[Times photo: Matt May] Nursery helps gardeners of rare tastes From the street, Alan Smith's nursery appears unkempt, nothing like what one might expect of a business that grows, brokers and ships exotic fruit and flowering trees all over the world to governments, individuals and other nurseries.

Schools report year of varied milestones
It took 35 tons of clay and 290,800 rolls of toilet paper to educate about 100,000 students in the 1999-2000 year, ending today.

'Battle' over downtown passes politely
Despite all the hubbub over downtown redevelopment, an activist and the developer maintain their demeanors at a forum about the plan.

Pinellas County stamps out use of fireworks
Following the lead of other counties, Pinellas bans the sale of fireworks and will allow July 4 displays only over water.

Services center plan is coming together
Day care, GED classes, a food pantry and a variety of other services are expected to be available in one spot.

Developer puts forth alternative
A man who has been involved in a string of previous city projects says his plan for downtown is ready to go.

Fire began in bed, officials say
A disabled Largo man is still hospitalized in serious condition after an apartment fire Sunday night.

Police chief chooses to step down
Acknowledging the toll of a recent scandal, Chief Jerry Bloechle will retire Oct. 1.

Tarpon Springs facing a pair of historic questions
In one case, residents are worried about a house being knocked down; in another, they worry about a house being built.

Woman sought in string of fires
Witnesses say she threw burning objects from a sport utility vehicle, starting eight small blazes along Nebraska Avenue.

Losses continue piling up at Helen Ellis
After two profitable months, the Tarpon Springs hospital loses about $857,000 in April.

Masked man holds up grocery store in Largo
LARGO -- A masked gunman escaped with an undisclosed amount of money after a midnight holdup Monday at Kash n' Karry at 13000 66th St. N. Police said the robber held several employees at gunpoint during the robbery, but no one was injured. No description was available.

Bilirakis upbraids EPA for behavior
He writes the federal agency demanding an apology for its officials walking out of a meeting.

Havana Cup seeks a place in history
It was 70 years and a few months ago that a die-hard fleet of 11 wooden sailboats raced out of Tampa Bay bound for Havana, Cuba. In that first formal race to Cuba, George S. "Gidge" Gandy of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club and Commodoro Rafael Posso of the Havana Yacht Club launched a classic ocean race that survived one world war and, eventually, the revolution in Cuba.

Letters
Clearwater could become magnet for boaters
EDITOR'S NOTE: The first five letters refer to a proposal to redevelop downtown Clearwater. City residents will vote on the proposal in a July 11 referendum.

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