| In
this edition…
Trail
Security Force Ensures Safety
Airport
Passenger Numbers Skyrocket
Dial
2-1-1 to
Help Local Charities
High-Tech
Jobs
Boosting Economy
County
Grant Program Helps Protect Turtles
Enroll
in Project Kid ID
at Seasonal Sensations
Commissioner
Seel Makes Ambassador
Visit
Sheriff’s
Office Unveils Tool for Neighborhood Watch Groups
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County Grant Program Helps
Protect Turtles
Pinellas County’s partnership with Indian Rocks Beach to save sea
turtle hatchlings has been so successful that other municipalities along
the beaches are being contacted to join forces. A County grant program
is in place to help cities dim lights along the coast. When the County
and a community enter into a turtle-friendly lighting agreement, the County
reimburses a city up to $75,000 for designing and installing low-level
lights at beach access entrances. Nesting season runs from May 1 through
October 31, and sea turtle hatchlings naturally follow the moonlight’s
reflection back to the water. But, bright lights from residences, businesses
and roadways can confuse hatchlings as to which direction they should
travel. Marine life experts say this was a record year for turtle nests,
with 195 monitored along Pinellas County’s coast.
Enroll
in Project Kid ID
at Seasonal Sensations
Safeguarding children is the number one priority for parents and this
holiday season parents can further protect their children during Project
Kid ID. During the upcoming Seasonal Sensations at Florida Botanical Gardens,
project Kid ID will provide a digital photo of children, with all their
vital information stored on a diskette. If a child is missing, parents
can use their personal computer to send the photo and information to law
enforcement, as well as the Amber Alert system and The National Center
for Missing and Exploited Children. Officials recommend updating photos
every year so Seasonal Sensations is a great way to start the tradition
while having a lot of family fun at the same time. Seasonal Sensations
kicks off at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, December 6 at Pinewood Cultural Center,
11909 125th Street N., Largo, home to Heritage Village and Florida Botanical
Gardens. FREE family activities continue through the end of December.
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Top
Stories…
Trail Security Force Ensures Safety
More than 100,000 people each month enjoy walking, jogging or
bicycling on the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail. The 47-mile trail is peaceful,
stress-free and safe. Pinellas County aims to keep it that way through
the work of the Pinellas Trail Security Task Force. In addition to regular
police and park ranger patrols along the Trail, the County also adds volunteer
Auxiliary Park Rangers to help aid law enforcement in ensuring the safety
and well-being of Trail users. Auxiliary Park Rangers on bicycles act
as a mobile crime watch on the Trail, which runs from Tarpon Springs to
St. Petersburg. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer auxiliary park
ranger should call (727)
464-3945 to get more information.
Dial 2-1-1
to Help Local Charities
As the holiday season rapidly approaches, the plight of those less fortunate
becomes evident this time of year, with some people lacking life’s
most basic needs. However, you can help make an individual’s or
family’s holiday brighter by donating items through the 2-1-1 Tampa
Bay Cares program. More than 4,000 local charities are tied to the 2-1-1
system, detailing what items they need the most. Right now there is a
demand for toys and non-perishable foods. If you would like to help, dial
2-1-1 to get in touch with a charity near you.
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Airport Passenger Numbers Skyrocket
The recent Airports Council International Monthly Worldwide Airport Traffic
Report shows that St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport has
experienced the third highest year-to-date passenger traffic growth out
of all of the airports in North America, with a 44 percent increase in
passengers from this time last year. Only two other airports, one in Long
Beach, California (183 percent increase), and the other in Las Vegas,
Nevada (57 percent), had bigger margins in passenger traffic. The report’s
figures show that St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport clearly
is the fastest growing airport in Florida.
High-Tech Jobs Boosting Economy
Computer and Internet-related jobs continue helping the state of Florida
gain ground in being known as a haven for high-tech employers. Florida
is ranked fourth in the nation with its number of high-tech jobs, according
to the American Electronics Association. High-tech jobs are comprised
of Web-based computer jobs, fiber optic cable production and electronic
machinery posts. In Pinellas County, thousands of people are employed
in high-tech capacities at the Young-Rainey STAR (Science, Technology
and Research) Center in Largo. The 750,000 square-foot facility has blossomed
into the top high-tech portal for science and research advancement on
Florida's west coast. The STAR Center houses 24 varied technology firms
including Raytheon, Constellation Technology, Concurrent Technologies,
Pace Technology and Forensic Technology.
Sheriff’s
Office Unveils Tool for Neighborhood Watch Groups
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office recently implemented its Sheriff’s
Watch Information System, an automated computer program, that works with
the County’s 220 Neighborhood Watch programs to track crimes and
share information. By calling (727) 588-4777 or logging onto the Sheriff’s
Website trained volunteers can input information specific to a neighborhood
watch program, such as their ID and grid numbers, and then can track police
activity in their area. Neighborhood Watch volunteers must go through
a training program with Sheriff’s officials who run the Watch Information
System. In addition to citizens reporting or tracking crimes, the new
system is programmed to call Neighborhood Watch officials to relay information
about meetings, missing children alerts and other pertinent news.
Commissioner
Seel Makes
Ambassador Visit
Pinellas County Commission Chairman Karen Williams Seel spent a recent
afternoon in downtown Clearwater making an ambassador visit to the well-known
law firm Johnson & Pope. The firm celebrated its 30th anniversary
and employs 35 attorneys, along with other staff. Commissioners frequently
make ambassador visits to recognize local businesses.
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