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Burned girl opens eyes first time since fire
By Times Staff Writer
Published February 28, 2008
CLEARWATER There is good news to report from Shriners Hospitals for Children in Cincinnati. Little Makeila Pressley, the 9-year-old who walked out of her burning house on fire Saturday, is recovering well so far. Her mother, Davana Pressley, said Wednesday that Makeila opened her eyes for the first time. "She was trying to sit up, and we had to tell her she couldn't," Davana Pressley said. More than $1,000 has been raised to help Makeila, according to her great-aunt Barbara Jenkins. (Those who would like to help can make a donation at any Wachovia Bank branch.) She is doing so well that on Monday she might be taken off the respirator and allowed to eat Popsicles and ice cream. "She likes all flavors," her mother said. LARGO Man accusedof raping escort Jeffery William Crouchman did not take no for an answer when a woman from an escort service tried to leave his apartment, Largo police say. Crouchman, 47, was arrested and booked into the Pinellas County Jail on Tuesday on counts of kidnapping, rape and robbery with a firearm. Early Sunday, police said, Crouchman called Intimate Encounters and arranged to have a woman come to his apartment in Largo. Once she got there, she changed her mind about staying, police said. But he pressed a gun against her neck, walked her to her car and ordered her to take off her pants, police said. He drove around Pinellas County, sexually assaulting her and then went to her boss' house where he demanded she get $200. The escort told her boss what happened, and he called 911. Crouchman told police the sex was consensual and denied the other crimes. He was being held without bail Wednesday. TARPON SPRINGS Free tax service available for some Free tax preparation assistance is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays through April 15 at the Tarpon Springs Public Library, 138 E Lemon St. The service, provided by the Internal Revenue Service and the AARP, is available for those with low to moderate incomes, with emphasis on filers 60 and older. Taxpayers must provide Social Security cards for all people listed on returns, a picture ID, all pertinent records and a copy of last year's return. Free e-filing is available.
[Last modified February 27, 2008, 22:50:33]
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