E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Students on a mission.
SEE PAGE 7A
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FREE THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018
VOLUME 20, NO. 34
YOUR TOWN
WORDS TO LIVE BY Father’s message sparks Heritage Harbour woman to action. SEE PAGE 8A Pam Eubanks
Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jim Andersen patrols Greenbrook Adventure Park. The proposed budget will provide more deputies if approved.
Courtesy photo
I am Sam Three-year-old Beau Petrilla didn’t get to play Santa Claus during GreyHawk Landing’s annual Fourth of July Parade, but at least he got to wear a beard. After Petrilla was told he couldn’t play Santa, he settled for Uncle Sam. His 1-year-old cousin, Grayson Donath, and Beau (above) won first place for their costumes and their wagon’s decor. Nearly 100 residents attended the parade, which featured decorated bikes, strollers, wagons and scooters traveling down GreyHawk Boulevard.
Urgent call for deputies Manatee’s budget proposes 12 new deputies, but the sheriff says the county needs more.
PAGE 3A
Pam Eubanks
A+E
Julie Hess, center, is surrounded by her children (clockwise from bottom left): Shylah, Troy II, Haleigh and Ashton. Courtesy photo
Friends first
Summer adventures that work
Meredith Vollmer, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center’s “Friend of Nursing” 2018 award recipient, said she wouldn’t have won the award without being, most of all, a good friend. “I never dread coming to work. In fact, I look forward to it,” said Vollmer (above). “My fellow staff members have become a second family.” Vollmer, an emergency room technician, was nominated by her co-workers.
High school students explore passions with unique summer jobs. SEE PAGE 14A Amelia Hanks
An artist’s calling. INSIDE