E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Cat tales prevail.
PAGE 19
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FREE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
VOLUME 22, NO. 46
YOUR TOWN
Body cams debut soon
HELLO AGAIN East County seniors embrace fewer restrictions in assisted living facilities and retirement homes. SEE PAGE 8
Liz Ramos
COVID-19 can’t halt run for funds
Manatee County signs a 10-year, $10.8 million contract for body cams and plans to activate them by December. PAGE 6
Arbor Grande’s Donna Marino (above) had planned to run several half marathons and 10K races to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, but due to COVID-19, all the events were canceled. Marino was committed to finishing her fundraising race. She is virtually running with her daughter, Angela, in Sydney’s City2Surf 14K on Oct. 18. “When you complete an endurance event, it’s an amazing experience, but when you do it for a charity or something bigger than yourself, it’s life changing,” Marino said. Those who would like to donate to Marino’s effort can visit pages.lls.org/tnt/sun/ yourway21/dmarino.
Courtesy photo Liz Ramos
Joanne Warmar, a resident at Stone River Retirement Community, shows a photo of her family. She has five children, nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
A stroke of luck?
Courtesy photo
Orchids in mint condition After waiting more than two years for his Stanhopea panamensis orchid to open Sept. 12, Sarasota Polo Club’s Tommy Klauber wasn’t thinking about gardening and his orchid collection. The noted chef, instead, was thinking about dessert. “All I can say is, ‘Wow,’” Klauber said. “It smells like mint chocolate!”
LECOM Suncoast Classic hopes the pandemic eases to allow fans back into East County event. SEE PAGE 3 File photo
Winner Mark Hubbard drew crowds in 2019, and Suncoast Classic officials hope fans return again for the 2021 event.
The Axon body camera can activate when a deputy pulls out a weapon, turns on flashing vehicle lights or when it’s near a deputy with an activated camera.
A+E
Funky, safe concert. SEE PAGE 14