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Sarasota

Erica Gregory
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 21, 2019
Our Precious Freedoms: Erica Gregory

Retired Air Force officer grew up with a military father and an immigrant mother. She learned quickly to appreciate America's freedoms.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • June 21, 2019
Our Precious Freedoms: Bill Sterbinsky

For this Marine Corps veteran, the events of 9/11 put his desire to serve his country in perspective.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alexander Figueroa is a retired Army sergeant Major who now is an Army instructor at Braden River High School.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 21, 2019
Our Precious Freedoms: Alexander Figueroa

Army sergeant major and JROTC instructor helps young people understand their freedoms.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 21, 2019
Our Precious Freedoms Max and Shirley Corley

The couple met while working in the Marine Corps, and they have traveled all over the globe.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 21, 2019
Our Precious Freedoms: Ernest Freedman

The Navy veteran said he learned what American freedoms mean after spending time overseas during the Vietnam War.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jack Ogren was sent to an underground missile base in Germany to protect the Spangdahlem Air Force Base.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 21, 2019
Our Precious Freedoms: Jack Ogren

Following the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Army veteran has always had protecting freedoms on his mind.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Braden River High graduate Paige Krumwiede holds her U.S. Naval Academy diploma on graduation day May 24.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 21, 2019
Our Precious Freedoms: Paige Krumwiede

The Naval Academy graduate is now heading to flight school.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 21, 2019
Our Precious Freedoms: Gene Jones

Air Force veteran formed a non-profit group with other Vietnam vets to oppose the Iraq war.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The bald eagle — this one lives in Lakewood Ranch — is the national bird. But one of our founding fathers thought it was a bad choice. Do you know who? PHOTO BY JAY HEATER
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 21, 2019
Think you know America? Try this Fourth of July quiz

Did you know . . .

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Samantha Chaney
  • June 21, 2019
Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July? Sarasota kids answer

From the eyes of a child, the Fourth of July is all hotdogs and fireworks. But what more might be behind the day?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 20, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: June 20

Pepsi Freund captures this fisherman during a storm on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Two children were injured in an accident at the intersection of 17th Street and U.S. 301. Photo courtesy Sarasota Police Department.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 20, 2019
Two children injured in Sarasota bicycle crash

The crash occurred at the intersection of 17th Street and U.S. 301.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rick Johnson hammers his knife into shape before it cools.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • June 20, 2019
Withstanding the heat: Sarasota man forges love for knife-making

Sarasota man hones his blade smithing craft, lands a role on The History Channel's "Forged in Fire."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
John Luzzi, pictured talking with his Stonington High team, is the new boys basketball coach at Cardinal Mooney High. Photo courtesy Tim Martin, The Westerly (R.I) Sun.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 20, 2019
New Cougars' boys basketball coach brings unbridled passion to the job

He transformed a Connecticut program and hopes to do the same thing at Cardinal Mooney.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Hayden Shroyer stretches to make a catch at first base.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 20, 2019
All-Star baseball tournaments bring out the 'fun' in fundamentals

Prose and Kohn: Ryan Kohn.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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