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East County | Trending

Angela Long coaches the veterans team at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 12, 2025
Veterans find camaraderie in paddling at Nathan Benderson Park

The veterans dragon boat team operates under the umbrella of the park's nonprofit conservancy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sue Ann Miller, Regina Negrycz and Sue Glass represent the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, which won the award for the Group/Club of the Year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 11, 2025
Youth fishing volunteer hooks big award in Lakewood Ranch

Ed Van Stedum snags Volunteer of the Year award at the Community Appreciation Awards.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
During field trips at Mote Marine Laboratory, students are given the opportunity to see sea creatures up close and explore whether or not a career in science is for them.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 11, 2025
Freshwater education grants awarded to two East County schools

The Southwest Florida Water Management District presented $3,000 to Lakewood Ranch High School and $2,500 to Bashaw Elementary School.

  • East County
  • Schools
Donovan Plakyda poses for a photo on Oct. 27 with the FHSAA Class 3A District 11 trophy. The junior has dropped 14 strokes in an 18-hole format since his freshman season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 11, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Donovan Plakyda

The junior for Lakewood Ranch boys' golf tied for fourth at the FHSAA Class 3A Region 3 championship on Nov. 4 as the Mustangs advanced to the state tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Wild Blue at Waterside home at 8512 Sandpoint St. sold for $1.94 million. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool, and 3,802 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 11, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Oct. 27-31 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Reserve at Harbour Walk topped the week’s sales at $4.025 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Lakewood Ranch's Vincent Van Slyck keeps his flag waving during the Tribute to Heroes Parade Nov. 9 at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 10, 2025
Tribute to Heroes Parade salutes veterans

The Lakewood Ranch event made its November debut after shifting from its traditional Memorial Day Weekend spot.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Premier Sports Campus has brought top soccer competitions to Lakewood Ranch over the years.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 10, 2025
US Soccer might be gone, but Lakewood Ranch remains a soccer destination

Premier Sports Campus once hosted the U-17 Men's National Team, but a national training facility in Georgia has changed the complex's focus.

  • East County
  • Sports
A giant helium-filled nutcracker takes a bow during the 2025 Santa's Grand Arrival Parade Nov. 8 at University Town Center in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 9, 2025
University Town Center delivers parade thrills under the wire in Sarasota

High-wire artists Nik and Lijana Wallenda thrill thousands with a criss cross stunt, and then the parade floats through the mall area.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The boathouse and events center planned for Nathan Benderson Park is expected to cost between $60 million and $70 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 9, 2025
Fundraising campaign begins for Benderson Park boathouse/events center

With schematics mostly finished, NBP Conservancy looks toward a first quarter of 2028 completion date.

  • East County
  • News
Evan Prince, a second grader at Freedom Elementary, poses next to his masterpiece, "Warm Colored Sky."
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 9, 2025
Manatee River Artists Guild celebrates 20 years of collaboration

Waterlefe residents and grade school students raise money each year for two local schools.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This rendering offers a glimpse of the multi-building concept for the new high school slated for the corner of Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 7, 2025
Plans for a second high school in Lakewood Ranch debated due to traffic

Some Manatee County commissioners argued that Lorraine Road should be widened before adding more traffic to the area.

  • East County
  • Schools
Cape Coral's John Svidroniv IV paints himself green as a goblin for the Sarasota Medieval Fair, where creatures of all shapes and sizes gather for a magical day.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 7, 2025
Sarasota Medieval Fair returns with themed weekends all November

Live performances, vendors, food, costumes and more bring fair goers into another world.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sisterhood for Good's Glo Reber not only shows off the first prize of the night, a $1,200 Stella McCartney tote, but her numbers were then called and she won the bag.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 7, 2025
Sisterhood for Good's gamble for charity was in the bag

A record 293 players showed up for the annual fundraiser at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Manatee County will expand its pilot program countywide to give ambulances priority at traffic lights.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 7, 2025
Emergency traffic-light system expands in Manatee

A successful trial run prompts broader rollout, including Lakewood Ranch intersections.

  • East County
  • News
Arrive early and stay late to avoid parade congestion at UTC
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 6, 2025
Arrive early and stay late to avoid parade congestion at UTC

The Santa's Grand Arrival Parade on Nov. 8 is sure to attract more than 15,000 spectators in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 »
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Latest News

1
Joni Hill, Cate Douglas and Gaby Hayashi make their way across the beach.
  • December 14, 2025
Holiday spirit gets moving at Sandy Claws Beach Run
2
  • December 14, 2025
Eat, drink and be merry like you're in a 'Home Alone' movie
3
Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
4
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
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  • December 12, 2025
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