By Paulette Lash Ritchie, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Tod Leiweke, left, CEO of the Tampa Bay Lightning, looks on as Springstead High School principal Susan Duval presents an anti-bullying award to junior class president William Allen.

SPRING HILL -- Sean Sexton does not want bullying to have any place at Springstead High School.

He handles in-school suspensions and frequently asks his students if bullying may have, in some way, played a part in the students being in his room.

Sexton suggests students might end up in ISS for skipping classes because they have been trying to avoid bullies. "I think it's part of my responsibility that it's not accepted," he said.

"Bullying," said Sexton, 55, "takes a number of forms" such as name calling and cyber bullying.

Another of Sexton's interests is the Tampa Bay Lightning. He's a big hockey fan, and found himself late ...

By Paulette Lash Ritchie, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Essay contest: Sons of Italy Nature Coast Lodge No. 2502 is sponsoring an essay contest for high school and middle school students. The theme is, "How the Italian Culture Has Influenced and Enriched World Civilization." Essays should be 400 words. The deadline is Oct. 31. Cash prizes will be awarded. Send essays to Nina Maurer, 7300 Clearmeadow Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34606. Call Nina at (352) 683-7713.

Hernando High: Sports Hall of Fame Inductees will be introduced during half time at the varsity football game on Nov. 4 at Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. with Hernando High facing Mitchell High School. The foyer in the HHS Michael A. Imhoff Gymnasium will have the Sports Hall of Fame inductees' photos on display. Call Joy Nagy at (352) 797-7015, ext. 410, to buy tickets.

Moton ...

By Paulette Lash Ritchie, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

SPRING HILL

Assistant principal wins literacy award

Gina Machelicka, assistant principal at Springstead High School, has won one of the Florida Department of Education's 2011 Just Read, Florida! Literacy Awards. In the category of High School Literacy Leader of the Year (district and state), she was selected from among district and school-level administrators who demonstrate superior leadership qualities and advance policies to foster excellence in literacy education at all levels, according to the DOE. Machelicka has a master's degree in reading and certifications in elementary education, reading and educational leadership/administration. She has been in education for 21 years, six of which have been in Hernando County. This is her first year at Springstead High School. The Department of Education's Just Read, Florida! office works with community groups and volunteer organizations throughout the state to help make ...

By Paulette Lash Ritchie, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

SPRING HILL — Terrible, horrible things are expected to happen at Horror High on Halloween weekend. The squeamish and timid should stay far, far away. But for those looking for a good Halloween scare, it's the place to be.

This year, the second Springstead High School Horror High night will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 29. The event's prep team includes the school's marketing and management, sport entertainment recreation marketing and graphics students, guided by teachers Marco Feola, Tim Plumadore and Todd Toomer.

A big success last year, bringing in more than 1,500 visitors, the students are preparing for everything imaginable.

"Everything that's done here is student planned," said Feola. "Everything fits within the curriculum of marketing and design."

Horror High is all about business, he explained. It has designing components and business ...

By Demorris A. Lee, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

SAFETY HARBOR — The city will attempt to renegotiate the purchase price for 13 acres of Safety Harbor Resort and Spa property after the land was appraised at more than $1 million less than the city planned to pay.

The original contract price for the undeveloped parcel between the spa and Old Tampa Bay was about $3.3 million, but a survey of the land completed last week found less usable upland than previously thought, lowering the value to $2.9 million.

An appraiser hired by the city set the value even lower, at $1.9 million.

On Monday, city commissioners authorized the city manager and city attorney to reopen negotiations with the spa owner, Olympia Development Group, to seek a reduced purchase price.

Commissioners have agreed that the bayfront land would be desirable for recreation, but now they are ...

By Piper Castillo, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Lee Roy Selmon’s restaurant opened in June as the anchor of the newly renovated Park Avenue shopping center in Palm Harbor. The $3.5 million upgrade includes a new roof, wiring, air-conditioning units and a facade with a Mediterranean flair.

PALM HARBOR — The night before the newest restaurant bearing his name opened to the public, Lee Roy Selmon, along with his brothers, Dewey and Lucious Selmon, appeared at a private fundraiser at the eatery on U.S. 19 N. The evening was to benefit the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation and the Palm Harbor Panthers youth football league.

That night, June 13, is one of those rare moments now etched in time, says Greg Lynn, president of the Tampa-based restaurant chain.

"The restaurant was packed inside and out. Jack Harris (a Tampa radio personality) interviewed Lee Roy, and the ...

By Robert Trigaux, Times Business Columnist
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

What one Florida business incentive giveth, another Texas business incentive taketh away.

This is a cautionary tale of two companies recruited by jobs-hungry states. One business is bringing jobs to Tampa Bay, lured by taxpayer incentives. Another's exiting our metro area, lured to Texas by – what a coincidence! – taxpayer incentives.

Florida economic development officials cheered last month's recruiting coup. Tampa Bay beat out Atlanta with an incentive-laden deal to bring Time Warner and its pledge of 500 jobs by 2016 to Hillsborough County. Those jobs will carry average salaries of $57,200.

Time Warner chief financial officer John Martin was a veritable poster child for the Florida's pro-business climate. "You (Florida) have created a business environment where we can feel good about investing today with an eye toward growing in the future," he said.

Florida Gov. Rick ...

By Richard Danielson, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

TAMPA — Nothing about Tampa's panhandling problem has been simple or easy for the City Council, so why should today's vote on a partial ban be any different?

Here's the latest twist:

Council Chairman Charlie Miranda said two City Hall attorneys have called him to say that one or more council members might oppose his plan to cast the deciding vote on the ban by telephone. His "aye" vote would break a 3-to-3 tie, approving an ordinance the council has struggled with for months.

Miranda, who is at home recovering from surgery over the summer, shrugged off the lawyers' concerns.

"They're worried about something that I don't think will happen," he said Wednesday. "But if it happens, let it roll."

Miranda, who supports the proposed ban, said he expects to return to the council soon anyway ...

By Lorri Helfand, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

OLDSMAR — The rate that residents pay for city sewer service may begin escalating next year if Oldsmar takes the advice of its consultant.

In a preliminary report, the company recommends a series of three consecutive 7.5 percent sewer rate increases beginning in October 2012.

But there is a bright spot in the report by Public Resources Management Group Inc.: It recommends no future increases in water rates through September 2015.

The city expects its new $20 million reverse-osmosis water treatment plant to be operating by the middle of next year, so Oldsmar plans to stop buying water from Pinellas County then. The study bases its projections on that plan.

The amount of water that households use determines water and sewer charges on their bill. On average, customers who live in the city use roughly 5,000 gallons each month ...

By Luis Perez, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

TAMPA — His boss wanted him to have a nice boost in pay, but Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano said Wednesday he'll pass on a raise in this tough economy.

Hillsborough County Aviation Authority chairman Steven Burton said this week that after nine months on the job, Lopano deserved more money — "substantially more'' than the 3 percent other agency employees received Oct. 1.

The subject was to come before the board Thursday.

In a statement, Lopano said: "I appreciate the confidence members of the Aviation Authority board have in me. We were fortunate to be able to offer employees a 3 percent raise this year, after they went three years without one. But given the difficult economy, I don't think it's appropriate for me to accept a raise at this time."

Lopano earns a salary of $250 ...

By Luis Perez, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

TAMPA — His boss wanted him to have a nice boost in pay, but Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano said Wednesday he'll pass on a raise in this tough economy.

Hillsborough County Aviation Authority chairman Steven Burton said this week that after nine months on the job, Lopano deserved more money — "substantially more'' than the 3 percent other agency employees received Saturday.

The subject was to come before the board today.

In a statement, Lopano said: "I appreciate the confidence members of the Aviation Authority board have in me. We were fortunate to be able to offer employees a 3 percent raise this year, after they went three years without one. But given the difficult economy, I don't think it's appropriate for me to accept a raise at this time."

Lopano's salary is $250,000 under ...

By Beth N. Gray, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Thomas Thorne of Spring Hill receives the U.S. Coast Guard Commendation Medal on behalf of his late father, James Thorne, from Capt. Sheryl Dickinson in St. Petersburg on Tuesday.

SPRING HILL — But for the actions of a handful of brave Coast Guardsmen, the date of April 24, 1943, might be as infamous as Sept. 11, 2001.

On that date, during the height of World War II, a ship loaded with 13,650 tons of explosives — from bombs to ammunition — was ablaze on the New York City waterfront.

Had the burning S.S. El Estero — tied up next to two other munitions ships and a dockside fuel storage depot — exploded, experts say the resulting conflagration could have wiped out half the city's population and buildings.

"It was the greatest man-made disaster in American history that never happened," according to ...

By Bill Varian, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

TAMPA — Hillsborough County authorities are looking for ways to make it easier for authorities to arrest suspected prostitutes working the streets in unincorporated areas.

Borrowing from the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg, county commissioners are considering passing a law making it illegal to participate in activities that signal an intent to sell sex.

Potentially illegal activities would include "strolling" along public rights of way while waving to or trying to stop passing motorists, or repeatedly entering different vehicles for short periods of time. Touching oneself in a provocative manner could also be grounds for arrest.

The ordinance would also seek to thwart suspected prostitutes and their customers from trying to identify undercover officers. It would make it illegal for the suspected prostitute or customer to ask someone if they are a law enforcement officer. It would also be illegal ...

By Bill Varian, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

TAMPA — Hillsborough County authorities are looking for ways to make it easier for authorities to arrest suspected prostitutes working the streets in unincorporated areas.

Borrowing from the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg, county commissioners are considering passing a law making it illegal to participate in activities that signal an intent to sell sex.

Potentially illegal activities would include "strolling" along public rights of way while waving to or trying to stop passing motorists, or repeatedly entering different vehicles for short periods of time. Touching oneself in a provocative manner could also be grounds for arrest.

The ordinance would also seek to thwart suspected prostitutes and their customers from trying to identify undercover officers. It would make it illegal for the suspected prostitute or customer to ask someone if they are a law enforcement officer. It would also be illegal ...

By Jeffrey S. Solochek, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

At Pasco High, a freshly landscaped red-bricked quad replaced a dusty, nearly grassless courtyard. The renovations at Pasco High and Middle cost the district about $36 million total, supported by Penny for Pasco sales tax revenue.

DADE CITY — All summer long, Jesenia Perez would pass by the construction barriers at Pasco High School, trying to sneak a peek at how the renovations were going.

"You couldn't see anything," said Perez, a junior who works in the school office.

Finally, at registration, the walls came down.

"I walked out there," she said. "I was like, 'Oh, this is so different.'"

Seventh-grader Alexis Alvarez had similar thoughts as she took in the new look of Pasco Middle School just a mile away.

"We came over here quite a bit" during the summer to check out construction, she said. "We were ...

By Danny Valentine, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

TAMPA — Charges against a former Marine accused of trying to kill a Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy were upgraded Wednesday.

Matthew Lane Buendia, 24, remains in jail while the question of whether he should be allowed to bail out is decided.

A hearing on his on-again, off-again bail that was set for Thursday afternoon was postponed and has not been rescheduled.

Buendia is accused of shooting Deputy Lyonelle De Veaux three times as she responded to a domestic violence call involving him last week at his Carrollwood apartment complex.

Under new charges filed by the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office, he now faces a charge of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, domestic violence strangulation and domestic violence.

Those charges add the aggravated battery count and upgrade the attempted murder ...

By Kim Wilmath and Marlene Sokol, Times Staff Writers
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

TAMPA — Felicia Jones snaked around the pick-up line to Chamberlain High School on Wednesday afternoon, feeling a little more anxious than days before.

She and other parents learned a day earlier that a 16-year-old girl on a hall pass was, according to police, raped this week in a gymnasium bathroom by a fellow student while the school was in session.

"It's scary," Jones said. "It's hard because kids think it's not going to happen to them."

Jones joined other parents in wondering what can be done to make the school safer — and what the district can do to prevent it from happening again.

After the incident, faculty at Hillsborough County schools were reminded to restrict hall passes to only those students who need them for emergencies, including bathroom breaks, a district spokeswoman said.

Remote ...

David DeCamp, Times staff writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Eight years ago, Pinellas County commissioners decided to add fluoride to the drinking water.

On Tuesday, the board eliminated fluoride despite pleas from dentists who said its absence would cause more rotten teeth.

Credit tea party activism for the reversal.

The tea party movement took flight in 2009 in opposition to big government programs on the national stage, but its influence has since trickled down to local governments to affect the most basic of services — right down to the water that pours from your tap.

"What you see is the rise of the new conservatism," said Todd Pressman, who lobbies county government. "I think it's the tea party, but it's also the mood shifting across the country. . . . The tea party is the tip of the sword."

A blast of conservatism in 2010 helped elect Commissioner Norm Roche, who put ...

By Andrew Meacham, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Times Staff Writer

SEMINOLE — In the spring of 1978, a time when Jimmy Carter was president and Annie Hall was the best picture of the year, a group of vocational students were taking shifts in a pasture behind Seminole Vocational Education Center.

A horse named Sugar was expected to deliver a foal.

It happened at night. Toby, a black Appaloosa with white spots, was the first horse ever born at the school.

A year later, his coat had lightened to a mottled gray.

"He was an ornery guy in his younger years, but he was always a very loving guy," said Peggy Biram, a teacher in the school's veterinary program for 23 years.

As he matured, Toby displayed a personality both gentle and stubborn. Instead of jumping over a rail with an equestrian rider aboard, he was known to ...

By Andrew Meacham, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Toby, an Appaloosa, was born at Seminole Vocational Education Center and was a beloved ambassador for the school. He was injured on Saturday and died Sunday.

SEMINOLE — In the spring of 1978, a time when Jimmy Carter was president and Annie Hall was named the best picture of the year, a group of vocational students were taking shifts in a pasture behind Seminole Vocational Education Center.

A horse named Sugar was expected to deliver a foal.

It happened at night. Toby, a black Appaloosa with white spots, was the first horse ever born at the school.

A year later, his coat had lightened to a mottled gray.

"He was an ornery guy in his younger years, but he was always a very loving guy," said Peggy Biram, a teacher in the school's veterinary program for 23 years.

As he ...