Dateline Florida

By Times Wires
Published December 4, 2007

Those Hanukkah lights start burning tonight

Hanukkah - the Jewish Festival of Lights - begins tonight. The holiday, which lasts for eight days, commemorates an ancient victory over oppression. During Hanukkah, Jews light a new candle on the nine-branched menorah, or candelabrum, for eight consecutive days. The ninth candleholder is for the shamash, or servant candle, which is used to light the others. It is customary to exchange gifts, including Hanukkah gelt, which is given in chocolate coins or cash. Games are played with the dreidel, a four-sided top. The celebration also includes eating foods fried in oil, latkes or potato pancakes, and sufganiyot, or jelly doughnuts.

Linda Bollea's attorney wants out of divorce

The lawyer representing Linda Bollea in her pending divorce has filed a motion to withdraw as her attorney. Elliot Jay Goldstein of Largo cited "irreconcilable differences" which has made representing her "impossible," according to his motion filed Friday. Reached by telephone Monday, Goldstein said his motion "has no reflection on the merits of the case." Linda Bollea this month filed for divorce from her husband of 23 years, Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan.

Room full of candles, man full of regret

Carl Schmitt learned a valuable lesson Monday: Don't forget about a room full of burning candles. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office says Schmitt, 40, had a number of lit candles in the bedroom of his home at 10705 115th Ave. N in Seminole that he left unattended. When he walked back into his bedroom early Monday, he found the room was on fire. Schmitt managed to escape with minor burns, but his house suffered significant fire damage.

Correction

Walter Kozak has been arrested once on charges of operating a vehicle for hire without a permit, certificate and public vehicle license, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. A story Sunday incorrectly described his arrest history.

[Last modified December 3, 2007, 23:42:10]