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Digest
Beloved gorilla dies in his old age
By TIMES WIRES
Published June 15, 2007
PALM HARBOR - Otto, the 550-pound gorilla who was one of the best-known residents of the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary, has died. The massive ape who loved toothbrushes and Hula Hoops died Saturday after suffering from severe colitis. He was 42. The loss has left a void at the animal sanctuary on Alt. U.S. 19, where Otto served as a very big brother to all. Otto, a lowland gorilla, fell sick a few weeks ago. At 42, Otto was considered elderly. His remains will undergo taxidermy for scientific purposes, volunteer Irina Rafalski said. He was one of the more famous animals at the sanctuary, appearing in a 1996 print ad for the luggage company American Tourister. "I believe I've been very blessed to know him, " said Debbie Cobb, an outreach coordinator who works at the sanctuary. "I've had the privilege of him being in my life." Postal Service denies town its own office WESLEY CHAPEL - Despite years of lobbying from residents, the Postal Service won't be setting up a standalone post office in Wesley Chapel. Gary Sawtelle, district spokesman for the Postal Service, said there's not enough money for one. "We're experiencing rapid growth throughout the district, " he said. "We don't have the budget to put post offices everywhere." Ikea moves closer to approval for store TAMPA - The Swedish furniture giant Ikea on Thursday received preliminary approval from the Tampa City Council for a rezoning request to pave the way for an Ikea store on Adamo Drive. The council voted 6-1 in favor of the request, with Linda Saul-Sena casting the dissenting vote. The council will take a final vote on the rezoning June 28. The store is scheduled to open in summer 2009. With tortoises moved, bulldozers to move in WESLEY CHAPEL - As legal wrangling continues over the relocation of 23 gopher tortoises, Cypress Creek Town Center developers plan to start clearing land today, said a spokeswoman for the proposed mall. The developer's environmental consultants completed moving the tortoises Thursday. Mall opponents filed papers saying the developer didn't fully follow proper procedures.
[Last modified June 15, 2007, 00:31:29]
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