News Briefs

Early voting
Manatee County early voting for the Aug. 26 primary election begins this Saturday at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall and various locations throughout the county.

Early voting will be held 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. beginning Saturday, Aug. 16 and runs through Saturday, Aug. 23 at four locations: Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch; Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto; Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 U.S. Highway 301, Ellenton; Supervisor of Elections Office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton.

Voters can also cast a ballot 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at their polling locations.

+ Driver loses license after bicyclist’s death
Lindsay Damery, the driver involved in an April 4 traffic accident that led to the death of 83-year-old East County resident Donald Mader, was not distracted and not under the influence of any alcohol or controlled substance, according to a Florida Highway Patrol homicide investigation report released Aug. 8.

The report, though, states Damery claims she suffers from an attention deficit disorder. Damery told two officers on the scene she did not take her attention deficit disorder medication that morning and did not sleep that night.

Damery, 22, lost her driver’s license for six months last week.

Damery, also an East County resident, was cited Aug. 6 in Manatee County Traffic Court for the suspension of her license. She was already fined $1,000 and ordered to pay $101 in court costs.

Florida Highway Patrol concluded there will be no criminal charges filed against Damery.

+ Mills paints a bright future for Manatee School District
Manatee County School District Superintendent Rick Mills delivered a “State of the Schools” address Monday at Braden River High School, informing school board members, teachers and staff a week before school opens that he expects big things from the district in the next five years.

Mills presented a 58-page five-year strategic plan for the district that he believes will help it strive for greatness.

Touching on troubled times a year ago that included the district having an $8.9 million deficit, Mills said teachers and staff worked hard to help create a $10.3 million surplus before the 2013-14 fiscal year budget ends.

“This plan puts us on a path to greatness,” Mills said. “We will end up as a top school district in Florida with national recognition.”

+ Lakewood Ranch adds Murray Homes to lineup
Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch announced last week that Murray Homes has joined its homebuilder lineup.

The Sarasota builder will construct homes in The Lake Club and becomes the exclusive builder for the Staysail Court section.