Our Town 9.06.12

+ World War II vet receives new ride
Disabled World War II vet Russ Hartvigsen received a wheelchair-accessible van just in time for his 89th birthday last Wednesday. Shot in the legs during the Battle of the Bulge, the Purple Heart recipient’s mobility was limited with a normal minivan. The new van was a surprise to Hartvigsen and was made possible by Governor Rick Scott.

+ Sarasota Observer announces changes
Starting this week, you will see a familiar face around City Hall and the town.

Roger Drouin, who worked for The Observer from 2004 to 2007 first as city editor of the Longboat Observer and then the Sarasota Observer, takes over Kurt Schultheis’ position as city editor of the Sarasota Observer.
Drouin, who recently completed his master’s of fine arts in creative writing/fiction from Florida Atlantic University, also published his first book in June, “No Other Way.”

But his most notable recent accomplishment is marrying Rachel Gomez, whom he met in 2007 in Sarasota.
“We’re happy to be back in Sarasota, which has always felt like home,” Drouin said.

Schultheis is back on Longboat Key in his new role as managing editor of the Longboat Observer.