Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/141988
Because Independence Day falls on our normal deadline day, we decided to follow the lead of other weekly publications and move up our latest issue's release by one day. That also gives you extra time to spend perusing our latest offerings before the July 12 News Leader arrives in your inboxes. And while we have plenty of city and county news as usual this week, I especially want to encourage you to check out the News Briefs. In that compilation, you will see the announcement about the newest member of our staff: Roger Drouin has signed on to become county editor. After long stints of getting to know all the inner workings of City Hall, Roger is eager to take on this new challenge, and we are doubly eager to welcome him. Both Associate Editor Cooper Levey-Baker and I will continue to handle some of the county issues we have been following while Roger settles in, but having Roger take over the county beat will enable Cooper to focus again on the types of in-depth stories and political reporting he does so well, and I can spend more time delving into the many activities taking place on Siesta Key. We do wish all of you a very safe July Fourth. Kevin Cooper, executive director of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, reassured members of an island organization this week that the weather forecast looks good for Independence Day fireworks. We have our fingers crossed for everyone anticipating the annual spectaculars that brilliantly illuminate the sky up and down our coastline. Editor and Publisher