TAMPA - Three businesses were recently recognized for their contributions to schools in Hillsborough County.
Honored at last week's 12th annual Business Partnership breakfast hosted by the Hillsborough Education Foundation were Cargill Crop Nutrition, Olin Mott Tire Stores and Capital One.
Cargill Crop Nutrition has offered volunteers to Gibsonton Elementary School. The company also donates an average of $10,000 in cash and in-kind funds to the school.
Olin Mott Tire Stores helps Brandon High School in numerous ways, including donating gift certificates for student incentives, buying personal digital assistants for teachers and offering two $1,500 college scholarships through the Future Farmers of America. Capital One has donated more than $500,000 for various projects and grants for teachers and students. For the past six years the company has sponsored Hillsborough Reads, a literacy program for students in 10 elementary schools. Last spring, the company collected 12,000 new books for these schools.
The foundation also honored State. Rep. Sandra Murman, former Gov. Bob Martinez and school district television producer Steve Deady.
Teacher charged in sexual assault
TAMPA - A Hillsborough County teacher was arrested Sunday and charged with two counts of sexual battery, authorities said.
John Jacob Edge, 28, of 14706 Daybreak Drive, Tampa, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman twice earlySaturday after a party, according to Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies.
He was arrested on Sunday morning. He was being held at the Hillsborough County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bond.
Edge has been placed on paid administrative leave from the school district.
Jurors selected in slaying trial
TAMPA - Lawyers picked a jury Monday in the trial of Alan Thompson, the man accused of killing a Sickles High School student with a punch to the temple.
Thompson, 23, faces charges of manslaughter and third-degree murder for the death of 18-year-old Christopher Fannan, who died in the parking lot of the Citrus Park Steak n Shake on May 19, 2002.
Authorities said Thompson climbed out of a car and struck Fannan. Opening statements are expected today before Hillsborough Circuit Judge Rex Barbas.
Police officer hurt while aiding motorist
TAMPA - A 52-year-old Tampa police officer was hurt while trying to help a disabled motorist Monday.
Sgt. Phil Ray had stopped his cruiser at about noon on W Hillsborough Avenue near Rome Avenue to assist a Pontiac that had broken down near the curb. Ray activated his emergency lights, officials said.
A Ford going about 50 mph rear-ended Ray's cruiser, police said. The police car - with Ray inside - then struck the rear of the Pontiac.
Ray was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital with back and neck injuries. His injuries were not life-threatening, Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin said.
The Ford's driver, Jason Terry, 22, of 2908 Jim Redman Parkway in Plant City, was issued a citation for careless driving.
The Pontiac's driver, Dwayne Byrd, 28, of 13106 N Florida Ave., also was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital with minor injuries.
Deputies seek two men in home robbery, shooting
TAMPA - Hillsborough sheriff's deputies were searching Monday night for two men they say shot another man and robbed a home at 7805 50th St. N.
Deputies said Nabil Laboy, 31, of Tampa had driven to the residence earlier in the evening to visit an acquaintance. As he neared the door, two men armed with handguns approached him and made him knock on the door.
A second victim, 24-year-old Kermit Kruger, answered the door. The two robbers barged into the home, stole jewelry and cash, then fled. But not before they shot Laboy in the leg, deputies said.
Laboy was taken to Tampa General Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.
The robbers fled on foot, and no description of them was available except that one of them had dreadlocks.
