Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Digest

Dateline

Briefs and news of note.

By TIMES WIRES
Published October 20, 2006

Dream ride turns into nightmare

Stock car racer Michael Cherry, 17, of Valrico was in Virginia with his family this week to compete before top NASCAR team owners. After the 12-hour drive home, he fell asleep Thursday morning with visions of NASCAR dancing in his head. He awoke to find his girlfriend's sport utility vehicle missing and with it more than $5,000 in racing equipment, including his fire suit, gloves and head-restraint device. Cherry says he can't afford to replace the equipment. So he plans to compete Saturday night at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa with borrowed equipment.

You can vote early - but not often

Early voting starts Monday, and elections officials aren't sure what to expect. Early voting debuted in 2002 and became more popular in 2004. More than 10,000 people voted early in Pinellas County primary elections this year and more than 25,000 in Hillsborough. That's more than double the number in the 2004 primaries. But officials say the next round is hard to predict because there's no race generating presidential-size interest in the Nov. 7 election. To find out where to vote early, check the supervisor of elections Web site for your county, or call one of these numbers: Pinellas, (727) 464-3551 Hillsborough (813) 272-5850; Pasco (800) 851-8754; Hernando (352)754-4125; or Citrus (352) 341-6740. On Wednesday, the Times will publish its Know Your Candidates booklet, with detailed information on your local ballot.

False maydays costly to Guard

The Coast Guard in St. Petersburg says it has gotten four mayday calls in the past 10 days it believes were hoaxes. The first call prompted a search by rescue boat and helicopter at a total of $12,000 to $15,000. After that call, the guard determined the next three were hoaxes and did not respond with rescues.

Does he thinks it's an action movie?

Is Wesley Snipes a fugitive? "If he knows he's wanted," U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Steve Cole said Thursday, "he's a fugitive." With the Internet and paparazzi, Cole said, the actor is likely aware he is wanted on tax evasion charges since his indictment was announced Tuesday.

[Last modified October 20, 2006, 06:34:57]