5 Things You Need to Know Today: September 21

1. The Bradenton City Council will hold its final budget hearing tonight at 5 p.m. The budget includes a tax increase to the rollback rate, which allows the city to collect the same amount of revenues in the coming year that it currently collects in the current fiscal year. The public will have the opportunity to speak on the city's ad valorem tax rate, city needs and programs covered by the budget.

2. County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a plan to implement free bus fares for seniors, 80 and above. Those who qualify just have to show identification to get a free ride on the county's public buses. The free fares go into effect Oct. 20.

3. Maximilian H. Staebler, a senior at Southeast High School, has been named a 2012 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist according to an announcement released by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Maximilian is one of 16,000 semifinalists from across the country out of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition. Maximilian and the other semifinalist are eligible to continue to compete for more than $34 million in National Merit Scholarships to be awarded in the spring of 2012.

4. Manatee County is recruiting members for its Court Watch Program which gives residents a greater role in the criminal justice process in cases involving repeat criminal offenders. Manatee County residents are trained through the volunteer program to monitor selected cases as they make their way through the court system. Court Watchers provide feedback to the Court Watch Coordinator who uses the information to identify areas of community concern and to advocate appropriate sentences. Currently eight volunteers sit on the Court Watch Program. The county wants another four or five volunteers. The program involves a one-time training session and requires volunteers to commit a minimum of four hours each month. For more information on the Manatee County Court Watch, call Court Watch Coordinator Randy Buckstein at (941) 749-3029, ext. 3612 or e-mail him at Randy.Buckstein@mymanatee.org 

5. Prospect Riding Center will have a ribbon cutting and open house on Saturday Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to2 p.m. Each person attending will receive one free pass to Desoto Super Speedway.