News Briefs 02.17.11

+ Study delays Fort Hamer Bridge design
Design work on the future Fort Hamer Bridge will be halted as engineers reexamine an environmental study for the project.

During a Manatee County Board of County Commissioners meeting Feb. 8, Public Works Director Ron Schulhofer said the U.S. Coast Guard has requested the county and its contractors investigate whether expanding the Rye Road bridge farther east may be an alternative to constructing the proposed bridge, which connects Upper Manatee River Road near Waterlefe across the Manatee River to Fort Hamer Park.

The request may cause a delay of at least five months, he said.

Additionally, commissioners said they would study a proposal made by Parrish Civic Association President Ben Jordan for the county to levy a toll on the Fort Hamer Bridge to help pay for improvements on Fort Hamer and Upper Manatee River roads.

+ LECOM school receives accreditation
The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy earlier this month announced it had received a full, six-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

The designation is the maximum recognition a pharmacy school can receive and shows the school has met established qualifications and educational standards through initial and subsequent periodic evaluations.

“This feat could not have been accomplished without the dedicated collaborative efforts of the Erie and Bradenton School of Pharmacy faculty, students and staff, as well as many members of the administration of LECOM,” said Dr. Hershey Bell, vice president of academic affairs and dean for the School of Pharmacy. “Not only does this effort reflect our shared commitment to excellence in pharmacy education, we can be proud of working together toward demonstrating the highest standards of pharmacy education.”

Additionally, LECOM’s School of Dental Medicine on Feb. 4 received its initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The approval puts LECOM’s Bradenton campus on schedule to open in 2012, as planned.

+ Manatee, Sarasota teams host safety expo
The Manatee and Sarasota Community Traffic Safety Teams hosted the fourth annual Traffic Safety Expo Feb. 5 in the parking lot of the University Commons shopping center.

The event featured local agencies such as the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Highway Patrol, as well as raffles, a bike rodeo, child passenger, pedestrian and driving safety tips and more.

Florida’s Community Traffic Safety Teams are locally based groups of highway safety advocates who are committed to solving traffic safety problems through a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplinary approach.

+ Cancer Community accepting nominations
The Cancer Support Community Florida Suncoast now is accepting nominations for the 2011 Celebration of Hope Keystone Award.

The annual award recognizes two exceptional individuals — one from the medical profession and one lay person or organization — for their dedication and contributions to the local cancer community.

Nominations must be submitted by March 1.

For information or to nominate, visit www.cancersupportsuncoast.org and click on the Celebration of Hope Award and “Nominate Now” tab.

A dinner honoring the winners will be held April 13 at The Polo Grill and Bar in Lakewood Ranch.

+ School district hosts town hall-style meeting
Gov. Rick Scott’s recently released budget and the upcoming session of the state legislature were key topics of a town hall meeting by the Manatee County School District Feb. 10 at Palmetto High School.

Highlights of the event included education experts discussing political issues pertaining to education, practical ways for concerned citizens to get involved in the process and a question and answer session, among others.

+ District schedules financial aid seminar
The Manatee County School District will host a free financial aid seminar at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 24, at Palmetto High School.

Parents and students can learn about scholarships, grants and loans and how to complete federal and state applications for financial aid.

Stephanie Rosh, of the Florida Department of Education, will be the evening’s special speaker.