News Briefs

+ Braden River honors veterans, seeks sponsorships
Members of the Braden River Middle School family piled on the support for local veterans, contributing about 170 boxes full of items for troops overseas as part of the school’s HeroDay Nov. 18.

The HeroBoxes, which included snack items, toiletries, games, magazines and paperback books, are being sent to U.S. Army units in Afghanistan through www.herobox.org. Students inserted personal notes and drawings in the boxes, as well.

Braden River Middle’s Joanne Torluccini said Yoder Auto Sales has partially funded shipping costs, and the school still is seeking additional sponsorships.

Additionally, as part of the HeroDay events, military veteran Scott Stephenson, and his mother, Luana, spoke to students.

For more information about the HeroBox program or to contribute, call 751-7080.

+ Ranch CDDs plan capital improvement project timeline
Supervisors on Lakewood Ranch’s Community Development Districts have begun workshops to become better prepared to address the community’s future infrastructure needs.

Capital Improvement Plan workshops have been scheduled at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, as follows:
• CDD 1: 10 a.m. Dec. 12
• CDD 2: 1:30 p.m. Dec. 20
• CDD 5: 2 p.m. Dec.12
• IDA: 1:30 p.m. Dec. 19

+ Travelers sustain injuries in I-75 accident
A Clearwater teenager has been charged with careless driving in an accident Dec. 3, on Interstate 75 just south of State Road 70.

A Florida Highway Patrol report states 17-year-old Kristina McCullough was driving her 1996 Toyota southbound in the right lane when the vehicle’s tire separated and blew out. McCullough lost control of the vehicle and began to spin across the southbound lanes, striking the left side of a 2000 Toyota driven by Miami’s Marie Louis, as well as the right front of a 2010 Chevrolet driven by David Schapiro, of Sarasota.

McCullough sustained minor injuries and was transported to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Louis and her passenger, Marie Aubourg, both sustained minor injuries, as well, and were transported to Manatee Memorial Hospital.

Schapiro was not injured.