Bay News 9 was honored with a prestigious Sigma Delta Chi award for best breaking news coverage for its continuous reporting on a tanker truck explosion along Interstate 75 last year. The award given by the Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best in professional journalism in 53 categories.Bay News 9 competed against stations in the top 50 U.S. markets, including New York City and Los Angeles. The station was given the award based on its coverage of a June 2008 accident that killed the driver of a tanker truck, which careened off the I-75 bridge at U.S. Highway 301. Bay News 9 is a 24-hour local news channel serving over 1 million cable households in the Tampa Bay area, including Manatee County.
MANATEE — Manatee County is seeking five members for the Tourist Development Council advisory board. Members of the board will serve in an advisory capacity to the Manatee County Commission. Four of the members will be hoteliers and one will be an interested citizen. Applications for the positions are being sought by July 10. Those interested in applying should contact Monica Luff of the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 729-9177.
