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In the know

Briefs and news of note.

By TIMES STAFF
Published April 20, 2007

CLEARWATER

Plans sought for area near Prospect Lake

Mediterranean Village should have a whole new look by late June. At least on paper anyway. The city in early May will begin seeking proposals from developers who can help revitalize the area surrounding Prospect Lake, the large former retention pond - now dressed up and landscaped - south of Cleveland Street and east of Myrtle Avenue. The deadline is the end of June. Plans to revitalize the area first surfaced in 1999, but only 15 of the 100 proposed townhomes were built. In late February, Sarasota developer Bruce Balk dropped his option to finish the project when he didn't buy some of the property from the city and begin development. City leaders, though, say this delay is okay because the land is now worth more, and they would like to see something besides just residential buildings built in the area.

DUNEDIN

Razing of former church has begun

The long-awaited demolition of the former First Baptist Church at Virginia Street and Highland Avenue began this week and is expected to take several weeks. Initially, the location will be used for a downtown city parking lot, but long-term plans call for a consolidated municipal center to be built there.

NORTH PINELLAS

Deputies will do sobriety checks

About 30 Pinellas County deputies will conduct sobriety checkpoints this weekend, from 8 to 11 o'clock tonight in the parking lot of Dunedin Highland Middle School at 70 Patricia Ave. and from 12:30 to 3:30 a.m. Saturday at the Kmart at 26996 U.S. 19 N in Clearwater. In 2005, Pinellas had 1,631 alcohol-related crashes causing 1,162 injuries and 39 deaths.

CLEARWATER

Post to conduct service for flags

Don't throw that flag away - burn it. Tattered and torn flags should be disposed of according to federal law, and at 5 p.m. Saturday at AMVETS Post 67, 1825 N. Highland Ave., post chaplain Michael McKay will conduct a flag service. The post will accept American, POW/MIA and Canadian flags from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Saturday.

Event will help officer's family

The trash-talking between Largo and Clearwater police will be settled today. The two departments will fight for bragging rights during a charity softball game at 4:30 p.m. today at Bright House Networks Field at Drew Street and U.S. 19. Tickets are $16. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the family of Clearwater police Officer John Schmidt, whose infant daughter needs open heart surgery.

DUNEDIN

Book sale will benefit library

The Friends of the Library's third annual book sale takes place at the Dunedin Public Library, 223 Douglas Ave., from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Memberships will be available at the door for $10. Proceeds support the library and its programs. Call 298-3080.

Correction

Brandy Johnson and her family live in a home that is near but not a part of Religious Community Services' Stepping Stone family transition facility in Largo. A photo caption Sunday misstated where the family lives.

[Last modified April 20, 2007, 10:21:08]