News Briefs

+ Former Cannons bookkeeper pleads no contest to fraud
Former Cannons Marina bookkeeper Kristine McWilliams was sentenced to 10 years’ probation Oct. 28, after pleading no contest to one count of scheming to defraud in the amount of $50,000 or more. She was also ordered to pay restitution.

McWilliams, 47, of Sarasota, worked at Cannons for approximately 10 years and was responsible for bookkeeping and making deposits, according to a Manatee County probable cause affidavit. She was arrested in April, approximately nine months after Cannons owner David Miller discovered discrepancies in deposits.

A forensic audit for the period of June 2012 through July 2013 revealed more than 100 deposits were modified, and $109,506 was missing, according to a Longboat Key police report.

+ Atlantic hurricane season ends Nov. 30
The 2014 Atlantic hurricane season ends Nov. 30. For the second year in a row, hurricane activity was significantly below average. The season had eight storms that reached tropical storm strength, two of which became hurricanes.

Longboat Key did not experience effects from named storms this year. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

+ Town Hall to close for Thanksgiving
Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, will be closed Nov. 27 and Nov. 28, in observance of Thanksgiving. Other town offices, including the Planning, Zoning and Building Department, will also be closed. Garbage collection will be rescheduled to Friday, Nov. 28.

+ Visit Sarasota County predicts strong season
Visit Sarasota County is forecasting a strong tourism season. The agency estimates the county will experience a 3% increase in visitors in 2015 and that both couples and single adults traveling alone will visit the county in higher numbers. Visit Sarasota predicts that cycling will become a destination sport that rivals golf.

+ Correction
Emerald Harbor’s utilities are primarily above-ground. A story and map in the Nov. 20 issue of the Longboat Observer incorrectly described the neighborhood’s utilities.

Meetings & agendas
Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1

Code Enforcement Board Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8

Town Commission Regular Workshop — 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10

Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting — 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11

Planning & Zoning Board Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16

Consolidated Retirement System Board of Trustees Meeting — 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18

All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, unless otherwise noted.