Rx for a sick lake [Times photo: Scott Keeler] Since county officials created Lake Seminole in the 1940s, it has become a stagnant tub with no drain. For tons of muck, there's no easy way out.

Town center comes together, piece by piece
PINELLAS PARK -- City Council members got a look last week at the first concrete proof that their long-held dream of a town center focused on a railroad station is about to come true.
• Blueprint:
A town center proposed for Pinellas Park

Teachers seek a change of scenery
Each spring, about 1,200 ask to move. Maybe 350 get permission. Some apply every year just to keep options open.

Group challenges variance formula
A neighborhood association may try to block the issuing of permits for a Romano's Macaroni Grill.

Fourth's fireworks leave our beaches trashed
This year after the Fourth of July, the beach in my neighborhood again looks like a military skirmish took place there. Probably all the Pinellas beaches do, too.

1st St. circle: a study in uselessness
Round and round they go, not knowing when to stop. The new traffic circle at 30th Avenue N and First Street in St. Petersburg, intended to slow traffic, has given drivers a new nuisance to negotiate. Installed barely a month ago, the traffic circle is supposed to deter drivers who use First Street N and Coffee Pot Boulevard as cut-throughs to the downtown area. But drivers encountering the circle seem to be more confused than subdued.

Lawyer accused of sexual battery kills himself
ST. PETERSBURG -- A 55-year-old lawyer facing charges of capital sexual battery shot himself Thursday at Fort De Soto Park.

Helping hands haven't retired
SEMINOLE -- Polite chatter occasionally broke the silence as the women worked with knitting needles, crochet hooks and yarn Wednesday at Lake Seminole Square.

Passion in life was fighting for her lake
Paula Nichols, who died July 5, was concerned for the ducks, turtles and fish that lived in Lake Pasadena near her home.

Advent of Nordstrom, et al. sparks excitement
The folks from Nordstrom came to the downtown offices of the St. Petersburg Times on Wednesday to meet with writers and editors from the business and features departments. And me.

Institute of Balance takes aim at vertigo
The Seminole center diagnoses disorders and educates and trains specialists.

Work may soon begin on luxury condos
TREASURE ISLAND -- Developers plan to begin construction on a 15-unit, six-story luxury condominium building facing the Gulf of Mexico after two or three more of the units are sold.

Business briefs
Injury, wellness center opens

VA to offer 'leisure' resource fair
SEMINOLE -- To show the therapeutic value of leisure activities, the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., will sponsor a Leisure Community Resource Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday in the J.C. Cobb Room, on the first floor of the hospital, Building 100.

Readers' detours lead to roads less traveled
As part of a recent article on transportation nightmares in southern Pinellas County, we asked readers to share with us their favorite shortcuts and detours to get around problem intersections and annoying stretches of road.

Treasure Island to trim planning, zoning board
City officials say at 15 members, the board is unwieldy for the city and for applicants.

The week ahead
WEDNESDAY

Gee, why can't we get any G movies anymore?
On any of the more than 125 movie screens in Pinellas County, you won't find a newly released G-rated movie showing anywhere. Here we are in the midst of summer, prime movie time for kids, with nothing for our young children to see.

Who says people can't fight City Hall?
After some complaining and explaining, a ticket for improper watering is found to be a clerical error and will be dismissed.

Work to repair approach to causeway nearly done
Treasure Island is strengthening the approach after state inspectors found corrosion. Work should be done Monday.

Mayor ranks Bucs ahead of city parade
The mayor of Indian Rocks Beach rules out a Dec. 9 parade date because Tampa Bay is hosting the Detroit Lions.

Beaches notebook
New public works building opens

Shooting star captures attention early
Since Allison Fogle first played basketball on Northside Christian's Midget Mustang team in the third grade, the rising freshman has dribbled and shot her way to success.

Hayden rolls with revived PBA
Imagine winning nearly $30,000 in less than a week, then asking yourself, "Do I really want to do this for a living?"

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