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© St. Petersburg Times, published August 14, 2002
First human West Nile case confirmed in Florida
TALLAHASSEE -- A Sumter County resident has contracted the West Nile virus, the first human case in Florida this year. But officials said the patient probably got the disease in Louisiana.
The Florida Department of Health said the person was recently in Louisiana, where an outbreak of the mosquito-carried virus has infected at least 85 people and seven have died.
Health Secretary John Agwunobi said the person was assessed at a hospital and is home recovering. He would give no other details.
Because of "uncertainty regarding where the infection was acquired," Agwunobi issued a medical alert for Sumter County, in Central Florida, and the nearby counties of Lake, Marion and Orange, which includes Orlando. "People need to use protective measures to reduce their risk of getting the disease," he said.
The virus infected 11 people in Florida last year, with no fatalities.
TAMPA -- The Judicial Nominating Commission sent Gov. Jeb Bush the names of six lawyers, including the governor's general counsel, as possible replacements to fill an opening on the 2nd District Court of Appeal.
As Bush's general counsel, Charles Canady helps screen judicial openings. Before working for Bush, Canady represented Polk County in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1992 and 2000. A graduate of Yale Law School, he served in the Florida House before that.
The other five finalists for appellate judge include Tampa lawyer Edward C. LaRose, a partner at Trenam Kemker law firm who is a specialist in antitrust law, and Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Craig C. Villanti, who sits on the criminal bench in New Port Richey.
Bush's choice will replace Judge Oliver L. Green, 69, who has announced his resignation.