News Briefs

+ Commissioner Donna Hayes files for re-election
Two weeks after withdrawing her name from the race for the District 5 Manatee County Board of County Commissioner’s seat, Commissioner Donna Hayes has announced she will run for re-election.

Hayes said she plans officially to re-file with the election’s office Oct. 31.

“The issue was I just felt it was time for someone else to take over, but a viable candidate just didn’t come forth,” said Hayes, who announced in June she would not run for a third term. “I need to make sure business continues to thrive in Manatee County.”

Additionally, Palm-Aire resident Paul Stehle on Thursday officially filed to run against Commissioner Joe McClash for an at-large seat.

+ Take Stock in Children announces appointments
Take Stock in Children has announced several new appointments to the organization’s Manatee Leadership Council.

New appointees includes Lakewood Ranch Kiwanis Club President Gordon Wardell, NAACP Education Chair Pegg Delegato; Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce Chairman and Community Coalition on Homelessness leader Joe Mercado.

Take Stock in Children is a college mentoring and scholarship program for low-income, at-risk children. Candidates are accepted as early as sixth grade through an application process.

+ Dean Mixon heads to Washington, D.C.
Mixon Fruit Farm owner Dean Mixon this week headed to Washington, D.C., to lobby on behalf of small business owners.

Mixon was one of seven members of the National Federation of Independent Business/Florida, and the organization’s new coalition, Small Businesses for Sensible Regulations, to meet with legislators to discuss how increasing federal regulation is impacting small businesses.

“Besides the regulations, the North American Free Trade Agreement has really hurt all of us farmers,” Mixon said. “We have all the regulations that cost us thousands and thousands of dollars and other countries can ship here for less than it cost us to produce our fruit or vegetables.” 

+ Copper stolen from Honore lights
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies are investigating the theft of $20,000 worth of copper wiring from a section of Honore Avenue.

A sheriff’s office report states sometime in the last month, unknown person(s) have removed about 300 yards of copper wiring from the streetlights from the 5200 block to 6100 block of Honore Avenue.

+ Adopt-A-Family accepting applications
Parents in need this holiday season now can get help providing Christmas presents to their children.
Adopt-a-Family, a volunteer-run non-profit organization that provides Christmas gifts to low-income families, will begin taking applications from qualified Manatee County residents Nov. 1. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and from 4-7 p.m. Nov. 2, 9 and 16, at Sarasota Bradenton Commerce Center, 7445 15th St. E., Building 7455.

For more information, call 748-4424 or visit www.adoptafamilymanatee.com.

+ Tech group honors teacher
Lakewood Ranch High School teacher Greg McGrew has taken top honors from a state technology organization.

The Florida Advanced Technology Education Center recently announced it selected McGrew as the Manufacturing Secondary Educator of the Year for 2011.

FLATE’s awards recognize educators and industry professionals who have made significant contributions to training the area’s future workforce.

McGrew has been an engineering technology instructor for more than 15 years.