Bradenton, FL|News|
Bradenton Librarian Named Manatee Employee Of Year
Described as the "ultimate professional," Braden River Library's Cathy Laird, has been named Manatee County's employee of the year.

Paul Scicchitano covers the greater Miami area as well as Sarasota, Lakeland and Bradenton for national news website Patch.com. A longtime journalist and editor, Paul's work has appeared in prestigious national publications such as The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Newsmax and Army Times. He has covered some of the most consequential events of our time, including the Challenger disaster, the U.S. invasion of Panama, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections. More recently, he covered Hurricane Irma and the Florida school shootings in Parkland. He can be reached at Paul.Scicchitano@patch.com.
Described as the "ultimate professional," Braden River Library's Cathy Laird, has been named Manatee County's employee of the year.

Three 16-year-olds and two adults from Orlando have been arrested following an Auburndale burglary and multi-agency response in Polk County.
One person was killed and another injured early Thursday morning in a crash involving a tractor-trailer and a passenger car.
it's not too late to help if you still want to get in on the Bradenton Police Department's holiday toy giving event.
A motorcycle rider suffered life-threatening injuries late Wednesday night when she crashed along North Tamiami Trail.
Here now is Patch's list of not so official Art Basel events around the Miami area.
Well-heeled art lovers descend on the Miami area from all four corners of the world this week as Art Basel 2018 opens around town.
A 17-year-old student at George Jenkins High School was arrested Wednesday after allegedly bringing a loaded handgun to school.
Dyrren Barber was charged Tuesday with DUI with property damage, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
2 senior citizens were arrested in a Lakeland park after they allegedly exposed themselves and solicited sex from a male detective.
Terrible Florida drivers see your turn signal as an invitation to speed up and their car horns as stress relief.
The Virgin terminal will be built at PortMiami with a design meant to evoke a lush, tropical structure in the iconic Miami skyline.
Felicia Costales had been last seen in the 500 block of SW 18th Avenue on Tuesday, according to Miami police.
Do you have a Clark Griswold in your neighborhood who puts up zillions of holiday lights? Zap a photo and send it to Patch.
A 33-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in a brazen daytime attack inside the woman's hotel room not far from Miami International.
Of course it's the U.S. mail. There are no certainties in life, at least not with this particular agency. Earlier is always better.
Polk County deputies sent a teenager to 11 gas station convenience stores to find out if he could buy alcohol. Guess which ones refused?
William Welch becomes the 104th person arrested during Operation Naughty — Not Nice 2018.
Miami Dade College's Homestead campus was placed on lockdown on Tuesday for a time after police reported a domestic situation
Despite being one of the most popular states for retirees, Florida ranked only 22nd for elder protection, according to WalletHub.