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East County | Neighbors

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
News Briefs

Cheesecake Factory coming to Mall at UTC; Two appointed to Manatee County Planning Commission

  • East County
  • News
Quinones, center
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 11, 2013
Imagine School principal cleared of wrongdoing

The State Attorney's Office decided not to file charges against Selenia Quinones, the Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch principal accused of failing to report child abuse.

  • East County
  • News
Sandra Byers and Pete Vrinios join forces to create candy canes dipped in chocolate and sprinkles.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 11, 2013
Twist on tradition

A Lakewood Ranch business owner opens her doors to partner with a candy cane creator.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • December 11, 2013
Sarasota polo season swings into action

Athletes and the Sarasota Polo Club field maintenance team prepare for the upcoming season, which starts Dec. 15.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 11, 2013
McNeal Elementary teachers score highest in East County

Data released by the Florida Department of Education last week show McNeal Elementary has the largest percentage of highly effective teachers - 95.8% - for the 2012-2013 school year.

  • East County
  • News
Phil Woods, the new senior pastor for Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch, said he hopes to show Christianity can be intellectually credible and emotionally satisfying.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 11, 2013
Cornerstone welcomes new pastor

The Rev. Phil Woods finally is feeling settled in after becoming Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch's pastor in September.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
FAMILY FIESTA. Nolan Middle School student Jana Armstrong and her cousin, Grace Arthur, took their East County Observer on a recent cruise to Mexico. They made a quick stop at Fort George in the Cayman Islands.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
It's Read Everywhere

Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com and click on the 'Contests' tab in the upper-right hand corner to submit your entries. We can't wait to see where The Observer will travel next!

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Todd Garrett submitted this sunrise photo, taken at Myakka Head.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 11, 2013
Weather: East County

Todd Garrett submitted this sunrise photo, taken at Myakka Head.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Children First CEO and President Philip Tavill
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 10, 2013
The Good News: Children First

Children First hopes to raise funds to provide an appropriate space for waitlisted children as well as money to scholarship them, which costs between $9,000 and $10,000 per year, per student, for educational programs, screenings, family counseling and food.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Judy Zolna participates in the parade in her kayak.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Boat Parade

Spectators cheered in delight Dec. 8, at Linger Lodge Restaurant, as 18 decorated boats concluded their five-mile trek from Jiggs Landing, as part of the Old Braden River Historical Society's first holiday boat parade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bill Hansing helps Harrison Phillips, 5, make a victory wreath.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Night in Bethlehem

The parking lot of Living Lord Lutheran Church transformed into the biblical town of Bethlehem Dec. 7, as the church hosted its annual "Night in Bethlehem" event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Marie Tannus, of Pampered Chef, shares about her products with Carolyn Talbot.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Willis Carnival

Willis Elementary School today hosted a winter carnival for its families and the public.

  • East County
  • News
lexandra Keusch, 5, has fun sledding.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: YMCA Sledding with Santa

East County families hit the slopes today at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA, during Sledding with Santa.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kelly Oakes, Pat McMillan, DJ Hamel, Terry Richter and Pat Emmett enjoyed dancing to current pop hits and knew the words to many.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 7, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday Dinner Dance

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities held its annual Holiday Dinner Dance at Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club, Dec. 6. Guests danced to music mixed by West Florida DJ and enjoyed dinner and drinks.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jim Purdy, director of operations for Manatee County YMCA's four branches, welcomes the public to a free Sledding with Santa event at the Lakewood Ranch branch Saturday.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • December 6, 2013
WEEKEND BEST BET: Sledding with Santa at the YMCA

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA is having a free Sledding with Santa event Saturday, Dec. 7.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest in East County

1
Jason Starkman, the director of operations for The Original Wolfie's and Rascal House restaurants, shows off a corned beef sandwich. Wolfie's 21 Hand Cut is coming to UTC in late November or early December.
  • July 10, 2026
Wolfie's Hand Cut headed to University Town Center
2
Two killed in two crashes two hours apart on I-75
  • July 10, 2026
Two killed in two crashes two hours apart on I-75
3
Keith Pandeloglou took over as the president of the board of the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation in June.
  • July 10, 2026
New leader set to guide the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation
4
Work has either started or will begin soon on four roundabouts on University Parkway, east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. University Parkway also is being widened from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard.
  • July 8, 2026
Necessary construction will snarl University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch
5
FoodTrukt, a new app, aims to bring together food truck owners and customers through making locations, schedules and menus more accessible.
  • July 8, 2026
Find nearby food trucks with new app

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