MIAMI -- Scientists now think Hurricane Andrew's winds were at least 10 mph faster than previously thought, making it the third Category 5 storm to hit the United States in recorded history.

Hurricane forecasters and researchers planned to announce the change of the 1992 hurricane's intensity today, said Frank Lepore, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Andrew was recorded as having 145 mph maximum sustained winds, making it a strong Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, when it tore into South Florida on Aug. 24, 1992. But researchers now think it crossed the 155 mph threshold for a Category 5 -- the strongest on the scale -- with some saying its winds may have reached 165 mph.

A committee deliberated for several months and studied the evidence of new technology before concluding that Andrew's intensity needed to be upgraded.

Two other Category 5 storms are known to have hit the U.S. coast -- Hurricane Camille in 1969 and the 1935 Labor Day storm that struck the Florida Keys.

Papp is panel's choice to lead four-year colleges

ORLANDO -- Daniel S. Papp, a senior vice chancellor in Georgia's postsecondary education system, is a state panel's choice to lead Florida's four-year universities.

A review team chose Papp over two other finalists after interviews Tuesday.

Education Secretary Jim Horne will present the recommendation to the Florida Board of Education for approval at its Aug. 29 meeting.

Also interviewed Tuesday were Portia Holmes Shields, president of Albany State University in Albany, Ga., and Diane Welch Vines, vice chancellor, corporate and public affairs, and board secretary for the Oregon University System.

Ruling says sperm donors can't claim parental rights

View related 10 News video
56k | High-Speed

SARASOTA -- An appeals court has ruled that a man who donated his sperm and fathered twin boys has no parental right to visit or contact the children.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland said Friday the contract that Danny Lucas and Lori Lamaritata signed in October 1994, which outlined visitation rights, was "not enforceable."

Lucas had sued Lamaritata, asking for a larger role in their boys' lives.

Florida law says sperm and egg donors must "relinquish all maternal or paternal rights and obligations with respect to the donation or the resulting children," the appellate ruling said.

Experts in adoption and surrogate parent cases said the ruling set a statewide precedent to block donors' claims of parental rights, regardless of any agreements.

Lamaritata met Lucas in 1994 to interview him as a potential sperm donor, said Doris Bunnell, Lamaritata's attorney.

At the time, Lucas told Lamaritata and her partner, Mary Ellen Hindman, "he wouldn't seek any more visitation" than outlined in their agreement, Bunnell said.

Lucas later challenged the agreement in court. In July 2001, Circuit Judge Becky Titus granted Lucas a regular visitation schedule and allowed him to participate in school activities. Lamaritata appealed the judge's ruling.

Contract privatizes some state personnel work

TALLAHASSEE -- The state Department of Management Services said Tuesday it signed a seven-year, $280-million contract with Convergys Corp. to run some of the state's personnel work.

In a statement, agency officials said the deal would save $65-million to $90-million that otherwise would have to be spent to replace a computer system.

Convergys' system will manage benefits and payroll, recruiting and training, among other work done by state agencies' human resources offices.

The Department of Management Services said that over the seven years, the state could save as much as $173-million.

"Our current personnel (computer) system . . . is no longer meeting the needs of today's workforce," said DMS Secretary Cynthia Henderson.

Back to State news

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

Special Links

Lucy Morgan

From the Times state desk