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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 15, 2001
Fall feel expected in this week's weather
We're not talking freeze here, or even frost.
But by later in the week, according to the weather mavens, we should be getting some cooler weather.
Temperatures could dip -- brace yourself -- into the 50s.
A high pressure front is expected to start moving into Central Florida by today, pushing clouds and scattered rain ahead of the system. That will be followed by cooler, drier air.
"I would say we probably could see upper 50s by the end of week for nighttime lows and upper 70s in the afternoons by late in the week," said Richard Rude, a meteorologist with National Weather Service in Ruskin.
By next weekend, temperatures should be back to normal, with daytime highs in the mid 80s and overnight lows in mid 60s.
RIVERVIEW -- A 4-year-old boy suffered serious leg injuries Sunday afternoon when his grandfather accidentally ran him over, authorities said.
Nolan Wright was playing in his driveway at 8217 Stoner Hill Drive when his grandfather backed out in his Chevy pickup.
Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies said the boy was caught under the truck's left front tire. Deputies identified the grandfather as 64-year-old Ronald Gagne, but public records listed the man's first name as Raynald.
Nolan was flown to Tampa General Hospital, where he was treated for a broken leg and facial scrapes.
Deputies said Gagne did not see the boy in the driveway.
AVON PARK -- Four people were injured when an Air Force helicopter crashed Sunday into the Kissimmee River near Avon Park Gunnery Range in Central Florida.
The HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter was assigned to the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia.
The aircraft, from the 347th Rescue wing, was on a low-level day tactical training mission at Avon Park about 4 p.m. when it crashed.
On board were Capt. David Fuqua, the aircraft commander, co-pilot and 1st Lt. Jason Gingrich, Staff Sgt. Jon Carpio, the flight engineer and Staff Sgt. David Lacey, the aerial gunner.
All four were taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center near Melbourne. Three were treated and released, but officials wouldn't say which man was still in the hospital.
BROOKSVILLE -- A legislator who heads a state Senate committee to safeguard Florida against terrorism has decided to carry a handgun.
For years, Sen. Ginny Brown-Waite has resisted getting a concealed weapons permit. Now she says she will keep a Colt .38-caliber handgun in the glove compartment of her car.
The Brooksville Republican chairs the Senate Select Committee on Public Security and Crisis Management, which was created after the Sept. 11 attacks to propose security measures for the state.
MILTON -- Tornadoes knocked down power lines, damaged homes and cars and injured three people in Santa Rosa County, officials said Sunday.
Nine tornado touchdowns were reported Saturday in the western Panhandle county. Two people received minor injuries at a church festival in Milton as they rushed to enter the building. A third person was also injured near Byron Street in Milton. All had been released from the hospital, but one was readmitted Sunday with a suspected concussion.
The storm came from the Gulf of Mexico and headed north, tearing off in roofs, overturning rental cars and downing power lines, said Don Chinery, spokesman for the county's Emergency Management department.