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Dateline Florida

By TIMES WIRES
Published February 24, 2007

13-FOOT SQUID FOUND SOUTH OF KEY WEST

It's not as big as the colossal squid found in Antarctic waters, but a squid discovered this week south of Key West has captured the attention of researchers at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota. The researchers are examining the 13-foot long "gelatinous creature," found by a charter boat, in an attempt to identify the species. Whatever it is, that's a lot of calamari.

Feds to re-examine grouper crackdown

Federal regulators, who were ready to crack down on gag grouper fishing, took their foot off the accelerator Friday and decided to re-examine the tasty Gulf of Mexico favorite. A complicated computer model last year said gag are being dangerously overharvested. But it seems that a few assumptions made in the model differed from those in a similar model for red grouper, which recently received a surprisingly rosy assessment. Since the two fish swim together, the gag model will now be reviewed. Whether that means gag will get the same rosy assessment in the end remains to be seen.

Group ready to stop proposed university

Environmental groups have filed formal notice that they're prepared to sue to stop Ave Maria, a new town and Catholic university proposed for construction in Collier County by Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan. The project, they say, will eliminate habitat for the endangered Florida panther. The college is set to open next year. The town could draw 25,000 residents with modest to extravagant housing in seven communities for groups from seniors to young families.

For hiccups, movie should be scary

One of Jennifer Mee's favorite pastimes is taking in a Friday night movie, but she has not ventured out to her favorite theaters since Jan. 23. That's when the 15-year-old's hiccups started, and the St. Petersburg teen has not stopped since, except with medication when she sleeps. On Friday, Channelside Cinemas in Tampa offered her and some friends a free, private showing of the new Eddie Murphy film, Norbit. Not a cure, maybe, but a little relief.

There was no mistake: She lost

The voting machines used in the race between Democrat Christine Jennings and Republican Vern Buchanan pass a review, 5B

City, county leaders discuss rail system

City mayors and county commissioners think residents are ready for rail lines in the Tampa Bay area, 4B

School daze

Have a story about Pinellas school choice? Share it on the Times' new education blog, the Gradebook, at blogs.tampabay.com/schools.

[Last modified February 24, 2007, 01:19:19]