BROOKSVILLE -- All those who want to return to watering lawns twice a week step forward -- not so fast, you folks in St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey and Clearwater.

In a sign that Central Florida's prolonged drought is finally easing, the Southwest Florida Water Management District lifted once-a-week watering restrictions Tuesday.

But once-a-week restrictions will remain for customers of Tampa Bay Water, which serves most of the bay area, because of evidence that its pumping is damaging wetlands.

Because of a wetter-than-normal rainy season, most rivers in the district are flowing above median rates. Groundwater levels, for the most part, have climbed into the normal range.

But that's not the case for Tampa Bay Water, a wholesale distributor that supplies most of Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Its 11 well fields in Pasco and northwest Hillsborough counties have seen levels barely climb at all.

Opinion poll added to road planners' list

INVERNESS -- In addition to the usual review of maps and cost estimates, the state planners studying the Suncoast Parkway's possible Citrus leg have added an opinion poll to the mix.

Parkway opponents have said Citrus residents don't want the road, that it would disrupt their bucolic life and damage the environment.

The poll won't be binding, said Carl Gibilaro, the turnpike district's project manager, but "we really want to get an honest feel if there's support for this project."

Pinellas will pay more for better-tasting water

CLEARWATER -- Pinellas residents, particularly St. Petersburg, have always been a little snooty about their water. The city has won state and national awards for its drinking water after all, while Tampa's often causes drinkers to wrinkle their nose in distaste.

Next fall, Pinellas County water customers will get their first taste of river water. Not to mention desalinated seawater. And if that's not enough, starting next May, the water will be treated with a different disinfectant.

The water will meet all federal health standards and will be similar to the city of Tampa's water, which already contains Hillsborough River water and the new disinfectant, chloramine, rather than chlorine. Other Tampa Bay Water governments plan to use it.

But will it be good enough for Pinellas?

Pinellas County officials say no.

The county is working on plans for an advanced water treatment plant that will cost $70-million to $100-million.

The tab for all this fancy water will be about $3 more each month for the average user.

Facilities for kids praised this time by state reviewers

INVERNESS -- Things have changed at the Brown Schools.

So much so that Brown leaders actually looked forward to their latest state report card.

Past reports have been harsh, citing many problems at Brown, which operates a residential treatment facility at the former Heritage Hospital in Lecanto. The state even froze admissions last year and hinted at a contract cancellation.

Brown has been a fixture in the headlines, with stories focused on bad reviews Brown received from the state, residents who have escaped or otherwise run afoul of the law, and Brown's ongoing zoning battle with its neighbor, the tony Black Diamond development.

Brown has since regrouped, brought in new management and agreed to stop accepting residents who had cases pending in the juvenile criminal court system.

The state Department of Children and Families was satisfied with Brown's progress and agreed to allow new admissions -- no more than two each week -- and to renew Brown's contract and operating license.

Contest winner has palms replacing roundabout fountain

CLEARWATER -- The winner of the Clearwater Beach Association's competition to redesign the middle of the city's troublesome roundabout calls for a grove of palms to replace the current fountain.

The design, created by St. Petersburg landscape architect Jim Clees of Harvard Jolly Clees Toppe Architects, is beautiful in its simplicity, said members of the beach association, who presented the contest winners to city commissioners Monday.

City commissioners will consider design ideas later this year, but City Manager Bill Horne questioned whether drivers looking through the grove of palms would be able to see what cars are doing at other entrances of the roundabout.

Driver complaints about the fountain obstructing views across the roundabout is one reason most commissioners have said they favor demolishing it.

Clees said he thought drivers would be able to see through the grove of medjool date palms and low clusters of Aztec grass in his design. He also said his idea leaves a 15-foot-wide open area around the grove, which would enhance views around the circle in an area where the fountain now exists.

Few in Dunedin want to spend more on Jays

DUNEDIN -- As work continues on renovations to keep the Toronto Blue Jays happy in their spring training facility, Dunedin residents say the city should hold the line at the $12-million already committed.

According to an opinion poll commissioned by the St. Petersburg Times, 61 percent of Dunedin residents oppose spending any more public money on the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Times commissioned the poll as the team and the city have reached an impasse over the spring training project. The two sides last year agreed to renovate Grant Field and the Englebert Complex. But as the project was designed and construction began, the cost rose beyond the $12-million called for in the contract.

Then the team asked the city to pay another $500,000, borrow $500,000 more and ask the state to contribute $1-million. The Jays have threatened to leave if the city refuses.

The team says residents need to look at the team as an investment.

"I don't think we're getting our story out, and I think people forget what we do for the community here," said Ken Carson, director of Florida operations for the team.

In short . . .

CLEARWATER -- Stung by an eleventh-hour revelation about its top bidder, the Pinellas County Commission on Tuesday delayed voting on a $15.5-million voting machine system and demanded further investigation of the two companies vying for the contract.

ST. PETERSBURG -- St. Petersburg College has become the first school in the state to offer a bachelor's degree in emergency health services, which will be conferred by George Washington University. SPC will enroll its first class in January.

Coming up this week

Expect to hear a lot about Floridians and their voting habits this week. Wednesday, marks the one-year anniversary of the tumultuous presidential election result in Florida. Democrats in Palm Beach County, home of the infamous butterfly ballot, plan to use the occasion for a major fundraiser

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