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Crossing street, Boy hit by SUV

By Times Staff Writers
Published December 26, 2007

DUNEDIN - An 11-year-old boy was seriously injured when a sport utility vehicle struck him in a crosswalk late Friday, and authorities say the SUV's driver fled without stopping or slowing down.

Travis L. Craig of 92 Knollwood Drive suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa.

The boy and a 13-year-old friend were crossing Patricia Avenue from east to west at Beltrees Street about 11 p.m. as they returned from a bowling alley. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said the older boy made it across safely. But Travis, wearing dark clothing as he crossed the street on a skateboard, was hit by a dark-colored SUV. The area was not well-lit, deputies said, and the SUV probably has front-end damage.

Anyone with information about the vehicle or its driver is asked to call Jim Piper of the Sheriff's Office Major Accident Investigation Team at (727) 582-6200 or Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-873-8477.

William R. Levesque, Times staff writer

Community helps art galley rise from ashes

DUNEDIN - Fire quickly ravaged the Imago Art Gallery two weeks ago, but the community's response has been just as swift and overwhelming.

The Dunedin City Commission voted last week to give the 15 displaced artists use of a vacant, city-owned building free of rent. The 4,400-square-foot structure at 620 Main St. will be available to the artists for the next six months.

It is next to a satellite office of the Dunedin Fine Art Center, which will pay for the utilities and liability insurance costs incurred by Imago at the temporary location.

The fire broke out in the early morning hours of Dec. 9. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is investigating it as an arson, but has made no arrests.

Also last week, the Dunedin Fine Art Center hosted a fundraiser attended by some 500 people. The money raised that night - combined with other donations that have rolled in - has topped $30,000, according to Ken Hannon, associate executive director of the center.

Jonathan Abel and Tamara El-Khoury, Times staff writers

Sorority to present free Kwanzaa celebration

CLEARWATER - The Clearwater Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the African American Leadership Council will present a free Kwanzaa celebration at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, 1201 Douglas Ave.

Bring a favorite dish for the dinner and wear African attire or the colors red, black and/or green.

Kwanzaa is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. It was conceived in 1966 by civil rights leader Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga as a holiday for the African-American community. Kwanzaa is not a substitute for Christmas and is not an African holiday celebrated on the continent. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa, Swahili for first fruits of the harvest, focuses on a principle for good living.

The principles in Swahili with their English translations are Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujimaa (cooperative economic), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).

On each of the holiday nights, families light a candle and speak to the principle of the day. For information, call Kimberley Nunn-Crawford, (727) 418-8338 or Loretta Mitchell at (727) 298-8105.

Christina K. Cosdon, Times staff writer

Winning lottery came in time for Christmas

DUNEDIN - Any time is a good time to win the lottery. But for Bruce Clark, the $2-million Florida Lottery Mega Money jackpot came just in time for Christmas.

Clark, 56, purchased the winning quick pick Mega Money ticket at the Rally store at 1625 Main St. in Dunedin, lottery officials announced Friday. He chose the one-time, lump-sum payment option and will receive $1,360,246. Clark's winning numbers in the Dec. 14 drawing were 13-16-26-41 and the Megaball was 4.

Jose Cardenas, Times staff writer

Three candidates to vie for 2 commission seats

DUNEDIN - Three candidates will vie for two City Commission seats in Dunedin's city election on March 11:

- Incumbent Vice Mayor and Commissioner Deborah Kynes, 57.

- Incumbent Commissioner Julie Ward Bujalski, 41.

- Arnold "Tony" Scruton, 65, who has never held public office.

The top two vote-getters will be elected.

Tamara El-Khoury, Times staff writer

[Last modified December 25, 2007, 21:43:56]