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EAST COUNTY
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Thursday, FEBRUARY 23, 2012
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Rod Rawlings Amateurs, pros walks in the shoes tee off at annual of a literary giant. JA tournament. PAGE 10-11B
OUR TOWN
+ Family seeks help in finding lost dog A couple in Summerfield Park in Lakewood Ranch looking for a beloved family pet is asking their friends and neighbors for help. Randy and Jeanie Johnson say Grace, their 7-year-old yellow Chihuahua, has been missing since Thursday night. She went missing at around 5 p.m. Feb. 16. She was last seen Feb. 17 near Clubhouse Drive. Grace is a 10-pound, yellow-and-tan Chihuahua, with dark brown eyes. If you have seen the dog, or know its whereabouts, please call 724-0307 or 724-1592. The Johnsons are offering a reward.
New East County church throws party.
PAGE 8B
PAGE 4B
governance By Pam Eubanks | News Editor
education
beauty and the feet
Signage standards delay enforcement
By Pam Eubanks | News Editor
Changes in federal standards have delayed the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office from increasing traffic enforcement in Lakewood. LAKEWOOD RANCH — Although supervisors in Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts 2 and 5 are anxious to step up traffic enforcement in the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country
Club, a measure to contract for additional services with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office again has been delayed. Supervisors learned this month the districts must upgrade sig-
nage within the districts to comply with new federal regulations, as delineated in the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
SEE DELAY / PAGE 10A
PLAY BALL!
Be-Be Hansen
About 200 women tried their luck during the PalmAire Women’s Club’s Game & Card Party at Palm-Aire Country Club. In addition to lunch, the women enjoyed several rounds of Mah Jongg, dominos, Scrabble, various card games and more. The women also entered to win door and raffle prizes. Proceeds benefit several local organizations, including the State College of Florida, Manatee Technical Institute, Children’s Academy of Southwest Florida, Community Coalition of Homelessness, Community Haven, Family Promise of Manatee County, SPARCC and VFW Operation Uplink.
After months of failed negotiations with the teacher’s union, the school district Feb. 15 imposed 1.75% salary cut for its 2012 budget. MANATEE COUNTY — In a split vote by the Manatee County School Board Feb. 15, the Manatee County School District has moved forward with a retroactive cut to the pay of teachers and teachers aides that will trim salaries by 1.75% — or between $96 and $154 per paycheck — for the duration of the year. Teachers also are being asked to take two furlough days, which the district still must negotiate with the teacher’s union, Manatee Education Association, to determine how the days will be deducted from pay, Superintendent Tim McGonegal said. Additionally, employees also will see an increase in employee health-insurance premiums of about 29%, among other measures. McGonegal said the cuts, although necessary, already are negatively affecting employees.
Ann Schumer was among the lucky raffle winners.
+ Palm-Aire goes all in at card party
Board approves teacher pay cuts
Jen Blanco
Three-year-old Carter Okuhara was among hundreds of Little Leaguers who celebrated Lakewood Ranch Little League’s Opening Day Feb. 18. For more photos, see Sports, 13A.
SEE CUTS / PAGE 2A
upcoming By Pam Eubanks | News Editor
Musicians to accompany home tour The 37th annual Masterworks Showcase Encore Out East: A Tour of Luxury Homes, which runs March 2-3, will feature five homes in the East County. EAST COUNTY — Principal Harpist Cheryl Losey’s passion for music is one she developed as a young child. Her time spent in a youth orchestra not only encouraged her musical development but also helped
develop Losey as a person. “The Youth Orchestra really influences young people’s lives,” Losey said. “I know it did for me. It makes kids feel valuable. It creates a lot of discipline and self motivation and studying music
also helps your creative thinking and problem-solving.” On March 2-3, Losey will share her love of music and heart for encouraging young musicians
SEE TOUR / PAGE 2A
Courtesy photo
Principal Harpist Cheryl Losey will be among the featured performers.
INDEX Classifieds .......... 7B Cops Corner..........7A
Crossword.......... 16B Opinion.................8A
Real Estate........ 14B Neighborhood...... 1B
Sports................ 13A Weather............. 16B
Vol. 13, No. 8 | Two sections YourObserver.com