News Briefs

+ Manatee deputies locate elderly man
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office authorities located an elderly man who wandered from his home in GreyHawk Landing March 11.

The 83-year-old man, who had been missing for several hours, suffers from dementia.

He was transported to Manatee Memorial Hospital to be treated for facial and body lacerations, a Sheriff’s Office report states. He stated he sustained the injuries after falling several times.

+ Rotary Club to host shred-a-thon
The Rotary Club of East Manatee is partnering with ShredQuick, a local document shredding company, to host the group’s spring Shred-A-Thon, which will be held from 3-5 p.m. April 12, at We Fix Computers, 8519 S.R. 70 E., Bradenton. Appointments are not needed.

Guests can watch as a massive mobile unit shreds documents, paperclips and all.

Donation is $5 per box, for a box the size of a banker’s box or a copy paper-sized box. Larger boxes cost more. There is no limit on the number of boxes guests can bring.

Members of the Eco Rotary hope the event will help keep waste out of the landfill.

Proceeds from the event will be used by the Rotary Club to support its local projects.

+ Man shoots himself accidentally
A gunshot heard at Tuscany Apartments resulted in minor injuries to the weapon’s owner.

A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report states on March 13, 24-year-old Gregory Peebles was cleaning his loaded AR15 when it accidentally discharged one round that went through the kitchen cabinets and appeared to have embedded into the floor of the apartment.

The surrounding apartments were checked for person with injuries, and none was found.

+ Vitale announces design contest
In March Madness spirit, ESPN college basketball analyst and Sarasota native Dick Vitale is launching a nationwide T-shirt design contest.

“I’m looking for the greatest Dickie V designs,” Vitale said. “The winners receive cash prizes. Now that’s awesome, baby.”

Vitale is looking for fresh, colorful designs to use for his online store. Designs should be lively and energetic and represent Vitale’s outgoing personality.

Fans can submit entries through March 31.

Contest details are available on Vitale’s Facebook page under the “Design a Dickie V Tee” tab. Visit www.facebook.com/therealdickvitale for more information.

+ Giving Partner hosts ‘giving challenge’
The Giving Partner, an online tool sharing information about local charitable organizations and their programs, is hosting a 36-hour Giving Challenge from 6 a.m. March 27, through 6 p.m. March 28.

The online event will provide East County residents and others a chance to learn about causes in the area. Matching funds and special grants to non-profits will be available to encourage giving.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County is one of hundreds of non-profits participating. There will be $334,000 available in 1:1 matching funds, with an additional $167,000 in grants awarded to non-profits.
For more information, visit www.thegivingpartner.org.

Meetings & Agendas
• Manatee County School Board Regular Meeting — 5:45 p.m. Monday, March 26, at 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
• Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, Manatee County Administrative Building’s first-floor commission chambers, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
• Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Land-Use Meeting — 9 a.m. Thursday, April 5, Manatee County Administrative Building’s first-floor commission chambers, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.