Freedom students win awards

Congratulations to these Freedom High School students who were recognized during the Hillsborough County PTA luncheon last week:
Brent Fine: All-Around Outstanding Senior Award
Yashobha Ranaweera: Winner of the Fred Rodgers Scholarship
Brendon Bertorello and Darcy McCoy: Winners of the HCC PTA/PTSA Scholarship

Crime

View Crime report May 14 to 20 in a larger map

This report contains incidents called in to the Tampa Police Department for ZIP code 33647 from May 14-20. Please contact Tampa police for more information on individual reports. Addresses may reflect where the incident happened or who reported it.

• ALTAVISTA AV, 10200 BLK, Assault/Battery, Monday, 5/18, 6:27 p.m.
• BRUCE B DOWNS BL, 19600 BLK, Theft, Friday, 5/15, 11:08 a.m.
• CROSS CREEK BL & KINNAN ST, Drug Law Violation, Tuesday, 5/19, 4:43 p.m.
• EASTWYCK DR, 18300 BLK, Burglary-Residence, Tuesday, 5/19, 5:15 p.m.
• LEATHERWOOD AV, 9300 BLK, Burglary-Residence, Tuesday, 5/19, 11:44 a.m.
• OAK PRIDE CT, 9200 BLK, Burglary-Residence, Thursday, 5/14, 11:41 p.m.
• OAK PRIDE CT, 9200 BLK, Burglary-Residence, Tuesday, 5/19, 1:56 p.m.
• AMBERLY DR, 15300 BLK, Domestic Violence, Thursday, 5/14, 6:50 p.m.
• PLANTATION OAKS DR, 15400 BLK, Drug Law Violation, Saturday, 5/16, 4:53 p.m.
• BRUCE B DOWNS BL, 15500 BLK, Burglary-Auto, Sunday, 5/17, 2:00 p.m.
• PLANTATION DR N, 15400 BLK, Domestic Violence, Tuesday, 5/19, 12:42 p.m.
• STONEHURST RD & AMBERLY DR, Theft, Wednesday, 5/20, 6:35 a.m.
  
  Note to readers: Because of confidentiality laws, police agencies cannot report the addresses of sexual assaults, and this report does not contain those incidents.

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Scratch My Back benefit concert

Coo Coo Ca Choo, the Johnny G. Lyon Band and The Third Band play at 5 p.m. today (May 24) at Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road. $7-10. Proceeds benefit the Tampa Humane Society. Must be 21 or accompanied by parent. Call toll-free, 1-800-594-8499.

Ballet

The Tampa Ballet Center performs its Spring concert at 3 p.m. today (May 24) in Theater 1 at the College of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave. $20. Call (813) 831-9660.

Rock show

Elysian Sex Drive plays with HuDost at 8 p.m. tonight (May 23) at Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road. $7-10. Must be 21 or accompanied by parent. Call toll-free, 1-800-594-8499.

Freedom students win scholarships

Congratulations to these 2008-09 Freedom High School PTSA Scholarship Winners:
$1000 Bartels Freedom Scholarship: Emilee Smith
$500 PTSA Scholarship: Brendon Bertorello
$500 PTSA Scholarship: Eric Dean
$500 PTSA Scholarship: Nicole Hornstrom
$500 PTSA Scholarship: Yashobha Ranaweera

Image change underway for Tampa Palms

Notice something different about Tampa Palms as you drive up and down Bruce B. Downs?

The original part of the community, which was the first of its kind in New Tampa, is changing its signs from royal blue and gold to black and gold as part of an image makeover.

In all, 48 signs will be replaced at a cost of about $1.1 million, said taxing district consultant Maggie Wilson.

About two years ago, leaders decided that the old signs were dated. They wanted to modernize Tampa Palm's look to keep up with the newer subdivisions that have since sprouted up.

At this moment, 26 of them are complete. The rest will be finished by September, Wilson said.

Spring football capsule: Freedom

From the Times:

By Izzy Gould

Around the county in 30 days  A daily spring preview of every football program in the county

Freedom

Coach: James Harrell (first season) 

Last season: 4-6

District: Class 5A-7 (Brandon, Tampa Bay Tech, Wharton)

Key losses: QB Josh Grady (transfer to Armwood), DL Coril Joseph, OL/DL Carl Saunders, LB/RB Sherrod Cunningham, WR Rodney Lyons

Who's back: LB Keith Lewis, DL Josh Tanner, WR/DB T.J. Mutcherson, WR Jacari Campbell, RB Amonty Dilisea, OL Jimmy Dunphy, WR/DB Robert Lohnes, K Alex Landeta

What's new: Plenty of changes, including first-year coach Harrell arriving from Plant to replace Marquel Blackwell, who resigned after a misdemeanor DUI arrest in January (which has yet to be resolved, according to court records). Harrell was the defensive coordinator for the Panthers for three seasons. He believes defense will be the cornerstone of this year's team. Harrell also promises lots of passing, though that took a hit with the transfer of Grady to Armwood. That leaves quarterback duties to Dustin Rauh, who moves into the position after playing tight end and some defensive line. … Getting work done has been tough with recent rain forcing at least one practice indoors, and a swine flu scare closing school and practice for one week.

Audible: "Practice has been going pretty good. Those days set us back some, but I think we've made up that ground. All you want to get is quality reps, if you're getting that. What we're doing is pretty simple. We'll add more and more pieces to the puzzle as the year goes on. It's new learning for the kids." — Harrell

Did you know? Harrell's coaching staff boasts 37 seasons of NFL playing experience. James Jones played 12 years (Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks), Tony Mayberry 10 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Donnie Elder seven (primarily with the San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay), and Harrell eight (Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit). "It's intriguing," Harrell said. "The key is everyone is into teaching and doing what the kids can do. We're not trying to implement pro stuff, just trying to maximize the kids' potential."

Spring game: At Freedom, with Wharton, King and Tampa Bay Tech, 6:30 p.m. Friday

2009 schedule

Aug. 28 vs. Alonso (classic)

Sept. 4 at Riverview

Sept. 11 at King

Sept. 17 vs. Sickles

Sept. 25 vs. Gaither

Oct. 9 at Tampa Bay Tech

Oct. 16 vs. Bloomingdale

Oct. 22 at Wharton

Oct. 30 vs. Leto

Nov. 6 vs. Brandon

Nov. 13 at Lennard

Locos por Juana

The band plays at 8 p.m. tonight (May 22) at Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road. $7-10. Must be 21 or accompanied by parent. Call toll-free, 1-800-594-8499.

New Tampa Rotary breakfast meeting

View New Tampa Rotary breakfast meeting in a larger map Tom Denham III, county coordinator for the Special Olympics, will talk about the event at 7 a.m. today (May 29) at the Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd. Cost is $12. Call (813) 972-9235 or visit www.newtamparotary.org