Dateline Florida

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 8, 2008

Darwin likey at center of Monday hearing 

The last public hearing on the state's proposed new science standards is Monday in Orlando - and if you feel passionate enough to say yea or nay in person, you better do it now. The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the issue on Feb. 19 in Tallahassee, but public comment won't be taken on that day. Among other changes, the proposed standards hold up Charles Darwin's theory of evolution as one of several "big ideas" that will ground a student's understanding of science. The current standards, adopted in 1996, don't even mention the word "evolution." The hearing runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Orlando Hyatt at Orlando International Airport, 9000 Airport Blvd. You can also view the hearing via a live Web cast at www.fldoe.org.

Like mother, like son, says judge

Stephen Michael Arellano's mother wasn't too happy Thursday with how things went at her son's first court appearance on charges that he and his cousin stole copper coils from air conditioners. Victoria Barr stood up in protest when the prosecutor said Arellano, 18, was on probation for a juvenile arrest. When Hillsborough Circuit Judge Walter Heinrich wouldn't let her speak, she cursed and called the officials liars. Then she stormed out. "Let her go," the judge said. "Obviously we understand why her son's like that. Look at the mother." Barr, whose son remains in jail, didn't appreciate the judge's comment. "What, am I not supposed to care?" she asked later.

City to study Rays' stadium options

The future of St. Petersburg's Al Lang Field is still hazy. The City Council directed its staff to look into potential future uses for the site, currently the spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays. The measure was designed to appease community activists, who were promised in August that the land would be preserved as part of the city's downtown waterfront parks. The council declined to do that Thursday, but agreed to eventually hold a public hearing on how the city-owned land should be used when the Rays' lease expires in 2009. The process could take up to six months, just about enough time for the city to know whether the Rays' proposal for a new major league stadium at the site is economically feasible.

Ex-Sheriff Jenne loses his pension

State officials have decided to deny former Broward County Sheriff Ken Jenne his state pension. Jenne is serving a year and a day at a federal prison for mail fraud conspiracy and tax evasion. In a letter to Jenne announcing the decision, state retirement director Sarabeth Snuggs cited a state law that says officials who are convicted of a felony and breach the public trust can lose their pensions. State estimates show Jenne stood to collect more than $134,500 a year in pension payments. He has until Feb. 22 to appeal.

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[Last modified February 8, 2008, 00:08:33]