Dateline Florida

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 29, 2007

Six more manatees found dead in waters with red tide bloom

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that six more manatees were found dead in Brevard County, but cannot say for sure whether the ongoing Red Tide is to blame, according to the Orlando Sentinel. "We're taking water samples from all the areas, just in case," said Wendy Quigley, a wildlife commission spokeswoman. "But, obviously, we won't know much information until the necropsies." Four other manatees have died from Red Tide in Volusia and Brevard counties since October. That is the highest number of Red Tide deaths on Florida's east coast since the state began a more precise tracking in 1996, Quigley told the Sentinel. Historically, manatees that succumb to Red Tide are found in southwest Florida.

New Year's revelers, pick your party

You can ring in 2008 with fireworks and a ball drop at the fifth annual Light Up Tampa Bay celebration. The free event begins at 7 p.m. Monday with music in the courtyard at Channelside Bay Plaza in downtown Tampa. The fireworks blast off at midnight. No coolers, folding chairs or personal fireworks allowed. You also may view the fireworks from nearby attractions charging admission for New Year's Eve parties, including the Florida Aquarium's Aqua-Eve. Or check out Tampa's Busch Gardens, which has its own show at midnight.

Thieves clean out collection plate

The offering collected at the Christmas Eve service at Delray Beach's Emmanuel Catholic Church is its biggest of the year. That made the theft even harder to take. Between late Monday and Christmas morning a thief stole up to $25,000, most in checks. "We're discouraged and disappointed," the Rev. Timothy Sockol told the Palm Beach Post. "Who would do something like that? Someone who was desperate, or someone who just didn't care." No arrests have been made. "It may get difficult to pay our bills as we get through our summer," Sockol said.

$1,000 reward for info on bears' killer

The wildlife commission was busy in Gulf County, trying to figure out who shot to death two female black bears. The carcasses were left on a roadside. Wildlife officials are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Black bears are listed as a threatened species in Florida.

[Last modified December 28, 2007, 22:52:00]