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East County

Courtesy rendering
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2015
Making a splash

An Orlando-based partnership seeks to whet the appetite of a Manatee County committee to build a 20-acre water park at Tom Bennett Park.

  • East County
  • News
This home at 7510 Rigby Court has four bedrooms, four and a half baths, a pool and 4,596 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.15 million. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 22, 2015
Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch home sells for $1.15 million

A home in Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Courtesy photo Although Josh Hill has only been practicing Parkour for three years, he has established a group of 25 students who attend weekly classes at his East County gym, Sarasota Parkour Facility. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 22, 2015
Motorcycle crash grounds Parkour instructor

The discipline of Parkour emphasizes speed, but for instructor Josh Hill, the road to recovery after an accident won’t be quick.

  • East County
  • News
Lauren Proctor, Natalia Vuckovic, Ashley Bongart, Selena Gomez and Jessie Kroupa won Lakewood Ranch High’s first state tennis title April 13 and April 14. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 22, 2015
State champs

The Lakewood Ranch High girls tennis team captured its first Class 3A state championship April 13 and April 14, in Altamonte Springs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch senior Sierra Schappacher inspired her sister, Denali, to start playing softball. Photo by Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 22, 2015
Close bond drives outfielders

Sisters Sierra and Denali Schappacher played their final game together on the softball field April 14.

  • East County
  • Sports
Frances Tiafoe and Lakewood Ranch senior Ashley Bongart warmed up together twice during the Sarasota Open. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 22, 2015
Meeting their match

Lakewood Ranch senior Ashley Bongart shares the court with rising star Frances Tiafoe at the Open.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sean Kennedy and Don French were co-assistant principals of Braden River High School April 17. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 22, 2015
BRHS student takes on principal role for a day principal for a day

Sean Kennedy, 16, rules the school for a day working alongside Braden River High Assistant Principal Don French.

  • East County
  • News
Lee Wetherington, founder of Lee Wetherington Homes, pictured in front of the Windsong model that the company unveiled earlier this year. Wetherington was one of the original six homebuilders invited to build out Lakewood Ranch. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 22, 2015
Conversation with Lee Wetherington

Lee Wetherington, 68, started planning and designing homes in the mid-1970s, as co-owner of a small Jacksonville business.

  • East County
  • News
A community garden could grow someday in Greenbrook Adventure Park. Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2015
CDD 4 considers growing support for Greenbrook garden

A landscape committee will discuss whether a community garden should take root at Greenbrook Adventure Park.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 22, 2015
Market becomes Main summer attraction

Eight months after it launched on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, Jen’s MarketPlace will be in bloom throughout the summer.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2015
LADDER UP: Welcome the 619

East Manatee Fire Rescue added a new $1 million truck with a 100-foot ladder to its fleet last week.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
News briefs

Tokyo Olympic delegation visits park; County administrator outlines priorities; School District plans for 2015-2016

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch resident Barb Miller has been involved in caring for feral cats since she was a child. “A friend of mine said there is no out from rescue,” she says. “It’s like mafia. Death is (the out). Photo by Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 22, 2015
For the Love of the Cats

Barb Miller loves cats, and she’s on a quest to save the ‘wild’ ones — particularly a feral colony behind an East County apartment complex.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
Marching for veterans

The annual Tribute to Heroes Memorial Day parade tradition will march on, despite previous discussions about the possibility of canceling the celebration.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 22, 2015
Community hire

The Lakewood Ranch Community Activities organization has a new director: Kyanne Merrill.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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