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Shelter dogs test positive for distemper

By TIMES WIRES
Published November 2, 2006

TAMPA

The first of several canine distemper tests on dogs from the Hillsborough County Department of Animal Services have come back positive for the disease.

The tests were conducted on samples from sick dogs at the shelter showing symptoms of infection with the canine distemper virus, which can cause eye and nose discharge, fever, seizures and, eventually, death.

Two dogs at the shelter have died of the disease, two were euthanized and two are being treated by veterinarians.

Animal Services has temporarily suspended dog adoptions, though cat adoptions are unaffected.

Shelter officials urged dog owners to vaccinate their pets against distemper and not to let them roam free "for risk of being impounded at this delicate time."

SAFETY HARBOR

Ethics board finds for former mayor

The Florida Commission on Ethics has found no probable cause to believe that former Mayor Pam Corbino misused her position to try to obtain a fellow city commissioner's Social Security number.

Corbino, who had become the target of a petition drive to run her out of office, resigned in July.

At its Oct. 20 meeting, the commission followed the recommendation of its advocate not to pursue the complaint.

TARPON SPRINGS

City Commission eases Wal-Mart's way

Halloween brought no treats for anti-Wal-Mart activists.

The Tarpon Springs City Commission voted 3-2 Tuesday night to allow the city's staff - rather than elected commissioners - to review Wal-Mart's revised site plans for the supercenter proposed along the Anclote River.

The decision means that Wal-Mart can avoid having to go through a second full approval process.

A full review would mean the do-over that Wal-Mart opponents have sought ever since the commission first approved the project in an all-night showdown in January 2005.

Today, there is still no sign of the retailer's Mediterranean-style 204,000-square-foot supercenter on the 74-acre site off U.S. 19.

For nearly two years, the project has been weaving its way through courts and permitting process, hitting a major speed bump in July.

3 council members elected peacefully

Three new Town Council members were elected Tuesday.

The council will now choose a mayor from within its ranks, and then that mayor can appoint another member to the council.

The election comes after a summer of turmoil that saw council members and the mayor resign amid calls for Gov. Jeb Bush to dissolve the town.

[Last modified November 2, 2006, 00:24:35]