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East County | Trending

Passengers will have ground-level views of Allegiant jets in the new Concourse A at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 15, 2025
Concourse A officially opens at SRQ

With a gala reception and ribbon-cutting, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport opened its new five-gate, ground-level facility serving Allegiant Air's growing local presence.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Braden River Middle Principal Kimberlain Zenon, Reading Coach Tasheta Riley and Assistant Principal Tamara Cornwell have directed their efforts toward motivating students to get back on track for grade-level standards.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 15, 2025
Braden River Middle gets creative to keep students on track

Motivational programs have put Braden River Middle on the cusp of an "A" school status.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High student Dallace Ryan poses with her steer, Sterling, during after-school work at Braden River High School ahead of the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 15, 2025
East County students ready to compete for ribbons at Manatee County Fair

Future Farmers of America students put in months of work to show animals to judges.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dakin Dairy is one of only three dairy farms left in Manatee County. The other two, Cameron Dakin Dairy and Boys Ag, are also owned and operated by Dakins.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 15, 2025
Agriculture, development boundary priorities grow in Manatee

The Manatee County Commission sets priorities for 2025, with preserving agriculture and the Future Development Area Boundary at the top of the list.

  • East County
  • News
Olivia Hadad has elevated her game in her senior season with the Lakewood Ranch High girls varsity soccer team.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 15, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Olivia Hadad

The senior forward has been the offensive engine of the Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team.

  • East County
  • Sports
Nolan Middle School student Danni Hammond poses with her cow ahead of the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 15, 2025
Don't miss these events at the Manatee County Fair

Key information as the Manatee County Fair begins its 2025 run in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Pomello home sold for $2,825,000. It has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,943 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 14, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 30-Jan. 3 in Lakewood Ranch

A Pomello home on 77th Avenue East tops the week's sales at $2.83 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Kevin Van Ostenbridge sits through one of his last meetings as commissioner on Oct. 22, 2024. He's since filed two lawsuits claiming defamation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 14, 2025
Former Manatee commissioner sues another commissioner for defamation

Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who was the District 3 commissioner in Manatee County, is suing former at-large Commissioner Betsy Benac.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch junior midfielders Paolo Morales (front) and Ryan Johnson have been essential in helping transform the Mustangs' offensive strategy this season.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch boys soccer charges toward the postseason

The Mustangs look to rectify last season's loss to North Port High in the district tournament later this month.

  • East County
  • Sports
Don O'Leary and East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Lee Whitehurst celebrate O'Leary's 2019 retirement as fire commissioner.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's No. 1 ambassador dies at 90

Don O'Leary was a pillar of the community who advocated for more fire stations.

  • East County
  • News
Marcus Walfridson, team owner of the Sarasota Paradise, hopes that 2025 will be the team's most successful year to date in its new home at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 13, 2025
The Sarasota Paradise will call Lakewood Ranch home

The soccer team will begin playing home games at Premier Sports Campus in 2025.

  • East County
  • Sports
The new Manatee County Board of County Commissioners is pursuing "extraordinary circumstances" to increase impact fees beyond the state's maximum allowance.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 13, 2025
New commissioners prepare to 'fight' for higher impact fees

The increase could garner millions more in fees for Manatee County by the end of 2025 if passed.

  • East County
  • News
ThunderBug amps up the crowd just before the first puck drop between the Lightning and Devils at a watch party held on Lakewood Ranch Main Street on Saturday, Jan. 11.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch shows its hockey pride at Tampa Bay Lightning Watch Party

People of all ages enjoyed a ball hockey tournament and a Lightning vs. Devils game.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Star Farms residents Barbara Malta and Lynette Cahill attend the expo to explore medical services because they're new to town.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 11, 2025
Sarasota wellness expo showcases local medical services

The annual New Year, New You Health & Wellness Expo was held at the Mall at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brian Dryfhout, director of marketing and communications for SunCoast Blood Centers, stands in front of the nearly empty cooler at the Lakewood Ranch location. SunCoast is asking the community for donations due to a shortage of blood.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 11, 2025
Lakewood Ranch blood center needs donations to stock shelves

SunCoast Blood Centers provides blood to area hospitals and the Sarasota Fire Department.

  • 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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The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 25-31
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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.
  • December 23, 2025
Decorating for Christmas with a personal touch in Lakewood Ranch
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East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
  • December 23, 2025
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025

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