E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
Dream volunteer job.
PAGE 1B
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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FREE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020
VOLUME 22, NO. 48
YOUR TOWN
Pilot program to test drones
Hey batter, batter Deep-fried funnel cake is a hit at the Pumpkin Festival. SEE PAGE 12A
Courtesy photo
Rockin’ the hallways Braden River Elementary School students might have had trouble recognizing their principal and assistant principal Sept. 24. Principal Joshua Bennett and Assistant Principal Krista Francies wore wigs, dressed like rockers and carried around inflatable guitars and saxophones for the school’s second annual Rock Your School Day. Bennett and Francies gave out ice cream sandwiches, which they called record player sweet treats, from Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers to every student.
Lakewood Ranch might benefit from drone delivery of emergency supplies. PAGE 2A
Liz Ramos
Katie Greene sells funnel cakes, pizza, corn dogs, fried Oreos and more. She’s been in the concessions business for eight years.
Liz Ramos
County pays the price
Lightning strike, fans celebrate More Tampa Bay Lightning flags will be seen flying around Lakewood Ranch. The Lakewood Ranch Information Center on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch gave away free Lightning flags and magnets Sept. 29 after the team won the Stanley Cup Sept. 28. “It was fantastic [that they won],” said Frank Verdel, an ambassador at the information center and a Lakewood Ranch resident. “The other night I was up past midnight watching the game in double overtime [when the Lightning lost]. I’m happy the team won, and it didn’t go into overtime.”
Brendan Lavell
Putting a deputy, such as Leticia Leon of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, in the field can be an expensive proposition for any county.
East County’s growth causes commissioners to approve more deputies. SEE PAGE 3A
A+E Strings attached to orchestra’s new schedule. SEE PAGE 15A