For the first time in recent memory, U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Largo, won't speak at Bay Pines National Cemetery Memorial Day ceremonies at Monday.

U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., asked Young, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, to be in Washington, D.C., for Sunday evening's annual Memorial Day concert on the Capitol grounds, said George Cretekos, Young's aide.

This year's concert is considered especially significant because of the events of Sept. 11. Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Army Gen. Tommy Franks, commander of Central Command in Tampa, are scheduled to attend the televised event.

Plane schedules couldn't get Young back in Pinellas in time for Monday morning's Bay Pines event, Cretekos said.

Young's appearance has been traditional. "I think it's been 31 years," Cretekos said.

Replacing Young will be Bay Pines Medical Center director Thomas H. Weaver.

Man charged in theft of newspaper racks

ST. PETERSBURG -- A 36-year-old man is facing theft charges after police found eight St. Petersburg Times newspaper racks in his home.

Walter Edward Brown of 3026 Burlington Ave. N was arrested Thursday and charged with three counts of grand theft. Police say more criminal charges may be filed and more suspects may be arrested.

Each of the stolen newspaper racks had about $200 worth of damage. The Times estimates that 35 racks have recently been stolen or damaged by thieves looking for change.

"This started around the end of March or early April," said St. Petersburg police Detective Holly Hadrika.

Police arrested Brown after an anonymous tip about a separate case led police to his home, where officers saw the racks.

Transient is charged in strangling of Pinellas man

ST. PETERSBURG -- A 32-year-old transient has been charged with second-degree murder in the strangulation of a St. Petersburg man Sunday.

William James Haugabook was arrested in the death of 37-year-old Darria Wilkie, found dead in his Palmetto Park home the day after Haugabook spent the night there, police said.

Wilkie, who had been strangled with a belt, recently had moved out of Christopher House, a halfway house for people with AIDS, and was staying at 28621/2 Second Ave. S.

On Thursday, police officers stopped Haugabook in a stolen vehicle, authorities said. Officers noticed that Haugabook strongly resembled a composite drawing based on witness accounts of a man who earlier this week traded Wilkie's car for crack cocaine.

Wilkie's death was the city's 14th homicide of the year.

Officer accused of lewd, lascivious conduct

TAMPA -- A Tampa police officer was arrested and charged Thursday night with lewd and lascivious conduct and contributing to the dependency of a minor.

Police say Officer Michael Buttiglire, 38, was patrolling Nebraska Avenue near 113th Street in the early hours of May 5 when he encountered a 15-year-old boy. Buttiglire and the boy exchanged phone numbers and later talked several times on the phone, TPD spokeswoman Katie Hughes said.

While the two never had any physical sexual contact, an affidavit says Buttiglire tried to get the boy to take part in sexual acts.

Buttiglire has been suspended without pay.

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