SEMINOLE - John Thompson was watching television about 5:45 p.m. on Feb. 2 when he got a phone call from a neighbor, alerting him to a fire in the building next door at his Twin Oaks Condominium home at 11200 102nd Ave.
Thompson, 70, a winter visitor from Pennsylvania, darted out of his condo and ran to Unit 143 where smoke was pouring out.
“I ran over here and tried to get in the unit,” Thompson said. “I crawled on my hands and knees to get in. But the smoke was so heavy I had to get out. I couldn’t breathe.”
Inside, 97-year-old Alice Haker and her handicapped daughter, 72-year-old Marlene Shaffran, were unconscious. Both later were declared dead from smoke inhalation.
SEMINOLE - Jeanne Marion Crossley Pugh, 87, of Seminole, Fla., passed away January 27, 2012 at Lake Seminole Square.
She was educated at State University of New York at Brockport and worked previously for the Jamestown Post Journal as a reporter and columnist. Jeanne retired from The St. Petersburg Times, where she worked as a reporter, feature writer, columnist, and writer/editor of the Religion section.
She was granted one of six seats for U.S. reporters on Pope John Paul II’s press plan during his 10-city tour of Canada. She was awarded the Best Writer award from the National Religion Newswriters Association.
She served in various capacities for American United for Separation of Church and State, and spoke on such issues before numerous church and civic groups.
SEMINOLE - Over the next few weeks, Seminole residents will vote via mail-in ballots or at the polls March 13 to elect two city councilors.
A field of five candidates - Chris Burke, Tom Christy, Sheryl Goff, Patricia Plantamura and Leslie Waters - will be seeking the two non-partisan, at-large seats for a term of three years, eight months.
The Seminole Beacon takes a look at the candidates with a series of questions designed to help voters make a better decision on Election Day.
SEMINOLE - City residents will have an opportunity to meet the five candidates for City Council during a candidates forum Thursday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m., at Seminole City Hall, 9199 113th St.
The field includes challengers Christopher Burke, Tom Christy and Sheryl Goff, along with incumbents Patricia Plantamura and Leslie Waters. The top two vote getters will win terms of three years, seven months.
A representative from the League of Women Voters will moderate the forum.
Candidates will be given the opportunity for opening and closing statements. Written questions will be taken from the floor the evening of the forum or can be sent in advance to Seminole city clerk Rose Benoit at rbenoit@myseminole.com.
SEMINOLE - The city of Seminole has joined an increasing effort by the Florida League of Cities to send a nonbinding message to the Florida Legislature concerning firefighter pension reforms.
City councilors voted 5-1 on Jan. 24 to pass a resolution asking state lawmakers to consider removing mandates that establish minimum standards for firefighter pensions, remove the requirements for additional pension benefits and allow the city to use insurance premium tax revenues to pay for pension benefits.
The resolution also calls for legislators to prohibit Florida Division of Retirement from imposing administrative policies as they relate to disability presumptions that result in increased cost to city taxpayers.
The Florida Division of Retirement now handles decisions regarding pension benefit eligibility. If successful, the League’s efforts would allow local officials to make pension decisions involving local police and firemen pension funds.
Dunedin's Green Market DUNEDIN - Green Market is open Saturdays through the end of July from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Main Street and Douglas Avenue in Dunedin. Vendors offer a wide variety of items including: produce, cheeses, plants and herbs, local honey, all natural pet treats, organic products, nuts, olive salad, pastries and orchids. Free entertainment and parking is available at the Dunedin Green Market. For information, contact the Market Manager, Richard Kendler, at 692-5353 or email GreenMarketManager@verizon.net
Volunteer orientation LARGO - Volunteer orientation is Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m. to noon at Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N. Attendees will discover fun ways to get involved at Heritage Village during this volunteer orientation. Volunteers can serve as a tour guide, museum greeter, historical house caretaker, receptionist, maintenance worker or grounds assistant. Call 582-2125 or email heritagevillage@pinellascounty.org.
New Horizons for Widowed People meeting LARGO - New Horizons for Widowed People will meet Saturday, Feb. 4, 2 p.m., at west clubhouse of Imperial Palms Apartments, 101 Imperial Palms Drive. Dinner at a local restaurant will follow.
Call Dolores Ruskin at 584-0958.
Friends of the Largo Library book sale LARGO - The Friends of the Largo Library will host its winter book sale Saturday, Feb. 4, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Jenkins Room of the Largo Library.
All books are 50 cents each. Buy two and get one free.
Proceeds will benefit the library, located at 120 Central Park Drive.
Call 586-7392.
Blessed Sacrament fundraising auction SEMINOLE - An annual fundraising auction will take place Saturday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m., at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, 11501 66th Ave. N.
The auction will help raise funds to support classroom education. Cost is $25 a person. Call 391-4060.
Pinellas Seminole Woman’s Club fundraiser SEMINOLE - The Pinellas Seminole Woman’s Club plans its annual scholarship fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Harbourside, 401 Second St., Indian Rocks Beach.
The event will carry a Mardi gras theme with door prizes, lunch and a fashion show.
Tickets can be purchased for a $30 donation by calling Pat at 709-3778.
Card and game party ST. PETE BEACH - The St. Pete Beach Community Club plans its annual card and game party Saturday, Feb. 4, 1 to 4 p.m., at the Warren Webster Building, 1500 Pass-a-Grille Way.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon playing games and cards and supporting a local philanthropic cause.
The event will feature door prizes as well as coffee and desserts. A donation of $4 to the club will be collected at the door. The party is open to the public.
For more information, call 360-8216.
Southern gospel concert and dinner ST. PETERSBURG - A free Southern gospel concert and dinner will be presented Saturday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m., at Northwest Presbyterian Church, 6330 54th Ave. N.
For more information, call 544-4551.
• Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012
Fresh Market on Corey Avenue Corey Area Business Association's Fresh Market on Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach, Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 16 through May 2012. The market will feature vendors of fresh and/or organic produce, plants and flowers, spices, foods, handcrafted items, arts and crafts. For vendor information, call Kathi at 727-498-8778. Corey Avenue is just off Gulf Boulevard in downtown St. Pete Beach. Parking is free.
Paradise Bazaar PASS-A-GRILLE - Paradise Bazaar, Friday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., next to Paradise Grille on Pass-A-Grille Beach at Ninth Avenue and Gulf Way. For more information, email ParadiseBazaar@yahoo.com.
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