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Coach fired after swimsuit incident

By TIMES WIRES
Published November 11, 2006

A swimming coach and physical education teacher at Tampa Preparatory School was fired Friday following a complaint that he asked girls to try on swimsuits during gym classes, according to a school official.

Kim Brabson, 29, was put on a leave of absence a week ago, after school officials learned of accusations against him. Since then, police have been on campus to investigate, said Gordon MacLeod, head of the school.

Police spokeswoman Laura McElroy could not confirm an investigation. No charges had been filed as of Friday, according to jail records. MacLeod said investigators were on campus Thursday until lunch time.

BROOKSVILLE

Housing agency's spending is halted

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has stripped spending powers from the Brooksville Housing Authority because of executive director Betty Trent's indictment on charges she stole federal funds.

Trent and the authority's recently retired program manager, Joe Ann Bennett, were charged Monday in U.S. District Court with conspiracy, mail fraud and theft of $40,650 that was intended to refurbish apartments for low-income residents.

LARGO

City finally decides to raze old library

Uncertainty about the future of the old Largo library ended this week as city commissioners voted 5-1 to demolish the building.

The discussion over what to do with the empty building began almost two years ago when the new library nearby was taking shape.

The old library was built in 1977 with an addition constructed in 1986. It has about 36,000 square feet.

SAN ANTONIO

Pasco Town Centre wins first okay

A 945-acre commercial prospect called Pasco Town Centre cleared the first in a series of regulatory approvals on Wednesday, inching toward a 2-million-square-foot mall to be anchored by a replica of the Orlando Premium Outlets.

Chelsea Property Group wants to open the 120-store Tampa Premium Outlets at State Road 52 and Interstate 75. The mall is expected to boast upscale names like Barneys, Salvatore Ferragamo and Ralph Lauren, in 2008.

Guard battalion arrives home today

The Plant City Florida Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery Regiment, will return home today.

The bus will pull into the Plant City armory from Fort Stewart, Ga., where the unit of more than 150 arrived earlier this week after serving in Iraq.

[Last modified November 10, 2006, 23:58:17]