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East County | Trending

    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 26, 2012
Female athlete of the year: Olivia Ortiz

After capturing Lakewood Ranch High's first Class 3 individual cross-country state championship in 2011, Olivia Ortiz returned to the track this past spring hoping to pick up where she left off last season.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 26, 2012
Male athlete of the Year: Seth McGarry

After suffering a tender elbow in the off-season, Lakewood Ranch High pitcher Seth McGarry spent much of the season serving as the Mustangs DH.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High senior Danielle Valley qualified for the final in the 800-meter freestyle of the U.S. Olympic Trials July 1. She finished eighth.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 26, 2012
Year in sports: A look back

Building off of last year's successes, East County athletes made remarkable headlines in 2012, putting together one of the most eventful and successful years in recent history.

  • East County
  • Sports
Behind the leadership of 12 seniors, the Lakewood Ranch High baseball team captured its first district title in nine years and advanced to the Class 6A state semifinals May 17.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
Sports Teams of 2012

Enjoy our picks for the top sports teams of 2012.

  • East County
  • Sports
"To open this school (Braden River High), gave me new life," Braden River High School Principal Jim Pauley said.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 26, 2012
Year in review: May 2012, 'Pauley to leave Braden River'

The school board is expected to approve the appointment of Braden River High School Principal Jim Pauley to director of secondary education May 14.

  • East County
  • News
Joanna Graczyk got an airplane ride from her dad, Frank, before the show during Lakewood Ranch’s Moonlight Movie April 27. Published May 10, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2012
May Year in Pictures: East County

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of May 2012.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Channing Weir was crowned the 2013 Miss Lakewood Ranch. Published April 12, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2012
April Year in Pictures: East County

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of April 2012.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nathan Benderson, founder of Benderson Development, an East County-based developer, died April 7. He was 94. File photos.
  • By Pam Eubanks and Mark Gordon
  • December 25, 2012
Year in review: April 2012, 'Nathan Benderson: 'One of a Kind''

Nathan Benderson, who grew up in the Great Depression, turned a hardscrabble childhood into a lifetime of business success and unbridled philanthropy. He died April 7.

  • East County
  • News
On March 3, members and officials of the YMCA celebrated the opening of the facility’s new $2.1 million, 13,000-square-foot addition, which has been under construction since September.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 24, 2012
Year in review: March 2012, 'Ranch YMCA unveils expansion'

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA opened its new fitness center to the public March 3.

  • East County
  • News
SMART Volunteer Executive Director Gail Clifton and SMART rider Jessica Stort were eager to show off one of the new barns. SMART moved to its new 23-acre home March 1. Published March 1, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 24, 2012
March Year in Pictures: East County

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of March 2012.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of the Rotary Club of East Manatee partnered with a Rotary Club in Bangalore, India, for a project to install a water well. Published Feb. 7, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2012
February Year in Pictures: East County

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of February 2012.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Employees also will see an increase in employee health-insurance premiums of about 29%, among other measures.
  • By Pam Eubanks and Michael Eng
  • December 23, 2012
Year in review: February 2012, 'Board approves teacher pay cuts'

After months of failed negotiations with the teacher's union, the school district Feb. 15 imposed 1.75% salary cut for its 2012 budget.

  • East County
  • News
Business owners and residents left a restaurant in a silent march to City Hall for a bag the meter rally Monday.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 23, 2012
Year in review: February 2012, 'Bag-wearer to say, 'Bag meters''

To demonstrate the gravity of their demand that the Sarasota City Commission bag all downtown parking meters, business owners and residents - with all types of bags over their heads - are planning a rally at 5 p.m. Monday at Mattison's City Grille in downtown Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
The Observer photographed Ina Gross at the Perlman and Pearls Gala Jan. 7, at Michael’s On East. Photo by Loren Mayo.
  • By Pam Eubanks and Michael Eng
  • December 22, 2012
Year in review: January 2012, 'Ranch death ruled a homicide'

The murder of 78-year-old Ina Gross is the first in Lakewood Ranch history.

  • East County
  • News
The 26 students riding Manatee County School District Bus 560 all escaped a Jan. 5 crash with only minor injuries. Counselors were available at Braden River Middle Jan. 9 to meet with students. Published Jan. 12, 2012.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 22, 2012
January Year in Pictures: East County

Enjoy some of our picks for best pictures of January 2012.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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