E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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FREE THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
VOLUME 18, NO. 33
PAWS FOR THOUGHT Bobcats get up close and personal with homeowners. SEE PAGE 8A
Our local grass is greener East County’s property values increase from $6.6 billion to $8.9 billion in just three years. SEE PAGE 3A
YOUR TOWN
Courtesy
A mother bobcat and her two babies visit River Place resident Denny Yoder's back yard often.
New guide dog leads the way. PAGE 6A
A+E Gospel music soothes the soul. INSIDE
Photo by Pam Eubanks
Time to check out After 43 years with Publix, East County resident Terry Ball is finally getting some sleep. “I’m not waking up at 4 a.m. all the time,” he said of his former work as a regional manager for Publix. He started as a bagger with the company at age 15, in 1973, and retired May 30.
NewGate takes swing at expansion Sarasota Montessori school makes offer on former Center for Building Hope property.
Jay Heater
Volunteers Jennifer Harms and Rosalie Wakefield
Food Bank challenge
SEE PAGE 4A
Pam Eubanks
The 4.8-acre campus is listed at $2,295,000 and includes all buildings, furniture and appliances. If NewGate Montessori acquires the property, its leaders hope to continue to use the facility as a place of healing, possibly through student-led programming or other opportunities, according to NewGate’s headmaster Tim Seldin.
The Food Bank of Manatee is appealing to the community to put together a drive to collect either 1,000 pounds of food or to raise $1,000 in donations to feed the hungry this summer. To make a donation, call 747-3663.