Del Taco, Kruse's DUI Charge, ‘Lectern Guy’: Top 2022 Bradenton News

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Check out some of the top Manatee County news stories in 2022:

Del Taco Opens in Bradenton

The Del Taco opened its first location in the Tampa Bay area in November at 5610 W. Manatee Ave. in Bradenton. It already has a friendly rivalry with its neighbor, Taco Bell, and the two chains quickly launched a sign war.

Manatee Commissioner Settles FL Ethics Case For COVID-19 Vaccine Event

In October, the day before she was supposed to appear in court to face accusations that she misused her position to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic only for those living in her wealthy district, Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh settled her charges with the state of Florida.

Eighteen ethics complaints were filed against Baugh for hosting a February 2021 pop-up vaccination clinic in Lakewood Ranch only for those living in the county’s wealthiest ZIP codes.

Active Year for Alligators in Manatee County

Gators grabbed headlines in Manatee County this year. This includes a gator caught by a doorbell camera walking up to the door of a Bradenton home, a man who lost his arm to a gator at Lake Manatee Fish Camp and a gator caught on camera carrying a large fish across Tara Golf & Country Club.

Three Manatee County Commission Incumbents Lose Re-Election Bids

The Manatee County Commission welcomed a new slate of commissioners after three incumbents lost their re-election bids.

In the August Republican primaries, Misty Servia in District 4 and Carol Whitmore in District 6 lost to Mike Rahn and Jason Bearden, respectively.

Democrat Reggie Bellamy lost his District 2 seat to the GOP challenger, Amanda Ballard, in the Nov. 8 general election.

'Lectern Guy' Gets 75 Days In Prison For Capitol Riot

One of the most recognizable faces of the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach, Adam Johnson — known to many simply as “Lectern Guy” because of a now-viral photo of him carrying U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lectern through the building — was sentenced in February to 75 days in prison for his role in the riot.

Before serving his time, he trolled the media, faking a “going to prison” party on April 1 and calling out reporters for falling for the joke.

Jury Trial Set For Commissioner's DUI Case

Commissioner George Kruse goes before a jury for his DUI charge on Feb. 6, Manatee County court records show.

The charge is related to an April incident in which he crashed his truck into a tree near his Bradenton home. In the April 20 traffic accident, the commissioner drove into a tree in the Greyhawk Landing community.

Deputies didn't arrest Kruse or file charges against him the day of the single-vehicle crash. Instead, they let his wife drive him to their nearby home. She later came back to the scene to collect his traffic citation and have the truck towed, evidence shows.

Kruse paid a $166 fine and attended traffic school, according to court records.

Following the crash, the sheriff's office submitted evidence to State Attorney Ed Brodsky’s office for consideration. A new traffic citation charging him with driving under the influence was issued in June.

Police Chief Cleared Of Illegal Home Search Claims: Bradenton Mayor

After being accused of conducting an illegal search of a resident’s home, among other claims, Bradenton Police Chief Melanie Bevan is “exonerated of all allegations against her,” according to the city’s mayor, Gene Brown.

Hostile Workplace Claims Against Bradenton Councilor Were ‘Substantiated’

Findings of an investigation determined claims that former Councilor Bill Sanders created a hostile work environment for city employees were “substantiated.”

“While he is not a city employee subject to dismissal, if he were a city employee, there is no doubt his employment would be terminated for his egregious, repeated violations of this policy,” investigator Stephanie M. Marchman wrote.

Weeks ahead of the general election, Sanders’ access to Bradenton City Hall has been restricted “based upon recent events and a continuing pattern of concerning and unhinged behavior,” City Administrator Rob Perry told department heads and the city’s legal team in an Oct. 20 email.

Sanders, who was seeking re-election, lost his District 4 seat on Nov. 8 to first-time candidate Lisa Gonzalez Moore.