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Man charged in assault and a stabbing case

By Times Staff
Published August 22, 2007

CLEARWATER

A transient has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman in Clearwater Monday and stabbing an acquaintance in Pinellas Park Tuesday, according to arrest reports. Just before 1 a.m. Monday, Clearwater police say James Robert Ayotte, 48, forced his way into a home in the 200 block of Casler Avenue. He knocked the woman down, sexually assaulted her, punched her and stole her purse and wallet, police said. About 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, Ayotte stabbed Alan Baptista in a house in the 6400 block of 126th Avenue N, Pinellas sheriff's officials said. Ayotte was arrested about half an hour later a few blocks away. Ayotte said he wanted to kill Baptista and his wife to take their car and flee the state, officials said. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on charges that included sexual battery, home invasion robbery and attempted murder. His bail was set at $390,500.

LARGO

School bus hits car, bus driver cited

The first day of school ended on a rocky note for 18 Fuguitt Elementary students when their school bus struck a car. None of the students was hospitalized but eight complained of minor injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The school bus was going west on Gooden Crossing and stopped at a stop sign at 119th Street N. The car, driven by Dianna G. Martensen, 49, of Largo, was southbound on 119th Street N approaching Gooden Crossing, according to the Highway Patrol. The right front of the bus hit the left side of the car. Bus driver Edward K. Maguire, 60, of Largo was cited for violating the right of way, troopers said. Martensen and an adult school bus aide were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries.

Hot enough? How about skiing?

Want to go snow skiing? The Clearwater/St. Petersburg Ski and Sport Club is meeting to kick off its 2007-2008 ski season at 7 p.m. Friday at Tucson's, 13563 Icot Blvd. Group trips are being planned to Lake Tahoe, Calif.; Taos, N.M.; Salt Lake City; Telluride, Colo.; San Francisco; and Keystone, Colo. Call (727) 585-4790 or visit www.snowshark.org.

[Last modified August 21, 2007, 20:48:03]