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Digest

For 85 years, we've dodged the big one

By Wire services
Published October 25, 2006

This is a good day to reflect on Tampa Bay's luck with hurricanes: It's the 85th anniversary of the last time a hurricane hit the area. It comes two days after South Florida observed the first anniversary of the last time it was hit by a hurricane. (Remember Wilma? They do.) Tampa Bay's last direct hit came Oct. 25, 1921, an unnamed storm that hit Tarpon Springs with winds of more than 100 mph. It pushed a wall of water 10 or 12 feet high into Tampa Bay, flooded Pass-a-Grille, carved Caladesi Island from Honeymoon Island, submerged parts of downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa, killed at least six people and caused $10-million in damage (that would be about $100-million today). The current forecast calls for no hurricanes to hit the United States before the season ends Nov. 30. Go ahead: Knock on wood.

Miami not nice: Slurs fly

What a dull state this would be without Miami politics. The latest example involves state Rep. Ralph Arza. Angry that Rep. Gus Barreiro filed a complaint that Arza used a racial slur about the head of Miami-Dade schools, Arza started drinking, got angry, called Barreiro, left a voice mail message and used the very slur Barreiro complained about. Police are investigating. Barreiro went on a Miami talk radio show Tuesday and called Arza a racist and a "street-level thug" who should resign. By the way, this is a family dispute: Both are Republicans.

Messy night for Icee

The fire ruined the Icees. Late Monday, an electrical fire scorched a Tampa building housing part of the Icee Co., a California concern that makes frozen treats. Investigators did not label the fire suspicious, and no one was injured. But the building suffered about $140,000 in damages, said Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade. Freezers ruined. Icemakers damaged. Kids everywhere in mourning.

[Last modified October 25, 2006, 14:50:27]