5 Things You Need to Know Today: August 26

1. Manatee County detectives arrested a 45-year-old man in connection with on another man in what appears to be a case of road rage at . John Sabin was charged with aggravated battery after the Manatee County Sheriff's Office says he was positively identified as the person who attacked Lakewood Ranch resident John Lee. Lee and Sabin are neighbors in Lakewood Ranch.

2. It's official Hurricane Irene will bypass Florida. Irene is currently located off the east coast of Florida and is expected to move north of the state today.

3. The Bradenton Police Department has recently received five complaints about a phone call informing the individuals that they had won $500,000. The caller then instructed each person to purchase a $400 WalMart gift card and telephone him with the gift card’s identification number for further prize details. A detective from the Bradenton Police Department called the number and the caller was not employed by a legitimate business entity, but tried to convince the Detective that this was not an illegal scam. Police say this is not a legitimate business, and warn people not to comply with any requests. The telephone calls are being generated through an untraceable international exchange telephone company. Questions? Concerns? Contact the Bradenton Police Department at (941) 932–9300.

4. will screen the documentary feature "Spellbound" from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight. The Oscar-nominated film looks at the intensity of the National Spelling Bee through the eyes of eight young competitors. Their personal stories illuminate their quirks, obsessive study habits and alternately heartbreaking and inspiring family dynamics. General Admission is $5, member price is $3. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. For reservations and info, contact Jessica Schubick at 941-746-4131, ext.27 or at jschubick@southfloridamuseum.org. 

5. Manatee County is accepting applications for Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly, a state grant which offers financial help to residents age 60 and older who have an economic hardship. Tracie Adams, Manatee's Human Services Manager, said with state grant money the county may approve up to $600 in assistance for a household twice a year: Once during the cooling season, April 1 to Sept. 30, and again during the heating season, Oct. 1 to March 31. Manatee has about $78,000 to distribute to customers in need through March 31, 2012. The program is extended to Florida Power & Light and Peace River customers. To be eligible for assistance, applicants must:
Be part of a household with at least one person age 60 or older in the home; have a documented heating or cooling emergency (a past due amount on your bill; a final notice of disconnection has been issued or you owe a deposit); have a gross household annual income equal to or less than 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. That means a one-person household could have an income of about $16,000 or less to be eligible, and a two-person home must show an income of less than about $21,500. If the applicant receives food stamps, income verification may be waived. For more information call (941) 749-3030 or visit the Aging Services area of mymanatee.org