News Briefs

+ Honor Rescue launches program
Honor Animal Rescue is implementing a new training program for dogs and cats and now has opened up Level 1 training to volunteers.

Level 1 is designed to teach the dogs good kennel presence and focuses on working with dogs through the kennel.

Once volunteers complete Level 1 training, they can come out any time between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. to train animals. Once the Level 1 team is built up, Honor will start training for additional levels.

More volunteers are needed for the program.

Individuals interested in helping can watch a 10-minute video about the program at openpaw.org.

For more information about Honor or to volunteer, visit honoranimalrescue.org or call 302-0933.

+ Collision yields injuries
A 57-year-old was transported to Blake Trauma Center in critical condition following a vehicle crash on State Road 64, just east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Friday, Aug. 3.

A Florida Highway Patrol report states a vehicle driven by Richard Olsson, of Bradenton, was stopped westbound on S.R. 64 in the left turn lane to enter a Lakewood Ranch shopping plaza, when another vehicle driven by 20-year-old Lenny Robinson approached, pulled up and stopped and then accelerated into Olsson’s path.

Robinson had been driving eastbound on S.R. 64 from the intersection of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. He applied his brakes and swerved, but was unable to avoid contact, resulting in the front-end of the vehicles colliding, the report states.

Olsson’s car spun counter clockwise and came to rest facing northwest in the right eastbound lane of S.R. 64, just east of the plaza.

Robinson’s vehicle swerved to the right upon impact and stopped facing southeast at the southeast shoulder of the drive. There were about 24 feet of skid marks prior to impact.

Robinson suffered minor injuries.

+ Water District approves proposed millage rate
The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board recently approved its proposed fiscal year 2012-13 (FY2012-13) millage rate of 0.3928 mills, which is the same as the current fiscal year.

With taxable property values declining by 2.9%, the rate will result in a $3 million reduction in ad valorem property tax revenue. For a $150,000 home with a $50,000 homestead exemption, the district tax for fiscal year 2012-13 would be $39.28 annually.

The district’s proposed 2012-13 Fiscal Year budget is set at $159.7 million, up $4.2 million from last year because of funding requests from local governments for water resources projects. The increase is being funded from balances available from prior years.

The proposed budget also includes $84.4 million for capital/infrastructure and other projects.

SFWMD will hold public meetings on the budget Sept. 11 and Sept. 25.

+ LECOM welcomes largest class
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine welcomed its largest class of medical students with 536 students arriving on the college’s three campuses, including its school in Lakewood Ranch.

Classes for new medical students began July 30. Students enjoyed an open house event July 28, as part of the festivities.

Second-year medical students reported to campus Aug. 6.