Dateline Florida

By Times Wires
Published September 29, 2007

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Learn to prepare for a hurricane at fair today

Dozens of hurricane preparedness organizations are joining together for a state-sponsored fair in Clearwater today to offer homeowners tips and assistance. The fair is part of the Department of Financial Service's effort to bolster its My Safe Florida Home program, which aims to help qualified homeowners receive free inspections for hurricane protection and grants up to $5,000 for needed improvements. Officials with the My Safe Florida Home program are holding the free public fairs across the state. The Clearwater fair will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clearwater Harborview Center and adjacent Coachman Park, 101 Drew St.

Bennett or 'New Election'

It's official. St. Petersburg residents will choose between Jamie Bennett or "New Election" for the City Council seat in District 5. If "New Election" happens to beat Bennett, the council chairman, that means - you guessed it - a new election. The whole mess started this week when Bennett's opponent, Chris Kelly, dropped out. The Supervisor of Elections Office is sending out about 5,000 revised absentee ballots Monday with Bennett's new opponent. If you vote absentee in St. Petersburg, wait for the new ballot.

King High creates scholars

Five students at Tampa's King High School are National Achievement semifinalists, an honor that recognizes some of the most scholastically talented black students in the nation. King has more of these scholars than any other school in the state - in fact, more than all Pinellas County schools combined. Overall, 19 Hillsborough public school students are National Achievement semifinalists. Pinellas has three and Pasco one.