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Motor home crash kills Sarasota man

Bradenton, Florida -- The driver of a motor home died Wednesday when his vehicle left Interstate 75, struck shrubs and several trees and came to rest against a pine tree and a fence, the FHP reported.

Roy G. Kipp, 52, of Sarasota was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Former Island Branch Manager named new head of Manatee Library Services

Former Island Branch Manager named new head of Manatee Library Services

Manatee County, Florida -- Former Anna Maria Island Library Branch Manager Ava Ehde has been selected as Manatee County Library Services Manager with responsibility for the leadership and operations of the five libraries in the system.

Ehde has been the supervisor at the Anna Maria Island Library since 2003. Prior to coming to Manatee County, she was the Head of Reference and Systems at D'Youville College Library in Buffalo, N.Y.  Ehde earned a bachelor’s degree in History and German and a master’s degree in Information and Library Science from State University of New York at Buffalo where she also served as an adjunct faculty member for four years.  

Manatee County Neighborhood Services Director Cheri Coyea said Ehde was selected for her wide range of experience during an extensive career in libraries. Ehde has been employed by the Manatee County Public Library since 2002 and has been the Island Library branch manager since 2003. 

Investigation showed no signs of FCAT violations in Manatee

Investigation showed no signs of FCAT violations in Manatee

Manatee County, Florida -- Superintendent Dr. Tim McGonegal sent a letter today to Florida Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Kris Ellington informing her that the Manatee County School District had completed its investigation of a local charter school and found no evidence of improprieties on the part of the school or its employees.

The Florida Department of Education sent a letter to the Manatee District on June 9, 2011, asking for the District to conduct an internal investigation of the charter school to ensure there were no improprieties during administration of the 2011 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

“We have completed our investigation,” Superintendent McGonegal wrote in the letter to Ellington, who works in Accountability, Research and Measurement for the FLDOE.

“We interviewed the test coordinator at the charter school, the charter school administrators, and the district’s assessment staff.

Ceremony to swear-in, promote Bradenton officers

Ceremony to swear-in, promote Bradenton officers

BRADENTON, FLORIDA-- New hires will be sworn-in, while several current Bradenton police officers will officially be promoted during a ceremony on Wednesday.

Four new recruits will be sworn-in.

Keith Davis and Warren Merriman will be promoted to captains, while Josh Cramer will take the title of lieutenant, and James Kaull will be named sergeant.

The ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m. in city council chambers.

It is open to the public.

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Bradenton Police enforce curfew checks with Operation Sandman

Bradenton Police enforce curfew checks with Operation Sandman

On June 1, 2011, the Bradenton Police Department in partnership with the Manatee County Office of Juvenile Probation began "Operation Sandman".  Bradenton police began this operation after detectives determined that  juvenile offenders, while on conditional release pending criminal court proceedings, were responsible for crimes being committed in the City of Bradenton.

In an effort to stop criminal activity committed by these juvenile offenders, detectives and patrol officers began conducting nightly curfew checks at the homes of juvenile offenders residing in the City who are on conditional release that requires them to be home during the nighttime hours.

During the first two weeks of the Operation five (5) juveniles were found in violation of curfew (condition of release). These juveniles were subsequently arrested for the violating the terms of their conditional release.

Demolition of dozens of Sunshine Skyway Bridge fishing pier spans begins

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Parts of the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge are about to be demolished. A project got underway today to remove dozens of aging spans of the old bridge, which were determined to be unsafe.

Still at question for many is what the project means for the estimated half-million anglers who have since come to use the old bridge as a fishing pier each year.

Officials say, for now, the western spans will remain open and people who fish there won't see much difference at all from the way it's been for the past three years.

Still, there are some who worry this project is a sign of things to come and may signal the eventual end of a local landmark.

The project will remove 75 spans, 48 to the south, 27 on the north end.

Machete attack lands one in hospital

Machete attack lands one in hospital

BRADENTON, FLORIDA-- A Sunday afternoon argument at a Bradenton hotel turned violent and led to one man being sent to the hospital.

Manatee County deputies say Manuel Gomez and Jorge Velasquez got into a fight when Velasquez took out a machete and used it on Gomez's arm several times.

It happened around 6:30 at Baxter's Motel, located at 3225 14th Street West.

Gomez was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, while Velasquez was taken into custody.

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