EAST COUNTY
Oh, what a summer
Observer
PAGE 17
Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023
VOLUME 25, NO. 37
YOUR TOWN
44th Avenue Extension moves to final phase Connection to Lakewood Ranch is all that remains in six-phase, $251 million project. SEE PAGE 3
Courtesy photo
Twist in the plot
After the devastation of Hurricane Ian, one dog found good fortune. When he was relocated from Fort Myers to the Humane Society of Sarasota County following the storm, Rocky met his loving owner, humane society volunteer Anne Gold, and became the star of a children’s book. Gold, a University Park resident, wrote and her friend Bobbie Gilbert Kogok illustrated “Rocky the Hurricane Dog: A True Story.” The book serves as a lesson in compassion for animals. Self-published in June, the book recounts the story of the 11-year-old Dachsund — as the storm left him afraid and wet. Then Gold comes along and his life turns to belly rubs, runs on the grass, rides in the stroller and trips to the mall, before he falls asleep each night and dreams of all dogs and cats finding homes.
LITTLE BIT OF LETTING GO Parents wonder how to respond when they must allow their kindergartner to leave their ‘bubble.’ SEE PAGE 8
Liz Ramos
Averleigh Cross can’t wait to start kindergarten at Freedom Elementary School. She’s looking forward to learning how to read better.
Liz Ramos
Newest commissioner explains growth stance
Hospital recognized for cardiovascular care
Lyn Swann, the director of the cath lab at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, and MaLou Kasita, the quality and accreditation director, celebrated the hospital receiving two American Heart Association Get with the Guidelines and Mission: Lifeline achievement awards. The awards recognize the hospital for high-quality cardiovascular care. Swann said the awards are a result of a team effort among emergency medical services who identify a patient having a heart attack, the staff in the emergency room and the staff in the cardiac catheterization lab. “When patients come here, they can be assured that they are going to get the safest and highest-quality care,” Kasita said.
Jay Heater
Greyhawk Landing’s Raymond Turner took over as District 5 commissioner on Aug. 1.
Raymond Turner says failure to prepare for inevitable growth wouldn’t be in the county’s best interests. SEE PAGE 5
A+E
Take the dive at Selby. PAGE 12