News Briefs

+ Longboat Key Fire Rescue honors staff at annual awards
Longboat Key Fire Rescue announced the recipients of its annual awards Monday.

Firefighter/paramedic Brian Kolesa received the Firefighter of the Year Award. Last December, Kolesa was on his way to work when he saw a car crash at the intersection of Cortez Road and 75th Street in Bradenton and stopped to help.

Kolesa performed CPR on a 5-year-old girl who was in cardiac arrest and revived her before the ambulance arrived. The child survived the accident and was reunited with Kolesa in July.

Deputy Chief Matthew Altman was honored with this year’s Officer of the Year Award. A 19-year department employee, Altman is responsible for the training that paramedics receive ensuring they’re all trained in the most up-to-date life-saving techniques.

This past year, Altman instructed personnel on pediatric advanced life support, advanced life support, and CPR.

Firefighter/paramedic Brandon Desch received this year’s Chief’s Award. He ensures the department is stocked with the appropriate amounts of supplies and mediciations. In the past year, Desch assisted in the department’s annual report and established an informational social media page for the fire department.

+ Police promote three longtime employees
Longboat Key police recently promoted the following employees:

Chris Skinner was promoted from sergeant to patrol captain; Randy Thompson was promoted from officer to sergeant; and Tina Gohl was promoted from senior dispatcher to communications supervisor.

+ Town collects items for Toys for Tots drive
Santa Claus is coming to the town of Longboat Key.

Toys for Tots boxes are currently located at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, and the Longboat Key Police Department, 5460 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Drop off a new, unwrapped toy valued at $5 or more to either location to help a needy child have a merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Meetings & agendas

Planning and Zoning Board Regular Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6. 

Code Enforcement Board Regular Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13.

All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, unless otherwise noted.