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Letter to the editor

Local student wins top scholarships

By Times Staff Writers
Published November 25, 2007

Joe O'Shea - Dunedin native, overachiever and Florida State University student body president - is making headlines again.

O'Shea, 21, is one of 32 U.S. students awarded a prestigious Rhodes scholarship this year and is Florida's only Rhodes scholar. The award pays for up to three years of undergraduate or postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in England.

An honors student majoring in philosophy and social science, O'Shea loves health care policy and hopes to pursue a political career. He has founded or helped found several charities. At Oxford, he aims to earn a master of philosophy degree in comparative social policy. Then he plans to use a Truman Scholarshipto study law or earn a doctorate.

Tamara El-Khoury, Times staff writer

Two commission seats won minus competition

SAFETY HARBOR - Incumbent Mayor Andy Steingold and political newcomer Mary Lynda Williams automatically won seats on the City Commission when no one qualified to run against them by last week's deadline.

But voters will choose commissioners in two other races: Nadine Nickeson and Mark Taylor are running for Seat 3, and Nina Bandoni and Robin Fornino are running for Seat 4.

The city's election is Jan. 29.

Eileen Schulte, Times staff writer

Shady real estate deals bring 8 years in prison

A woman who bought the homes of 20 people in shady transactions that cost the sellers more than $500,000 has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Synthia Ippolito, a 38-year-old former Largo resident who most recently lived in Hudson, was found guilty in May of scheming to defraud and equity-skimming.

Ippolito's former husband, Christopher Nickelson, 46, was sentenced last year to 15 years for his part in the fraud, which victimized homeowners from St. Petersburg to Hudson between 1999 and 2001.

Jose Cardenas, Times staff writer

Record number trot before eating any turkey

CLEARWATER - The 29th annual St. Petersburg Times Turkey Trot drew a record 16,506 registered racers Thanksgiving Day.

The 5K (3.1 mile) Wingding again was the most popular race, with 10,071 entrants, compared with 4,001 for the 1-mile Gobbler and 2,434 for the 10K (6.2 mile) Turkey Trot. The races have become so popular, organizers are considering adding an 8K next year.

Bob Putnam, Times staff writer

Sounds of silence come to Sponge Docks area

TARPON SPRINGS - The Sponge Docks loudspeakers have been silenced. Last week, city commissioners approved an ordinance banning amplified marketing on Tarpon Springs' main tourist strip. Merchants who violate the ban face fines that start at $213.

Elena Lesley, Times staff writer

[Last modified November 24, 2007, 21:13:00]