Motorcyclist dies in Tyrone crash
ST. PETERSBURG — A motorcyclist was fatally injured the evening of June 2 in a two-vehicle crash at 21st Avenue North and Tyrone Boulevard North, St. Petersburg police reported.
Shortly before 10 p.m., a white Ford F150 pickup truck headed eastbound on 21st Avenue North attempted to make a left turn onto Tyrone Boulevard North. Meanwhile, a black and gray Suzuki GSX-R600, operated by Xavier Joshua Strunk, 22, of Pinellas Park, was traveling southbound on Tyrone Boulevard N. approaching 21st Avenue N.
At the intersection, the Ford driver failed to yield the right of way and struck the Suzuki motorcycle, police said.
Strunk was transported to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, where he later died of injuries. His next of kin has been notified.
The Ford driver remained on scene and cooperated with the investigation, which is ongoing.
Book by local author helps kids deal with ADHD
ST. PETERSBURG — Local author Louise Harris has written the second book of a series that focuses on children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder.
The book, Notorious Nick and the Devastating Hurricane, will be released June 15 in electronic book form.
In the story, 9-year-old Nick Brugger once again faces The Superintendent. In the first book in the series, his family and friends were being controlled by The Superintendent. In this book, the evil man is spreading fears and nightmares throughout the Philadelphia magical community. It’s up to Nick, his brother Gene, his sister Lena and his parents to stop The Superintendent before the spell becomes permanent. They have to save a six-year-old boy, but can they get there in time?
The author says children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder will enjoy reading about Nick and his family because he is a wizard with hyperactive magical malady or H.A.M.M. While he is basically a good boy, he gets in trouble a lot. Kids with ADHD will relate to Nick’s issues.
“I was inspired to write this series because of my son who has ADHD. When he was young, I noticed a lack of characters in fiction, except for Percy Jackson, with similar issues, which made him not want to read,” said Harris. “I wanted all kids with ADHD to have characters like them.”
Notorious Nick and the Devastating Hurricane is available for purchase through Amazon.
Housing authority holds youth kayak event
ST. PETERSBURG — The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) organized a kayaking field trip on May 29 for youth living in SPHA communities. Hosted in partnership with Tampa Bay Watch, the experience introduced students to real-world environmental challenges while encouraging curiosity about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers.
The field trip was held at the Tampa Bay Watch Marine & Education Center in Tierra Verde. Youth paddled through Shell Key Preserve with mangrove forests, seagrass flats, and shallow waters teeming with marine life.
The kayaking field trip was part of SPHA’s Gulf Futures 3D initiative, a grant-funded STEM program designed to build scientific and environmental literacy among youth in SPHA communities. Through hands-on learning experiences, students investigate real-world environmental challenges facing the Gulf Coast and develop creative solutions using emerging technology.
Book wins award from publishers’ group
ST. PETERSBURG — A book edited by two local women has won an award from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association.
The book, “Coastal Voices and Vision,” is published by St. Petersburg Press. Edited by Suzanne Norman and Carlene Cobb, the book won in the Anthology: Collection category. Nine Florida authors contributed short stories, essays, and photographs of coastal communities to the publication.
The award will be presented in an Aug. 1 ceremony in Orlando.
“Just FYI,” said Norman, “the criteria was strict so we’re proud to be honored.”