LARGO — Christopher Jennings, a Sunstar paramedic not prone to tears, thought he was all cried out.

EAST LAKE — It's summertime and the reading is easy, especially when youngsters have access to high-interest books with lots of action and cliffhangers.

Marine Corps Pvt. Michael D. Ventrone, son of Caren and Michael Ventrone of Palm Harbor, earned the title of U.S. Marine after graduating from recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.
DUNEDIN — Groans, angry outbursts and a plethora of questions punctuated a neighborhood meeting aimed at gauging public support for a proposed zoning change at the former Nielsen Media Research property.

SAFETY HARBOR — Safety Harbor is poised to get a new subdivision after city commissioners agreed Monday to annex a 5-acre former auto salvage yard that's being primed for 21 homes.
CLEARWATER — The tourists, sunset aficionados and partiers started lining up Saturday evening on the narrow marina sidewalk across from Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach as an orange sun plunged toward the gulf.

For families looking for fun events that are focused on Memorial Day, here are three very different venues that all pay homage to veterans and celebrate the weekend with patriotic flare.
FunFest

Palm Harbor Rotary Club members have worked hard to be of service to the community. Due to their efforts, the club earned several awards at the district governor's annual banquet and awards presentation May 4 at Buena Vista Palace, Orlando.
Countywide
Good news for first-time home buyers
The Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County has lowered the interest rate on its First Time Homebuyers Program to 2.99 percent.

Food/cooking
Spaghetti Dinner Youth Benefit: The Rotary Club of Tarpon Springs invites guests to enjoy a spaghetti dinner with three types of pasta to choose from, along with three sauces, plus salad and bread, beverage (beer or wine is extra), served up by Tarpon Springs High School Rotary Interact …

May is the Month of the Woman, so women are invited to a question-and-answer session about women's health issues on Wednesday at the Countryside Library, 2741 State Road 580, Clearwater.

CLEARWATER — The Greenwood Panthers are coming home and their return includes a largely forgotten slice of the city's black history and — possibly — a new name for the park where they play.

PALM HARBOR — The grinning teenager, surrounded by a makeshift mariachi band, holds a sign: "Prom?"

SAFETY HARBOR
Arborists are working to revive what may be the oldest and most treasured tree in Pinellas County after an effort to showcase the majestic Baranoff Oak blocked its ability to get the nutrients it needs to survive.

The folks employed by the Pinellas County Tax Collector's Office have been working to make sure your visit is a seamless one.
