday, the state lists 16,389 confirmed positive cases in Sarasota and 19,612 in Manatee. In Sarasota, 454 positive individuals have died, and 400 have died in Manatee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2020
East County weather page photo: December 17

This double rainbow over Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch was captured by Gordon Silver.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ballet dancer Melanie Hamrick, the girlfriend of rock legend Mick Jagger, bought this Lake Club home. Photo courtesy of Michael Saunders Realtor Tina Ciaccio.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 17, 2020
Mick Jagger's girlfriend buys Lake Club estate in Lakewood Ranch

Mick Jagger's girlfriend buys Lake Club estate in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Izzy Silverio, Krystal Parra and Madelyn Portwood, East County residents, are important parts of the Bulls soccer team.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 16, 2020
One goal at a time for Bulls

Lakewood Ranch-area soccer players help build Parrish Community High's new girls soccer program.

  • East County
  • Sports
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh wants to see major changes to the way the county government is run.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 16, 2020
Manatee County commissioners clash as administrator keeps job

Manatee County commissioners clash, no longer considering firing county administrator

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Staff at the 12th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem program sort through the delivery of presents for children up to 18 years of age.
  • December 22, 2025
Gift donations break record at Sarasota Sheriff's Office
2
Cindy Ritchell, Ann Quackenbush, Brenda Korthauer, Beverly Sutton and Kit Torchia all lend a helping hand in packing seeds to send internationally to farmers who need them. Quackenbush is a driving force behind Hope Seeds, a charitable ministry through Christ Church of Longboat Key.
  • December 22, 2025
Longboat's Hope Seeds nears 10 years of giving back
3
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo
4
Manatee County commissioners approve reducing speed limits throughout the county.
  • December 22, 2025
Speed limits reduced on nine roads in Manatee County
5
The library will be constructed on the light green area depicted on this map within Longboat Key's Town Center Green. The entire library would be around 11,230 square feet with the possible enhancements.
  • December 22, 2025
Buchanan's $1 million donation formally accepted for library

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