News Briefs 06.16.11

+ Toddler drowns in Myakka pond
A 2-year-old Myakka City girl drowned in a pond after fishing with family members June 8.

According to Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reports, Kristina Contreras, was fishing with her brother, Sergio Contreras, and uncle, Jose Contreras, in a pond near the home at 24807 75th Ave. E., Myakka City. As Sergio Contreras and Jose Contreras were walking back to the house from the pond, Kristina Contreras followed them. The two walked into the house and assumed Kristina Contreras was behind them, the report stated.

About 10 to 15 minutes later, they noticed Kristina Contreras was not in the house. Jose Contreras then went outside and found Kristina Contreras submerged in the pond. He took her out of the pond and tried to save her. EMS arrived on scene and transported Kristina Contreras to Lakewood Ranch Medial, where she was pronounced dead at 8:05 p.m.

+ Manatee adopts fertilizer ordinance
Manatee County Commissioners this month adopted a tough fertilizer ordinance.

The new regulation restricts the use of fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus to turf or landscape plants from June 1 through Sept. 30.

The ordinance also states fertilization should be applied as minimally as possible the rest of the year, among other provisions.

+ Manatee waives cat adoption fees
Manatee County Animal Services this month is waiving the fee for adopting cats as part of Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month.

Through the end of June, cat adoptions will be free. The normal fee is $60.

The initiative is another step in the county’s plan to become a no-kill community.

The special adoptions are available at both Animal Services locations: in Palmetto from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday at 305 25th St. W., and in Bradenton from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at 1002 B., Manatee Ave. W.

Preview available animals online at www.mymanatee.org/pets or call Animal Services at 742-5933 for more information.

+ Manatee students perform well in testing
In a first-time statewide test, the majority of Manatee County Public Schools scored above average on a 2011 Algebra I end-of-course assessment.

More than 3,200 students were tested in 18 traditional middle and high schools, six charter schools and six alternative sites.

Every middle school and charter school tested above the state average, as did Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high schools.

“These exceptional results reflect the hard work our algebra teachers are doing each day with our students,” Superintendent Dr. Tim McGonegal said. “This was the first time students tested online in a format like this, and we are pleased that our preparation paid off.”

The Florida EOC Assessments are designed to measure student achievement of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standard for specific courses and will replace the FCAT over the next three to five years.

The assessments are part of Florida’s Next Generation Strategic Plan for increasing student achievement and improving college and career readiness. Algebra 1 is the first course to transition to EOC testing in Florida.

Additionally, the percentage of Manatee District students considered proficient in reading, math and science grew in seven of 17 grade-level categories tested for the the 2011 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

+ Ranch Friends gain Saputo support
Gold Coast Eagle Distributing owner John Saputo has joined the Friends of Lakewood Ranch in its opposition to the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch.

Saputo’s business occupies a 160,000-square-foot building in Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park.
“A corporate staff like (developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch) is much more responsive and timely,” Saputo said in a release from the Friends of Lakewood Ranch. “Their educated and practical staff has more of a ‘can-do’ attitude than any bureaucrat I have ever met. The SMR structure is customer friendly. It would be a shock to all of us to deal with the red tape that bureaucrats would surely introduce. In addition, our taxes will increase if Lakewood Ranch incorporates and we certainly do not want to pay more taxes, especially when there will not be any benefit to us.”

For more information on the Friends group, visit www.friendsoflwr.com.