The St. Petersburg Times
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Headlines for Sunday, February 5, 2012
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Florida's education system needs reform — not recklessness
By Ernest Hooper, Metro Columnist
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Is it just me, or does someone else think that the people overseeing public education at the state level would like nothing more than to end the system and turn over the task of teaching our children to charter conglomerates, online educators and pricey private schools?Yes, new options have a place, but not at the expense of our neediest students. We need education reform, not education recklessness. …If Clearwater restaurant server Alexandra Chaar had won $700,000 in the 1980s, she could have invested those winnings and probably yielded $140,000 a year in returns — enough to live comfortably for the rest of her life.These days, she would be lucky to get back $28,000 a year. It's refreshing that she wants to keep working, but at 21, she doesn't have much of a choice if you ... -
Florida's education system needs reform — not recklessness
By Ernest Hooper, Metro Columnist
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Is it just me, or does someone else think that the people overseeing public education at the state level would like nothing more than to end the system and turn over the task of teaching our children to charter conglomerates, online educators and pricey private schools?Yes, new options have a place, but not at the expense of our neediest students. We need education reform, not education recklessness. …If Clearwater restaurant server Alexandra Chaar had won $700,000 in the 1980s, she could have invested those winnings and probably yielded $140,000 a year in returns — enough to live comfortably for the rest of her life.These days, she would be lucky to get back $28,000 a year. It's refreshing that she wants to keep working, but at 21, she doesn't have much of a choice if you ... -
Riverview pair charged in counterfeiting operation
Times staff
Sunday, February 5, 2012
TAMPA — A traffic stop led authorities to a small-scale counterfeiting operation Saturday afternoon in an Adamo Drive hotel room, deputies said.After David Walter Michel Jr. was stopped for driving on a suspended license, a Hillsborough County deputy's report states, he consented to a search of his room at a Days Inn off Interstate 75.There, deputies said they found two dozen counterfeit bills, a printer, Social Security cards and copying paper, as well as painkillers and a bag of crystal methamphetamine.Michel, 23, and Kelly Ann Kind, 38, both of Riverview were charged with 17 counts of possession: counterfeit bills, an instrument for forging and a controlled substance. Kind was also charged with six counts of fraudulent use of personal information and Michel was charged with driving on a suspended license. Both Kind and Michel remained in jail Sunday. -
Riverview pair charged in counterfeiting operation
Times staff
Sunday, February 5, 2012
TAMPA — A traffic stop led authorities to a small-scale counterfeiting operation Saturday afternoon in an Adamo Drive hotel room, deputies said.After David Walter Michel Jr. was stopped for driving on a suspended license, a Hillsborough County deputy's report states, he consented to a search of his room at a Days Inn off Interstate 75.There, deputies said they found two dozen counterfeit bills, a printer, Social Security cards and copying paper, as well as painkillers and a bag of crystal methamphetamine.Michel, 23, and Kelly Ann Kind, 38, both of Riverview were charged with 17 counts of possession: counterfeit bills, an instrument for forging and a controlled substance. Kind was also charged with six counts of fraudulent use of personal information and Michel was charged with driving on a suspended license. Both Kind and Michel remained in jail Sunday. -
Deputies: Man pulls gun after scuffle outside Carrollwood sushi bar
Times staff
Sunday, February 5, 2012
TAMPA — A man pulled a handgun on a small crowd early Sunday morning after a scuffle outside a Carrollwood sushi restaurant, Hillsborough County deputies said.Trevor Leon Boyce, 26, pushed one person to the ground in a parking lot outside Ocean Blue Carrollwood, 13030 N Dale Mabry Highway, around 2:45 a.m., a deputy's report states.Boyce then fetched a .40-caliber Glock pistol from his vehicle and pointed the gun at three others standing about 5 feet away.A witness disarmed Boyce, and deputies arrested him on a charge of simple battery and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.Boyce was released from the Hillsborough County Jail on $6,500 bail Sunday morning. -
Deputies: Man pulls gun after scuffle outside Carrollwood sushi bar
Times staff
Sunday, February 5, 2012
TAMPA — A man pulled a handgun on a small crowd early Sunday morning after a scuffle outside a Carrollwood sushi restaurant, Hillsborough County deputies said.Trevor Leon Boyce, 26, pushed one person to the ground in a parking lot outside Ocean Blue Carrollwood, 13030 N Dale Mabry Highway, around 2:45 a.m., a deputy's report states.Boyce then fetched a .40-caliber Glock pistol from his vehicle and pointed the gun at three others standing about 5 feet away.A witness disarmed Boyce, and deputies arrested him on a charge of simple battery and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.Boyce was released from the Hillsborough County Jail on $6,500 bail Sunday morning. -
Three die, others injured in three-vehicle crash near Zephyrhills
Times staff
Sunday, February 5, 2012
ZEPHYRHILLS — Three people were killed and several others injured after a Sunday morning crash on State Road 54 west of Zephyrhills, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.Around 11 a.m., a 2000 two-door Toyota heading west on S.R. 54 near Ernest Drive failed to stop in traffic and collided with the rear of a 2008 four-door Volkswagen, sending that car into the shoulder.The Toyota then veered into eastbound traffic and smashed into a 2002 four-door Toyota head on. Three people in the eastbound car died at the scene.Several people in all of the cars were injured. The road was closed after the crash and reopened about 2:30 p.m.Names of the victims have not yet been released. The crash remained under investigation. -
Three die, others injured in three-vehicle crash near Zephyrhills
Times staff
Sunday, February 5, 2012
ZEPHYRHILLS — Three people were killed and several others injured after a Sunday morning crash on State Road 54 west of Zephyrhills, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.Around 11 a.m., a 2000 two-door Toyota heading west on S.R. 54 near Ernest Drive failed to stop in traffic and collided with the rear of a 2008 four-door Volkswagen, sending that car into the shoulder.The Toyota then veered into eastbound traffic and smashed into a 2002 four-door Toyota head on. Three people in the eastbound car died at the scene.Several people in all of the cars were injured. The road was closed after the crash and reopened about 2:30 p.m.Names of the victims have not yet been released. The crash remained under investigation. -
Tampa police: Kicked out of bar, drunken man returns with knife
By Stephanie Wang, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 5, 2012
TAMPA — Drunk and disorderly, a Tampa man was told to leave a bar around midnight Saturday. But he wasn't gone long from the Stop In Tavern.Police say he soon returned with a 10-inch kitchen knife.According to jail records, the "extremely intoxicated" suspect confronted a male victim and stabbed him once in the left forearm. The knife, police said, went in one side and out the other.The victim was not named in the arrest report.Bar patrons subdued the suspect until police arrived at the tavern, 4317 W South Ave., in Drew Park.Timoteo Garcia, 40, of Tampa was arrested Sunday morning at St. Joseph's Hospital. He faces a charge of aggravated battery.Garcia was being held Sunday at the Hillsborough County Jail on $7,500 bail. -
Tampa police: Kicked out of bar, drunken man returns with knife
By Stephanie Wang, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 5, 2012
TAMPA — Drunk and disorderly, a Tampa man was told to leave a bar around midnight Saturday. But he wasn't gone long from the Stop In Tavern.Police say he soon returned with a 10-inch kitchen knife.According to jail records, the "extremely intoxicated" suspect confronted a male victim and stabbed him once in the left forearm. The knife, police said, went in one side and out the other.The victim was not named in the arrest report.Bar patrons subdued the suspect until police arrived at the tavern, 4317 W South Ave., in Drew Park.Timoteo Garcia, 40, of Tampa was arrested Sunday morning at St. Joseph's Hospital. He faces a charge of aggravated battery.Garcia was being held Sunday at the Hillsborough County Jail on $7,500 bail. -
Wimauma crash kills man, badly injures woman
By Stephanie Wang, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 5, 2012
TAMPA — A man was killed and a woman was seriously injured Saturday night when an unlicensed driver struck their car head-on, authorities said.Deputies arrested Miguel Angel Utrera-Espinosa, 20, of Wimauma in connection with the crash.Deputies said he was driving a Chevrolet Trailblazer south on West Lake Drive in Wimauma, near Ruth Morris Road. About 6:30 p.m., his vehicle crossed the center line, colliding with a Chevrolet Camaro traveling north.The driver of the Camaro, 34-year-old Nadia Null of Wimauma, was flown to Tampa General Hospital. She was in serious condition, according to Hillsborough County sheriff's spokesman Larry McKinnon.Her passenger, Ruben G. Rivera, 46, also of Wimauma, was flown separately to Tampa General Hospital, where he died.According to arrest records, Utrera-Espinosa admitted to drinking alcohol before the crash. Deputies said he does not have ... -
Wimauma crash kills man, badly injures woman
By Stephanie Wang, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 5, 2012
TAMPA — A man was killed and a woman was seriously injured Saturday night when an unlicensed driver struck their car head-on, authorities said.Deputies arrested Miguel Angel Utrera-Espinosa, 20, of Wimauma in connection with the crash.Deputies said he was driving a Chevrolet Trailblazer south on West Lake Drive in Wimauma, near Ruth Morris Road. About 6:30 p.m., his vehicle crossed the center line, colliding with a Chevrolet Camaro traveling north.The driver of the Camaro, 34-year-old Nadia Null of Wimauma, was flown to Tampa General Hospital. She was in serious condition, according to Hillsborough County sheriff's spokesman Larry McKinnon.Her passenger, Ruben G. Rivera, 46, also of Wimauma, was flown separately to Tampa General Hospital, where he died.According to arrest records, Utrera-Espinosa admitted to drinking alcohol before the crash. Deputies said he does not have ... -
Fight after monster truck show leaves man with critical head injury, Tampa police say
By Stephanie Wang, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 5, 2012
TAMPA — A fight broke out Saturday night after the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam truck competition, leaving a man in critical condition with a serious head injury, Tampa police said.Police identified the victim as David Stanaland, 34.Described by authorities as an "isolated incident," the fight occurred around 10:30 p.m. between two groups walking near Leroy Street and Himes Avenue, south of Raymond James Stadium, after the monster truck show there.Police have not made any arrests in the incident, said Tampa police spokesman Lt. Lee Bercaw. The investigation continued as authorities tried to determine what happened, he said. -
Fight after monster truck show leaves man with critical head injury, Tampa police say
By Stephanie Wang, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 5, 2012
TAMPA — A fight broke out Saturday night after the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam truck competition, leaving a man in critical condition with a serious head injury, Tampa police said.Police identified the victim as David Stanaland, 34.Described by authorities as an "isolated incident," the fight occurred around 10:30 p.m. between two groups walking near Leroy Street and Himes Avenue, south of Raymond James Stadium, after the monster truck show there.Police have not made any arrests in the incident, said Tampa police spokesman Lt. Lee Bercaw. The investigation continued as authorities tried to determine what happened, he said. -
Hillsborough traffic stop leads to human smuggling charges
By Stephanie Wang, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 5, 2012
TAMPA — A deputy who pulled over a sport utility vehicle without a license tag discovered the driver was transporting five Mexican citizens in the county illegally, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.The driver, 21-year-old Kathleen Roberson of Phenix City, Ala., was going through Hillsborough County on her way to take the five to Immokalee, the Sheriff's Office said. She was arrested and the five were held on immigration charges.The incident started around 5:15 p.m. Saturday when a deputy noticed a 2003 Kia Sorento without a license plate near the intersection of Falkenburg Road and Progress Boulevard.Upon investigation, the deputy discovered five of the people in the SUV were in the county illegally and that Roberson was carrying $6,000 cash. U.S. Border Patrol was notified, and an agent seized the SUV ... -
Hillsborough traffic stop leads to human smuggling charges
By Stephanie Wang, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 5, 2012
TAMPA — A deputy who pulled over a sport utility vehicle without a license tag discovered the driver was transporting five Mexican citizens in the county illegally, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.The driver, 21-year-old Kathleen Roberson of Phenix City, Ala., was going through Hillsborough County on her way to take the five to Immokalee, the Sheriff's Office said. She was arrested and the five were held on immigration charges.The incident started around 5:15 p.m. Saturday when a deputy noticed a 2003 Kia Sorento without a license plate near the intersection of Falkenburg Road and Progress Boulevard.Upon investigation, the deputy discovered five of the people in the SUV were in the county illegally and that Roberson was carrying $6,000 cash. U.S. Border Patrol was notified, and an agent seized the SUV ... -
Three die when SUV overturns near Ruskin
By Stephanie Wang, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 5, 2012
GIBSONTON — Three fathers of young children died after the sport utility vehicle they were riding in overturned and ejected them onto U.S. 41 early Sunday, the Florida Highway Patrol said.None of the men was wearing a seat belt, the patrol said.The crash happened about 3:10 a.m. as the 2001 Ford Expedition they were in headed north on U.S. 41, near Valroy Road and south of Ruskin.For some reason, the SUV went off into the grassy median and overturned.All three men were ejected from the Ford onto the southbound lanes and shoulder of the highway, the patrol said, and died on the scene.Troopers and family members identified the victims as Jesus Jaime, 29, Abdiel Cruz, 27, and Erick Venegas-Zuñiga, 29.All three lived in a mobile home park in Gibsonton, family ... -
Three die when SUV overturns near Ruskin
By Stephanie Wang, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 5, 2012
GIBSONTON — Three fathers of young children died after the sport utility vehicle they were riding in overturned and ejected them onto U.S. 41 early Sunday, the Florida Highway Patrol said.None of the men was wearing a seat belt, the patrol said.The crash happened about 3:10 a.m. as the 2001 Ford Expedition they were in headed north on U.S. 41, near Valroy Road and south of Ruskin.For some reason, the SUV went off into the grassy median and overturned.All three men were ejected from the Ford onto the southbound lanes and shoulder of the highway, the patrol said, and died on the scene.Troopers and family members identified the victims as Jesus Jaime, 29, Abdiel Cruz, 27, and Erick Venegas-Zuñiga, 29.All three lived in a mobile home park in Gibsonton, family ... -
Hospice pioneer Mary Labyak dies under the care she helped create
By Dan Sullivan, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Mary Labyak, 63, was CEO of Suncoast Hospice.
Mary Labyak was among a half dozen people who gathered for a cause more than 30 years ago.Some had worked to advance civil rights and other political matters. But together, they agreed that the rights of dying people was one issue that could no longer be ignored.Out of a four-bedroom house in Clearwater, they created Suncoast Hospice, one of the first hospice care organizations in the nation. Later to serve as the organization's CEO, Ms. Labyak proceeded to lead the hospice from its origin as a scrappy health care nonprofit to the vanguard of a new multibillion dollar industry.After battling cancer for more than a year, Ms. Labyak died Saturday (Feb. 4, 2012) at her Clearwater home in the care of a Suncoast Hospice team, the same type ... -
Leftovers from Tampa International Airport food vendors serve new purposes
By Elisabeth Parker, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Kevin Bohl of Feeding America loads food into a truck at Tampa International Airport, part of a program by HMS Host that donates prepackaged food that is replaced every 24 hours. The donated food goes to feed needy children.
TAMPAOnce destined for a landfill, 64 tons of wholesome foods — sandwiches, fruits, cheeses and yogurt parfaits — now fill needy children's dinner plates. Workers used to toss the prepackaged foods after the 24-hour shelf life at cafes in Tampa International Airport. But the foods remained wholesome for a week.Now, kids in after-school programs in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties say the food is delicious.Two years ago, the wasted food began to bother Tim Juul, of HMS Host, which manages airport vendors in Tampa and more than 100 airports around the world.Juul knew local kids were hungry. He knew ... -
Leftovers from Tampa International Airport food vendors serve new purposes
By Elisabeth Parker, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Kevin Bohl of Feeding America loads food into a truck at Tampa International Airport, part of a program by HMS Host that donates prepackaged food that is replaced every 24 hours. The donated food goes to feed needy children.
TAMPAOnce destined for a landfill, 64 tons of wholesome foods — sandwiches, fruits, cheeses and yogurt parfaits — now fill needy children's dinner plates. Workers used to toss the prepackaged foods after the 24-hour shelf life at cafes in Tampa International Airport. But the foods remained wholesome for a week.Now, kids in after-school programs in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties say the food is delicious.Two years ago, the wasted food began to bother Tim Juul, of HMS Host, which manages airport vendors in Tampa and more than 100 airports around the world.Juul knew local kids were hungry. He knew ... -
Leftovers from Tampa International Airport food vendors serve new purposes
By Elisabeth Parker, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Kevin Bohl of Feeding America loads food into a truck at Tampa International Airport, part of a program by HMS Host that donates prepackaged food that is replaced every 24 hours. The donated food goes to feed needy children.
TAMPAOnce destined for a landfill, 64 tons of wholesome foods — sandwiches, fruits, cheeses and yogurt parfaits — now fill needy children's dinner plates. Workers used to toss the prepackaged foods after the 24-hour shelf life at cafes in Tampa International Airport. But the foods remained wholesome for a week.Now, kids in after-school programs in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties say the food is delicious.Two years ago, the wasted food began to bother Tim Juul, of HMS Host, which manages airport vendors in Tampa and more than 100 airports around the world.Juul knew local kids were hungry. He knew ... -
Leftovers from Tampa International Airport food vendors serve new purposes
By Elisabeth Parker, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Kevin Bohl of Feeding America loads food into a truck at Tampa International Airport, part of a program by HMS Host that donates prepackaged food that is replaced every 24 hours. The donated food goes to feed needy children.
TAMPAOnce destined for a landfill, 64 tons of wholesome foods — sandwiches, fruits, cheeses and yogurt parfaits — now fill needy children's dinner plates. Workers used to toss the prepackaged foods after the 24-hour shelf life at cafes in Tampa International Airport. But the foods remained wholesome for a week.Now, kids in after-school programs in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties say the food is delicious.Two years ago, the wasted food began to bother Tim Juul, of HMS Host, which manages airport vendors in Tampa and more than 100 airports around the world.Juul knew local kids were hungry. He knew ... -
New political maps chalk up Tampa Bay winners, losers
By David DeCamp and Lee Logan, Times Staff Writers
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Moving signs. Scuttled ambitions. Bolstered political careers.The once-a-decade redistricting process has dashed the plans of some Tampa Bay lawmakers, and caused others to move their politicking to new neighborhoods to stay in power.A few stand an even better chance to win, if the maps proposed by Florida lawmakers withstand court scrutiny."From my perspective I can tell you there are a half-dozen seats in Tampa Bay that I hate because they are going to be harder to win as a Republican than a month ago," Anthony Pedicini, a Republican consultant on legislative races, said of the effects of new Fair District restrictions on gerrymandering maps. "That never would have happened 10 years ago."A look at some local winners and losers:Loser: State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port RicheyFasano's ambitions to run for ... -
New political maps chalk up Tampa Bay winners, losers
By David DeCamp and Lee Logan, Times Staff Writers
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Moving signs. Scuttled ambitions. Bolstered political careers.The once-a-decade redistricting process has dashed the plans of some Tampa Bay lawmakers, and caused others to move their politicking to new neighborhoods to stay in power.A few stand an even better chance to win, if the maps proposed by Florida lawmakers withstand court scrutiny."From my perspective I can tell you there are a half-dozen seats in Tampa Bay that I hate because they are going to be harder to win as a Republican than a month ago," Anthony Pedicini, a Republican consultant on legislative races, said of the effects of new Fair District restrictions on gerrymandering maps. "That never would have happened 10 years ago."A look at some local winners and losers:Loser: State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port RicheyFasano's ambitions to run for ...