Times staff
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
PINELLAS PARK
Van driver dies after hitting concrete pole
A 43-year-old Clearwater man was killed Tuesday after his van crashed into a concrete pole, police said. The man, who was not identified pending notification of his next of kin, was driving a 1996 Dodge minivan north in the 6800 block of 49th Street about noon, police said, when his vehicle veered to the right and hit a light pole, police said. He was taken to Northside Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said the crash may have involved a medical condition, but they still are investigating.
TARPON SPRINGS
Mom rescues toddler from pool
A 2-year-old girl who almost drowned after falling into the family pool was rescued by her mother Tuesday morning, police said. Anastasia Korfias fell into the above-ground pool about 8 a.m. Her mother, Tracy Korfias, found her and then ran into the house and called 911. Anastasia wasn't breathing, so her mother struck her back with the palm of her hand, police said. Anastasia then began to breathe. She was taken by helicopter to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg and was alert and responsive, police said. Anastasia was only out of the sight of her mother for a few minutes, police said. An initial investigation suggests the ladder to the pool was hanging instead of being secured where it wouldn't be usable, police said. Everything else about the pool was proper and safe, police said, noting that this was an accident.
North Pinellas
Questions sought for candidates
The Council of North County Neighborhoods is hosting a candidates forum at 7 p.m. Monday, and the organization is inviting the public to send questions for the participants. The program, which will include candidates for State House District 48, County Commission Districts 2 and 4 and the East Lake Fire Commission, will be held at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 1555 Windmill Pointe Road, Palm Harbor. Submit your questions by Friday by either visiting www.cncnpc.org, e-mailing done@cncnpc.org or calling Don Ewing at (727) 560-5586.
Clearwater
Golf tourney set to fight disease
In celebration of Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Upper Pinellas/Pasco/Hernando Counties Inc. will host a golf tournament Sept. 25 at Clearwater Country Club, 525 N Betty Lane. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and play begins at 9 a.m. Cost is $80 a person and includes 18 holes, range balls, cart fee, green fee and luncheon. A hole-in-one can win a 2010 Nissan Altima donated by Lokey Nissan. Businesses can present their banners on one of the holes for $250 each. Checks should be made payable to SCDA Upper Pinellas/Pasco/Hernando Counties Inc. and sent to P.O. Box 6312, Clearwater, FL 33758-6312. Call Deborah Peterson at (727) 474-2538.