Seminole woman faces charges of DUI, child endangerment, battering officer

CLEARWATER

Woman accused of DUI, child endangerment

A 23-year-old Seminole woman is facing charges of felony child endangerment, felony battery on a law enforcement officer and a misdemeanor DUI after a traffic stop Tuesday afternoon in Clearwater.Elizabeth A. Gillespie had an open container of alcohol in her 2005 Nissan sport utility vehicle, Clearwater police said. Also, her child was in the SUV. Gillespie failed sobriety tests, police said. After being handcuffed and placed in a police car, Gillespie kicked, screamed and spat on an officer, police said. Authorities would not release the child's age or the location of the traffic stop. Gillespie was being held at the Pinellas County Jail on $15,500 bail.

Canine team to graduate tonight

The Clearwater Police Department will celebrate the graduation of its newest canine team tonight at the Largo High School football field. K-9 Officer Michael Spitaleri and his partner, Major, completed 16 weeks of training. They will become Clearwater's fifth canine team. "Police canine teams can be critical in locating and apprehending criminals, evidence detection and searches," Clearwater police Chief Sid Klein said. Spitaleri has been with Clearwater police since 2006. Major is a 16-month-old German shepherd from Holland. The ceremony, open to the public, begins at 7 p.m.

DUNEDIN

Hotel project goes before city today

The Fenway on the Bay Hotel, a project proposed for 453 Edgewater Drive, comes before the City Commission for a series of approvals during its meeting at 6:30 p.m. today in City Hall, 542 Main St. Commissioners will consider a development agreement they approved in draft in May 2007, a land use change and a preliminary site plan.

Tarpon Springs

Auditions set for annual talent show

Auditions for the Tarpon Springs Recreation Department's 21st annual talent show will be 4-7:30 p.m. today and Tuesday at the Tarpon Springs Community Center, 400 S Walton Ave. To reserve a time slot, call (727) 942-5628.

Clarification

The Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa has a 100-year lease on the Cabana Club property on Sand Key that is automatically renewable for another 100 years. The lease dates back to 1982 and extends through 2182. A story in Wednesday's paper said incorrectly that the Biltmore owns the land. The Biltmore's lawyers say that, even though the resort doesn't own the title to the land, it has all the property rights of a typical landowner.