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Headlines through the years

A look back at the events, people and places that made North Pinellas the unique place that it is. The information is compiled from past editions of the St. Petersburg Times.

By Times Staff Writer
Published May 15, 2005

May 8, 1945: Residents celebrate V-E Day in Clearwater

CLEARWATER - Touched off by the blowing of police sirens, air raid signals and every factory whistle in town, Clearwater's long awaited V-E Day celebration began promptly at 9 o'clock this morning with the immediate closing of all stores and public offices except those necessary to maintain vital services.

All county departments were closed, with the exception of the grand jury now in session and the sheriff's office. Every store in greater Clearwater was closed pursuant to prearranged plans of the Clearwater merchants association.

The local V-E Day celebration featured a colorful parade of veterans organizations that formed at the courthouse and moved through downtown to the flagpole at the mainland approach to Memorial Causeway. This was followed by a community prayer service at Peace Memorial Church.

The local celebration was a spontaneous outpouring of pent-up emotions. This was particularly evident at the prayer service, where the parents of many boys lost in action wept unashamedly.

SAFETY HARBOR - Mayor L.H. Zinsser has added his affirmation to the proclamation of V-E Day made by Gov. Millard Caldwell.

With 125 men and women on Safety Harbor's honor roll, there is hardly a person who isn't personally affected by the war, and none feel that it is an occasion for hilarity. There is no large program planned, but the churches will be open for 24 hours following the announcement of the surrender of Nazi Germany.

The Rev. B.W. Carlton, pastor of the Methodist Church, is planning to have services in the church the night of V-E Day if he is able to talk. He had his tonsils removed last Monday and won't be able to give a talk or lead services for a few days.

CLEARWATER - With the opening of the spring term of the circuit court, Judge M.A. McMullen said that there was reason for alarm at the crime wave in Pinellas County.

He urged the grand jurors and citizens to do their duty in the eradication of crime and impartially enforce all the laws.

Forces in the county working against the laws, Judge McMullen said, and along with carelessness in the way that the law is being enforced. Some people in Pinellas County, he told the jury, are not in sympathy with all the laws, "and the grand jury must insist on proper and full enforcement."

The court censured the citizen who selects which laws he will recognize and which he will disregard. Persons who do not favor the liquor laws, he said, have no more right to select this law to break than has a man to make up his mind that he will not recognize the law against homicide.

Speaking of the unusual number of homicides since the last grand jury sat, Judge McMullen said there were nine to 12 homicide cases in the county since the last grand jury completed its work.

The court instructed the grand jury as to their duties and their powers, after which Albert J. Grant of Dunedin was named foreman, and Harry J. Fisher of Anona, clerk.

CLEARWATER - Maria Baker, a robust woman of St. Petersburg, was hauled before Judge Bird in county court yesterday morning. She pleaded guilty to manufacturing moonshine liquor and had the evidence right there in court to prove her statements. This consisted of about 4 gallons of the stuff in a 5-gallon jug.

Judge Bird took into consideration the fact that the woman pleaded guilty and thus saved the expense of a trial and handed her a sentence of only four months in jail. The liquor reposes in the sheriff's office.

Theresa Blackwell compiles the history column. She can be reached at 727 771-4305 or blackwell@sptimes.com

[Last modified May 15, 2005, 01:36:55]