What happened to Hunter Wendelstadt never happens. Wendelstadt is a Major League baseball umpire who was working the plate during the Red Sox-Indians game Monday night. As the bottom of the sixth inning was about to start, Sox fireballer Joe Kelly was making his warm-up tosses. One of them sailed high and over catcher Christian Vasquez' glove striking Wendelstadt in the face mask. The veteran ump dropped to the ground, his mask and hat taken off by the impact of Kelly's throw. Obviously … [Read more...]
US 19 in Pinellas County Target of Extra Police Attention
Even after all the construction and so-called road improvements and overpasses, US 19 remains one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in Pinellas County. It's also the most dangerous. That's why local law enforcement agencies in Pinellas County teamed up to work together on the busy roadway to catch drunk drivers, speeders, and aggressive drivers. Forty extra officers focused their attention on the highway, from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg. They witnessed and ticketed drivers … [Read more...]
Cops Going Undercover to Nab Texting Drivers
Cops are stepping up efforts to catch texting drivers across the country. In some departments, officers pose as construction workers or homeless along the sides of busy roads to nab the distracted drivers. Once they spot a texting driver, they call ahead for waiting uniformed officers to stop the texting driver and cite him for the violation. According to the NY Post, Cpl. Patrick Robinson went undercover Tuesday morning equipped with a police radio and a body camera. He held a sign that … [Read more...]
Red Light Cameras or Distracted Driving You Decide
Red light cameras in Florida may come to a House vote in the Florida Legislature today. The controversial issue of red light cameras has inspired impassioned debate and the fate of the camera system lies in the balance. Proponents of red light cameras argue that they save lives and provide an incentive for drivers to avoid running red lights. Opponents counter that the cameras are primarily a revenue generating source for Florida's cities and towns. Joe Henderson noted in his Florida … [Read more...]
Alcohol, Driving, and the Steep Cost of a Good Time
This past weekend, the Tampa Bay area witnessed two car accident fatalities and at least 8 injured. The majority of those involved were young and had been drinking alcohol, most likely to the point of excess. The first tragedy occurred late Friday night in northern Pinellas County. Donavan Patterson, 18, ran a red light at Curlew Road and McMullen-Booth Road between Palm Harbor and Oldsmar, investigators said, he hit Dalton Cox's pickup truck. Two passengers were with Cox, 22, in his Ford … [Read more...]
