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East County | Neighbors

Isabella Cz, a rising sixth grader at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, and Skylar Flandreau, a rising sixth grader at Martha B. King Middle School, take turns playing the ukulele during the Manatee Arts Education Council smARTen Up Camp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 4, 2026
Smarten Up Camp gives Manatee County students advanced arts opportunities

Over four days, the Manatee Arts Education Council hosted students who are gifted in the arts.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gabrielle Finnegan, chapter president of the Lakewood Ranch High School Future Farmers of America, checks out Lucy the cow with 7-year-old camper Luca Bellantonio.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 3, 2026
Camp churns out important agricultural lessons in Lakewood Ranch

Future Farmers of America members teach campers about animal and plant science and environmental leadership.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service

When Tyler LaPlaca realized there wasn't a Leo Club to encourage young people to be involved in community service, he took matters into his own hands.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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
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
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
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
Ellie Tullidge, 6, is glad to help her grandfather Bob Smith celebrate raising another $114,507 for Stillpoint Mission this year, which makes the 15 year total $633,507.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 26, 2026
Lakewood Ranch effort raises $114,507 for the Stillpoint Mission

The donation is critical at a time the mission hopes to purchase a new building.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Zach Zeller co-owns three restaurants in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 22, 2026
A high-flying spirit has led Lakewood Rancher to adventure, in business and life

Lakewood Ranch restaurant owner Zach Zeller, be it on the ground or in the sky, emphasizes hard work — and helping others.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
From left: Katelyn Diaz serves up smiles at Sip n Brew, the coffee trailer she launched with her parents shortly after graduating from Lakewood Ranch High. Partners Scott Wacha, left, and Brandon Whitman hold their Moo-Jitsu spice blends, a backyard-idea-turned-growing-business rooted in family, flavor and a bit of humor. Jason Huh, founder of STEEL Supplements, showcases Sodi Pop and Omni — two of the company’s expanding beverage lines aimed at a broader audience.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • May 22, 2026
These entrepreneurial families launched their new ventures right here at home

In Lakewood Ranch, ideas sparked at kitchen tables and backyard gatherings are taking root — and growing into something more.

  • East County
  • Business
A visitor points in wonder inside Mote SEA’s expansive habitat, where sharks, rays and reef life glide through a luminous underwater world.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • May 22, 2026
Summer's hot. Here's a list of activities that don't require SPF.

Lakewood Ranch and its surroundings offer plenty of ways to step inside, cool down and make the most of the season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home’s exterior is a carefully balanced geometric composition.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • May 22, 2026
The Florida lifestyle is glorified in a lavish new home in Waterside

A showstopping model home in Waterside marks a milestone: Modern has arrived at The Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nevriye Yesil, the founder of the Lakewood Ranch Happiness Circle, is glad to share her wisdom with friends and strangers alike, including Lisa Lieberman-Wang.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 21, 2026
Happiness Circle helps find light at the end of the tunnel

The newly formed club is led by Nevriye Yesil, who has a Master's degree in happiness studies. It is meant to help members embrace what life has to offer every day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Manatee River Youth Sailing Program serves kids ages 6 to 16.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • May 18, 2026
Kids learn lessons on and off the water at Manatee River Youth Sailing Program

The Manatee River Youth Sailing Program is rebuilding — focused on access, community and the future of youth sailing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
The inaugural Under Armour Track and Field Nationals featured Daphne Quintal, and she ultimately placed sixth for pole vault among female middle schoolers.
  • June 8, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Daphne Quintal
2
The installation of span wire traffic signals on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard at the intersections of Gatewood Drive and Wood Fern Trail are two projects within Manatee County's "master vision" for speed management on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard between 44th Avenue East and State Road 64.
  • June 8, 2026
More traffic signals coming to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard
3
Cynthia Keough is one of several Manatee County residents to step up to the podium June 4 and ask commissioners for more time to review the updated comprehensive plan.
  • June 6, 2026
Residents have 60 more days to review Manatee County comp plan
4
Mike and Jenny Schenk have closed their Pineapple Kitchen location on Lena Road and are now marketing their products on Amazon.
  • June 4, 2026
Pineapple Kitchen owners close store, move to Amazon
5
Isabella Cz, a rising sixth grader at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, and Skylar Flandreau, a rising sixth grader at Martha B. King Middle School, take turns playing the ukulele during the Manatee Arts Education Council smARTen Up Camp.
  • June 4, 2026
Smarten Up Camp gives Manatee County students advanced arts opportunities

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