By Times Staff Writer
Published September 10, 2004
Families who want information on Pinellas County schools are invited to the district's Magnet/Choice Information Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Pinellas Park High School, 6305 118th Ave. N.
Representatives from most elementary and middle schools and all high schools and charter schools will answer questions. Parents also can learn about countywide magnet, fundamental and career academy programs, and gifted math and science middle school programs, scholarships and financial aid. The application period for the 2005-06 school year closes Nov. 1.
Customer service representatives from the Family Education and Information Centers will assist with new student registration and applications for attendance area and countywide programs for the 2005-06 school year.
THONOTOSASSA - Members of the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office dive team Thursday recovered the body of 22-year-old Eric Downey, who drowned Tuesday in the Tampa Bay Bypass Canal near the dam's floodgates, off Harney Road and U.S. 301 in east Hillsborough County.
Downey, of Thonotosassa, had gone to the popular swimming hole with his girlfriend and her two children to cool off, but he got caught in the canal's current and drowned.
Dive team members weren't able to go into the canal until Thursday because the dangerous current that pulled Downey under still ran through the dam gates, which were open following the weekend rains from Frances.
On Wednesday, sheriff's deputies passed over the area in a helicopter, hoping to see Downey's body. Thursday morning, the current calmed enough for the dive team to search parts of the canal, said sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter. Downey's body was found about 11:30 a.m.
Bicyclist crossing street in rain struck, killed
ST. PETERSBURG - A 35-year-old man was killed Thursday after he rode his bicycle into the path of an oncoming car on 34th Street N, police said.
Edward John Barrett, whom police described as a transient, was riding in the rain and trying to cross 34th Street from 37th Avenue N at 6:22 a.m.
Barrett rode into the path of a 1984 Toyota driven by Orestes Calderon Padin, 52, of St. Petersburg, police said.
Padin was driving north on 34th Street and tried to stop, but his Toyota slid into the bicycle, police said.
Barrett, who was wearing dark clothing and had minimal reflectors on his bike, was thrown onto the hood and into the windshield. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
