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East County

Post Commander Dave Daily and Michael Massmann, the senior army instructor at Braden River High School, are glad the students have veterans to inspire them to be patriotic members of the community.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 3, 2026
VFW Braden River Post 12055 works to inspire future generations

Through scholarships, essay contests, volunteer opportunities and more, members of the local VFW are glad to serve students and their community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
District 72 Rep. Bill Conerly and his challenger, John Phillips, attend a candidate forum at the Lakewood Ranch Library Aug. 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 3, 2026
District 72 House candidates speak to Lakewood Ranch Republican Club

Rep. Bill Conerly and John Phillips discussed legislation Aug. 1 at the Lakewood Ranch Library.

  • East County
  • News
Avarie Tholl and the Mustangs were 6-0 in FHSAA Class 6A-District 11 play last season en route to the district title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 3, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Avarie Tholl

The rising senior middle blocker is returning after a 51-block season in 2025 for Lakewood Ranch High girls volleyball.

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County resident Julie Madison addresses commissioners at the July 28 meeting. The black t-shirt Madison is wearing was also worn by several other residents.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 3, 2026
Voters to decide additional Manatee environmental lands millage

The idea to fund an animal shelter through a dedicated millage was shot down by commissioners and residents.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch residents Kathy Flora, Laura Moninski, Nicholas Keen and Susan Solz are happy with the July 28 outcome.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 2, 2026
Manatee considers sliding iceplex to a different location

Residents persuaded county commissioners to reconsider the Premier Sports Campus site for the planned ice rink.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch 11-year-old Finn Morris, who has been playing soccer for six years, likes competing at the Sarasota Paradise youth soccer camp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 31, 2026
Sarasota Paradise's 'language' brings kids together

Paradise's youth summer camp speaks to children from 5 to 13 who learn all about soccer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Stock Custom Homes Vice President Sam Canham says that the Sophia IV's sale for $6,775,000 in April was more confirmation that there is a demand for elite homes in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2026
Lakewood Ranch remains No. 1 in sales in mid-year survey

RCLCO Real Estate Consulting releases its rankings with Lakewood Ranch being No. 1 in multigenerational, master-planned community sales.

  • East County
  • News
Guadalupe Barajas, an ICU nurse at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, meets new CEO Jason Madsen for the first time in the new tower's ICU wing.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center begins to plan its future with a new CEO

CEO Jason Madsen is "bullish" on the hospital's future as Universal Health Services shows an appetite for making major investments.

  • East County
  • News
Conductor Joe Martinez leads the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble with Waterside Place in the background. Could the ensemble be playing at the new Rangeland High theater?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2026
Manatee County should take a starring role with theater project

Helping the school district expand its Rangeland High theater is common sense.

  • East County
  • Opinion
The Wawa store on State Road 70 at Lorraine Road sold the winning Mega Millions ticket that totals $800 million.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch store sells $800 million lottery ticket

The winning ticket came from the Wawa at State Road 70 and Lorraine Road.

  • East County
  • News
Henry Wainscott eyes first base with his throw during an around-the-horn drill at July 21 practice. He was one of 12 players who made up the 11U All-Stars — a team which finished 7-1 this summer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League 11U All-Stars finish third at state tournament

The 11U team was the league's first to play at the state level since 2023.

  • East County
  • Sports
Angie Elmendorf and Jon Minton, on either side of Allswell owner Tory Delany, are behind the Lakewood Ranch/UTC Foodies Restaurant Reviews Facebook page and the newly formed Lakewood Ranch Dinner Club.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Dinner Club serves up connections

Strangers become friends over dinner through the Lakewood Ranch Dinner Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This waterfall at Patton Park in Lakewood Ranch was being fed by heavy rainfall July 29.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 29, 2026
Drought runs deep in Manatee, Sarasota

Although storms have popped up, below-normal rain will take months from which to recover.

  • East County
  • News
Where are the statesmen?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 29, 2026
Where are the statesmen?

Too many county commission candidates can make old-timers nostalgic for past public servants. And how sad: The drumbeat to stop development and vilify developers is myopic and dangerous rhetoric.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Observer recommends
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 29, 2026
Observer recommends

The Observer’s recommendations for primary races for Manatee County Commission and Manatee School Board; Sarasota County Commission, Sarasota School Board, Sarasota Hospital Board and Charter Review Board.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest in East County

1
Post Commander Dave Daily and Michael Massmann, the senior army instructor at Braden River High School, are glad the students have veterans to inspire them to be patriotic members of the community.
  • August 3, 2026
VFW Braden River Post 12055 works to inspire future generations
2
District 72 Rep. Bill Conerly and his challenger, John Phillips, attend a candidate forum at the Lakewood Ranch Library Aug. 1.
  • August 3, 2026
District 72 House candidates speak to Lakewood Ranch Republican Club
3
Avarie Tholl and the Mustangs were 6-0 in FHSAA Class 6A-District 11 play last season en route to the district title.
  • August 3, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Avarie Tholl
4
Manatee County resident Julie Madison addresses commissioners at the July 28 meeting. The black t-shirt Madison is wearing was also worn by several other residents.
  • August 3, 2026
Voters to decide additional Manatee environmental lands millage
5
Lakewood Ranch residents Kathy Flora, Laura Moninski, Nicholas Keen and Susan Solz are happy with the July 28 outcome.
  • August 2, 2026
Manatee considers sliding iceplex to a different location

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