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Hooper: Can Sunshine Skyway suicides be curbed?

 
Published June 29, 2014

The board that oversees San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge voted last week to install a steel safety net to help prevent suicides on the iconic structure.

According to a Yahoo News report, supporters say similar suicide prevention barriers have served as deterrents at other bridges such as the Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia.

Environmental and financial concerns have been cited for not installing a similar barrier on our Sunshine Skyway Bridge, but the four children of a mother who jumped from the bridge earlier this year might say cost shouldn't be a factor. …

Gov. Rick Scott criticizes Charlie Crist for signing legislation that allowed state universities to raise tuition up to 15 percent. Crist counters by saying Scott cut Bright Futures scholarships in half. It's going to be a long campaign season. …

Seen on a bumper sticker: And The No. 1 Tip For Riders —Marry Money. …

Singer-songwriter Tori Amos tweeted a shout-out to Gay Pride celebrations, including #StPetePride. Cool. …

In a strange way, the answer to the Rays' problems may lie with Oakland Athletics catcher John Jaso, who improved his play after leaving the Rays while many of the players who stayed in Tampa Bay plateaued or even regressed.

Maybe Jaso can share how he stepped up his game. It's an X factor the Rays need to solve. …

A commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 will be held at noon Wednesday at the John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N Ashley Drive. The free event is open to the public.

I hope it's filled with young people who so need to understand the lessons of the movement.

That's all I'm saying.