News Briefs

+ Linger Lodge cell tower burglarized
A cell tower on Linger Lodge Road was damaged extensively, after someone broke into the site and stole copper wiring.

A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report states the incident occurred sometime in the early-morning hours Aug. 22. Unknown person(s) entered the tower site at 8210 Linger Lodge Road by cutting a small hole in the fence. Once inside, person(s) started cutting ground wires to all the equipment and buildings.

Person(s) cut the power to the site by cutting wires in main power breaker boxes outside the fence. The person(s) also disabled a generator unit and opened junction boxes. The person(s) pried on a door of one of the buildings but was unable to enter it, the report states.

Damages were estimated to be between $40,000 and $100,000.

+ Local business professionals weigh in on Obamacare
Business professionals talked about how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, is affecting and will affect the local business community, during a special forum Wednesday, Aug. 22, at the Polo Grill and Bar.

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO Jim Wilson, Kerkering Barberio principal Kathy Hargreaves, Alltrust Insurance shareholder Corey Lilburn and Track 1 Benefits Managing Partner Ron Krupa shared their expertise with attendees, covering topics such as the “pay-or-play” mandate, W-2 reporting requirements, potential cost increases and benefit options available to businesses, among other topics.

“This stuff is not clear; it’s not well defined,” Krupa told the audience. “There’re a lot of differing opinions. For everybody, it’s going to have an impact. Go slow. Think about (your options).”

The forum was hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.

Meetings & Agendas
• Manatee County School Board Regular Meeting — 5:45 p.m. Aug. 30, at the School District Administration Building, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

• Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Land-use Meeting — 9 a.m. Sept. 6, at the county administrative building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

• Heritage Harbour South Community Development District — 3 p.m. Sept. 6, at the River Strand Country Club, 7155 Grand Estuary Trail, Bradenton.

• Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Public Budget Hearing — 6 p.m. Sept. 6, at the county administrative building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.