Northpinellas: Clearwater digest

CLEARWATER -- A sick dolphin being cared for at Clearwater Marine Aquarium died Tuesday morning. Aquarium staffers aren't sure why the dolphin died, said spokesman Scott Swaim. A necropsy is scheduled today. The male striped dolphin, named Magnum, stranded in Virginia and was brought last week to Clearwater by the Coast Guard. It could not swim on its own and stopped eating on its own over the weekend. Staff members had to feed it by tube. Earlier blood tests showed the dolphin may have had a kidney infection, Swaim said.

Police seek van driver, witnesses in crash

CLEARWATER -- Police are seeking help from the public in finding the driver of a van who caused a January crash in which a motorcyclist was seriously injured. The crash occurred about 1:55 p.m. Jan. 23 on Cleveland Street at Lady Mary Drive. Frank Romatowski, 52, had to lay his motorcycle onto the street and skid after a white van pulled in front of him. "The white van cut in front of him. He saw it coming," said Sgt. Tom Miller. A maroon van also circled the block, and police think the people in that vehicle may have been witnesses. Romatowski, who was not wearing a helmet, was in critical condition at the hospital with serious injuries after the crash. He was discharged from the hospital on Sunday. Miller said Romatowski had just moved from Michigan to Palm Harbor. Police are seeking the drivers of both vans, passengers, witnesses or anyone with information about the crash or the drivers of the vans. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 562-4162.

Library system holds writing conference

CLEARWATER -- The Clearwater public library system will host its annual conference for aspiring and published authors, "Dream It! Write It! Sell it!" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 24 at Harborview Center, 300 Cleveland St. Featured speakers include editors for Kensington Books; TOR/Forge Books Cricket Magazine Group; Henry Holt and Company Books for Young Readers; and Farrar, Straus & Giroux Books for Young Readers. Limited editor appointments also are available for writers with a completed manuscript or proposal. The cost to participate is $50, which includes lunch. For information and to register, call 462-6800, ext. 245.

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