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East County

Amad Brayboy, Chase Maasdorp and Kolbe Ward rely on each other on and off the court as teammates and best friends. Photos by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 20, 2015
Basketball diaries

Kolbe Ward's return to the Out-of-Door Academy in August meant reuniting three friends whose close connection translates to clear communication on the court.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 20, 2015
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
  • By Mike Finney
  • January 20, 2015
My View: Will monorail work on University Parkway?

A Lakewood Ranch resident proposes a new solution for University Parkway traffic.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Debbie Huckaby is starting up East County's first bird rescue — Birds of Paradise Sanctuary & Rescue. Photos by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 20, 2015
New neighbors

Debbie Huckaby believes a move to East County will inspire residents to flock to her new Birds of Paradise Sanctuary.

  • East County
  • News
A new permit allows the Ranch to specify which gators stay put.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 20, 2015
Ranch seeks gator permit

Town Hall officials seek more control over gator removal to prevent poaching.

  • East County
  • News
Cars back up at the Balmoral Woods Boulevard gate onto Lakewood Ranch Boulevard Jan. 16. Photo by Kurt Schultheis
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 20, 2015
The gate debate: Will it end?

IDA supervisors hope to put the issue to rest even though some districts want tighter control of gates. that sit on public roads.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 20, 2015
Ranch considers info center

Wanted: A retired Ranch resident architect to review and give feedback for a possible Summerfield Info Center purchase from SMR.

  • East County
  • News
A University of Florida graduate, Vishal Kakkad oversees every traffic signal and camera in Manatee and Sarasota counties, along with his team of 17 members. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 20, 2015
Red, green or yellow?

East County resident Vishal Kakkad controls the traffic you sit in on a daily basis throughout Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Shirley Kelley of Sarasota hits a putt that approaches the green Tuesday at The Palm-Aire Country Club. Photo by Jason Clary
  • By Jason Clary
  • January 20, 2015
Palm Aire announces LPGA November event

An LPGA Legends Tour championship, along with hotel bed revenue and visitors, is heading for East County.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 20, 2015
Freshman's email sparks volunteer program

Lakewood Ranch High freshman Courtney Joseph sees the task as a way to experience work in the public sector.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 20, 2015
News Briefs

County holds I-75 overpass workshop next week; County wins suit on dam repairs last week; Economist sees growth in Manatee County

  • East County
  • News
Devin Valadez, a student at Freedom Elementary School, reads a book about Abraham Lincoln with his mother, Kerry, at the Braden River Branch Library. Pam Eubanks
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 20, 2015
Library aims to improve student reading skills

A new program at the Braden River Library pairs children and parents to make reading addictive.

  • East County
  • News
Talia Falco gets ready to shoot the ball into North Port's goal Jan. 14. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
  • By Amanda Sebastiano and Jason Clary
  • January 20, 2015
Lakewood Ranch focuses on quarterfinal match

The Lakewood Ranch Lady Mustangs may have missed out on collecting its sixth-straight Class 4A-District 11 championship after losing to Venice Jan. 16, but the team still has a chance to show their skills when they play Naples Gulf Coast in Naples Thursday in the regional quarterfinals.

  • East County
  • Sports
Front row: Donna Twardowski, teacher Cheryl Smith and Jean McMurren; back row: Rochelle Stassa, Suzanna Davidovac, Roz Ellerbee, Audrey Sharp and Colleen Tierney. Not pictured: Joyce White and Joyce Locklear. Courtesy photo
    By
  • Kristen Herhold
  • January 20, 2015
Women weave together stories in memoir book

Nine women from Longboat Key and the area share their stories in 'A Tapestry Woven From Threads of Our Lives.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Blaine Broadbridge recently showed pieces from his collection at a show at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. Photo by Amanda Sebastiano
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • January 20, 2015
Artist carves out new hobby

A former avid runner, Blaine Broadbridge enjoys a new pastime of crafting wooden creations in his garage.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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