E A ST COUNTY
Music magic. PAGE 17
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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FREE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
VOLUME 23, NO. 46
YOUR TOWN
Competitive teacher salaries at risk
District says extra millage needed to remain competitive in region. PAGE 4
Courtesy photo
Day for tacky tourists Lakewood Ranch High School’s campus became a tourist trap Sept. 21. Senior Ryan Javate was wearing shorts with fish on them and a mismatched floral shirt. He grabbed a snorkel and a water-protective lanyard and made his way to school for Tacky Tourist Day to celebrate homecoming week. Each day had its own theme including Class Color Day, in which each grade was assigned a color to wear; Multiples Day; and Career Day. Students finished homecoming week with Spirit Day.
Gone to the dogs Manatee County’s crumbling animal shelter at center of drive to build East County facility. SEE PAGE 3
Scott Lockwood
Manatee County Animal Services Division Chief Sarah Brown takes a moment with Pelican, a dog available for adoption. Pelican is one of 95 dogs under the agency’s care, as of Sept. 20. The facility was built to host 80 dogs and almost always is overcrowded.
Camaraderie in order at boot camp
Scott Lockwood
Cool workout on a hot day Lakewood Ranch’s Sonia Snowden figures if she can’t beat the heat, she might as well use it to her advantage. Snowden spent a good part of the morning Sept. 24 at Greenbrook Park going through some grueling exercises. Despite the heat, she did a workout with planks, several variations of squats, arm and shoulder presses, and curls that became tougher with more weights as it progressed. “I do this at least a couple of times a week,” Snowden said. “Working outside like this in the heat makes it more of a challenge.”
Liz Ramos
Juniors Ryan Gustafson and Bella Pasquale, senior Cristina Ramirez and junior Roger Rodriguez dress as pirates, which is the school’s mascot, for boot camp.
Braden River’s Technology Student Association boot camp helps its members form bonds. SEE PAGE 8
A+E
Local actor’s ordinary role. SEE PAGE 12