News Briefs

+ Coast Guard rescues three divers
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three divers Sunday evening who were reported missing off of Longboat Key earlier in the day. The Coast Guard launched a rescue effort after a boat captain reported that the divers were using his anchor buoy as a reference point and that they went missing after the buoy apparently drifted. All three divers reported that they were in “great condition” according to the news release and declined medical evaluation.

+ Commission makeup change to be considered
Commissioner Phill Younger’s suggestion of reconfiguring the Longboat Key Town Commission to consist of three district seats and four at-large seats will move forward to a future charter review committee for discussion, commissioners agreed at the Oct. 20 regular workshop.
Younger suggested the idea in September because he felt that the current system of five district seats with two at-large seats is limiting. Although he hoped to bring the issue to voters in March, Younger agreed to support moving the item to a future charter.

+ Commission appoints subcommittee members
The Longboat Key Town Commission has appointed residents Lou Levy and Lee Riley to serve on the Audit Firm Selection Committee along with Vice Mayor David Brenner and commissioners Lynn Larson and Jack Duncan. The committee will rank its top-three firms for a three-year auditing services contract and submit its recommendations for commission approval.

+ LBK Fire Rescue hosts safety officer courses
Longboat Key Fire Rescue is currently hosting incident safety officer courses, which provide 40 hours of instruction on emergency safety issues to participants. According to Fire Chief Paul Dezzi, eight Longboat Key firefighter/paramedics are enrolled in the course, along with firefighters from Sarasota, Manatee and Lee counties. The course is funded through a local grant and will continue through December.

+ Mote currently treating melon-headed whale
A melon-headed whale that stranded Sunday morning on Manasota Key is currently undergoing treatment at Mote Marine’s Dolphin and Whale Hospital. As of Monday, the whale, who was nicknamed Dante, was in critical condition. The Gulf of Mexico is home to approximately 3,450 melon-headed whales.

+ Correction
We incorrectly identified newly married couple Ian and Jessica Carrington in the Oct. 20 edition.

Meetings & agendas
• Town Commission Joint Meeting with Sarasota County Board of Commissioners — 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7
• Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7
• Zoning Board of Adjustment — 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10
All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.