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East County

Jen Blanco, Associate Editor
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
COMMENT: Baseball a sign of springtime

Spring has officially sprung across the East County, and nothing signals the start of spring more than America's favorite pastime.

  • East County
  • News
Tampa Bay Rays Head Athletic Trainer Ron Porterfield, right, teaches wrist exercises to Braden River pitcher Brooks Nelson.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Rays trainer works with Braden River

Head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield has been working on strength and conditioning with the Pirates since October.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophomore Justin Otis scored seven points for Lakewood Ranch, including the team’s final two buckets. Photos by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball ends season in quarterfinals

The Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 57-32 loss to Tampa Sickles in the Class 6A-Region 3 quarterfinals Feb. 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 22, 2012
Sianna bests The Villages in SRQ Magazine Cup

Sianna defeated The Villages 8-7 in overtime to win the SRQ Magazine Cup Feb. 19.

  • East County
  • Sports
The East County Observer and Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient’s article will be featured on the restaurant’s wall.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Daniel Reyna

Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch seventh-grader Daniel Reyna scored five goals while helping lead the Sharks to a 2-1 record to open the season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Blake Riley-Hawkins hopes to take his wrestling career to Ohio State University, where his older brother, Kyle, went.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Lakewood Ranch High grappler returns to states

Lakewood High junior Blake Riley-Hawkins competed in the Class 2A state wrestling tournament for a second season, finishing 2-2 in the 132-pound weight class.

  • East County
  • Sports
Although he technically is retired, Bill Mixon still works most days at Mixon Fruit Farms. “It’s my life; I enjoy being a farmer,” he says.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 22, 2012
Neighbors: Bill Mixon

At 83 years old, one of the East County's most famous farmers has published his memoirs in 'Believers in Action: Mixon Fruit Farms.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Mill Creek home, which has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,341 square feet of living area, sold for $430,000. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 22, 2012
Mill Creek home tops weekly sales at $430,000

A home in Mill Creek tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Stephen and Dena Cressman, Parrish, sold their home at 15006 21st Ave. E. to James and Andrea Rodman, Bradenton, for $430,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Javier Huanay took this sunset photo at Jiggs Landing.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Javier Huanay took this sunset photo at Jiggs Landing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Keith Fitzgerald
  • By Rod Thomson
  • February 22, 2012
Candidate Fitzgerald: Can he teach and run?

New College professor Keith Fitzgerald's candidacy for Congress has raised questions among administrators and trustees about his ability to maintain his teaching duties.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 21, 2012
Miracle League field renamed

A grand opening ceremony for the newly named Orioles Pirates Miracle League Field of Manasota is slated for Saturday.

  • East County
  • Sports
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • February 21, 2012
FEB. 21: Daily Headlines Video

Join us as we observe and report today's stories from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota, and Siesta Key.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Trash, recycling and yard waste collections for the week will be postponed by one day from Tuesday through Saturday for residents in unincorporated Manatee.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 21, 2012
East County trash collection delayed

Trash collection will be delayed in unincorporated portions of Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Professional golfer Abbie Valentine brushed up on his putting before teeing off.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 20, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: Junior Achievement Golf Tournament

Nearly 150 professional and amateur golfers hit the course for the 10th Annual Junior Achievement Manatee/Sarasota Professional-Amateur Golf Tournament Feb. 20 at The Ritz-Carlton Member's Club in Lakewood Ranch. Every team was paired with a professional golfer; including 15-year-old East County golf pro Domenico Geminiani. Following the tournament, players enjoyed dinner and a silent auction. Proceeds from the event will benefit Junior Achievement Manatee/Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Join Emily Walsh for the Observer Daily Headlines. Image shown will not play video.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • February 20, 2012
FEB. 20: Daily Headlines Video

Join us as we observe and report today's stories from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota, and Siesta Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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