News Briefs 09.09.10

+ Manatee supports sidewalk golf cart use
Manatee County commissioners on Aug. 31 reaffirmed their commitment to find a safe solution for allowing residents to use golf carts on sidewalks but did not take action to move forward with the concept.

A new Florida law that allows local governments to enact ordinances to permit golf cart use on designated sidewalks went into effect Sept. 1. Manatee commissioners have made the subject a priority but will not finalize a process and criteria for allowing neighborhoods to apply for golf cart use on their sidewalks and roads until after the Florida Department of Transportation publishes its state standards on the subject.

+ Honor Sanctuary to host feline fest
A team of volunteers from Honor Sanctuary Animal Rescue will be launching the Fall Festival Of Felines fro noon to 4 p.m., Sept. 11, at the Ranch, 5401 Lorraine Road.

The Ranch will be open to the public to adopt kittens throughout the fall season from noon to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, and by appointment, Mondays through Fridays.

The adoption fees are $35 for 1 kitten, $45 for 2 kittens, and $55 for 3 kittens. The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, all vaccines, microchip, rabies vaccine and certificate, carrier, and a goody bag.

“We are very fortunate to have the Kitty Care Ranch Hands, a group of dedicated, caring, compassionate volunteers who effortlessly donate their time and energy seven days a week to care for over 30 kittens,” Maria Barringhaus said.

For more, visit www.honorsanctuary.org.

+ Two injured in vehicle crash
A head-on collision Sept. 1 sent two men, including Myakka teenager Dylan Kersey, 18, to Bayfront Medical Center with severe injuries.

A Florida Highway Patrol report states Kersey was driving his 1996 Chevy westbound on State Road 70, while Richard Belicka, of St. Petersburg, was driving eastbound on S.R. 70. Their vehicles collided near the intersection of S.R. 70 and 253rd Street East.

For unknown reasons, Kersey’s vehicle veered into the eastbound lane of travel directly in the path of Belicka’s 2005 Toyota. The Chevy’s left front struck the Toyota’s left front, the report states. Both vehicles rotated counter clockwise, with Kersey’s vehicle coming to rest facing southwest in the westbound lane of S.R. 70. Belicka’s vehicle stopped facing north in the eastbound lane of State Road 70, the report states.
Officers found no skid marks at the scene, but they did find gouge marks from the impact in the eastbound lane of State Road 70.

Both Kersey and Belicka were transported to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment.

Belicka’s vehicle sustained $10,000 in damages, while Kersey’s vehicle sustained $4,000 in damages, the report states.

+ Burglar targets Sabal Harbour
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a rash of auto burglaries that took place in the Sabal Harbour community last week.

A sheriff’s report states sometime between 7 p.m., Aug. 31, and 5:30 a.m., Sept. 1, three vehicles in the 4500 block of Runabout Way were broken into by unknown subject(s). The subject(s) entered unlocked vehicles and stole miscellaneous items, the report states.