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.
Belleair Women’s Republican Club meeting BELLEAIR - Our Constitutional Crisis, is the title of a talk that Rebecca O’Dell Townsend, an appellate attorney, will give to the Belleair Women’s Republican Club luncheon meeting Friday, Feb. 3, at Belleair Country Club. Social time is at 11:30 a.m. and the meeting begins at noon. For reservations, email BWR Clunch@mail.com or call Pat at 595-1791.
Renaissance Speakers Club meeting CLEARWATER - The Renaissance Speakers Club meets on Fridays, 6:15 p.m., at 210 S. Fort Harrison Ave.
Learn public speaking and leadership skills that help when applying for work and advancement opportunities in one’s job.
Call Sharon at 542-2718.
Dunedin's Green Market DUNEDIN - Green Market is open Fridays through the end of April 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.
VFW Post 2550 hosts a fish and shrimp fry DUNEDIN - The Dunedin-Palm Harbor VFW Post 2550 hosts a fish and shrimp fry every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at 360 Douglas Ave. The post sponsors bingo each Wednesday and Friday. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Bingo starts at noon. The public is invited.
Call 733-6107.
Getting Started in Genealogy LARGO - Getting Started in Genealogy is Friday, Feb. 3, 10 to 11:30 a.m., at Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N. Family history is a popular subject and hobby. Bob Bryan of the Pinellas Genealogy Society will present a class featuring how to discover ancestors and learn about where they lived, what they did and what their life was like. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for Pinellas County Historical Society members. Advance registration is recommended. For information or to register, call 582-2233.
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.
Griefshare Support Group ST. PETERSBURG - The Griefshare Support Group will meet Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 6 through March 30, at Cornerstone Community Church, 6745 38th Ave. N.
A professional DVD is shown each week. A discussion follows the screening. Vivian Killion, parish pastor, acts as the group’s facilitator.
Call 343-7747.
FDOT Bike, pedestrian safety program TREASURE ISLAND - The Florida Department of Transportation is offering free bicycle and pedestrian safety educational classes through its WalkWise Tampa Bay campaign at the Treasure Island Community Center, One Park Place.
A 30-minute WalkWise BikeSmart program will be offered on Friday, Feb. 3, 5 p.m. The program covers WalkWise pedestrian information, as well as Florida bicycle laws, traffic crash statistics and demographics for bicyclists, and important safety tips for riding in the roadway and on the sidewalk. Those attending will receive a reflective slap bracelet or reflective backpack, bike/pedestrian law enforcement guide and safety tip bookmarks.
A 15-minute WalkWise Pedestrian Safety and 90-minute BikeSmart program will be held on Thursday, Feb. 9, 9 to 11 a.m.
The BikeSmart Class covers important information for riding a bicycle in the roadway.
Reservations are required. Contact Jessica Brenner, outreach coordinator, at 813-974-9215 or jlbrenne@cutr.usf.edu.
Friday Morning Market TREASURE ISLAND - The weekly Friday Morning Market is again under way and will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Treasure Island Community Center, 1 Park Place and 106th Avenue, through April 13.
The event features over 40 vendors, live music, food, jewelry, and arts and crafts.
Parking is free.
The Treasure Island Chamber of Commerce sponsors the market.
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
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