Aiming at U.S. 19 [Times photo: Jim Damaske] These two Clearwater police joined a countywide effort Thursday to crack down on bad drivers. Officers handed out 344 citations, including 198 for speeding – the fastest was 88 mph.

North Pinellas County news

Officer arrested in sex inquiry
After a county jail inmate complains about a detention officer, a video shows him performing oral sex on the man, authorities say.

Police: Bad timing thwarts robbery
A man tried to rob a store that many officers visit, authorities say. An arrest is made just outside the store.

New botanical gardens will be in full bloom over weekend
Part of the Pinewood Cultural Park, plans include gardens for children and for people with disabilities.

Oldsmar employees vote to end union affiliation
City administrators applaud the decision to decertify the union, saying it will lead to improved relationships with their workers.

Pinellas briefs
Fall from roof knocks out worker

BB shootings lead to arrests
CLEARWATER -- Police are investigating whether three Largo residents arrested earlier this week are linked to a string of random shootings with BB guns in Clearwater and Largo, said Clearwater police.

He is both the voice and the workhorse of his team
SEMINOLE -- But Donyelle Williams, the central figure of Seminole High School's undefeated, state-championship-contending football team, is quiet as a mouse. And the 5-foot-6, 175-pound player is more of a racehorse than a plow horse.

His bears, forebears are historically familiar
Tweed Roosevelt is in the area to promote Steiff, the German company that originally produced teddy bears, which owe their name to his great- grandfather, Teddy Roosevelt.

Offers to sell Clearwater land raise questions
Re: Thomas offers to sell downtown land, Nov. 22 story.

None injured in propane truck crash
CLEARWATER -- Lois Taylor was reading the newspaper Thursday morning before her morning customers arrived at Great Grandpappy's barber shop when she heard a crash.

Pinellas Park could be water source
A regional water supplier has been searching for places to drill wells and build small desalination plants.

Gibbs High School rolls to scratch division title
Matt Mayhugh and his Gibbs teammates fired a solid 935 first game and never looked back Tuesday at Sunshine Bowl, winning the scratch division of the Pinellas County High School League.

Tarpon closer to honoring star athlete
Commissioners are behind a proposal to place a plaque at a playground to pay homage to a Tarpon High quarterback and youth football leader.

Business owners invited to meeting
ST. PETERSBURG -- Women and minorities who own businesses are invited to meet with purchasing directors from several government agencies and four nearby community colleges from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Music Center at the St. Petersburg Junior College, Gibbs Campus, 6605 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg.

All systems go
The pop/rock hip-hop band the New System is hoping to make it big one day. Maybe this weekend's gig at the Dunedin Community Center is just a start.

Happenings
HOLIDAY SHOW: The Plainsmen Gallery, 542 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, will hold its 19th annual Holiday Art and Gift Show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

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