And Floridians Get Screwed
It's important to note that had the driver stopped that February night, probably no charges would have been filed. But leaving the scene of a deadly crash is a serious felony. The detective decided he couldn't put a 16-year-old cheerleader named Jordan Valdez at the wheel of the Nissan Murano believed to have hit Sjostrom. He gave the teenager a ticket and a stern lecture at her lawyer's office as she cried. Then the case was administratively closed...........more
Meet Loaf
Brand New, Hardly Used
Congratulations
George Howell and former County Commissioner Jan Platt are trying to stave off demolition for 30 days to find a way to restore and maintain the house. Howell said he has contacted U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, and Hillsborough County Administrator Pat Bean for help.........here
Bush joked about how much time his father, former President George H.W. Bush, and Clinton spend together. He said his mother, Barbara Bush, "said President Clinton and Father share the stage so much, he's like a son to her."............more
There could be a bounty on the head -- and frighteningly long body -- of the Burmese python, serpent scourge of the Everglades..........more
One of the St. Petersburg Times' sharpest minds and most fearless columnists 
Assorted Chinese 
Support one of the coolest theatres not only in Tampa, but across the whole United States this week by purchasing just about anything at Barnes and Noble..........here
Last week during the heavy and prolonged rains in Palm Coast Florida, an osprey nest with two chicks was completely destroyed. The osprey family was obviously distraught and hung around the nest location trying to survive...........here
Kiley Gardens, the hotly contested riverfront park nestled between Kennedy Boulevard and the new Tampa Museum of Art off of Ashley Street, will be saved after all. Well, most of it will be saved........more
Pork Chops
Last week, 2008 congressional challenger Annette Taddeo suggested she might be interested in a possible run for CFO. This would be a very good idea. If you already know about Annette and agree, go sign the petition and encourage her to jump into the race.........here
And It Was Commissioner Al Higginbotham's Idea
As if the past dirty deeds and developer-driven agendas of many of our Hillsborough County commissioners wasn’t proof enough (yes, we mean you Team Sprawl) now the Florida Legislature has shown you exactly why we need Florida Hometown Democracy (FHD). FHD is a citizen-driven initiative that would allow voters to make growth decisions instead of leaving it in the greased and dirty hands of politicians. To help make the case for FHD, there is this year’s legislative session........more 
Folks, many of you used the now-closed Friendship Trail and want the trail re-opened. Well, you'll get your chance to talk at two important public meetings to held by the Friendship Trailbridge Oversight Committee -- a public panel made up of county commissioners and staff members from both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties..........here
If something Che Guevara-related happens in America and Miami Cubans don't make a fuss about it,
A St. Pete Times story says it will cost $15 million -- not $30 million as originally thought -- to repair the Friendship Trail Bridge so that its life would be extended by 10 years........here
The Hillsborough County Office of Neighborhood Relations is looking for nominees for the summer quarter 2009 Lonnie Lea Napier Good Neighbor Award. Individuals, neighborhood associations and community groups may make nominations to the Office of Neighborhood Relations 
Three organizations just backed five homeless individuals in filing a class-action lawsuit against the City of St. Petersburg on behalf of all of the homeless people living in the city. The three organizations are the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, the Southern Legal Counsel, and Florida Institutional Legal Services..........here
Senator Mike Bennett-R who spawned SB 360. A bill that dismantles growth management. 
The owner of the City Wide Mini-Storage at 1942 Second Ave. S in St. Petersburg, Vito Farese, is suing the city because he feels it should have compensated him when the Pinellas Trail was put in............more
I typically don't like getting into politics, but when my friend Brad told me about the 100 Days of Obama event at Kafa Café in midtown Miami, I was more than happy to attend..........more
Now, more than ever, your voice needs to be heard by the Governor. Yesterday he signed HB 227 into law, which is the impact fee bill. Local governments have their hands tied for the next two years to increase or add any new impact fees to pay for new development.
Phenomenal advocate for single payer Dr. Greg Silver of Physicians For National Health Program will be providing his expertise as we speak with Sen. Nelson's people and the media.
This small bible turned up in the buttoned back pocket of some khakis I bought. My receipt shows two polo shirts, pants, chicken tenders and potato logs hot from the deli. Store manager Eric Hirons of (the Supercenter in New Port Richey) name and phone number appears as well.............here
Sanford police wanted to make a drug bust early Saturday morning. They didn't make an arrest but did accidentally burn down a house........here
Remember the Charlie Crist who in February happily shared a stage in Fort Myers with President Obama? Remember the Charlie Crist who loved the nearly $800 billion economic stimulus plan that only three of his fellow Republicans in Congress voted for? Remember That Charlie Crist?........here
The White House Boys, now men in their 50s and 60s finally got a deposition with the man they accused of the intense beating that went on in the building they dubbed "The White House" on the campus of the Florida Industrial School for Boys in Mariana, Florida..........more
Was the death of 20-year-old Joey Turner on July 4, 2004, in the Gulf of Mexico, less than 100 yards off St. Pete Beach a tragic drowning—–or was it a homicide? Nearly five years later there are more questions than answers surrounding the mysterious death of Turner, an accomplished swimmer, in a “boating accident” after he allegedly jumped from a vessel being operated by Lance Skipper, 19, son of prominent Pinellas County developer Paul Skipper............here
Tampa Police (Finaly) Executed A Search Warrant 
County health officials say the high levels of bacteria indicate fecal pollution, which could cause disease, infections or rashes if a swimmer ingests the water..........here
Left her 96-year-old aunt at a local Salvation Army shelter in Bradenton , then left for a Walt Disney World vacation with no plans to return for her...........here
