News Briefs

+ Census shows Manatee is growing
U.S. census report released this month shows Manatee County is growing.

Data indicates the county’s population grew by about 1.3%, or 3,689 people, between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011.

Statewide, Florida saw an estimated growth rate of about 1.4%, bringing its total number of residents to more than 19 million.

+ Judge to weigh in on DUI sentence
A final appeal has been made to reduce the sentence of former Braden River High School teacher and head football coach Josh Hunter, who was convicted of DUI manslaughter almost two years ago.

His best friend and fellow coach, Douglas Garrity, was killed in the March 1, 2009, crash in which Hunter lost control of his F-150 pickup truck. Hunter’s blood alcohol content was 0.21%, almost three times the legal limit in Florida.

Judge Donna Berlin heard testimony June 27, and said she would render her decision about lessening Hunter’s sentence by July 11.

The prosecution is demanding a 10-year sentence.

+ Salt & Light awards grant to Meals on Wheels
Salt & Light Productions, a non-profit multimedia and production project, has awarded a cost-sharing grant to Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee. Salt & Light will create a promotional video for Meals on Wheels Plus.
Meals on Wheels Plus is a nonprofit that facilitates independent living by delivering meals to needy individuals. It also offers adult day care, health monitoring, outreach and senior transportation. The organization also operates the Food Bank of Manatee, which distributes food to other non-profit agencies to feed hungry families in the community.

“We are pleased to be able to offer non-profit organizations like Meals on Wheel Plus of Manatee the opportunity to work with us in producing a high-end media presentation,” said Salt & Light founder and president, Stuart Roth.

+ Manatee MTI students earn medals
For the ninth year in a row, students at Manatee Technical Institute took home more medals than any other educational institution nationwide in the SkillsUSA National Championships.

MTI students also won more contests than students from any other tech center nationwide in the Health Occupations Students of America Leadership Conference, held June 20 to June 24, in Orlando.

East County high school student Mackenzie Yaryura took top honors, earning a silver in the high school division for medical photography in the HOSA competition, and taking first place with her teammates — Aruba Fatmi, Mark Hurst and Ingrid Onoriode — in the high school division of broadcast news production at the SkillsUSA

Meetings & Agendas
• Manatee County Planning Commission — 9 a.m. July 12, at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.