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As you grab your Coppertone and sunglasses, don’t forget this: the summer months are the most deadly on the highways.  It’s true, with more people on the roadways including students, the risk for being involved in a serious motor vehicle crash rises along with the mercury.

In an effort to encourage Floridians to keep safety first, Tampa Bay area law enforcement agencies are joining the statewide campaign to aggressively ticket those who don’t buckle up… that’s right, across the region the message is Click It or Ticket. 

For example, one hundred twenty people died in traffic crashes in Pinellas County in 2006.  Forty-three of them died as a result of not wearing their safety belts.  Regular safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, however, studies show that a significant number of Floridians still don’t regularly wear their safety belts. 

Don’t be another statistic… buckle up every time you get behind the wheel.  And experts agree the best way to spread this message is through example.  Set a policy not to drive until everyone in your vehicle is wearing their seatbelt.  And parents, this is the best way to ensure your teens will do the same when they get their license. 

For more information on the 2008 Click It or Ticket Campaign, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.ce4a601cdfe97fc239d17110cba046a0/.

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May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, a national campaign to help motorcycle riders and drivers safely share the road.

And did you know?  After several years of a declining number of motorcycle accidents across the United States, the trend is unfortunately on its way up.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of motorcyclist fatalities rose 10 percent in 2003, and, historically, approximately two-thirds of all car-vs.-motorcycle crashes have been caused by the car driver.

Why?  First, motorcycles can quickly appear in the blind spot of a driver.  Also, their small size can often disguise them among the many other highway vehicles, merge lanes, and traffic.  Finally, drivers’ attention is often comprised thanks to distractions including cell phones, radios, and other passengers.  The message: motorcycles and car and truck drivers must work together to safely share the roads.

Moreover, this partnership for safety is critical because more and more people are taking up or revisiting motorcycling.  Gas prices too have helped to push commuters to this two-wheeled mode of transportation.  According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the average motorcyclist is 42 years old, with a household income of $56,000, and women comprise nearly ten percent of the motorcycling population. 

What can drivers do?  Look twice.  When you come to an intersection, look left, right, then left AGAIN to check for a motorcycle.  Motorcycle riding is a year round hobby in Florida, so getting in the habit now may safe a life later.

And what can motorcyclists do?  Obey the speed limits and overcompensate for the space you leave between yourself and other vehicles.  Assume drivers will NOT see you on their first check to play it safe.  Finally, wear you protective gear always, especially your helmet.

For more safety information on motorcycle safety from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, visit http://www.msf-usa.org/.

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Okay, for the last few weeks, I have been helping out at some of the April Rays’ games.  It has been so much fun and I have met lots of Channel 8 and baseball fans.  Thank you to everyone for your support!

Also, special thanks to Jeff Houck from the Tampa Tribune for sending me this picture from Sunday’s game… it was Raymond’s “Fur-turnity” (get it?) party. 

Raymond, USF’s Rocky, Alicia Roberts, and the Lightening’s Thunderbug

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This weekend I had the honor of playing in the 20th Annual Beepball Classic to benefit Lighthouse for the Blind… and yes, it’s blindfolded baseball with a beeping ball.  Take a look at our fierce All-Star Team coached by the Tampa Tribune’s Steve Otto.

Yours truly contributed to our early lead… with a defensive grab, robbing “The Homerun King,” Lee Kimball, of a hit.

Unfortunately, my batting was not as strong… as I struck out at both plate appearances.

Eventually, our All-Stars gave away an early lead to Lighthouse… gracious in defeat we all celebrated a great morning for a great organization

Special thanks to our All-Star, Steve “Pinetop” Peterson, for the photographs!

Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind provides comprehensive rehabilitation programs for persons who are blind or visually impaired in two locations in Florida.  On-site services are provided in Tampa and Winter Haven for persons residing in Hillsborough, Polk, and surrounding counties.  Training is designed to help individuals who have recently lost part or all of their vision to gain the skills needed to perform daily living tasks independently and maintain their employment.  If you or someone you know has an uncorrectable visual impairment that significantly affects daily activities, or interferes with employment and employment related tasks, please refer to the eligibility guidelines on Lighthouse’s webpage at http://www.tampalighthouse.org for more information on available services. 

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ECO.lution is a series of community-focused interactive events designed to educate and engage the public in making Tampa a sustainable city.  ECO.lution will be held April 17-22, 2008 at unique locations throughout downtown Tampa including Lykes Gaslight Park, the Franklin Street Mall, the TECO gallery and Kiley Gardens.  Below are a list of ECO.lution events if you would like to attend:

Thursday April 17 ECO.expo Project ZERO 5:30-9:00pm
TECO Public Art Gallery 702 North Franklin Street Tampa, FL 33602, Downtown Tampa
Come visit this architectural and interiors expo to learn more about going green, “Cradle to Cradle” life-cycle products and sustainability practices.  Also, Nancy Walker president of Walker Brand Communications, will speak about The OWNER’S Role in Green Building Design at Teco Hall.  This is a free event!

Friday April 18 Paint The Town Green 6:00pm-12:00pm
Downtown Tampa, Channelside and Ybor City
COme out for a “Trolley-Style” barhop using HART transit & TECO Street Cars.  Stops include over 20 destinations including, restaurant, bars & art galleries.  Passports cost $10 or two for $15.

Saturday April 19 ECO.lution Festival 10am-5:00pm
Spend the day at this fun-filled festival including green products exhibitions, sustainability seminars, family educational events, live music and much more!  The action takes place at Lykes Gaslight Park in Downtown Tampa, 400 North Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602.
Featured activities include:
- Children can tap into their artistic side compliments of Busch Gardens who will host a kids art activities.  Busch Gardens will also donate tickets to Busch Gardens, Sea World and Adventure Island
- Anderson Lesniak, a landscape architectural firm will be there teaching children on to pot a plant
- A live artist will re-create the art work stolen from the 900 block of Franklin Street from ART Loud.  We will be re-dedicating at the end of the day.
- Enjoy live music and performances all day!
This is a free event!

Tuesday April 22 Movie On The Lawn 8:00pm
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Downtown Tampa
Autodesk’s revolutionary e2 series movies shown “alfresco” on the lawn at Tampa’s own Performing Arts Center. 
This is a free event!

For more information about any of teh ECO.lution events, visit http://www.ecolutiontampa.com.

And did you know, there are a few easy ways every driver can go green.  Take a look at these 8 tips from the American Lung Association:
1. Trip chain more often: combine your errands into one trip. It helps you get things done and it helps reduce air pollution. When you first start a car after it has been sitting for more than an hour, it pollutes up to five times more than when the engine’s warm.

2. Take mass transit, share a ride, or car pool. Even if you do it just once or twice a week, you’ll reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and save money. The average driver spends about 44 cents per mile including ownership and maintenance.

3. Have fun! Ride your bike. It’s a great way to travel and it can help you and the air get into condition. Vehicles on the road create more than 25% of all air pollution nationwide.

4. Take things in stride. Walk or in-line skate instead of driving. They’re easy ways to get exercise and they’re easy on the air.

5. Care for your car. Regular maintenance and tune-ups, changing the oil and checking tire inflation can improve gas mileage, extend your car’s life and increase its resale value. It can also reduce traffic congestion due to preventable breakdowns and it could reduce your car’s emissions by more than half.

6. Get fuel when it’s cool. Refueling during cooler periods of the day or in the evening can prevent gas fumes from heating up and creating ozone. And that can help reduce ozone alert days.

7. Don’t top off the tank. It releases gas fumes into the air and cancels the benefits of the pump’s anti-pollution devices. So stopping short of a full tank is safer and reduces pollution.

8. Telecommute. Work at home sometimes. You’ll save time and money, and reduce emissions and traffic congestion.

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A film crew will be downtown Thursday to shoot a commercial for Toyota, which manufactures the luxury Lexus line.  Expect temporary closures today and more Sunday through Tuesday.

Crews are expected to be set up along Bayshore Drive as well as on the elevated portion of the Selmon Crosstown Expressway.

Officials will be on scene to help direct traffic during taping.  They will enforce brief road closures and “rolling roadblocks,” where traffic slows to a crawl.  These lane restictions are not scheduled during peak travel hours. 

Shooting on the expressway is set for Sunday, April 13.  Filming on Bayshore is expected to occur Monday and Tuesday, April 14-15. 

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The Florida DOT has launched a public safety campaign aimed at educating motorists about the dangers of reckless driving in highway work zones in Tallahassee. 

According to FDOT Assistant Secretary Kevin Thibault, “Maintaining safety in Florida work zones doesn’t just fall on the shoulders of the people who work there.  It is the responsibility of all motorists to ensure that roadway construction zones are safe places for workers, drivers and pedestrians alike.”

In 2006, the most recent year for which Florida traffic crash data is available, 3,737 cashes occurred in Florida work zones resulting in 2,822 injuries and 119 fatalities.  Of the 119 people killed in work zones, only six were workers.  The rest were motorists and pedestrians.  At the press conference, the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) memorialized those killed in work zones with orange traffic cones donning black ribbons. 

Officials agree a majority of work zone crashes can be prevented with the cooperation of drivers and work crews.  FDOT urges motorists of all ages to drive safely in highway work zones by following these safety tips:
• STAY ALERT. Expect anything to occur when entering a work zone.
• PAY CLOSE ATTENTION. Signs and work zone flaggers save lives.
• TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS. Workers and other motorists must see you.
• DON’T TAILGATE. Unexpected stops frequently occur in work zones.
• DON’T SPEED. Note the posted speed limits in and around the work zone.
• KEEP UP WITH THE TRAFFIC FLOW. Dedicate your full attention to the roadway and those traveling around you.
• DON’T CHANGE LANES IN THE WORK ZONE. The time saved just isn’t worth the chance.
• MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS. Avoid changing radio stations and using cell phones while driving, especially when in a work zone.
• EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. Keep an eye out for workers and their equipment.
• BE PATIENT. Remember, the work zone crewmembers are working to improve your future ride.

Work Zone Safety Awareness Week will be observed April 7-11, 2008. 

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This morning we saw a prime example of the variable, quickly-moving, and dangerous power of fog.  According to the National Weather Service, think of fog as a cloud at ground level.  Fog forms when the temperature drops to the dew point (the temperature at which air is saturated), and invisible water vapor in the air condenses to form suspended water droplets.
Fog can easily and unexpectedly reduce your visibility to 1/4 mile or less, creating hazardous driving conditions.  Of course it was the right mix of fog and low-level smoke from area brush fires which triggered the deadly Polk Pile-up along I-4 in January. 
If you can’t postpone your trip until dense fog lifts—usually by late morning or the afternoon – here are several important tips to respond to fog and low visibility conditions:
• Use your low beam lights when driving in fog. High beams reflect light off of the fog, actually decreasing your visibility. 
• Lower your speed.  Speed obviously reduces your opportunity to respond to rapidly changing conditions and road hazards and increases the likelihood of chain-reaction collisions. 
• Monitor your speedometer.  Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion, causing you to unintentionally increase your speeds. If can’t see more than 40 feet ahead (only several car lengths), your speed needs to be reduced to less than 20mph.
• Use wipers and defrosters when needed. 
• Listen for traffic you cannot see.  Roll down your window a few inches to hear accidents ahead, emergency vehicles or stranded motorists.  .
• Use the clearest road markings, often to the right side of the road, to guide you when highways lines and lanes are blurred because of fog. 
• Be patient and do not pass other traffic when driving in fog.
• Pay special attention to roadways near or over water.  Bridges and low-lying are especially susceptible to fog. 
• Do not stop on a freeway or heavily traveled road. If your vehicles stalls or breaks-down, take your foot off of the brake pedal and turn your lights off.  Drivers tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog. Get out of your vehicle and move to a safe location to prevent injuries if your vehicle is rear-ended. 

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The Bay area is geared up for an exciting weekend thanks to the Honda Grand Prix and Women’s NCAA Final Four. 

First, race enthusiasts welcome the world’s top driver drivers to St. Petersburg for the Honda Grand Prix.  Beginning Friday morning, commuters to the region should expect extensive closures and congestion in downtown St. Pete, especially along 1st Street between 1st through 5th Avenues South and 6th Avenue South between 1st and 2nd Streets.  For more information on the race track, parking and transportation, and Park N’ Ride Shuttle Service log onto http://www.gpstpete.com/the_track.cfm.

Also, fans from across the nation will funnel into Channelside for women’s basketball this weekend.  Tip-off takes place Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Pete Times Forum.  For a complete schedule of events and information on parking and transportation, visit http://www.ncaamarchmadness2008.com/womens/index.aspx.

Best of luck to all the competitors in town this weekend.  Enjoy our beautiful region!  I am crossing my fingers the rain cooperates too

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Saturday, April 5th, marks the one year anniversary of the death of our dear friend and colleague, John Winter.  John brought laughter and smiles to viewers here the in Bay area for many years.  I am privileged to have known him, even if only for a short time.  At community appearances or even just in daily conversation, so many people still talk to us about John, sad for the tremendous loss we all feel.

John, I hope your soul has found peace.  If you only knew how much we all miss you.  God bless.

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The following service enhancements and reductions are scheduled to take effect Sunday, March 30, 2008. Please note, service changes to accommodate the new Northwest Transfer Center will not be in effect until summer.

New Service
Route 9 – 15th St.  New service on Sundays with 60-minute frequency, improving service for the Sulphur Springs area.

Route 19 – Port Tampa New late-night service seven days a week to accommodate employment trips to Tampa General Hospital, and other South Tampa destinations. Last trip on weekdays will leave Marion Transit Center at 11:20 p.m.; last trip on weekends will leave Marion Transit Center at 8:35 p.m.

Routes with Increased Frequency
Route 2 – Nebraska Ave.  Frequency of Sunday service increased to 30 minutes from 60 minutes.

Route 34 – Hillsborough Ave.  Frequency of Saturday service increased to 30 minutes from 60 minutes.

Route 39 – Busch Blvd.  Frequency of Saturday service increased to 30 minutes from 60 minutes.

Route 45 – UATC/Rome Ave/Westshore Monday - Friday frequency increased to every 30 minutes; continue to provide service between Westshore Plaza and the University Area Transit Center via Rome Ave.

Changes or adjustments on the following routes:
Route 8 – Progress Village/Brandon Elimination of the last Sunday round trip from Marion Transit Center (8:35 p.m.) due to low ridership.

Route 37 – Brandon/Netpark Elimination of the first eastbound weekday (4:25 a.m.) and first eastbound Saturday (5:40 a.m.) trips from Netpark due to low ridership.

Route 31 – South Hillsborough County 10:15 a.m. and 12:35 p.m. trips leaving from South Shore will end at Westfield Brandon mall, and will not continue on to downtown Tampa; service to downtown provided on 6 a.m., 8:05 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6:05 p.m. trips.

Route 33 – Fletcher Ave.  The North Lakeview Park-n-Ride lot will be closed. All bus stops along North Lakeview Dr., including Dale Mabry at Cypress Meadows, will continue to be served. Previously posted extension of route delayed until completion of the new St. Joseph’s medical facility.

Route 24X - FishHawk/Riverview/MacDill AFB Express Will no longer serve FishHawk Fellowship Park-n-Ride. Route will start and end at new FishHawk Sports Complex Park-n-Ride.

Route 25X – South Brandon/MacDill AFB Express Current detour routing on Providence Rd. and Town Center Dr. to become permanent. Extra bus added to 3:51 p.m. return trip made permanent.

Route 27X – FishHawk/South Brandon Express Current detour routing on Providence Rd. and Town Center Dr. to become permanent.

Routes Eliminated
Route 26X – Carrollwood Express Route eliminated due to low ridership; customers can use Route 20X – Lutz Express or Route 50X - Citrus Park/Carrollwood Express for service to downtown Tampa.

Route 44 – UATC/Habana Ave/Westshore Route eliminated, with service on Habana Ave. between Sligh Ave. and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. provided by Route 41 – Sligh Avenue. Service to UATC and Westshore would continue to be provided by Route 45 - UATC/Rome Ave/Westshore.

Northwest Tranfer Center - Opening Summer, 2008
With the opening of the new Northwest Transfer Center, located at the northwest corner of Waters Avenue and Sheldon Road, the routes currently stopping at Hanley and Waters Plaza will travel as follows:

Route 16 – Waters Avenue Remain on Waters Avenue to the new Northwest Transfer Center, and no longer serve Town ‘N Country Hospital; customers can use Route 88 or Route 34 to access the hospital.

Route 30 – Town ‘N Country Continue service on Waters Ave, seven days a week, to the new Northwest Transfer Center.

Route 34 – Hillsborough Avenue Remain on Hillsborough Ave, north on Sheldon Road to the new Northwest Transfer Center, and no longer operate on Waters Ave. to Sheldon Rd.

Route 39 – Busch Boulevard Remain on Gunn Highway to Sheldon Road to serve the new Northwest Transfer Center, and no longer travel on Waters Ave.

Route 88 – Town ‘N Country Connector Serve the new Northwest Transfer Center. Would no longer serve Waters Ave. east of Webb Road, with service to the new library location provided by the Route 34.

Route 59LX - Westchase/Town ‘N Country Limited Express Serve the new Northwest Transfer Center, replacing Hanley Waters Transfer Center.

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The University of South Florida Police Department will host a Sobriety Checkpoint on the USF Campus beginning at 12:00 midnight on March 29, 2008, and lasting until 2:00 a.m. on March 29, 2008. During this time, USF Police Officers will use the Sobriety Checkpoint to identify impaired drivers in an effort to keep our streets safe. Impaired drivers that are identified will face arrest and prosecution. This operation is part of a comprehensive, collaborative approach to traffic safety by the USF Police Department.

Did you know?  Drinking continues to be a pervasive problems among college campuses across the country.  According to http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov:
- 1,700 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes.

- 599,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol.

- More than 696,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking.

- More than 97,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.

- 400,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 had unprotected sex and more than 100,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 report having been too intoxicated to know if they consented to having sex.

- About 25 percent of college students report academic consequences of their drinking including missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades overall.

- More than 150,000 students develop an alcohol-related health problem and between 1.2 and 1.5 percent of students indicate that they tried to commit suicide within the past year due to drinking or drug use.

- 2.1 million students between the ages of 18 and 24 drove under the influence of alcohol last year.

- About 11 percent of college student drinkers report that they have damaged property while under the influence of alcohol.

- More than 25 percent of administrators from schools with relatively low drinking levels and over 50 percent from schools with high drinking levels say their campuses have a “moderate” or “major” problem with alcohol-related property damage.

- About 5 percent of 4-year college students are involved with the police or campus security as a result of their drinking and an estimated 110,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are arrested for an alcohol-related violation such as public drunkenness or driving under the influence.

- 31 percent of college students met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6 percent for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence in the past 12 months, according to questionnaire-based self-reports about their drinking

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This week marked the 5th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.  As many people still question our role and successes in the War in Iraq, many also paused to remember the nearly 4,000 men and women killed in combat since 2003.  But there are also more than 400,000 veterans nationwide who return home from war with mental rather than physical scars.  The long-term consequences of their emotional injuries can have debilitating effects on the rest of their lives. 

Right here in the Bay area, one woman is working to use her voice to get their needs addressed.  On Friday, I sat down with Miss Florida, Kylie Williams, to talk about the road to healing for our soldiers.  Since being crowned last June, Kylie has traveled across the state, county, and even to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, promoting her platform Realistic Support for the Troops.

Kylie believes everyone can make a difference in the lives of veterans in need.  She feels it is truly about people rather than politics.  Cards from children, care packages, and simple well wishes can brighten the day of a soldier suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

For more information on Realistic Support for the Troops, visit http://www.realisticsupport.org.

The 2008 Miss Florida Scholarship Program will be held July 2-5, 2008 at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg.  For tickets and information, visit http://www.missflorida.org.  The Miss Florida Scholarship Organization is an affiliate of the Miss America Organization, the world’s largest provider of scholarship money for young women. 

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With March Madness in town this weekend, hundreds of basketball fans will head to St. Pete Times Forum.  Drivers should anticipate heavier volume throughout downtown and Channelside. 

Additionally, HART is increasing service of the In-Town Trolley Green Line to help with traffic and parking issues.  People traveling to the downtown and Channel District areas can hop on the Green Line during the following times:
Friday, March 21 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Saturday, March 22 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Sunday, March 23 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Green Line serves major attractions and hotels throughout downtown Tampa and the Channel District, and connects to the TECO Line Streetcar System at the Southern Transportation Plaza, adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center.

For maps and regular schedules of HART’s In-Town network of services, please visit http://www.goHART.org and click on “Maps and Schedules.”

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Southbound I-75 will be closed over Bruce B. Downs Boulevard between 9 p.m. Thursday (March 20) and 5 a.m. Friday (March 21) for bridge work.  The closure had been scheduled for Wednesday night, March 19, but was cancelled due to weather. 

DETOUR:  Traffic will exit at Bruce B. Downs/CR 581 (Exit 270), cross Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, and re-enter the interstate using the entrance ramp.

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