Orlando's study will include 120 volunteers, ages 18 through 29, who have never been vaccinated for smallpox. Other test sites are the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and a medical center in Cincinnati.

"This is a very timely and very important issue," said Dr. Thomas Marbury, medical director of the Orlando Clinical Research Center where tests will begin this month. "When this came across my desk, I felt almost a patriotic need to do it."

The government is paying a British company, Acambis, $428-million for the fresh vaccines, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

The majority of Americans would not have access to the vaccine unless the disease were unleashed. However, plans are being made to vaccinate about 500,000 emergency workers who would be needed to lead a response to an outbreak.

Prospective test subjects will be screened for conditions that could make them vulnerable to a bad reaction from the vaccine, such as the skin condition eczema or the AIDS virus in their bloodstream.

The risk is small, but the vaccine can cause serious side effects, including skin rashes, brain swelling, and, in extreme cases, permanent brain damage or death.

Test participants must return for six follow-up visits after receiving their shots. They will be paid $250.

Butterworth remark about Cardenas clients called rash

TALLAHASSEE -- Tom Tew, the senior partner in a law firm that includes Florida Republican Party chairman Al Cardenas, accused Attorney General Bob Butterworth on Tuesday of "shooting from the hip" with an aim that wasn't true.

Cardenas on Monday called for Butterworth's immediate resignation, comparing his refusal to leave office to the situation that forced the resignation of Katherine Harris as secretary of state.

Butterworth speculated that Cardenas might be trying to get rid of him because the Attorney General's Office had cases against some of Cardenas' clients.

Tew, in a written statement, said the Tew Cardenas firm has recovered "tens of millions of dollars for defrauded Florida consumers over the years" and was disappointed with Butterworth's remark.

Butterworth qualified to run for the state Senate without resigning 10 days ahead of time. Butterworth said the law did not apply to him because term limits are forcing him out of office.

Harris was affected by a different section of the resign-to-run law that requires state officials who seek a federal office to submit a letter of resignation the day they qualify or face immediate removal from office.

Five in Sarasota family die in wreck in Georgia

PERRY, Ga. -- Five members of a Sarasota family returning from a funeral in Indiana died Tuesday when their minivan ran into a concrete culvert off Interstate 75.

The Georgia State Patrol said Jason Knepp, 28, his wife, Eileen, 29, and their children, Heidi, 4, Andrew, 3, and Ivanna, 1, died instantly. Sgt. J.K. Henderson said none were wearing seat belts.

The Knepps had returned to Sarasota a few months ago after spending three years doing missionary work in Ontario, Canada.

Knepp, who ran a lawn care business, had passed another motorist minutes before the 7 a.m. accident about 100 miles south of Atlanta. The six-lane road curved but Knepp continued straight, driving off the interstate and into the culvert.

Mrs. Knepp and the children were in the back of the van. "It appears they were sleeping," Henderson said. The Knepps had borrowed the van from a friend to attend the funeral of Knepp's grandfather.

Space Camp, Astronaut Hall facing foreclosure

TITUSVILLE -- Space Camp Florida and the Astronaut Hall of Fame are facing severe financial problems, and officials are struggling to keep the tourist draws open.

A confidential memo obtained by Florida Today said financial problems are pushing the camp into foreclosure, although every effort will be made to keep it open at least through September, the last month for which there are bookings. The camp offers programs for children 9 and older and adults, including simulated space shuttle missions and astronaut training.

Space Camp Florida director Mary Merritt said officials have been negotiating with bankers to make sure the attractions stay open.

Delaware North Park Services, which operates the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, is one of two companies interested in buying the property, the memo states.

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Lucy Morgan

From the Times state desk