Dateline Florida
By TIMES WIRES
Published April 7, 2007
PART SHEPHERD, PART WOOKIEE, READY FOR HOME
When they found Jasmine on Valentine's Day, half her hair had fallen out from malnourishment. Hillsborough Animal Services officials said James T. Lowe and Jonathan Stewart Popple had kept the 3-year-old German shepherd mix in a cage without food or water. Now she's ready for adoption. Though wary of strangers and in need of training, she bonds easily to people and has lots of energy, officials say. They think she may be part Basenji, a breed known for complex vocalizations, because she sounds like Chewbacca. "She has a bark like a Wookiee. She's a real talker," said agency spokeswoman Marti Ryan.
No money? Why not try the bank?
A Chipley man was arrested after he asked bank employees for $500 to repay a crack cocaine debt, the Associated Press reports. Charles Anthony Miller, 29, was on a crack cocaine binge since about noon Wednesday but didn't have enough money to pay for the drugs, the Bay County Sheriff's Office reported Thursday. Miller told deputies that one of the men who had kidnapped him was sitting in the bank lobby. They found another accomplice at a fast-food restaurant next door where he tried to order food and apply for a job.
Same-sex couples can wed at Disney
Walt Disney World is expanding its definition of marriage. Its popular Fairy Tale Wedding program will be expanded to allow for commitment ceremonies between same-sex couples. Disney previously limited access to couples with a valid marriage license. The company will now include ceremonies for gay couples at its parks and cruise line after being contacted by a gay couple that wanted to participate in the program. "We believe this change is consistent with Disney's long-standing policy of welcoming every guest in an inclusive environment," Disney Parks and Resorts spokesman Donn Walker said.
Birds set on fire behind strip mall
Miami firefighters made a startling discovery when they responded to a small blaze behind a shopping center Thursday evening, the Miami Herald reports: birds. Eight to 10 of them, wrapped in cloths, placed in bags and set aflame. Also found: candles, placed next to the birds. "It may have been a religious ceremony," said Ignatius Carroll, spokesman for the department. Firefighters extinguished the flames, but half of the birds were dead. Those still alive were injured and unable to fly. Firefighters did not say what kind of birds they were.
Pop life
Pop music critic Sean Daly shares his Easter-themed playlist. See blogs.tampabay.com/popmusic.