News Briefs

+ County accepting applications for seats
Manatee County is accepting applications for two upcoming vacancies on the Manatee County Planning Commission, an advisory committee that makes recommendations on land-use items to the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners.

The Planning Commission is a seven-person panel that meets the second Thursday of each month at the county’s administrative center. Commissioners are given a $60 stipend per meeting.

The four-year term for the vacant seats begins Oct. 14.

Applicants must be registered voters in Manatee County. Although no particular expertise is required, additional consideration for appointment is given to individuals with experience or training in planning, engineering, environmental science and the development industry.

Applicants may not be employed by the county or serve on any other land development-related advisory board that serves unincorporated Manatee County.

Applications are due Sept. 4. For information, visit mymanatee.org/advisory_boards.

+ USF plans expansion of Sarasota-Manatee campus
Leaders of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee have released plans to expand the campus.
Leaders announced a five-year plan that includes adding an activity center, a $25 million academic center, student housing, restaurants and other retail developments. They hope the expansion will allow the university’s enrollment to double, bringing the total number of students to nearly 10,000.

The school must work out details of the expansion plan with Manatee County before it can turn its focus to funding the academic center.

Later this month, the Sarasota-Manatee campus will admit 100 sophomore students; it plans to add its first freshman class in 2014.

Currently, USF Sarasota-Manatee serves only juniors and seniors.

+ Chamber celebrates business partnerships
The Manatee Chamber of Commerce recently recognized its business partners during its 22nd annual Business/Education Partnership Awards Breakfast Aug. 8.

Award recipients included: Partner in Excellence, Bradenton Elks Club 1511 and Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Club 2855; Rookie of the Year, Dieter’s Sod Services; Civic Partner of the Year, Harvest United Methodist Church; Special One-Time Project, David Bartley Imaging (posthumously); Good Things Come in Small Packages, Palmetto Presbyterian Church; Good Things Come in Big Packages, Too, Keeton’s Office & Art Supply; It’s a Two Way Street, Lakewood Ranch High School and Keiser University; Together, Family Partnership Center, Exchange Club of Manasota East, Manatee River Business Exchange Club, Service Club of Manatee County and Sarasota Business Exchange Club; District-wide Partner, Holman Subz II, Inc (Subway); School Coordinator of the Year, Sandy Weinstein, of Kinnan Elementary School; Business Coordinator of the Year, Jessica Kruse, of Kruse Kreations; and Jones Business Partner Empowerment Award, Pittsburgh Pirates and Bradenton Marauders.

The Business/Education Partnership Program links businesses and organizations to schools through relationships that enhance student learning and school involvement. For more information about the program, contact Jahna Leinhauser, 748-4842, Ext. 172.

+ Manatee Schools announces lunch criteria
The Manatee County Public School District has announced its policy for free and reduced-rice meals for students under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.

Household size and income criteria will be used to determine eligibility and application. If applicants are approved, meal benefits are good for an entire year.

Applications and details can be found at manateeschoolfood.net.

Households with children who are considered migrants, homeless or runaways should contact the district liaison at the Harllee Full Service Center, 753-0958.

Agriculture department meets with growers
A representative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture visited the area Aug. 14 and Aug. 15, to meet with local citrus producers and state and federal partners who are working to eliminate invasive citrus pests and diseases.

Deputy Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs Rebecca Blue attended the 2012 Citrus Expo Aug. 14, in Miami, before touring the APHIS Sterile Medfly Release Facility in Sarasota. She also visited the University of Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee.

“To ensure the continued health of this vital American crop, a strong partnership has been forged, united in the shared goal of halting the spread of citrus diseases,” Blue said. “USDA and its state and industry partners, under the cooperative Citrus Health Response Program (CHRP), are working to sustain the U.S. citrus industry, maintain growers’ continued access to export markets and safeguard other citrus-growing states against a variety of citrus diseases and pests.”

Food Bank seeks sponsors for ‘Empty Bowls’ campaign
The Food Bank of Manatee is seeking help from the local business community for its 12th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser in October. The organization is seeking sponsorships for the event, which attracts more than 1,000 patrons.

The event is the Food Bank’s main fundraiser and helps the organization purchase high-demand items, such as infant formula, for families in need.

Donations are tax-deductible. For information, visit foodbankofmanatee.org or call 749-0100.

Meetings & Agendas
• Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts 2, 4 and 5 Budget Adoption Hearings — 8 a.m. Aug. 23, at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

• Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts 1 Regular Meeting and Budget Adoption Hearing — 8:30 a.m. Aug. 23, at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

• Manatee County School Board Regular Meeting — 5:45 p.m. Aug. 27, at the School District Administration Building, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.