Briefs: Two Senate candidates to square off in debate

By Times staff writers

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 6, 2000

TAMPA -- U.S. Senate candidates Bill Nelson and Bill McCollum will debate one-on-one for the first time today in Tampa.

The forum starts at 10 a.m. at the Tampa Marriott Westshore, 1001 N West Shore Blvd., and is open to the public. Nelson, the state insurance commissioner and presumptive Democratic nominee, and McCollum, a U.S. representative from Longwood and the presumptive Republican nominee, will discuss their positions on Social Security and other senior issues.

The forum is sponsored by the Tallahassee-based advocacy group Aging with Dignity.

Pedestrian wounded in leg by shot fired from car

TAMPA -- A 27-year-old man was shot in the leg while walking on Barry Road early Wednesday, Hillsborough sheriff's deputies said.

Keith William Hazen was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the right calf and released.

Hazen told deputies he was walking east on Barry Road in Town 'n Country about 3:30 a.m. when a small maroon vehicle with two men inside swerved alongside him, sheriff's Capt. Roger Dixon said. One of the men fired three shots at Hazen, one of the striking his leg.

No arrests have been made.

Plant High classes suspended after leak

TAMPA -- School officials Wednesday suspended summer school for several days at Plant High School after workers discovered a leaking fuel oil tank on the school property.

The suspension of classes affects about 60 students.

The fuel oil tank was one of two found underground during renovations at the school. The other one was not leaking. More than 310 tons of contaminated soil had to be removed. Mark Hart, spokesman for the school district, said the evacuation was merely a precautionary measure.

Competency hearing likely for child slaying suspect

DADE CITY -- After more than a year in legal limbo, the case against a Land O'Lakes mother accused of killing one of her sons is ready to take a major step forward in the next 30 days, the case's chief prosecutor said Wednesday.

Kristina Gaime, 36, was arrested May 4, 1999, and charged in the death of her 6-year-old son, Mathew Rotell. She was also charged for allegedly trying to kill his 8-year-old brother, Adam. Investigators claim she drugged her two boys during the night of April 11 and 12, put them in the family minivan and directed the exhaust into the cabin while she sat in the vehicle with them.

Gaime's mother found her in the house the next day, bruised and groggy. Adam was also in the house, alive, but Mathew's body was found in the van.

The case stalled shortly after Gaime's arrest. No trial date has been set.

The delay has beenfrom claims Gaime's attorneys have made that she cannot remember the fateful night and can't help in her own defense. Gaime needs hospital treatment, the defense claims, to help her regain her memory.

Prosecutor Phil Van Allen told Circuit Judge Wayne Cobbthat all but one required medical exam of Gaime has been completed. He said he expects to schedule a competency hearing by the first week in August.

Attorney Roland Rosello, representing Gaime, told Cobb that he also plans to ask for permission to have a psychiatric specialist begin visiting Gaime in jail to treat her.

Readers help family who lost belongings

CLEARWATER -- Lisa Mackin, a young woman who escaped a fire with her two young sons but lost all of her belongings, says she has been floored with the response from the community.

After a story about Mackin appeared Sunday in the St. Petersburg Times, the Tampa Bay office of the American Red Cross has received 80 phone calls from people wanting to help.

"This says a lot about this community," Mackin said.

Mackin, 29, and her sons, 8 and 2, narrowly escaped a fire early June 27 that engulfed their duplex at 1309 Union St. The fire remains under investigation.

Frank Ward read the story Sunday and was impressed by Mackin. "I like her attitude," said Ward, a deacon at North Dunedin Baptist Church. "She has all these dire circumstances, but she is still really upbeat. She's commendable."

Ward shared Mackin's plight with fellow Sunday school students, who collected $100.

With that money and other donations, Mackin will be able to move into a new home.

Bicyclist struck by car still in critical condition

PLANT CITY -- A 66-year-old Plant City man remained in critical condition Wednesday, two days after authorities said he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle.

Corbit Unez Clark, of Messick Avenue, was riding his bike south on Turkey Creek Road when a car struck him sheriff's deputies said.

Authorities have no description of the vehicle, which hit Clark about 4:40 p.m. Monday.

Clark was flown to Tampa General Hospital. Anyone with information was asked to call deputies at (813) 247-8200.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.