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Your Observer | All

"We both like to win," Ryan Ockey, left, said of himself and his brother, Damon. "We've had a couple of races where we’ve both been on the podium, and that’s pretty cool." Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 22, 2012
Cardel Homes revved up for Payton

The homebuilder will auction off shotgun-seat laps in its Ferrari racecars to raise funds for the Payton Wright Foundation and another charity.

  • East County
  • News
Jim Youngblood, 79, is eager to offer members of Harvest United Methodist Church a peaceful place to think about God and remember their loved ones.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 22, 2012
Work begins on garden

Harvest United Methodist Church is constructing a memorial garden on its property.

  • East County
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mike Eng, Managing Editor
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • February 22, 2012
Observed: Decision devolves into shameful display

When members of the Manatee County School Board last week voted 3-2 to institute a 1.75% pay cut and furlough days - retroactive to the beginning of the school year, no less - they surely knew the outrage it would cause.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Rex Jensen is president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.
  • By Rex Jensen
  • February 22, 2012
My View: Give 'em the sleeves from our vest

Every one of us - young and old alike - has been dealt a bad, if not losing, hand by this economic crisis.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Jen Blanco, Associate Editor
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
COMMENT: Baseball a sign of springtime

Spring has officially sprung across the East County, and nothing signals the start of spring more than America's favorite pastime.

  • East County
  • News
Tampa Bay Rays Head Athletic Trainer Ron Porterfield, right, teaches wrist exercises to Braden River pitcher Brooks Nelson.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Rays trainer works with Braden River

Head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield has been working on strength and conditioning with the Pirates since October.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophomore Justin Otis scored seven points for Lakewood Ranch, including the team’s final two buckets. Photos by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball ends season in quarterfinals

The Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 57-32 loss to Tampa Sickles in the Class 6A-Region 3 quarterfinals Feb. 16.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • February 22, 2012
Sianna bests The Villages in SRQ Magazine Cup

Sianna defeated The Villages 8-7 in overtime to win the SRQ Magazine Cup Feb. 19.

  • East County
  • Sports
The East County Observer and Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient’s article will be featured on the restaurant’s wall.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Athlete of the Week: Daniel Reyna

Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch seventh-grader Daniel Reyna scored five goals while helping lead the Sharks to a 2-1 record to open the season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Blake Riley-Hawkins hopes to take his wrestling career to Ohio State University, where his older brother, Kyle, went.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • February 22, 2012
Lakewood Ranch High grappler returns to states

Lakewood High junior Blake Riley-Hawkins competed in the Class 2A state wrestling tournament for a second season, finishing 2-2 in the 132-pound weight class.

  • East County
  • Sports
Although he technically is retired, Bill Mixon still works most days at Mixon Fruit Farms. “It’s my life; I enjoy being a farmer,” he says.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • February 22, 2012
Neighbors: Bill Mixon

At 83 years old, one of the East County's most famous farmers has published his memoirs in 'Believers in Action: Mixon Fruit Farms.'

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This Mill Creek home, which has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,341 square feet of living area, sold for $430,000. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 22, 2012
Mill Creek home tops weekly sales at $430,000

A home in Mill Creek tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Stephen and Dena Cressman, Parrish, sold their home at 15006 21st Ave. E. to James and Andrea Rodman, Bradenton, for $430,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Javier Huanay took this sunset photo at Jiggs Landing.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2012
Cool Today Weather Photo Contest Winner

Javier Huanay took this sunset photo at Jiggs Landing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Jessie O Brien is visiting from Ireland and chose to celebrate the new year alongside Lakewood Ranch's Ciara Daly at Waterside Place.
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