E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
Donuts for dad.
PAGE 15
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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FREE THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020
VOLUME 22, NO. 33
Growth still on the rise Bevy of projects in permitting bring joy and concern to East County residents. PAGE 3 YOUR TOWN
Courtesy photo
Million-dollar effort Debbie Andreacci (above with Beth Hocking), a Peridia Golf and Country Club resident, grabbed a pack of 20 rolls of toilet paper and loaded it onto the Food Bank of Manatee truck June 19. “Hey, this is worth a million dollars,” Andreacci said with a laugh. Andreacci worked with 14 other Peridia residents to load the truck with 300 bags of food and hygiene products. The community also donated $700 for the Food Bank of Manatee.
Quick turnaround Less time dropping off patients puts EMS ambulances back into service. SEE PAGE 4
Pam Eubanks
Manatee County Emergency Medical Services District Chief Mark Regis, Assistant Chief of Operations Larry Luh and paramedic Steven Wheler say their new station allows the paramedics to serve the community in a more efficient manner.
Courtesy photo
She spreads sunshine Mill Creek’s Diane Caudill (above) used her 21 years of ceramics experience to brighten the days of others. Caudill made more than 40 ceramic suns to give to first responders and people serving in hospitals including Lakewood Ranch Medical Center during the pandemic. “I feel like I’m doing something that makes them feel just a little bit happy and appreciated,” Caudill said. “It makes me feel like I’m doing something rather than just staying home and reading books and cooking.”
Invested in the fund Jay Heater
David Fink will serve two years as president of the board for the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.
New Lakewood Ranch Community Fund president hopes to increase revenue streams. SEE PAGE 8
NEIGHBORS
Community salutes health care workers. PAGE 14