I Love You, Jasmine

Jasmine Bedwell collapsed in tears outside the courthouse after a reporter asked for her reaction to McTear telling her he loved her in court........here

The Silent Witness On Davis Islands

Police say they can't prove who was driving the Nissan Murano that killed a homeless woman in a hit-and-run case three months ago. But they haven't used all the investigative tools at their disposal..........more

Had the driver of the Murano stopped at the time of the crash, it's likely that no charges or even a traffic ticket would have been sought.

Strip Club King: Trailer

Jennifer Porter Should Be In Jail

Jennifer Porter, the former schoolteacher who drove away after hitting four children and killing two, was denied her request to end probation this morning........here

Creative Loafing Summer Guide: Pam Iorio

The Bruised Knight's Ybor City Adventure

I was floored by this little jewel of activity in an otherwise bleh state. I make no lie I don’t find much awe inspiring beauty in Florida *well there was that one girl on the bar at Coyote Ugly but I digress.*.........here

Ybor City Museum Needs Volunteers

Ybor City Preservationists Win

An agreement between preservation supporters and Hillsborough Community College, in Tampa, will let the college proceed with construction of a controversial new student-services building.........here

Lawton Chiles Elementary Students Head To Iowa

Seven students were building a bridge out of the flimsiest materials imaginable — a thin strip of construction paper, string, tape, labels, rubber bands and a few paper clips. And they had just five minutes to make it as long as possible.......more
Go Falcons!

Hillsborough Residents Say No To Tent City For Homeless

Most agree that homelessness is a problem in Hillsborough County that needs more attention. But one solution, a proposed tent city on Hillsborough Avenue near Harney Road, has neighbors fearful of decreased property values and increased crime.......here

Welcome Rain

The Back Woods at the Museum of Science & Industry

Is a 25 acre forest preserve in the midst of urban Tampa, Florida.

here

Tampa, Home Base Of Operation Panama Express

Four Colombian men are facing a federal judge today in the first trial under a new law targeting semisubs used to smuggle cocaine from Colombia to the United States..........more

The new law, signed by former President George W. Bush in October. It makes it a crime punishable by up to 15 years in federal prison to be in international waters in a stateless submersible or semisubmersible vessel designed to avoid detection.

Wengay Newton’s Summer Vacation

It was eight of us with a single mom, so there wasn’t a lot of vacationing. We’d go to Busch Gardens … one or two of us, then we would come back and tell the rest how it was.”......... Wengay Newton

Justice For Melissa Sjostrom

Three months ago, a driver in an SUV killed a woman crossing a South Tampa street and fled. Within hours, Tampa police had connected a red paint chip from the scene to a Nissan Murano with front end damage parked in front of a million-dollar Davis Islands home. The paint flake from the crime scene fit
"just like a jigsaw puzzle," an officer wrote in a report..........here

Stogie Has Some Questions
*Two weeks after Sjostorm died, a check for $100,000 was sent to her mother from the company that insured the SUV?
*If there is nothing to hide, why take the fifth?
*Why is the family in therapy?
*Why did the Tampa police detective who investigated the case, Robert D. Powell, failed to appear in court?
Powell listed two crash witnesses in an affidavit he sent to the court 11 days ago. However, no witnesses were subpoenaed to testify at today's hearing, the judge learned in court today. Sending subpoenaes to witnesses in traffic cases is typically the responsibility of the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court's office.

"You wouldn't leave a dog to die alone in a street like that,"..........Connie Wheeler

Strip Club King: The Story of Joe Redner

Is now available for pre-order at the link below. The official North American release date is August 4, so all DVDs purchased will be shipped that day.

here

Friends Of Stogie

At The Firehouse In Temple Terrace

Alex Sink for Governor

Pit Bulls Pounding the Pavement

Please come out and support Pit Bulls Pounding the Pavement's all time favorite Pit Bull Rescue group PIT STOP BULLYS in their efforts to raise money for their rescue organization........here
Thursday, May 21st! from 5pm-8pm
Sweet Tomatoes on Dale Mabry just south of Bearss

Tampa Children Sing to Help New Orleans

Focusing on the needs of others, 15 members of the award-winning Tampa Bay Children's Chorus will participate this summer in a five-day festival in New Orleans..........here

Going Green

In Tampa

Spence's Ybor City Adventure

Wow what an interesting night! What started off as a few friends going to a local bar to do some karaoke turned into us going clear down to Ybor City and seeing many interesting sites..........more

The Tampa That Might Have Been

A year ago I was doing microfilm research on local history at the John German(y) Library in Tampa. I was flabbergasted to discover a Tampa Tribune article from November 25, 1924, that mentioned the work of the famous town planner John Nolen in connection with Tampa..........more

Tampa - Gipsy Kings

Stogie Recommends: Star Trek

The New Crew Of The USS Enterprise
Great Casting, Especially Karl Urban As Dr. McCoy. Stogie's Trekkie Fix For The Rest Of His Life.
here

ENOUGH OF THIS

There can be no question that an insidious effort to dismantle growth management is bad for the state when both the Hillsborough County Commission and 1000 Friends of Florida are asking Gov. Charlie Crist to veto the legislation.

The commission rarely stands up to developers,

and 1000 Friends is a stalwart supporter of smart community planning........here

Hillsborough Gets Two New Pet-Friendly Hurricane Shelters

Hillsborough County is doubling the number of pet-friendly disaster shelters it offers to four, just in time for hurricane season. Animal Services workers are seeking monetary donations so they can purchase pet crates and other supplies for the additional two shelters............here

Leilani’s Perspective: Heatwave Hopscotch

Last night, Photographer Phil and I played Heatwave Hopscotch, skipping from stage to stage, pausing longer at some than at others though never staying long enough to get comfortable in any one place, and having a grand old time all along the way............more

Anti-Sink Web Site Set Up By Alachua Republican

There's already one group going after Democrat Alex Sink with a Web site called Don't Bank on Sink that re-uses the same "banker" talking points the state GOP put out yesterday, minutes after the state chief financial officer announced her gubernatorial bid.........more

Alex Sink

Engagement Session in Ybor City

Jason Angelini Photography

Cut and Run Charlie Crist

By running for U.S. Senate, Charlie Crist has cut and run on the Sunshine State, once again taking the easy way out, avoiding responsibility and leaving the hard work of facing Florida's problems to the next governor........here

Hillsborough County Teacher Ross Anderson

Was named this year's We Deliver award winner. The award, funded by an anonymous donor through the district's education foundation, recognizes an employee who "delivers miracles every day,"...............here

Buddy Johnson Is In More Hot Water

In an effort to appeal to taxpayers during his campaign for re-election last year, Buddy Johnson boasted that he had cut his office's budget by 10 percent. Instead, according to an audit released Friday, Johnson overspent his budget in the final 15 months of his administration by $2.35 million...........more

Parents Gave Permission For Their Children To Be Shocked

Florida Prisons Shock Kids

Demonstrations at three Florida prisons where more than 40 children were shocked with stun guns have led to the dismissal of three employees and the resignation of two others, Corrections Secretary Walter McNeil said Friday.............here

Become A Friend of SWFBUD

You can become a Friend of SWFBUD for $25 a year and the first 100 Friends will get a free Polar Bottle water bottle.

here

If you want to become a Friend, contact SWFBUD Director Alan Snel at

alansnel@yahoo.com

Michael Lowry's Mercy

A St. Petersburg homeowner's mercy might be the only reason a burglary suspect is still alive.............here

Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White

The Cyrano de Bergerac of Kennedy Blvd.

Has found himself in a fine kerfuffle of kinkiness in the wake of a federal sexual discrimination lawsuit brought by a former aide who claims no sooner did she go work for the commissioner in 2007 than Kevin White began redefining the term public service...........more

A Day Late And Billions Of Dollars Short

For Hillsborough On Growth-Management Bill

After months of hounding from activists and even early coverage in both papers including this editorial in the Trib dated Feb 21st, 2009 the Hillsborough County Commission finally weighs in on Senate Bill 360, a bad revamp of Florida’s growth-management safeguards.........here

TECO Denies Report Of High Toxin Discharge

Tampa Electric is denying suggestions that its Big Bend Power Station is dumping high levels of selenium, a metal toxin, into Tampa Bay. The Washington Post reported recently that several U.S. power plants have been flushing wastewater with levels of selenium that far exceed EPA standards into U.S. waterways.
The Big Bend plant was included in the Post's analysis..........more

Friends Of Stogie

At The Tally Ho

Solar Car Stops In Tampa

It's a glimmer of gold and black topping out at 75 mph. No stops for gas. Just food, rest and friends. But it's a looker.......here

The 28th Annual WMNF Tropical Heatwave

Saturday May 16, 5:00PM -- Cuban Club, Ybor City
here

Bob Graham Endorses Alex Sink

Former Gov. Bob Graham has endorsed Alex Sink for Florida's next Governor. Graham is the most respected Democratic politician in Florida. The endorsement is symbolically huge for Sink.........here

Under-The-Bus Week For Hillsborough’s County Commissioners

For all of you mass transit supporters … buses everywhere were busy last week giving you a glimpse of what really goes on down at County Center...........more

Dan Gelber To Campaign In Tampa

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Dan Gelber will be in Tampa on Friday.

here

Colleen Sullivan Of Tampa

A Tampa mother who deputies say left her baby in a hot car while she broke into a home and punched a resident was arrested Monday. Colleen Sullivan, 21, lifted a sliding glass door off its track to enter a home at 1326 Autumn Drive while
her 4-month-old boy sat in 93-degree heat outside...........more

Patrick Manteiga: Half The Man He Used To Be

My Kind of Town

Ybor City in Tampa is my favorite place to hang out and take photos. It's been a part of my life since the early eighties when I attended college there...........more

Palmetto Beach

Where is this little building. What country is it in? When I found it I drove right by at first, circled back and stopped right in front and just studied it for a while..........here

Alex Sink For Governor Of Florida!

When Alex Sink is elected in November 2010, she will be Florida’s first woman governor!

here

www.AlexSink2010.com

Salvation Army Shelter In St. Pete

I love the daily paper. In no other publication can you read one article full of facts, shedding light on some problem and then read a columnist in the next section completely unaware of said facts and making uneducated statements. I bring this up, because I just finished my Sunday edition of the St. Petersburg Times..........more

Tampa No.1 ‘Cookout Capital’ In Florida

Propane tank exchange brand Blue Rhino has just announced its top 100 Cookout Capitals for 2009.

here

Bike To Work Day In Tampa

Downtown Tampa will be celebrating National Bike to Work Day on May 15 with group rides coming in from literally all directions. Participants will meet up afterwards at Indigo Coffee for a free beverage........here

Local Hero Tyler Kemmitzer

Saw his 3-year-old sister standing on the pool ladder, a frozen expression on her face. Her hand was pointing down toward the water. She was pointing at Ashley Lawler, floating face-down. Tyler took only seconds Sunday evening to clamber over a 4-foot fence, jump into the above-ground pool and grab Ashley........here

Jamie Bennett

For St. Petersburg Mayor

here

Lisa, Zachary, And Savannah Freiberg Of Tampa

Lisa worked at Wal-Mart on Dale Mabry Highway at Bearss Avenue where dozens of her friends and co-workers attended the ceremony in the lobby. The 26-year-old mother and her young children were brutally killed in their Lutz home on Mother's Day last year.........here

A Place Called Chiapas

Wednesday, May 13, 8:00pm
Cafe Bohemia, 937 Central Ave. St. Petersburg

Sara Swanson's Work Out

A Tampa mother has been charged with child neglect after her 3-year-old son was found wandering their apartment complex Sunday afternoon without any clothes on.........more