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East County | Trending

Joe Willis' display features a collapsible sleigh his college roommate made for him. It takes him a week to get his outside decorations just right. Photos by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 22, 2014
Crazy for Christmas

Joe Willis' decorations started simply enough, but they've grown into an epic display.

  • East County
  • News
Klauber
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Memories & mishaps

In honor of Christmas, we collected your best head-shaking holiday stories. From expired turkeys to mischievous squirrels, these are the memories these readers won't soon forget.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
News Briefs

East County high schools excel in graduation rates; Adoption numbers rising; Music on Main acts set

  • East County
  • News
Dick Vitale says he resonates with the cause of pediatric cancer because he loves children. "I was a school teacher," he says. "Kids brighten me up." Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 22, 2014
Vitale publishes new book

As legendary basketball coach and ESPN commentator sits in the shade of the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club's tennis facility, watching youth volley balls across the tennis court, he has one thing on his mind: impacting children affected by cancer.

  • East County
  • News
Law enforcement authorities estimate more than 300 animals to be inside the raided facility.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2014
Top Stories - East County: February

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is leading a multi-agency raid of Napier's Log Cabin and Animal Sanctuary.

  • East County
  • News
After her mother's death, Ellen Gerth, with her husband, Dave, left, continues to run marathons and continues with her career, despite the fact that closure may never come.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2014
Top Stories - East County: January

Two years after Ina Gross was murdered, her daughter says she still believes the Manatee County Sheriff's Office will arrest the killer.

  • East County
  • News
This week's FYI Friday features news about a lost ferret and a Christmas miracle, an update on downtown Sarasota's nightlife and more!
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2014
FYI Friday - Your weekly news roundup

Catch up on the week's most important and most interesting news stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County with FYI Friday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high schools earned “A” grades for the third consecutive year.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
East County high schools excel in graduation rates, school grades

Two East County high schools received "A" grades and had high graduation rates in the 2013-2014 school year, a Florida Department of Education report shows.

  • East County
  • News
Ajanique Jones and Chloe Corleto dance to the music.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Middle Snowcoming Dance

Sixth- through eighth-grade students put on their formal gowns and suits for the Snowcoming Dance, Dec. 18, in Braden River Middle School's cafeteria.

  • East County
  • News
Jan and Gene Albrycht show off their gingerbread house — a staple in the parade.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 18, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Horseshoe Cove Christmas Golf Cart Parade

Residents of Horseshoe Cove lined their golf carts with ornaments, lights and other holiday decorations for the 16th annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade Dec. 18. Participants drove their themed vehicles around the community for an excited audience who photographed the unique carts from the sidelines.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club resident Ron Jarvis pointed out the community doesn’t have a clear cut policy in place to prevent gators from being trapped and killed.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 17, 2014
Gator policy still floats

Despite a legal opinion from legal counsel stating the Ranch shouldn't create a gator policy, Town Hall officials are working to create an educational presentation that help the reptiles stay put.

  • East County
  • News
First Friday festivities mean new musical acts for attendees of free Music on Main events.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 17, 2014
Future Music on Main acts set

Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty announced its Music on Main series of acts performing through June.

  • East County
  • News
This year's menorah was filled with 90,000 coins.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Hanukkah Celebration

Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch welcomed the public and Jewish community to a special Hanukkah celebration Dec. 17, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brady Theisen plays Santa and surprises the audience at the end of the production.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: December Celebrations: A Tour Around the World

Gene Witt Elementary kindergarten students sang and played instruments during the December Celebrations: A Tour Around the World production, Dec. 17, in the school's cafeteria. Fourth- and fifth-grade students who are members of the school's "Orff"estra kicked off the play with drums and other instruments they played for their audience.

  • East County
  • News
Dik and Patsy Hall fill their plates with fresh shrimp. Photos by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 16, 2014
Neighborhood news

Waterlefe opens remodeled River Club; GreyHawk revs up holiday spirit

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Seniors Eliana Yeboah, Suzan Ikele, Jeffrey Crabtree and Sara Johnson are among the first class of graduating seniors to complete all four years at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.
  • May 13, 2026
East Manatee seniors prepare for final assignment: A graduation speech
2
Gary Hagen, owner of Elegant Lady Cheesecake Parlor, recently published his first book, "Romancing Hollywood."
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Longboat sweets shop owner pens Hollywood-centric book
3
Witness breaks up a fight in a rolling vehicle
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5
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Two Sarasota arts groups team up to present an opera for our times

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