Daily News

The Bradenton Marauders extended their winning streak to three with an 8-6 win against the St. Lucie Mets on Friday night at Tradition Field. Each team has won five games in the season series. Domingo Tapia (L, 2-4) imploded in the top of the first inning for the Mets. In his first start back off the disabled list, Tapia only retired on of eight batters he faced, walking four, hitting a batter, and surrendering two hits. Jacob Stallings had a two-RBI double with the bases loaded, Taylor Lewis had an RBI-single, and Dan Grovatt’s sacrifice fly against Estarlin Morel gave Bradenton a 6-0 lead.

FCAT scores released by the Florida Department of Education show that less than half of 3rd graders at Manatee County Schools are performing at grade level for reading or math. The county finished 8 percent lower than the statewide average of 57 percent of 3rd grade students at grade level for the two subjects. 4th, 8th and 10th grade students who must take writing exams were also below statewide levels. 

On Wednesday, the Bradenton City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that would allow law enforcement to impound motor vehicles if it is deemed they have probable cause to believe that the vehicle contains illicit drugs, or that sex laws were violated within it. The ordinance is essentially a replacement and revision of an older one which has not been in effect for five years. City Police Chief Mike Radzilowski explained after the meeting that local law enforcement had ceased to impound vehicles in relation to such crimes after a court in the state Florida had ruled that a similar ordinance was illegal.

Since 2009, market volatility has sent many investors running to U.S. Treasurys for safety, which raised concerns that a “bond bubble” might be forming. However, investors who understand the dynamics of our current economy might more appropriately compare bonds to a tire with a slow leak – no matter how much you pump it up, it isn’t likely to carry you fast or far. Below we will provide an objective look at Treasurys and the alternatives available to those seeking more immediate or reliable yield.

This week, the experts at EarthTalk are asked about the current drought and whether we are in danger of seeing a new dustbowl.

This Memorial Day Weekend, Audubon is reminding Floridians to take care with Florida’s original “beach babies,” rare and declining species of birds that nest on Florida’s beaches and coastal islands. "Memorial Day is always a fun time to be around or on the water, but we’re not the only ones who think so,"
said Julie Wraithmell, Audubon Florida’s Director of Wildlife Conservation.

On Wednesday May 8th 2013 the Sea Of Strengths Academy hosted a red carpet premier of student films created during an eight-week film making program. The program was a collaboration between Sea Of Strengths Academy and Inspired Minds, a local group working with students on film-making skills. The group created a short film titled Color Me Invisible which was recently featured at the Sarasota Film Festival.

The Marauders beat the Tampa Yankees 12-4 for the second straight night, seizing a split of the four-game series on Thursday night at McKechnie Field. Adrian Sampson (W, 2-1) pitched five innings and avoided allowing an earned run despite allowing nine hits to the Yankees. Tampa stranded 11 runners in the game.

The Manatee County Planning Commission took steps to change the county's much-praised Comprehensive Plan for coastal properties at Thursday's meeting. If you own 200 acres or more, want to develop it and can meet all of the other regulatory qualifications, you might be joyed. However, if you are of the environmental persuasion, you may be less thrilled.

Chief of Police Michael Radzilowski is pleased to announce that four highly dedicated and qualified members of the City of Bradenton Police Department will be promoted through the ranks. Capt. Warren T. Merriman III; Lt. William Fowler; Detective Sgt. James Wilkinson: and Master Patrol Officer David Sullivan will all be promoted.