REPRESENTATIVE'S SPOUSE DIES OF CANCER

Brooksville

Harvey F. Waite, a former New York state trooper and the husband of U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, died at his home Tuesday (Aug. 19, 2008) after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 68.

His wife's office announced his death in a statement about 1:30 p.m. He died earlier in the morning surrounded by his family, a spokesman for the Republican representative said.

Brown-Waite revealed her husband's illness Feb. 29 to explain her absence from Congress.

Brown-Waite considered not running for re-election this fall, but aides say it was her husband who told her to stay in the race.

St. Petersburg

Store owner dies, murder charges set

Two men charged with shooting three people during a convenience store robbery now will face murder charges.

Mohammad Uddin, 44, died of his injuries about 1 p.m. Monday, and police plan to upgrade the charges against Spencer Peeples, 27, and Khadafy Mullens, 24.

Police said they entered Uddin's Central Food Mart, 2157 Central Ave., about 6:30 p.m. Sunday. They stole cash, lottery tickets and cigarettes. Uddin was shot in the head, said police spokesman Bill Proffitt. Ronald Hayworth, 50, was shot once, and Albert Barton, 66, was shot three times. Hayworth and Barton are being treated at Bayfront Medical Center.

Tampa

Hot frying pan burns, and so does kitchen

A man burned himself and ignited a friend's apartment while frying chicken Tuesday evening.

Tampa Fire Rescue responded to a call at the Riverside at Waterside Apartments, where they put out flames in the kitchen. Derrick Powell, 27, was cooking the chicken in oil on the stovetop when it ignited.

Rescue officials said Powell carried the flaming pan to the sink and added water, which caused the burning oil to splatter the area with flames. He then threw the pan out the window.

He suffered burns on his hands and arms. Damage to the kitchen was estimated at $3,000.