Tampa Bay: June 20, 2001
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Jordan Park's becoming home
[Times photo: Dirk Shadd]
Families are moving into units in Jordan Park as the rebuilding of the sprawling public housing project continues. |
South Pinellas County news
City looks to boost property taxes, fees
Extra revenue would increase Treasure Island's "inadequate" employee pension and benefit programs.
Baby birds in need get a helping hand
From April to August, a sanctuary sees hundreds of sick, injured and orphaned birds. It's okay to pick a bird up, but it's not always necessary.
Pinellas Park tax rate may take a dip
City Manager Jerry Mudd says he would like to lower the rate 0.25 mills during the next five years, as well.
Fire chief: Lealman should add hydrants
He admits there are too few and that's being addressed, but each hydrant is tested annually and none are rusted shut.
Laws needed to protect gay people
As the owner of a home and business in St. Petersburg, I fully support non-discriminatory laws to protect gay people in employment and housing.
Police: Drugs justified raid that destroyed house
ST. PETERSBURG -- Three weeks before a house accidentally caught on fire during a police raid, drug informers bought marijuana there twice, according to court documents.
Couple prepares for life together
Joann Tookes and Sylvester Fowler are retarded. Though long discouraged by others, their love and faith have drawn them to marry.
Museum was her life; the rest is local history
The former curator once hired a crane and 20 men to move an 8-foot-wide, 4,000-pound eagle's nest to her museum.
Golf club medic
A rock 'n' roll wanderer turns to greener fairways with the mending of golf clubs.
City courts tennis offices
St. Petersburg is competing with Saddlebrook Resort, Charleston, S.C., and Atlanta to land the nerve center for the Women's Tennis Association Tour.
Best of the best
EDITOR'S NOTE: They have the highest grade point averages in their classes, but it doesn't stop there. The Class of 2001 valedictorians and salutatorians also have found time to participate in school clubs, sports and community activities. Over the next several weeks, Top of the Class will pay tribute to these outstanding individuals.
Achievers
Civitan Club awards five $1,500 scholarships
Housing activist Antoinette Cuffie
ST. PETERSBURG -- Antoinette Y. Cuffie, a longtime activist for tenants of public housing, has died at 56.
Breakfast fundraiser helps women's shelter
Springala. You may call it Springala, but my thermostat says spring is long gone and we are in the dead heat of summer. And technically it is not a gala; it is a business-suit breakfast. But I am nitpicking. Call it what you will, the annual event sponsored by ALPHA, A Beginning is a worthwhile affair.
Police search for witnesses in beating
PINELLAS PARK -- The police and Highway Patrol are looking for witnesses to a brawl last week that left one man hospitalized with severe head wounds.
City happily eyes 36-acre green space
The owner of the land wants the city to use it as community space and has declined offers to sell it for residential or commercial development.
'It's like the passing of an era'
Maj. Ken Remming's legacy at the Sheriff's Office includes work with mentally ill inmates. He will retire at the end of June.
Neighborhood briefs
Gala to benefit pregnancy and resources
Focus on volunteers
The American Red Cross needs: language bank volunteers to serve as interpreters; and drivers to transport people to and from medical appointments. Drivers work one day each week. For information, call Carole Paine, 898-3111.
Military news
Army Spec. Ernest Williams III, son of Cindy and Ernest Williams of St. Petersburg, was one of 20 Army military police officers who joined with local police May 24 in Pearl City, Hawaii, to raise money for the 2001 Troy Barboza Torch Run at the Hawaii Special Olympics.
Vinoy, Seminole Lake capture crowns
Two men's teams earned local USA League championships with playoff scores of 4-1 last weekend.
Mendelblatt eyes the next America's Cup
Mark Mendelblatt began racing sailboats in the early 1980s at the helm of an inexpensive 8-foot Optimist dinghy on Tampa Bay.
For the record
BASEBALL
Late Models class flourishes despite fewer races
A lot of people were disappointed when Sunshine Speedway dropped Unlimited Late Models as a regular weekly class at the end of last season and announced they would run only a seven-race series this year.
