E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
Residents soar to the rescue. PAGE 12A
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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FREE THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019
VOLUME 21, NO. 23
Sensational solicitations An offer that sounds too good to be true? Police warn it probably is. PAGE 3A
YOUR TOWN
Skyward bound Andrew Atkins
Piloting comes naturally to Lakewood Ranch teen. SEE PAGE 8A
Significant symphony Gullet Elementary fifth graders Melina Rodriguez and Payton Casto, above, were selected as 2019 All-State musicians by the Florida Music Education Association. More than 40 Manatee County children received the award. Payton, who plays drums, and Melina, who plays piano, said they both enjoyed performing at the state fair as part of the honor. Their teacher, Tim Hamand, said that students spent “hours and hours and hours” in practice.
Jay Heater
Annalise Gonzales now may be one of fewer than 12,000 17- and 18-year-olds with their private pilot’s license. Beside her love of flying aircraft and going fast, she has done some modeling.
History maker
Courtesy photo
Creative counting Nolan Middle School sixth grader Scarlett Lynch is pretty good with numbers. During the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corp.’s annual EGGstravaganza event April 13, the 11-year-old entered the East County Observer’s jelly bean guessing contest. She guessed there were 850 jelly beans in the jar and there were 852. For her prize, Scarlett got to keep
Pam Eubanks
Thirteen-year-old Jackson Nealis says he loves to learn about kings and wars, in particular.
Lakewood Ranch youth competes in first national history bee contest. SEE PAGE 7A
BLACK
TIE
Academy shines at gala. INSIDE