Dateline Florida

By Times Wires
Published September 25, 2007

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Bollea fined $1,000 for Aug. 10 speeding

A Pinellas County judge on Monday slapped Nick Bollea, the 17-year-old son of wrestler Hulk Hogan, with a $1,000 fine for speeding in connection with an Aug. 10 traffic stop. Pinellas Park police cited Bollea for driving 82 mph in a 45 mph construction zone with workers present and not wearing his seat belt. In addition to the fine, the maximum amount allowed by law, the judge ordered the teen to take a 12-hour driver improvement course within 90 days and tacked on $73.50 for the seat belt charge. A Clearwater police investigation into Bollea's Aug. 26 crash, which critically injured his passenger, 22-year-old John Graziano, continues.

Tapestry silhouette draws the faithful

Thousands of people are flocking to a South Florida chapel to see what they consider a miracle: the silhouette of the Holy Family projected on a white tapestry. "It gave me goose bumps," Samuel Rosario told the Miami Herald. "It's a miracle." People have lined up outside St. Brendan Catholic Church in Westchester to see the apparition. Church officials won't say whether they believe the Virgin Mary has appeared. "What's important is the awakening in people's hearts," Father Fernando Heria said.

Hazardous job opening

The search is on for a new director for the National Hurricane Center in Miami, but the faint of heart need not apply. "The person who will serve in this position must wear many hats," Conrad C. Lautenbacher told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "It is among the most demanding of positions, but also the most rewarding." Lautenbacher, the administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, recruited the former director, Bill Proenza, who was ousted after he got crossways with senior forecasters. Possible candidates: acting director Ed Rappaport and deputy director Bill Read.