Homicide-suicide in Lakewood Ranch home. A 44-year-old woman, Monika Rubacha, and two children, 14-year-old Josh James and 11-year-old Emma James, were found dead in a home in the Lake Club community on February 27; investigators determined the woman killed the children before taking her own life following a welfare check requested by the out-of-town homeowner.

**Taylor Morrison's land acquisition for Esplanade at Cammaray**, a new gated resort-style community with 1,200 single-family homes, condos, and villas, plus amenities like a resort pool, wellness center, fitness facilities, tennis/pickleball courts, spa, and Bahama Bar; sales to start in early 2027.

**Taylor Morrison will build a 1,200-home Esplanade community, “Esplanade at Cammaray,” in Lakewood Ranch (sales expected early 2027).** The gated resort-style development will include about 1,200 single-family homes, condos, and twin villas plus amenities such as a resort pool and spa, culinary center, wellness and fitness centers, tennis/pickleball/bocce courts, spa services, and multi-use trails; Taylor Morrison closed on the land in mid-December 2025 and plans sales to begin in early 2027.

**Taylor Morrison acquires land for 1,200-home Esplanade at Cammaray resort community in Lakewood Ranch.** Homebuilder Taylor Morrison closed on a land deal on December 17, 2025, to develop a gated community with single-family homes, condos, and amenities like a resort pool, wellness center, tennis courts, and trails; sales are expected to start in early 2027.

**Lakewood Ranch Medical Center recognized for quality and safety.** Lakewood Ranch Medical Center recently received the Leapfrog Top Hospital Award for outstanding quality and safety, highlighting the hospital’s regional reputation for high standards of care.

**A new local history book, Lakewood Ranch: A Legacy of Living with the Land, was published, chronicling the community’s transformation and highlighting Lakewood Ranch’s growth, economy, and leadership under Schroeder‑Manatee Ranch.** The book describes the community’s history, its role as a major regional employer, and quotes Rex Jensen, President and CEO of Schroeder‑Manatee Ranch.

**Lakewood Ranch ranks No. 1 best-selling master-planned community for seventh year.** The community, spanning Sarasota and Manatee counties, has held the top spot per RCLCO for seven consecutive years, with over 77,000 residents, ongoing expansions like new villages, builders, a retirement community, schools, library, and Premier Sports Campus upgrades driving growth.

**2025 Florida Winter Cup & Showcase soccer tournament underway at Premier Sports Campus.** This elite youth event, now in its 11th year, is being held from December 12–14 with U11–U19 brackets, including invitation-only Super Groups for top teams, and attracts both domestic and international participants.

**Large youth soccer tournament at Premier Sports Campus** — Florida Winter Cup & Showcase is running in Lakewood Ranch, drawing over 170 teams, more than 3,400 participants, and an expected approximately 7,800 spectators to the Premier Sports Campus from December 12–14, 2025. This event is a major regional visitor draw and will affect local traffic, hospitality, and retail activity around Lakewood Ranch during the weekend.

**Schroeder-Manatee Ranch releases new book 'Lakewood Ranch: A Legacy of Living with the Land'.** This coffee table book, announced December 8, chronicles the community's history from timber and cattle operations to a top-ranked master-planned community spanning Manatee and Sarasota counties, emphasizing stewardship and growth through archives and leader insights.