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Dispatcher arrested on battery charge

By TIMES STAFF
Published March 3, 2007

CLEARWATER

An off-duty Pinellas County sheriff's dispatcher has been arrested on a domestic battery charge after a fight with her live-in boyfriend, authorities said. Joanne Phillips, 26, was being held without bail Friday at the Pinellas County Jail. According to officials, she and boyfriend Corey Scott got into a fight Thursday during which he sought refuge in a walk-in closet. Then Phillips allegedly broke the closet door and pushed Scott, who fell and suffered a minor injury. A relative of Scott's later reported the incident to the sheriff. Deputies arrested Phillips just before midnight Thursday. In keeping with policy, the Sheriff's Office will conduct an administrative investigation into the incident. Because it was a misdemeanor charge, Phillips will remain on the job.

Pedestrian bridge plan scrapped

As expected, Clearwater officials agreed Thursday to let a developer for a major resort remove a pedestrian bridge from the project. The proposed $2-million walkway would have stretched from the parking garage of the Aqualea Resort and Residences on S Gulfview Boulevard to the beach. NJR Development Co. was to have built the bridge, but the city would have reimbursed it. The garage has been re-configured, and the bridge is no longer needed, city officials said. Instead, a pedestrian crossing will take its place. In addition to condos and condo-hotel units, the Aqualea will include a parking garage with 750 spaces, including 400 available for public use.

BELLEAIR BLUFFS

Candidates will answer questions

The Belleair Bluffs Civic Association is sponsoring a candidates night at 7 p.m. Tuesday to give town voters a chance to meet the three candidates for City Commission: Commissioner Robert Russo, Commissioner Troy Krotz and former Commissioner Wallace Witham. Representatives from the League of Women Voters will moderate. Before the forum, organizers will collect written questions from the audience to cull 20 that will be asked. The event will be at the community center, 2747 Sunset Blvd. Visit www.silverqueen.com/Civic/belleairbluffscivic.htm for details.

DUNEDIN

Antiques fair will feature 70 dealers

Seventy antiques dealers from across the country are expected today for the city's annual Spring Antiques Fair. The fair, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., runs along Main Street between Broadway and Douglas Avenue. Carl Amundson and the Modern Guitar Quintet will perform from noon to 3 p.m., and Spritz the Clown will offer free sculptured balloons, temporary tattoos, stickers and face painting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. Call 812-4531.

[Last modified March 3, 2007, 07:38:00]