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East County | Trending

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2020
2020 Digital Year in Review

The Observer stayed busy online in 2020. Here are the top stories of the year from YourObserver.com.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    A time to celebrate |
  • December 28, 2020
Rookie and Jordan Shifrin

Rookie and Jordan Shifrin of Lakewood Ranch celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary with a drive-by party consisting of friends and relatives.

  • East County
  • Celebrations
    A time to celebrate |
  • December 28, 2020
Dan Lobeck and Xin Akawi

Dan Lobeck and Xin Akawi of Sarasota became husband and wife December 19, 2020, in a lovely garden ceremony at Suncoast Community Church.

  • Sarasota
  • Celebrations
This Lake Club home at 15514 Anchorage Place sold for $3.5 million. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 7,060 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 27, 2020
Lake Club home tops local sales at $3.5 million in the Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton areas

Lake Club home tops residential real estate transactions in the Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton areas from Dec. 7-11.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Myakka's Sarah Wiegand bakes cream wafers from scratch. The cookies are a Christmas tradition for her family.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 26, 2020
Christmas cookie tradition won't crumble in Lakewood Ranch area

Christmas cookie recipes have been passed down through generations of these Lakewood Ranch area families.

  • East County
  • News
Tara's Donna Sutton Van Riper and Gerald Van Riper used this Christmas tree topper as their wedding cake topper.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 26, 2020
Lakewood Ranch area residents tell stories of what makes their Christmas ornaments special

Lakewood Ranch area residents share stories about what makes their Christmas ornaments precious.

  • East County
  • News
Vanessa Spingola, the emergency department clinical leader for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center receives the hospital's first Moderna COVID-19 vaccination from Derek Whitecotton, a hospital pharmacist.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 23, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center receives first shipment of Moderna vaccine

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center's healthcare workers began receiving the Moderna vaccinations Wednesday afternoon.

  • East County
  • News
Florida Department of Transportation community outreach manager Brian Bollas stands on a new I-75 bridge over the Braden River. The first bridge was constructed in 1979 when I-75 was extended through Manatee and Sarasota counties.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 23, 2020
I-75/State Road 70 construction entering homestretch

$80.8 million project at interchange of I-75 and S.R. 70 scheduled for summer 2021 finish

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 23, 2020
Singing for Rosie in east Bradenton

Cypress Springs carolers sing to resident recovering from fall in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Father Sebastian Szczawinski said stained glass in the modern Catholic Church represent themes of light, which are common throughout the religion.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • December 23, 2020
Faith shines bright through Our Lady of the Angels' new stained glass

Our Lady of the Angels of Lakewood Ranch fills windows with stained glass, hopes to finish in 2021

  • East County
  • News
3. Andrew Novak rallied to win the 2020 LECOM Suncoast Classic in February.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2020
East County's top sports moments of 2020

These athletes and teams were the talk of the town.

  • East County
  • Sports
Four Braden River High School students created an app that could save lives.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 23, 2020
East Bradenton students honored for dosage app

Four Braden River High students win 16th Congressional District App Challenge.

  • East County
  • News
Superintendent Cynthia Saunders, Faith Bench, a math teacher at Braden River Middle School, and Genelle Zoratti Yost, deputy superintendent of instructional services, honor Bench as a finalist for Educator of the Year. File photo.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 23, 2020
With contract extended, School District of Manatee County superintendent focuses on future

Superintendent of the School District of Manatee County has contract extended through June 2023.

  • East County
  • News
A time to keep our perspective
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 23, 2020
A time to keep our perspective

Caesar Augustus and Herod were all about self-centered status, power and ego. Mary and Joseph were the antithesis: humble, not materially wealthy, ordinary in all appearances. And yet they were extraordinary.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    In Memoriam |
  • December 22, 2020
Michael Petruzziello

On December 16th Michael (Mike) Petruzziello beloved husband, son, brother and friend passed away at home with his wife Debbi and their cat CoCo after a courageous battle with Cholangiocarcinoma.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
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