News Briefs

+ Sheriff’s Office gets full reaccreditation
Sheriff W. Brad Steube reported Nov. 21 that the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies unanimously voted to give the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office full reaccreditation.

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies votes on reaccreditations every three years.

MCSO was required to comply with 464 standards in order to achieve the designation. A team of assessors reviewed MCSO’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services.

MCSO has been nationally accredited since 1990.

+ 12th Circuit names judge candidates
The 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission nominated three candidates for its Manatee County judge vacancy, including one from Lakewood Ranch.

According to a press release, Erika Quartermaine, of Lakewood Ranch, was one of three names given to Gov. Rick Scott for consideration in filling the opening.

The other candidates are Charles P. Sniffen and Stephen Mathew Whyte.

Quartermaine is a prosecutor with the State Attorney’s Office in Sarasota County.

The new judge will be sworn in March 1 and will replace retiring Judge George Brown.

+ Residents ask county to postpone land purchase
Tallevast residents asked the Manatee County Commission to postpone an agenda item for its Nov. 27 meeting regarding land purchase in the community.

In an email, members of Tallevast’s Family Oriented Community United Strong group requested that purchase of the land for a county transit depot be rescheduled.

Tallevast residents are suing Lockheed Martin for personal endangerment issues after the Maryland-based advanced technology company discovered a hazardous leak at its beryllium plant property at 1600 Tallevast Road but did not inform residents.

Lockheed Martin is in the process of building a water-treatment facility to clean toxins from the community’s groundwater. The project is expected to be completed next year.

Meetings & Agendas
• Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Work Session — Tuesday, Dec. 4, Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
• Manatee County School Board Workshop — 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, SSC Branscomb Room, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
• Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Leadership Team meeting — Wednesday, Dec. 5, Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
• Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Land Use meeting — Thursday, Dec. 6, Manatee County Administration Building, 112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton