News Briefs: 6.23.11

+ Detectives investigate incident in River Club
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspicious incident in River Club during which a stranger approached an 8-year-old girl in front of her home.

The incident occurred around 4:10 p.m., June 16, in the 9000 block of Cherry Hills Avenue Circle.
A sheriff’s office report states an 8-year-old girl was playing in her front yard when a vehicle pulled up in front of the residence and the driver pointed at her and told the child, “I have something for you.”

The girl said no and ran toward the house. The driver then exited the vehicle and approached the house but fled the area after hearing the child call for her mother, the report states.

The neighborhood was searched by several units with negative results.

The subject is described as a black male in his early 30s, about 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-3, medium build, black hair and gold teeth. He was wearing a gold necklace, a small hoop earring in his right ear, a dirty white T-shirt and blue jeans. He was driving an older model white square-looking two-door truck with rust around the wheel wells. The bed of the truck had a wooden chair with an “X” spray painted on the back of it. The chair was tied down with a rope, the report states.

A passenger in the vehicle is described as a Hispanic male in his mid 20s with long, shoulder-length brown hair and a mustache. He was wearing a white tank top undershirt, the report states.

Anyone with information should call the sheriff’s office at 747-3011.

+ Deputies thwart vehicle burglaries
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies interrupted four teenagers as they attempted to burglarize vehicles in Greenbrook at 3:30 a.m., June 15.

A sheriff’s office report states deputies arrived in Greenbrook after receiving a burglary in progress call. The first deputy to arrive came in contact with one of the suspects waiting in a vehicle.

The other three suspects were traveling on foot through Waterthrush Place and entering vehicle, the report states.

Deputies established a perimeter and located a second suspect. Remaining suspects were not located in an initial K-9 search of the area, but upon further investigation, deputies identified the suspects and possible whereabouts.

+ Clarification
Homeowners in Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 4 will not see changes in their CDD assessments for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 and therefore will not receive a mailed notice from their district.

They will, however, still receive a Truth in Millage notice from Manatee County.

+ Sanborn, Film Society host Movieville event
Sanborn Studios, the Sarasota Film Society and the Sarasota County Film & Television offices joined forces this weekend to present the first Movieville International Film Festival June 17-19.

Young filmmakers debuted their works at Lakewood Ranch Cinemas as part of the festivities.

+ Out-of-Door Academy names new trustee
Tracee M. Bomberger, owner of Trade Mark Interiors, has been selected to serve as a Board of Trustee member for The Out-of-Door Academy.

Bomberger also will co-chair the school’s largest fundraiser of the year, the 2012 Banyan Ball. Next year’s ball, which will be held March 17, will be themed “The Emerald Isle.”

+ Manatee’s Class of 2011 nets  $9 million in scholarships
Manatee County Public School seniors this year collectively earned more than $9.2 million in scholarships and have been accepted to more than 240 colleges and universities across the country, as well as U.S. Military Academies.

Additionally, more than 600 seniors in the Class of 2011 also have qualified for Florida’s Bright Future Scholarships.

+ Buchanan named to health subcommittee
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan last week was named to the influential health subcommittee of Ways and Means. The role will give Buchanan a key role in shaping the nation’s future health care. Buchanan is Florida’s only member of the House Ways & Means Committee.

“I am honored to be named to such an important subcommittee,” Buchanan said after Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp announced his selection to the Health Subcommittee. “We need pro-growth policies that focus on private-sector solutions to reforming health care, creating jobs and revitalizing the economy. I look forward to taking an active role in these important debates.”

Buchanan also serves on the Ways and Means Trade Subcomittee, a panel that plays an important role in the development of international trade and job-creation policies.

Bennett will not run for U.S. Congress
State Sen. Mike Bennett announced he will not run for U.S. Congress.

In a statement issued June 13, Bennett said: “Since expressing interest in running for Congress a few weeks ago, my wife, Dee, and I have been traveling the district meeting with supporters and donors. In these conversations, I have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and confidence my community has shown me. However, during this time, Dee and I have had many discussions regarding the ‘fire in the belly’ that is required of running a federal campaign.

“In all honesty, I quickly realized that the ‘fire’ I was feeling was heartburn over constant fundraising, travel and the other demands of running for federal office,” he said. “Traveling the world and fishing are candidly things I’m looking forward to catching up on when my term in the Florida Senate comes to an end. Watching all that is going on in Washington and knowing the constant fight that is required to make a difference there, I have decided to no longer pursue my bid for Congress.”

However, Bennett noted this likely would not be the end of his political career.

“Let me be clear: Is this the end of my life in politics?” he said. “You all know me better than that.”