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East County

Louisen Desinor posted an 81.8% completion rate in Braden River's jamboree May 22 against Charlotte and Sarasota.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • June 1, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Louisen Desinor

The rising senior quarterback guided Braden River High football to a pair of spring victories.

  • East County
  • Sports
The pools are waiting on water, and the shaded pickleball structure behind them is waiting on paint for the courts.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 1, 2026
Pool, pickleball facilities close to opening at Premier Sports Campus North

The second floor of the Lakewood Ranch Library also will be built out and open by fall on the north campus.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Cole Mule and Bodie Hogan, both 3 years old, explore the bee-themed magnet activity.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 31, 2026
Literacy lessons a hot summer topic at Lakewood Ranch Library

The Summer Learning Kickoff Party provided activities May 30 and marked the start of several programs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
For the final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season, Randy Bordon and Bri Rivera of the Bri Rivera Band perform for the crowd.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 30, 2026
Crowd jams final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season

The weekly event runs October through May at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan's appointments to U.S. service academies for the fall include (from left) Micah Pubillones, Lakewood Ranch High graduate Jack Crosbie, Caine Cokkinias, Hunter Wilk, Dax Morgan, Caitlin Nguyen, and John Wheaton.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch grads named to service academies

Congressman nominates 16 seniors from his district.

  • East County
  • Schools
Matthew Myers is the chief of Emergency Management for Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 29, 2026
Custom equipment, software to accelerate Manatee County hurricane response

Manatee County has invested over $600,000 to fortify its hurricane response since 2024.

  • East County
  • News
Cash grab in Manatee, too
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • May 28, 2026
Cash grab in Manatee, too

While the Sarasota County tax collector has drawn ire for taking school district money, the Manatee County tax collector has taken even more and been doing it longer.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Novalee Roberts, a third grader at Myakka City Elementary, is eager to participate in the Tape the Principal (Carol Ricks) event.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 28, 2026
Myakka City Elementary celebrates test achievements with 'Jump a Bucket'

Carol Ricks, the principal at Myakka City Elementary, wanted to recognize her students for their achievements.

  • East County
  • Schools
James Bacigalupi and Trevor Garofalo give Harry Noordzy a lift, just as they did five years ago at Station 12.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2026
Myakka's Station 12 remains a part of Harry's world

Now 5, the firehouse baby returned to visit the firefighters who helped deliver him.

  • 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
  • May 27, 2026
Planned events Center and boathouse at Benderson Park gets $10 million boost

State legislature has approved the $10 million appropriation, so now it is up to Gov. Ron DeSantis to approve it.

  • East County
  • News
New College was founded in 1960.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 27, 2026
Finalized deal shifts USF Sarasota-Manatee to New College

Vote to send the state's budget to governor is expected on Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Sophia IV sold for $6,775,000 in April and Stock Custom Homes is now planning a Wild Blue home that will list for $8 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 27, 2026
Has Lakewood Ranch become the playground for the rich?

Wild Blue has turned the multi-million sale into a common occurrence.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Heather Hackett, the founder of Local Relief, Inc., earned the 2024 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award for her work with her nonprofit.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 27, 2026
Don't sleep on hurricane season because 2025 was slow

Side of Ranch March 28

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mason Riley is projected to start at left tackle for an offensive line which coach Rob Hollway believes might be the deepest in program history.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 26, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Mason Riley

With the rising senior offensive/defensive tackle in tow, The Out-of-Door Academy football team ended its spring on a high note.

  • East County
  • Sports
Yolanda Mancha is the foundation's vice president of philanthropy, and Veronica Thames is the CEO.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 26, 2026
Manatee Community Foundation is perpetually giving

The advantage of donating to MCF is that a donation today can quadruple over time.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Louisen Desinor posted an 81.8% completion rate in Braden River's jamboree May 22 against Charlotte and Sarasota.
  • June 1, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Louisen Desinor
2
The pools are waiting on water, and the shaded pickleball structure behind them is waiting on paint for the courts.
  • June 1, 2026
Pool, pickleball facilities close to opening at Premier Sports Campus North
3
Lakewood Ranch's Cole Mule and Bodie Hogan, both 3 years old, explore the bee-themed magnet activity.
  • May 31, 2026
Literacy lessons a hot summer topic at Lakewood Ranch Library
4
For the final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season, Randy Bordon and Bri Rivera of the Bri Rivera Band perform for the crowd.
  • May 30, 2026
Crowd jams final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season
5
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan's appointments to U.S. service academies for the fall include (from left) Micah Pubillones, Lakewood Ranch High graduate Jack Crosbie, Caine Cokkinias, Hunter Wilk, Dax Morgan, Caitlin Nguyen, and John Wheaton.
  • May 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch grads named to service academies

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