Digest

Dateline Florida

By Times Wires
Published September 8, 2007

Waitress accused of defrauding patrons

A Pasco waitress has been jailed on charges that she added tips to 36 credit cards at Country Inn Pizza in New Port Richey. Elizabeth Ann Huxley, 27, is charged with uttering a forged instrument and fraudulent use of a credit card. Huxley, who lives in Holiday, is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail at the Land O'Lakes Detention Center. She started working at the restaurant in July.

St. Petersburg beach has fecal pollution

North Shore Beach in St. Petersburg isn't safe for swimming. Routine water tests revealed dangerous levels of bacteria at the beach, according to a public advisory Friday from the Pinellas County Health Department. More tests will be done next week to find out what is causing the fecal pollution.

Layla, Nick's dog, leaves Hernando for California

Layla has left the building - the Hernando County Animal Services shelter, that is. The pit bull mix belonging to former Backstreet Boy Nick Carter is on her way back to California to be reunited with her owner. The dog was left in one of the agency's night drop cages Aug. 26. Officials identified Layla using a microchip in the dog's neck. "She was a pleasure while she was here," said county Animal Services manager Liana Teague. Just how Layla ended up in Hernando remains a mystery. Carter's publicist has said the dog was with family members while Carter traveled.

Enjoy dry outdoors this weekend

Planning something outdoors this weekend? There's an good chance that it won't rain. A low in the Atlantic continues to keep a mostly dry and warm air mass over the Tampa Bay area, said Bay News 9 chief meteorologist Mike Clay. There's only a 20 percent chance of rain today and Sunday, with weekend highs expected to be around 92. The season's normal rainfall pattern should resume next week.

[Last modified September 8, 2007, 00:15:45]