Formally called the TradeWinds Resort Festival Parade, it begins at Seventh Street S and Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg, follows Central Avenue east to Bayshore Drive NE, and continues on Bayshore to North Shore pool.

Limited bleacher seating is available for $6.

The Florida Power SunFest follows the parade in Vinoy Park.

Activities include marching band field show performances, a Kids-Art Festival and SpringStation, a music stage featuring Dr. Hook, an Extreme Sports Fest and a car show.

Call (727) 898-3654 for more information. Organizers say the parade will go on, rain or shine.

Detectives arrest alleged prostitutes

ST. PETE BEACH -- Pinellas County sheriff's detectives say a high-end prostitute known as "Naughty Nikki" has been making $1,350 per appointment.

Sheriff's detectives and St. Pete Beach police say they arrested "Nikki" and three other prostitutes and their armed bodyguard late Thursday in a sting operation at a St. Pete Beach motel.

Detectives also are investigating reports that the prostitution ring has been robbing clients. None of the people involved has been charged with robbery.

According to sheriff's detectives, "Nikki" is Christine Urino, 24, of Clearwater. Urino was charged with prostitution Thursday, as were three other women: Linda J. DeSantis, 20, and Kathleen Edwards, 30, both of Pinellas Park; and Charlene Myrold, 20, of Largo.

Their driver and bodyguard, John Felts, 30, of St. Petersburg, was charged with transportation for prostitution and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Police say they took a .45-caliber Ruger handgun and a large can of pepper spray from Felts.

Sheriff's officials say "Naughty Nikki" is a well-known prostitute in the area, so undercover detectives called and asked for her services. When police arrested Urino, she and her bodyguard were wearing listening devices.

"She was wearing a bug, and he was listening to her conversations," said Pinellas sheriff's Sgt. Greg Tita.

Untreated sewage spills near Boca Ciega Bay

ST. PETERSBURG -- About 3,000 gallons of untreated sewage have spilled into the parking lot next to Panfilo de Narvaez Park near the northeast corner of Boca Ciega Bay.

The accident happened early Wednesday morning after contracted workers fixing a pump station drilled through a pipe. An estimated 200 gallons of sewage flowed into the bay before the pump was stopped and a dirt dam built to contain the spill.

Septic tank trucks hauled the rest of the water away, and workers spread disinfectant on the area by 7 a.m. Water samples are being tested for bacteria at city labs. No warnings have been posted, and the boat ramp is still open.

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