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In brief

By TIMES WIRES
Published August 25, 2006

Sales are accelerating, but so are fatalities

Motorcycles are more popular than ever, but the industry and the government are alarmed by the sharp rise in rider deaths.

Insurance reform suggestions outlined

Standardizing insurance discounts for hardening a home against hurricanes, enforcing building codes and expanding the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund were among suggestions Thursday at the second meeting of the Property and Casualty Insurance Reform Committee. Meeting in Orlando, the committee heard testimony from several angry residents, then listened as insurance industry officials placed much of the burden on policyholders. Gov. Jeb Bush has said he may call a special legislative session if the committee comes up with meaningful solutions to the insurance crisis.

Partnership leader healthy, doctors say

Donald Shea, president of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, received a clean bill of health from his doctors after undergoing colon cancer surgery at St. Anthony's Hospital on Friday. Shea, 54, said Thursday that his condition was diagnosed after a routine physical two weeks ago. Shea will remain at home until after Labor Day, then plans to return to his duties at the economic development group.

Groups to get $20M to strengthen homes

The Florida Hurricane Relief Fund will distribute up to $20-million to nonprofit groups in eight counties, including Pinellas, to help low-income residents fortify their homes against hurricanes. The funding is part of a $250-million Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program. Interested nonprofits can submit proposals at www.FLAHurricaneFund.org. The deadline is Sept. 6.

State denies insurer's rate increase request

State regulators Thursday denied a request by First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Co. to raise homeowners' rates by an average 63.2 percent. First Floridian, which has to refile its rate request, has more than 86,000 policies in Florida, 10,500 in Hillsborough County and 5,700 in Pinellas.

TECO vessel taking wheat to Lebanon

A vessel owned by Tampa-based TECO Ocean Shipping is carrying 25,000 tons of wheat to Lebanon to feed people displaced by the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. The M/V Sheila McDevitt was near the Straits of Florida en route to Kenya when the Department of Agriculture diverted the vessel to the Port of Beirut.

CORRECTION

There are 32 teams in the National Football League and 31 NFL stadiums. A story in Thursday's Business section provided incorrect numbers.

[Last modified August 24, 2006, 22:57:27]