[Times photo: Cherie Diez] Visit brings family its heart A 94-year-old Cuban grandmother comes to the United States for the first time and helps knit up unraveled family ties.

Saxon gets flood grant if he drops city lawsuit
A Madeira Beach attorney indicates that the city will continue to fight the former commissioner.

Largest sand castle may return to beach
Treasure Island commissioners are interested in the attraction, but they worry it would create too much traffic congestion.

Design board votes no to CVS
North Shore residents will hold another meeting Tuesday night where they'll discuss the fate of a drugstore looking to replace Watson's Foodtown.

Club is subject of state inquiry
Authorities are considering criminal charges after confiscating liquor that may not have been taxed. No arrests have been made yet.

Firefighters air concerns, hope annexation is rejected
If Seminole gains a large part of Lealman, residents will have to pay higher taxes to keep their fire department. Firefighters and paramedics worry the city won't be able to afford to keep them.

2 traffic lights win support; 1 rejected
A Pinellas Park study backs lights for 126th and 118th avenues N, but rejects another for 124th Avenue N.

Church's renovation is welcome
Re: Old church to offer food for the body, not the soul, May 28.

Store marches into its 15th year
Sandal sales helped propel Happy Feet Plus, which started as a booth in Tyrone Mall, into a 10-location business.

Starbucks coming to 4th Street grocery
The popular coffee company will replace a Seattle's Best cafe at Albertsons.

WEEK IN REVIEW
Sheriff gets static after backup offer

Police buying new computers
The new system, which will cost $559,000, will allow Pinellas Park officers to write reports in their cars. The convenience will keep them on the street more.

Jetty builders stir up trouble on Isle of Capri
The city gave contractors permission to use the Isle of Capri while building the John's Pass jetty. But noise and traffic problems made the city re-evaluate its friendly gesture.

Pinellas Park makes way for school construction
When work starts on the Richard Sanders School, portable classrooms will have to be shielded from public view.

Workshop canceled to protest city tax
ST. PETERSBURG -- For some local artists, it is not a pretty picture.

Fun Center paints up new mural
TREASURE ISLAND -- Joggers, cyclists and skateboarders usually found on the streets here are featured on a new mural at the recently renovated Fun Center.

Speed-reading devices may curb hasty drivers
ST. PETERSBURG -- Don't you just love technology?

Classes help parents handle new driving laws
The classes at St. Petersburg Junior College will prepare parents for a larger role in teaching their kids how to drive.

St. Pete Beach has a role model nearby
The city manager likes what he sees in Treasure Island and is shuffling city staffers in order to get the process started.

Parent aide program is a beacon of light for families
Darlene Thompson felt all alone after she broke all ties with an abusive husband and mother and moved into her own apartment with her 12-year-old son. Then she met Pat Irwin.

Sewer-scented algae revisit beaches
The lyngbya algae may smell bad, but experts say they are safe and naturally occurring. The bloom may be caused by lack of rain.

Estate owner weighs options after rejection
The Pass-a-Grille developer says a City Commission vote does not quash his plans.

Smokey, the Labrador, will certainly be missed
The dog, trained to sniff out drugs and guns at schools, dies at age 3. Campus police are heartbroken.

Diner gets a new name and location
The popular Town House Restaurant in Kenneth City has closed, but its owners have opened the New Jersey Diner in Seminole.

City is cracking down on illegal sign postings
Tacked to telephone poles, hung on road signs or staked in the ground, the ambitious signs often promise much: Lose weight. Work from home. Get cheap insurance.

Classmates honor girl killed in accident
Graduating eighth-graders at Madeira Beach Middle School dedicate an award in Heather Kraus' name.

Troop's ship trip provides inside look at naval warfare
The Scouts bunk on the USS Alabama, a retired battleship. The experience was fun and informative, members say.

Sidewalks set for Skyview
PINELLAS PARK -- Residents in Skyview Terrace recently got reclaimed water lines, and now some of them will be getting sidewalks. It's part of Pinellas Park's annual sidewalk program.

Neophytes make pitch for Town Council seat
KENNETH CITY -- A political newcomer wants to fill Chuck Webber's Town Council seat.

Panel drops hurdle to developing key block
The alley bisecting the block bounded by Central and First avenues N between First and Second streets N is vacated.

Retired city clerk hired as temporary
Redington Beach brings the experienced municipal employee out of retirement to train its assistant town clerk.

Gym demolition to pave way for community center
Wildwood's $4.5-million project includes two basketball courts and a remodeled baseball field.

Countryside Lanes taking on a luster under new regime
CLEARWATER -- Keith Nichols is so into his new job as general manager of Countryside Lanes that he even sleeps there.

Nesslar heeds advice, runs best 5K and wins
Donna Nesslar of Largo ran last Friday's Spartan Sprint 5K at the University of Tampa in her fastest time of the year -- 18 minutes, 50 seconds -- for women's honors and 19th place overall in a field of 306.

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