E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
‘Hamilton’ comes to life. PAGE 20
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
•
FREE THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2019
VOLUME 21, NO. 33
YOUR TOWN
CORE soars
Courtesy photo
SMR confirms plans for an innovation lab in its CORE project in Lakewood Ranch. PAGE 4
For love of country
These piggies went to the drug store Candice Baumann was driving along Nature’s Way near Walgreens when she saw what has become a Lakewood Ranch attraction: several wild pigs and their piglets. “We could not believe what we saw,” said Baumann, who when she returned home went online and looked for previous East County Observer stories on the pigs. “What a pleasant surprise, and it sure put a smile on our face. “I understand that some residents have spotted these cuties. We definitely did and got some great pictures.”
East County veteran fought in three wars to protect our flag, and our freedoms. JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR
I
t was August 1955, and Capt. Eugene Vaadi landed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif., on his way home after 30 months as prisoner of war in China. University Village’s Vaadi was a U.S. Air Force pilot whose Boeing B-29 Superfortress was shot down along the border of North Korea and China during the Korean War. He was captured by who he believes were North Korean soldiers, and after several days of interrogations, he was turned over to the Chinese, who tortured him for most his incarceration. After U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld led the way to secure the release of Vaadi and his 10-person crew, SEE VETERAN PAGE 8 Jay Heater
Army and Air Force pilot Eugene Vaadi was shot down in World War II and in the Korea War, and he was captured by the enemy both times.
Information please
Courtesy photo
MTC students strike gold Manatee Technical College students Vincent Manzo (above) and Josie Deriso earned gold medals at the 2019 SkillsUSA National Championships from June 24-28 in Louisville, Ky. Manzo won in the internetworking category while Deriso finished first in cosmetology. Ten other MTC students finished second in their categories, and nine more finished in the top 10. All of MTC’s students competed in the College Division.
Courtesy photo
Citizens Action Center Manager Kaycee Ellis fields calls. That department could eventually be folded into a new 311 call center.
Manatee County readies to institute 311 information call center. PAGE 3
A+E On the rocks. INSIDE