E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Tie-dyed workout.
PAGE 4B
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FREE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2020
VOLUME 22, NO. 45
YOUR TOWN
Main Street events still on hold
Holiday events among the casualties that provide businesses with a boost. PAGE 3A
Courtesy photo
Right on schedule
Black Panther lives on After hearing that actor Chadwick Boseman died Aug. 28, Chris Robinson, a history teacher at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, wanted to pay tribute to the man who brought one of his favorite characters, Black Panther, to life in film. Robinson (above) picked up a dry erase marker and started to hand draw Boseman on his whiteboard as students entered the school Aug. 31. Within 40 minutes, his portrait was done. “He was a man of immense talent with such dignity and grace,” Robinson said.
Willis Smith has remained on pace to finish Waterside Place by spring despite the pandemic. SEE PAGE 8A
Jay Heater
Willis Smith’s Angel Ortiz and Nathan Carr say the workers have overcome COVID-19 challenges to stay on schedule at Waterside Place.
Courtesy photo
Peace message delivered The Rev. Elizabeth Deibert (above) and more than a dozen members of Peace Presbyterian Church stood firm with their messages of peace. The group, with participants from ages 6 to 90, hosted a Rally for Peace on Aug. 29, in which it waved signs along State Road 64. Messages included “Love One Another” and “Make Racism Wrong Again.” Peace is a Matthew 25 Church, which means it is called into action to help the hungry, oppressed, imprisoned and poor.
Healthy start to school year Courtesy photo
Jillian and Lilly Riley are excited to be back in school at Gilbert W. Elementary School.
Parents pleased with district’s efforts to provide a safe environment. SEE PAGE 4A
A+E
Black Diamond celebrates 10 years. SEE PAGE 14A