By Compiled from Times wires
Published June 30, 2003
FORT LAUDERDALE - Animal protection groups are raising money to create a specialty license plate that would help pay for programs to spay and neuter pets.
Florida Voices for Animals, the Humane Society of the United States, Cat Rescue and several other groups are trying to raise $89,000 to pay state fees and other costs to create the "Florida Animal Friend" license plate.
The groups believe the spay-and-neuter program will reduce the number of dogs and cats euthanized.
Rep. Nan Rich, D-Weston, plans to sponsor a bill authorizing the plate in next year's legislative session.
"There's not enough money in the spay-neuter programs to get a grasp on Florida's tragic pet overpopulation problem," said Jim Gisondi of Florida Voices for Animals, a group based in Tampa.
The campaign wants to raise the money by the Dec. 1 deadline to get the bill passed next year. Supporters have raised about $10,000 so far.
They also need to get 15,000 signatures of vehicle owners who say they would buy the plate.
Crash kills three teens vacationing in Orlando
HAINES CITY - Three recent high school graduates from North Carolina were killed Saturday when they drove into the path of a semitrailer truck, officials said. A fourth passenger was critically injured.
The teens were vacationing in Orlando to celebrate their graduation from North Davidson Senior High School in Lexington, N.C.
Terron Chu Davis, 18, of Winston-Salem, N.C., Ryan Byerly, 18, of Clemmons, N.C., and Sean Maxwell, 18, were killed in the crash. Maxwell's hometown was not immediately known.
Bryan Staley, of Lexington, N.C., was in critical condition at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
Davis, who was driving a 1996 Buick, made a left turn at an intersection and drove into the path of the semi, according to a police report.
The driver of the truck, Jimmy Elliott, 28, was not injured in the crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. No charges have been filed in the crash.
Fans flock to Earnhardt tribute in Daytona Beach
DAYTONA BEACH - Thousands of fans turned out for the inaugural Dale Earnhardt Tribute concert at the Daytona International Speedway.
As the country and rock artists performed, videos of Earnhardt's racing feats played behind them on video screens.
Earnhardt was killed during a crash on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. The concert raised money for the Dale Earnhardt Legacy Foundation, founded by Teresa Earnhardt to support various charities.
