| In
this edition…
Webenforcer
Aids Emergency Management
Simulated
Bus Accident
Trains EMS
Workforce
Conference
Attracts Visitors
Lights
Under the Stars
Radiates Holiday Spirit
4-H
Speakers
Wash
Hands to
Prevent Disease
Airport
Expands Parking for
Holiday Rush
Exercise
Yard to Be Unveiled at
Family Reunion
Cross
Bar Ranch
Educates Children
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4-H Speakers
Pinellas
County Extension Services recently held its 4-H Tropicana Speaking Contest
that featured 4,000 elementary and middle school entrants. After a grueling
competition, Alison Hassel of Brooker Creek Elementary and Petar Yanev
of Shorecrest Preparatory School emerged as this year’s first-place
winners in their respective divisions. They took home a scholarship prize
to be used for next summer’s 4-H Overnight Camp at Ocala National
Forest. The contest began in 1952 to give fourth, fifth and sixth graders
experience in preparing and presenting speeches. Pinellas County Commission
Chairman Karen Williams Seel and Commissioner Robert Stewart were part
of this year’s judging panel.
Wash Hands to Prevent Disease
A simple hand
wash throughout the day may be the best way to prevent the spread of harmful
bacteria, including cold and flu viruses. Pinellas County health officials
say hand washing is critical to staying healthy this winter. The keys
to washing away bacteria are using any soap available and applying friction
with your hands. Officials also stress using a paper towel to turn off
the faucet and open the door after washing to prevent re-contamination.
Exercise Yard
to Be Unveiled at
Family Reunion
Dogs awaiting adoption at Pinellas County Animal Services will soon have
a new exercise yard, to be unveiled at Animal Services’ Family Reunion
and Open House, scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December
13. The 60-foot-long, 30-foot-wide fence-enclosed area will allow dogs
to get the exercise they need while they wait for new homes. Funds for
the exercise yard were donated by volunteers. The FREE Family Reunion,
at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo, celebrates thousands of adoptions over
the years for previously homeless dogs and cats. Half-price adoptions
will be offered, in addition to rabies shots for $1 with a tag renewal
purchase.
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Top
Stories…
Workforce Conference Attracts Visitors
The second annual National Workforce Development Conference was recently
held in St. Petersburg, attracting more than 3,000 visitors to Pinellas
County. County Commissioner Kenneth T. Welch personally greeted conference
participants and Workforce Development Board members who already plan
to have the conference here next year because of its desirable location
and easy access for attendees. The conference included informative sessions
with national policymakrs who tackle complex legislative issues affecting
workforce development in the U.S.
Webenforcer Aids Emergency Management
Pinellas County Emergency Management is going hi-tech, with a new device
being tested in Pinellas County to help authorities efficiently deal with
any disaster situation that may arise. Called Webenforcer, the computer
program sets up command posts and other crisis areas at disaster scenes,
while helping authorities plan responses and chart recovery and rescue
efforts with its unique software. Pinellas County is the first county
in the nation to get a look at Webenforcer, unveiled this week at the
County's Emergency Management Center.
Cross Bar
Ranch Educates Children
Pinellas County Utilities has opened the Cross Bar Ranch Visitors Center
in Pasco County. The Cross Bar property and wellfield has been owned by
Pinellas County since 1975, providing water to more than 200,000 area
residents. The new Center will be used as an education center and classroom
for school groups. The Center teacher will also lead the groups on safari
tours of the fields aboard buses refurbished by Pinellas County Fleet
Management.
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Simulated Bus Accident Trains EMS
A mock
9-1-1 call involving a loaded school bus and two other vehicles brought
out Pinellas County’s finest recently to hone their medical and
rescue skills. Held in front of a Pinellas Park tow truck operation, the
real-life training exercise drew fire and EMS crews from throughout the
county, including Bayflite. Crews were not informed of what they were
dealing with until arriving on scene, and emergency officials praised
how well the different agencies worked together to extricate victims and
aid the injured. Fire and EMS crews regularly train for situations, but
this event was a special dose of actuality for them.
Lights
Under the Stars Radiates Holiday Spirit
Thousands of
visitors give it a thumb’s up! More than 10,000 cars have passed
through Pinellas County’s inaugural Lights Under the Stars
extravaganza at Lake Seminole Park. More than 200 animated displays and
650,000 lights continue to dazzle visitors on the two-mile route. Lights
Under the Stars is open every night, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
weekdays and from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Holiday
nights, through January 4. Admission to the event is $10 for cars, motorcycles
and minivans, $15 for small buses and $25 for buses. Lake Seminole Park
is located at 10015 74th Avenue North (Park Boulevard).
Airport Expands Parking for
Holiday Rush
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, recently ranked as having
the third-highest passenger growth of North American airports, is expanding
its parking capacity for the upcoming holiday season. Busy days and nights
are expected in the coming weeks and remote parking lots surrounding the
airport will be open to handle overflow parking from the main terminal.
Passengers are encouraged to use the FREE shuttle service traveling from
remote lots to their designated ticket counter. In addition, electronic
signage has been placed along Roosevelt Boulevard to help patrons easily
find other parking spaces when the main lot is at full capacity.
Links
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