Tampa Bay: December 12, 2001
North Pinellas County news
Driver who hit officer gets probation
The woman pleaded guilty to hitting the police officer as he walked along a subdivision street and driving off afterward.Baseball league rejects city's bid
The amateur league cited problems with Clearwater's Jack Russell Stadium. Two other Florida cities are still among relocation possibilities.
County buys touch-screen voting system
After a selection process that became arduous, the vote was unanimous. The new machines will first be used in municipal elections in March.
Pinellas digest
County chief's authority to fire workers expands
Largo sizes up purchase of apartments
The city is first in line if it wants to buy the abandoned complex off Rosary Road for affordable housing.
Man charged with college student's murder
Clearwater police say the husband of a friend admitted to killing the 20-year-old with a knife.
Largo could savelots of money by expanding library
Recently, during a televised Largo City Commission meeting, the commission voted to cancel a proposed Christmas bonus totaling $20,000 for Largo employees. The commission cited budget constraints and predicted the Largo budget problems could become worse next year.
Sides should give a little so county can obtain land
Good news from the county courthouse: The owners of 88 acres of vacant waterfront property in Palm Harbor have asked the county to delay a decision on development plans for the land. They want to continue discussing selling the land to the county.
Older local athletes Tri-Umph in AARP
Kicking off the holiday multi-sport season, St. Peterburg's AARP Tri-Umph Triathlon showcased not only the best 50-and-over local triathletes but some brave rookies competing at North Shore Pool the week of Thanksgiving. Weekly pre-race training clinics at St. Anthony's Wellness Center were geared toward the huge turnout of first-time triathletes. Coaching was provided by Lewis Bennett and Shirley Taylor, both of Largo; Seminole's Roger Burke, Clearwater's Tony Prioli, and Treasure Island's Jackie and Larry Yost. Showing the younger triathletes how it's done, women's overall AARP champion Patricia Hoffman of Clearwater raced the distance (400-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride, and 5K run) in one hour, 12 minutes, 45 seconds.
