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East County | Trending

After years of working with the military and law enforcement with explosives, Lakewood Ranch's John Scomillio found his best partner was a dog. He now works part-time at Dogs Inc.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 27, 2025
Former explosives expert gets a charge out of helping dogs

Lakewood Ranch's John Scomillio has made a home for himself at Dogs Inc.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Gabe Moberly hits a jump during an Aker Sunday Session in September before the new track was installed. The cattle are fenced off from the track.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 26, 2025
BMX track draws amateur and pro riders to Myakka City

Aker Brand Farms is a 15-acre BMX training facility and a dream come true for owners Jeremy Smith and Will Grant.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ellen Lehman took fifth place in the 119-pound weight class in the 2A Olympic category at the girls weightlifting state championships on Feb. 14.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 26, 2025
Braden River weightlifter becomes first freshman to medal in school history

Ellen Lehman wrapped up a record-breaking year with a fifth-place finish at states.

  • East County
  • Sports
Blaze of Hope's Meghan Houlihan and Christine Dodge man a table at the North Port Farmers market. Hayli Bhatia just happened to be there with her daughters Scarlett and Juliette.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 26, 2025
East County nonprofit is a 'Blaze of Hope' for families in need

Blaze of Hope provides financial assistance to families when a child is hospitalized due to a life-threatening illness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chuck and Phyllis Stolteben have been entertaining crowds at the Lakewood Ranch Elks Club for more than 25 years.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 26, 2025
25 years of spinning tunes for the Elks

Chuck and Phyllis Stolteben celebrate the last quarter century while raising funds for the Elks' Harry Anna fund.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Amy Bradley is a clarinetist with the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble and a retired music teacher. You can see her perform March 2 at Peace Presbyterian Church.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 26, 2025
Love of music leads former teacher to local ensemble group

Amy Bradley will perform during the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble's March Melodies.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River junior Kaydence Evans is the team's ace and leadoff hitter. She struck out 13 batters and knocked in five runs in her team's first two games of the season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 26, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kaydence Evans

Braden River softball player struck out 13 batters and knocked in five runs in the first two games.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Azario Esplanade home sold for $2 million. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,316 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 25, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 10-14 in Lakewood Ranch

A Cypress Creek Estates home on Ninth Avenue Circle Northeast tops the week's sales at $2.15 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
After Hurricane Debby hit the area Aug. 5, 2024, an East Manatee Fire Rescue worker paddles toward a flooded home on Quonset Road along the Braden River to rescue the occupant.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 25, 2025
Manatee County addresses Hurricane Debby flooding

A county study finds plenty that didn't happen during Hurricane Debby, but few causes other than an enormous rainfall.

  • East County
  • News
Charlie Hosier and Drew Pintacuda said they've missed out on some moments in high school but ultimately changed their lives for the better by locking down commitments to play at the next level through MLS Next.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 25, 2025
Soccer players sacrifice high school experiences to chase dreams

Lakewood Ranch's Charlie Hosier and Drew Pintacuda gave up the typical high school life for MLS Next.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kay Kwenski shows off a green jumpsuit to a crowd of about 140.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 23, 2025
'Effortless Elegance' on display at Palm Aire Country Club

The Palm Aire Women's Club hosted its annual fashion show Feb. 21.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Myakka's trail marking was made possible thanks to Friends of Myakka River volunteers and a generous grant from Athletic Brewing.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • February 23, 2025
Myakka marks backcountry with numbered posts

New trail markers will enhance wayfinding and help rangers locate park visitors in need.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Tom and Kristine Scott attended All That Jazz: Cabaret for a Cause Feb. 21 at the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota to support Sisterhood for Good.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 22, 2025
Sisterhood for Good's All That Jazz proves a smashing success for charity

The Sarasota event, that featured the Suncoast Swing Band and Lady Z and Jonathan Cortez, raises funds for nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Citizens attend a workshop to discuss the comprehensive plan Sept. 1 at the Lakewood Ranch Library. Commissioners discussed the comp plan Feb. 19, but additional citizen sessions will be held this summer.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 22, 2025
Manatee County chips away at comprehensive plan rewrite

Residents will get another chance to weigh in on the process this summer.

  • East County
  • News
Zach Kalles fires up the light brandy as he makes saganaki, a dish consisting of melted goat cheese and brandy, served on grilled pita, at the St. Barbara Greek Festival.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 21, 2025
Opa! St. Barbara Greek Festival is a feast

The 41st annual event continues through Sunday at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Program Four: Notes Unspoken
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Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe stars perform in the inaugural Weekend of Soul Dec. 27-28 at WBTT's Donelly Theatre.
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Yvette Brown poses for a photo on Dec. 11 next to the trophy case by Booker's gym. Through the first six games of the Tornadoes' season, she led in points, rebounds and steals.
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Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Yvette Brown
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Myakka City's Diane and Rich Bartoszek display a handmade ceramic nativity scene each year.
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East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
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