Central Tampa News

'Deacon of Death' loses appeal in murders of Tampa prostitutes

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:03:00 EDT

A former Baptist deacon has lost an appeal of his death sentences for the sensational 1996 murders of two Tampa prostitutes.

Tampa police round up gang members, unveil anti-gang site

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:01:00 EDT

As part of an anti-gang campaign, Tampa police say they have targeted key members of a loosely organized gang in the Grant Park neighborhood. Investigators say the Young Godz Gang is selling drugs there. A roundup Tuesday was designed to target some of the gang's key figures and lead to federal indictments for drug distribution. But there's more to law enforcement's anti-gang efforts than just trying to shut down one gang. At a news conference today, Mayor Pam Iorio, Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee and Tampa police Chief Steve Hogue plan to tell people about the gang lifestyle.

TIA group to discuss noise complaints, construction

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:06:00 EDT

Tampa International Airport's Community Noise Consortium has scheduled a public meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the third-floor boardroom of the main terminal.

Art center chock full of winning pieces

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Winners have been announced in two shows hanging at the Old Hyde Park Art Center through July 24.

Youths visit N.Y., D.C.

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A nonprofit group recently gave 10 students an eight-day trip of a lifetime to New York and Washington, D.C.

CVS project hinges on beer sales

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

CVS Pharmacy hopes to build a drugstore on the site of a used car lot at the corner of Sligh and Nebraska avenues.

Outdoor vendor faces new hurdle

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

For Hakim Aquil, the bad news is he might have to move or improve a structure that houses his clothing and accessories business at North Boulevard and Columbus Drive because it doesn't meet city standards as a permanent structure.

Now Gandy's 'got personality'

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Jerry Frankhouser said he has learned to turn out of the Dunkin' Donuts parking lot onto Gandy Boulevard to make a U-turn and get back to his Bayside West house.

Fashion show to help homeless veterans

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Tampa Woman's Club will present its annual LifePath Hospice Thrift Store Fashion Show and Tea on July 30.

Chiller for garden center now considered a bad fit

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A subcontractor hired to install air-conditioning at the Seminole Heights Garden Center says the city wants to buy a system that is too large, too expensive and ultimately could create a "sick" building.

3 pools on upgrade list still closed

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Three city pools remain dry this summer because budget cuts and inclement weather make repairs and federally required upgrades a challenge.

Plant duo named to U.S. team

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Even after having been named to the U.S. Junior National Rowing team for the past two seasons, the thrill of being selected hasn't worn off for Plant's Molly Hamrick.

Crash shocks resident

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Eugenia Julian often watched television in her living room until 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning.

Post-Meeting Friendship TrailBridge Interviews With County Commissioners

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:42:00 EDT

SWFBUD interviewed Pinellas County Commissioner Calvin Harris, who seemed supportive of fixing and re-opening the Friendship TrailBridge.

Then, SWFBUD chatted with Hillsborough County Comissioner Al Higginbotham, who also sits on the TrailBridge committee.

Live From The Friendship Trailbridge Meeting

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:04:00 EDT

I'm blogging live from the Friendship TrailBridge meeting at the Weeden Nature Center in St. Petersburg regarding the future of the Friendship Trail. A committee of officials and citizens from both Pinellas and Hillsborough counties will hear a report, which says it will cost $15 million to fix the old Gandy Bridge that serves as the Friendship Trail.

SWFBUD wants both counties to fix the bridge, which has structural problems. Both counties own the trail-bridge.

$4 million was scheduled for improvements, but now there are four different options, including demolishing it for $13 million and fixing it for $15 million. Partial improvement and repair of the limited end portions is $10 million. New piers and bridge demolition would be $17 million.

An engineer is giving a powerpoint to show the "internal structural defects" for the 1956 bridge. In 1995, the new bridge for westbound traffic opened.

The TrailBridge is one of the longest pedestrian bridges over water in the world -- 2.6 miles long.

Problem is there is deterioration -- and the powerpoint shows nasty cracks and deterioration in the beams and steel tendons. The bridge has been closed since November 2008.

It's a packed house here in a meeting room, including Adam Beland, owner of Bicycle Outfitters in Seminole and Dottie Jessup of Chainwheel Drive in Clearwater. I'd say about 100 people are here.

Friendship TrailBridge's future up for discussion

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:00:00 EDT

People with opinions about the closed Friendship TrailBridge have a chance today and Wednesday to express their views.

Slain teen's dad avoids jail

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Vidal Mills admits he hasn't done the best at keeping his temper in check, especially after his son, a Jefferson High football star, was gunned down in their driveway in 2007.

Services set Saturday for Dorsches

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:11:00 EDT

A memorial service for Dan and Cyndi Dorsch, the New Tampa couple killed last week in a plane crash in Virginia, is set for Saturday.

Settlement from crosstown collapse to fund extra downtown lane

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EDT

The Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority plans another lane going both ways on the expressway for a mile between Morgan and 19th streets. The extra lane would add $50 million in costs to an already approved $70 million project to replace old decking on four lanes in that vicinity.

Students surprise state's 'teacher of the year'

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:14:00 EDT

Megan Allen, a Hillsborough county elementary school teacher recently honored as the state's best, is greeted by students and other admirers Monday after a summer-school class.