LARGO -- A St. Petersburg man arrested during an unlicensed contractor sting earlier this year was found guilty by a jury on Tuesday and sentenced to 120 days in the Pinellas County Jail. John A. Friedling Jr., 46, was one of 17 people charged with unlicensed contracting in January. He was arrested after investigators with the Pinellas County Department of Consumer Protection set up a sting at a home in Seminole. Investigators called various contractors to the home and asked them to perform work that would have required a license. Those arrested agreed to do the work, even though they didn't have a license. Friedling was one of them. He agreed to install windows, lay tile in the bathroom and kitchen, and paint -- all jobs that require a license, investigators said. The work was valued at about $10,000. Most people plead guilty to an unlicensed contracting charge and get probation, but Friedling wanted a trial, said Sheryl Goodman-Lord, director of the Department of Consumer Protection. His trial was Tuesday. Friedling argued that he had an occupational license from the city of St. Petersburg and that he had been told it allowed him to perform contracting work in Seminole. But after 20 minutes, jurors returned a guilty verdict against him, Goodman-Lord said. He also was sentenced to a year of probation and ordered to pay $325 in costs and fees.

Car wash to raise money for injured girl

A car wash will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday to raise money for 13-month-old Layla Walzak, who suffered a fractured skull and a broken nose Sunday when an inner tube pulled by a water scooter crashed into her at the water's edge at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs. The car wash will be at Car Tune Automotive, 5548 Barton St. in New Port Richey. It is sponsored by Car Tune and Building Blocks Preschool, where Layla's sister and brother attend before- and after-school programs, said Christy Durr, a teacher there. Proceeds will benefit the Walzak family, she said. Layla remained in good condition Wednesday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa.

School Board suspends teacher without pay

The Pinellas County School Board on Tuesday voted to suspend Tarpon Springs High teacher Michael Grayer without pay as a result of his arrest on a sexual battery charge in January. Grayer, 30, of Clearwater had been suspended with pay after his arrest. School administrators had recommended firing him or suspending him without pay if he requested an administrative hearing. Grayer, who says he is innocent, has requested a hearing, so the board suspended him without pay, effective Wednesday. School officials had previously decided not to renew Grayer's teaching contract, so the hearing will concern whether he is paid for two more months. Grayer, who taught in the dropout prevention program, was accused of assaulting a student in his office at school after class.

Child taken to hospital after falling into pool

CLEARWATER -- A toddler was taken by helicopter Wednesday evening to Bayfront Medical Center after she fell in a pool. The child, who is almost 2 years old, went through a screen door that had been left open by a sibling at her family's home at 1476 Highland Circle, Clearwater police said. It was unknown how long the child had been in the water, but family members didn't think it was that long, police said. Police said there are three children in the home. The child who fell in the pool, along with at least one of the other youngsters, is a foster child. Emergency workers were called to the home about 5:15 p.m. Crews were able to revive the child's heartbeat but didn't immediately get a pulse. The name of the childand an updated condition were not available Wednesday evening.

Detention deputy charged with sex crime

CLEARWATER -- A Pinellas County detention deputy was arrested Tuesday night on charges he had a sexual relationship with a girl who is under the age of 16. Clearwater police arrested Deputy Glenn Burgess II, 27, on three charges of lewd and lascivious battery. Police say he had sexual contact with the girl, who is a distant relative, three times in February and March. He admitted to the charges, police said. More charges are possible, as the investigation is continuing, police said. Burgess was hired as a detention deputy in August 1999. He was placed on paid administrative leave after his arrest, though sheriff's officials said they anticipate he might resign. He was being held Wednesday afternoon at the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Lanes to be shut down on Memorial Causeway

CLEARWATER -- Because of overnight construction, one lane in each direction on the Memorial Causeway Bridge will close at 7 p.m. tonight, Sunday and Monday and will reopen the following mornings at 7 a.m. For information, call city of Clearwater Public Works Department at 562-4750.

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