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East County | Trending

Former champion Ron Orlando hands Debra Quinn the 2024 YMCA Bridge Club trophy on Dec. 19 at the annual potluck luncheon.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 7, 2025
Bridge Club stimulates mental exercise at Lakewood Ranch YMCA

Members of the Lakewood Ranch YMCA Bridge Club say the game is challenging and fun.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden River senior Alisson Gonzalez was a state meet qualifier last season in the 129-pound weight class.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 7, 2025
Braden River High has state title contenders in girls weightlifting

The Pirates look to defend their regional title in 2025.

  • East County
  • Sports
Local artist Trevor Bystrom and musical partner Peter Mawanga, from Malawi, Africa, performed their music for Lakewood Ranch on Dec. 18 at Ranch Nite Wednesday at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 7, 2025
Two musicians bridge gap between US and Africa

Regular Lakewood Ranch performer Trevor Bystrom unites with Malawian musician Peter Mawanga for a Waterside show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The rehabilitation hospital will be on Lake Osprey Drive.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 6, 2025
$30M rehab hospital breaks ground in Lakewood Ranch

The 40-bed rehabilitation facility is expected to open in 2026.

  • East County
  • News
Joe Di Bartolomeo is starting a resident volunteer board to connect communities in District 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 6, 2025
Former commission candidate finds new way to be involved in Manatee County

Joe Di Bartolomeo is starting a volunteer group for Manatee County residents living in District 5.

  • East County
  • News
The band Funky Bonez brings a "Neon New Year Party" to the Green at UTC on Jan 2.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 3, 2025
Neon dance party packs The Green at University Town Center

Funky Bonez performed at 2025's first installment of UTC Live on the Green in Sarasota on Jan. 2.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • January 3, 2025
Lakewood Ranch real estate experts expect a steady sales year in 2025

Apprehension over storms, politics is fading, they say, while East County has many sales options.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Tsunami swimmer Ava DiPasquale steadies herself before competing in the 2024 Gator Holiday Classic Dec. 6-8 in Ocala. DiPasquale, who turned 13 in December, broke Florida Swimming records in the 100-yard and 200-yard individual medley.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 2, 2025
East County swimmer in a lane of her own

Ava DiPasquale, a 13-year-old swimmer from Mill Creek, has established herself as one of the nation's top swimmers.

  • East County
  • Sports
With the elementary portion of Lake Manatee K-8, right, opening in August 2025, and the middle school portion, being constructed on the left, opening in August 2026, the School District of Manatee County needs to redistrict in 2025.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • January 2, 2025
Redistricting among issues Manatee schools will face in 2025

With five new schools opening by 2027, the School Board of Manatee County will have to approve new school zones.

  • East County
  • Schools
SCF student LaShawn'te Lee, MTC students Emma Ramirez and Krystal Camacho, Scholarship Committee Chair Peg Buck and SCF Foundation Chair Chris Romine pose for a photo during the Palm Aire Women's Club Scholarship Luncheon.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 1, 2025
East County women's club aims to make a difference

The Palm Aire Women's Club raises money for charity and scholarships.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Construction is well underway on the 44th Avenue overpass.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 1, 2025
East County road projects to watch in 2025

The 44th Avenue East extension project will be wrapping up as work on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard begins.

  • East County
  • News
McNeal Elementary third-grade teacher Stacy Freeman is one of four finalists for the 2025 School District of Manatee County Educator of the Year award.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 1, 2025
McNeal Elementary teacher named a finalist for Educator of the Year

Through her 18 years of teaching, Stacy Freeman's work goes beyond the classroom

  • East County
  • Schools
This Country Club home at 7258 Lake Forest Glen sold for $875,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,496 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 31, 2024
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 9-12 in Lakewood Ranch

A Lake Club home on Portlight Court tops the week's sales at $2.35 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch High sophomore Brett Traver (middle) emerged as the team's third best golfer in 2024. Sophomore Owen Gellaty and senior Luke Wilson work alongside Traver on their bunker play in preparation for the 2024 state tournament.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • December 30, 2024
The top 10 East County athletes to watch in 2025

These 10 athletes are poised to have big seasons in the new year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center is on track to finish its current expansion project by the spring of 2025.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 29, 2024
Nate's Honor expansion will be wrapped up in spring

The $16.5 million Journey Home Capital Campaign for Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center is expected to be finished by spring.

  • East County
  • News
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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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Myakka City's Diane and Rich Bartoszek display a handmade ceramic nativity scene each year.
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