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News & Notes

Briefs and news of note from around the area.

By TIMES STAFF
Published May 25, 2006

Caladesi Island No. 2 on Dr. Beach's list

Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin is the No. 2 beach in America, says Dr. Beach, a.k.a. Stephen Leatherman of Florida International University, in his just-released annual survey. Last year's winner - the North Beach at Fort De Soto Park - was retired from the competition. No. 1 this year is Fleming Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii. Since the good doctor has been keeping track, Hawaii's beaches have won 11 times, Florida's five. Everyone else has been shut out.

Fliers take note: Your Zippo will thank you

More than 1,000 lighters a day are confiscated at Tampa International Airport. Leave them home. Matches, too. Buy throwaways at the end of the trip. This advice is from the feds in advance of the holiday weekend in which 60,000 passengers a day may pass through security at TIA.

Church to remember newborn found dead

A newborn found dead in a West Tampa alley earlier this month will be remembered with Amazing Grace and prayer tonight at the Georgia church attended by Angel Andino, the 24-year-old who planned to adopt the girl. Police found the baby's body May 8 in a dirty alley. Investigators say Mary Louise Doe delivered the baby and abandoned her. Doe, 41, is in jail.

Hostel must fix things, or city will get hostile

Backpackers across the world drop their load at Gram's Place, the only hostel in Tampa. But the city dropped a weight of its own Wednesday, ordering the owner to fix 12 code violations: Tear down treehouses and sun decks. Move fences. Oh, and change the zoning too, which is now single-family residential. The owner sees little hope of saving the hostel built like a kids' clubhouse, especially by the August deadline. Fines of $100 a day loom.

Global study center has global guest list

The crown prince of Ethiopia is expected, how 'bout you? His Imperial Highness Ermias Haille Selassie is on the hot guest list for today's dedication of the building site for the University of South Florida's Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions. The center, to be housed in an environmentally friendly building, works with USF researchers to improve the environment, reduce poverty and foster diversity.

[Last modified May 25, 2006, 06:30:02]