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East County

The Lakewood Ranch High softball team captured its fifth-consecutive district title April 17.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 18, 2014
PREP SPORTS: Thursday's Recap

Lakewood Ranch softball wins district crown. ODA tennis crowns state champs. ODA sends two to state finals. Lady Thunder win district crown.

  • East County
  • Sports
Three-year-old Kelly Sportsman searches for Easter eggs.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Library Easter Egg Hunt

Children ages 12 and under scrambled to find multi-colored plastic eggs filled with candy, April 17, at Braden River Library's Easter Egg Hunt. After attendees found all of the eggs that were tucked inside, behind and underneath books, they decorated Easter egg and bunny cutouts to take home, along with their sweet treats.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Owners of Napier's Log Horse Cabin and Animal Sanctuary, Alan and Sheree Napier, were arrested April 17, on 15 counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 17, 2014
UPDATE: Napiers arrested for 15 counts of animal cruelty

Owners of Napier's Log Cabin Horse and Animal Sanctuary, Alan and Sheree Napier, were arrested April 17, after months of investigations by the Manatee County Sheriff's Department.

  • East County
  • News
Students in Marti Bhame's second-grade class at Braden River Elementary take a bow.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: 'The Three F's...Fables, Folktales and Fairy Tales'

Students in Marti Bhame's second-grade class, at Braden River Elementary, embodied fictional characters and brought their stories to life during their production of "The Three F's...Fables, Folktales and Fairy Tales," April 17. The students performed three bite-sized renditions of "The Grasshopper and the Ant," "Dinerella" - "Cinderella" with dinosaurs - and "Stone Soup." Each mini play represented a different type of story to coincide with fairy tale and other story-themed curriculum Bhame has been teaching.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hospitality students Katey Witt, Brittany Figlow and Julieah Sinkler prepare lamb kebabs.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: HospitaBull Evening

USF Sarasota-Manatee held its 4th annual HospitaBull Evening at Polo Grill Thursday, April 16. There, USFSM 's College of Hospitality and Technology Leadership students planned, cooked and served food to guests.

  • East County
  • News
Jerry Twiggs is sworn in by Jess Mears, the clerk to the CDD boards.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 17, 2014
Ranch CDD 2 swears in new supervisor

Jerry Twiggs will fill the Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 2 seat vacated by Kathleen Grant, who resigned in March.

  • East County
  • News
Jorgin Palacios' 4-year-old class poses with the Easter Bunny.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 17, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiddie Academy Egg Hunt

Children at Kiddie Academy enjoyed visits with the Easter Bunny, as well as an Easter egg hunt April 17, on the school's playground.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High softball team is introduced prior to its Class 7A-District 10 semifinal versus Sarasota April 15.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Class 7A-District 10 Semifinal Softball- Lakewood Ranch vs. Sarasota

The No. 2 seed Lakewood Ranch High softball team defeated No. 3 seed Sarasota 9-1 in the Class 7A-District 10 semifinals April 15. Freshman Logan Newton allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out four in five innings of work to earn the win on the mound. Junior Amanda Rak pitched the final two innings in relief, striking out five, to earn the save. Jackie Schoff went 1-for-1 with a double, three walks, a stolen base, a RBI and three runs scored to lead the way for Lakewood at the plate. Maddie Biggs went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored. Kaylee Misiti went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. SaraBeth Wengerd went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored to lead the way for Sarasota at the plate. Clarissa Lynch pitched 1/3 of an inning before turning the ball over to Brittany Bendel. Lakewood Ranch will travel to rival Braden River for the district championship April 17.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Madeline Brogan and Terry Stottlemyer started Mothers Helping Mothers 24 years ago because of the need they saw to help struggling mothers.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 16, 2014
The Good News: Terry Stottlemyer and Madeline Brogan

The all-volunteer, nonprofit organization provides assistance for struggling mothers through community donations.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Kiddie Academy owner Marina Wolf-Schmidt and Academy Director Tina Pouso enjoy breakfast.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Breakfast of Champions

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosted a morning of bacon, eggs, orange juice and an optimistic message April 16. Attendees of Breakfast of Champions, an event sponsored by The Observer Group, enjoyed a presentation by guest speaker Justin Su'a, IMG Academy's mental conditioning coach. Su'a focused on themes of having a positive attitude and "flexing optimistic muscles," while leading group activities and playing audio clips of his favorite inspirational speakers, at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Connor Jones and Kristen Mendez
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2014
Lakewood crowns students

Lakewood Ranch High School juniors Connor Jones and Kristen Mendez became school royalty March 31, after being named Mr. Mustang and Miss Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2014
MTI takes top awards

The Manatee Technical Institute Postsecondary Chapter of HOSA, formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America, dominated the Postsecondary-Collegiate Division at the HOSA State Leadership Conference April 3 through April 6, in Lake Buena Vista.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2014
Schooled on Jazz

Students at Haile Middle School kept the audience's toes tapping April 8, during the school's Night of Jazz event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2014
Golfers trade clubs for duds for charity

The Palm-Aire Country Club recently held its annual fashion show, in conjunction with the 21st annual Men's Classic Golf Tournament. The $2,000 raised at the event benefited Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center and Baby Basics.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2014
Fund seeks nominations

The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund is accepting nominations for the 10th annual C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian of the Year Award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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