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Your Observer | All

Glenn Pearson
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2024
Manatee County Commission District 1: Glenn Pearson

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Jennifer Hamey
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2024
Manatee County Commission District 1: Jennifer Hamey

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Real estate experts say Lakewood Ranch's lifestyle aspect have kept it more of a sellers market as compared to the rest of Sarasota and Manatee counties.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2024
Sunset Volleyball keeps sand between their toes at Waterside Place

MVP Sports organizes pickup league games every Wednesday night at Waterside in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alan Sprintz
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 12, 2024
Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, at-large Seat 1: Alan Sprintz

Meet the candidate.

  • Elections
Chip Bennett, lead pastor of Grace Community Church in Lakewood Ranch, says his church sees 4,000 worshippers on a typical Sunday during season.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • September 12, 2024
Churches mirror huge growth in Lakewood Ranch

Faith communities say rapid expansion is a blessing and a challenge

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Britta Rhode, Jimmy Rhode, Karissa Rhode and Ellerie Rhode believe Lakewood Ranch is their forever home.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2024
Families grow with Lakewood Ranch: The Rhodes

Jimmy and Karisa Rhode moved to the area from snowy Minnesota and never looked back.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Derek and Stephanie Schmitt, Kirsten (Schmitt) and Trevor Lovett, and Bob and Charleen Schmitt stand in front of Bob and Charleen's Summerfield home.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2024
Families grow with Lakewood Ranch: The Schmitts

From first baby to larger families, the Schmitt family has grown on the Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Karen and Malcolm Ronney have operated The Granary since August 2015.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • September 12, 2024
The Granary remains a Lakewood Ranch breakfast and lunch staple

Karen and Malcolm Ronney found Lakewood Ranch to be the perfect place to host their business ventures.

  • East County
  • Business
Chief Nursing Officer Judy Young, surgeon Samuel Yelverton, CEO Andy Guz and Director of Quality and Accreditation Malou Kaseta enjoy working at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center together.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2024
LWR Medical Center maintains small-town feel, offers advanced care

The Lakewood Ranch Medical Center opened 10 years after Schroeder-Manatee Ranch started building Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Division Chief Bob Mikulski, Administrative Officer Stephen Beecher and Chief Lee Whitehurst work out of Station 1 on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2024
SMR ignited trust for fire district growth

In 1994, there was only one fire station. Now, East Manatee Fire Rescue has 10 stations and a training tower.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Olivia Escorcia, 7, and Marco Escorcia, 5, meet the Easter Bunny at Eggstravaganza.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2024
Community Activities makes connections by focusing on smaller gatherings

Quality and intentional connections are key to the nonprofit's successful growth.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Faculty and staff spell out "ODA" to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Out-of-Door Academy's upper school in 1995 in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2024
The Out-of-Door Academy expands with Lakewood Ranch

From dirt roads to school expansion, ODA's "crazy" idea to open its upper school in Lakewood Ranch continues to pay off 28 years later.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lifestyle investments by SMR brought entertainers such as Sheri Nadelman to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch to make life just a little brighter.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2024
SMR takes harder path toward Lakewood Ranch success

Investments in lifestyle and conservation pay off in the long run for SMR.

  • East County
  • Opinion
SMR Senior Vice President Laura Cole talks about Lakewood Ranch's accomplishments over 30 years.
  • By Laura Cole
  • September 12, 2024
Celebrating 30 years

Lakewood Ranch represents our legacy of vision and community building.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The runners sprint away at the start of the Run for the Beads 5K at Waterside Place. Funds for the race support area nonprofits through the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 12, 2024
Nonprofits play key role in Lakewood Ranch's growth

A small-town feel prompts newcomers to immerse themselves in the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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