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East County | News

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.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 8, 2026
More traffic signals coming to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard

A series of traffic signals will be installed between 44th Avenue East and State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
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.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 6, 2026
Residents have 60 more days to review Manatee County comp plan

Given three years of revisions, residents wanted more than seven weeks to review the final updates.

  • East County
  • News
Mike and Jenny Schenk have closed their Pineapple Kitchen location on Lena Road and are now marketing their products on Amazon.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 4, 2026
Pineapple Kitchen owners close store, move to Amazon

Mike and Jenny Schenk close their Lena Road location in Bradenton to concentrate on the Amazon Market.

  • East County
  • Business
University Town Center is poised to welcome more than a dozen new tenants, Ikea this summer to Dick's House of Sport in 2027.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 3, 2026
13 new retailers, eateries coming to University Town Center

Restaurants and retailers are among the new businesses coming to the UTC area.

  • East County
  • Business
Panther Ridge's Chantal Wilford wants to provide further support to families in Manatee County through becoming the District 5 school board member.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 3, 2026
Panther Ridge mom hopes to make connections in District 5 school board seat

Chantal Wilford is attempting for the second time to be a member of School Board of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Schools
Several residents report checks mailed from the post office in Lakewood Ranch have been stolen and washed.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Post Office mail theft investigation continues

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office says progress has been made but adds it can't release details at this time.

  • East County
  • News
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
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
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
Though Florida Power & Light employs a variety of advanced technology to avoid power failures, often the basic work of tree trimming goes a long way toward heading off trouble.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 24, 2026
With our deep dependence on power, FPL gears up to keep the lights on

Manatee upgrades are part of a statewide initiative to build a tougher grid to hold up against hurricane season.

  • East County
  • News
A rendering of the 12U baseball/softball fields five-plex that will be built at UMR Sports complex in East County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 23, 2026
Expansion 'gets real' at UMR Sports of Bradenton

A wealth of sports fields and amenities are being added to the former Moore Dairy Farm property.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Bruce Stamm says residents in District 1 are being denied due process because of a lack of representation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 22, 2026
Felts' Manatee County Commission seat remains empty

The district has lacked representation since Commissioner Carol Ann Felts died in February.

  • East County
  • News
The 7-Eleven planned for 44th Avenue West and White Eagle Boulevard will look similar to the 7-Eleven on University Parkway near Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 21, 2026
7-Eleven planned for Lakewood Ranch fuels outrage

A gas station and convenience store on the corner of 44th Avenue East and White Eagle Boulevard is anticipated to be under construction before the year's end.

  • East County
  • News
A new fire pit area awaits campers, along with the playground that was moved from Camp Flying Eagle, where camps used to be held.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 21, 2026
Dream Oaks Camp opens near Rye Preserve just in time for summer

Manatee County gave the Foundation for Dreams a 10-year lease for $10, but the campus needed an overhaul.

  • East County
  • News
Elizabeth Arnold is transitioning from citizen activist to commissioner candidate. She's running for the District 1 seat.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 21, 2026
Parrish resident steps up to protect rural Manatee County in District 1 race

As a citizen, Elizabeth Arnold fought beside the late commissioner Carol Ann Felts. Now, she's stepping into the race to fill her vacant commission seat.

  • East County
  • News
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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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