steve nichols, fox 13 news. >> the work doned today comes with a warranty. they will make sure the house is in tiptop shape. >>> and athletes, volunteers and families came together in new port richey the first day of the pasco county special olympics. it was the 40th anniversary of the games. they compete in track, field, soccer, tennis. organizers say the games are the first stem in an exciting journey for all those taking part? >> it is an amazing day. the kids have been looking forward to the day. this is the first level. area games which involves citrus and pasco. then from there, what they ultimately want to do is get to the state games at the wide world of sports. >> and the games are continuing tomorrow at the wesley chapel stadium. >> great to see them out there. >> and we volunteered as a family. the kids loved it. >> the ex-disney employee fired and replaced by a foreign worker who he was forced to train. coming up his push to change the abusing. >>> after spending a year in space, scott kelly is getting ready to come home. what he is saying about

and fox-13's steve nichols tells: us the back to help her again... 3 she was 89 years old when a con man touched up the paint on margo chauncey's car... and demanded more cash than she offered... he grabbed the envelope and threw me down against the toilet and i bled like a pig..." pushed her down she ended up hitting her head on the toilet..." that's how margo met clearwater police sargeant tim downes... he helped her through the prosecution of imprisonment of tommy mitchell. more recently...margo met codes enforcement officer vickie fletcher... her house needed painted, so she got a violation for it..." at age 93...how could margo paint the house she moved into in 1951? i had painted it by hand before..." it didn't come to that. not after the codes and police officer put their heads together... and gathered a swarm of volunteers... we have a lot of officers here, we have a lot of people from code enforcement here as well..." enough helping hands to do more than just paint... so we figured we take it to the next level and clean up the whole property while we were here because she de

in include, steve nichols -- in clearwater, steve nichols. >> there are three restaurants on mat reinto property and three more will open in a matter of weeks. lots and get there by ferry or shuttle. >> this is what you don't hear the price of stamps going down? why next. in 1934, steak 'n shake decided the world didn't need another hamburger. it needed a steakburger. so they used 100 percent beef. quick seared to seal in the flavor ... ... you'll only get from a steakburger. steak 'n shake, >>> fire in the hole. >> a lot of gun for the money. >> a tampa gun maker tells us what is triggering sales in the firearms industry. and why buyers everywhere are looking at his new gun, that's tonight at 10. >> and how about wall street s&p dropping 16. >> the for the first time in nearly 100 years the price of a stamp is going down. and stamps cost 49 -- stamps cost 49 crepts t is part of a prearranged deal with congress. they got to increase the price by 3-cents in 2014. and to generate much needed cash but the hike was only set to last two years. the roll back will cost the postal service $2 bi

and steve nichols is live out there this morning. steve,ky only imagine how it went -- steve, i can only imagine how it went and how it will be. >> it will crank up not like today but as you mentioned tomorrow may be the bigger test web the locals head for the beach. the equipment is involved with the railroad work being done now and in the meantime court street is shut down. court is what takes you through downtown to the memorial causeway and out to one of the popular beaches. inat this time around 60,000 clearwater beach and challenging load and this weekend the surprise. >> we came from siesta key and it stopped. we had to fend for ourselves to get around. >> how stuck did you get? >> about 20 minutes, 30 minutes. >> i saw a lot of construction. i don't know why there is so much construction y they are doing that. >> reporter: the construction is the replacement of the rail bed crossing the highway. work scheduled for july and repeatedly delayed. >> they have limited resources to do this work like one company, one crew. >> and to

and steve nichols is there with more. so many questions, steve. >> a lot of questions on this one, linda, the guess is that this was stolen after the crudes thinned out. the be a accepts was noticed by the cleaning crew. and dale chihuly does pieces. and it only 8 inches tall and stood in a row of smaller pieces dating back to the 1980s, this one made in 1993. pitt was not just sitting there. they are glued to the pedestals that did not stop the crime. >> we have been here six years a breakage in the collection. the piece was secured to a pedestal, the pedestal gave way. >> reporter: the tiles under the piece came off the pedestal and went with the piece. the value somewhere between 20 and $25,000. the big concern now iset getting it back. the director said a similar crime happened in denver a couple of years ago it was kids involved in that one when they found out the high value of what they stole and the fact the police were looking for it, they destroyed it. the hope is that does not happen here. >> live from downtown s

fox 13's steve nichols takes a look... 3 >>> the artist and a statement for world peace. >> when i got on social media i saw pictures. >> it caught her eye years ago. they exchanged messages and she was there when hercules arrived at a miami shopping complex. how that worked out. agreed for the piece. >> and hercules. >> and. >> he is willing to give it. >> and a city. it requires. >> you are responsible for it. >> these are around for 3000, 1 0000 years. >> in pinellas county steve nichols fox 13 news. money and have it in a public space. next week you will see him outside of the store. good for her. she does a lot of good, wealth see. >> a lot of freeze to the north. the outlook is fairly chilly though. and the afternoon should be good. take a look outside and we're still adding additional daylight every day. and a month ago it was dark right now at 5, what, 5:14 or so. we haved added daylight. and that's a sign of the upcoming spring season. mark is correct. 66. we'll get up and there are no signs of a warm up. no 80 to 85s in the predictable future. we died it today. this is day 7.

pete, steve nichols, fox 13 news. >>> a former karate instructor is facing a charge of sexual battery. an 8-year-old student saying she was molested by him last year. this is after similar allegations by two other students. they are concerned there are more victims and they are asking anyone with information to contact them. seminole. he was fired for unrelated reasons. >>> several polk county school board members have lost superintendent. was cleared of charges with a senior president employee. haley? >> reporter: after three of the six board members present today expressed concerns about the leader of the school continuing on a vote was set for friday. and we will learn if she will stay or go. >> polk county superintendent katherine leroy started the work session with an apology. >> i'm ready to put this behind me and move forward. i'm wholly dedicated to the students and staff and the goal and expectations of the board and the community. >> she has been the focus of an internal investigation after greg rivers filed nine claims against her. he accused her of sexual harassment, pursu

pete, steve nichols, fox 13 news. >> st. pete is trying to get into the mega yacht business at the port of st. pete. the disadvantage is that it has no floating docks, a high sea wall. the largest furniture manufacturer is now in business ashley center opened a new ecustomers facility. and the mayor and the lightning owner was there. they will employ 200 people. the governor hopes more companies come to florida. >> tampa is doing very well because when you have good elected individuals that care about the community but reducing the taxes and regulation and making this the best place to live in the world. >> ashley furniture has more than 30 locations across the state and employed 600 floridians. >>> still ahead the smoke then the flames. firefighters race to save a family as a gunman opens fire inside. >> keeping this open is contrary >> shutting down gitmo and the new caramel macchiato from dunkin' donuts. let hand-crafted layers of espresso, milk, and a caramel-flavored swirl uplift your mood. indulge in a hot or iced macc

and steve nichols tells us the the criminals. >> if you try to break into one of our houses, we will use any force necessary to stop you and drop you in your tracks. >> reporter: tough words from the sheriff after a strange incident this morning. 30-year-old daniel hall, a repeat offender, argued with his sister and left their home on a mission. >> he said i'm going out to get arrested. >> that 3 a.m. took him to the home of a pasco deputy and his canine. he said that he put his finger friends on the vehicle and started a small fire on some lawn furniture on the porch. >> as he lit it on fire, the fire is going. he knocks on his door. >> and with two dogs by his side, the deputy suspects there is more going on. >> this a ruse to get me out or someone comes in from the rear. >> no he stood in the yard until others arrived. >> he was a little off. he needs help and put on the right medications and give help. >> a neighbor said hall has mental issues and wanted back in jail to get help, some question the wisdom of take home cruisers. >> i don't think they should have them in front of th

petersburg police chief really likes that technology, but as fox's steve nichols tells us, rank and file officers have got their concerns. >> safety police chief tony holloway is on a national panel thinking through the down side of cameras worn on the bodies of police officers. but another technology has caught his eye. >> there is a camera now you can put on your gun. if i pull my gun it starts recording. that what a citizen wants to know. >> hall oway recently got a pitch from this company, sentinel solutions, makers of a a fox news story late last year featured the same product. >> if i had a body worn camera at this point, the hands would be obstructed. you get the first person point of view as the officer sees as incident unfold shin the camera lets other officers foe know deadly force is in play and streams the sites and sounds to other supervisors. that question of working correctly has not yet been answered to the chief's satisfaction. >> as far as that camera replacing the gun mounted light, absolutely not. we have no room for movement on that issue whatsoever. >> five years ag

and steve nichols is live with more. what are they talking about, steve. >> linda. >> and days away it is not parking and getting out there to look for parking. it can back up for miles and with all that in mind the council is looking for quick-fixs and the surprise winner was the clearwater ferry. and the chamber of commerce has been pushing the service. and the idea generally being the park free downtown and get on a -trolly out to the beach. using the ferry was an option transportation more city council members prefer. the logic without a special dedicated mass transit lane, trollies get stuck in traffic. >> we'll not get the guy a cooler of beer. and a couple of beach chairs. we're not going to get him out of his vehicle and on to a trolly. >> so with that in mind, negotiations very quick negotiations will now start with the clearwater ferry and with the trolly but to loop between the downtown parking garages there and take you down to the ferry landing. and the council gave the green light to turning a couple of 2 >>

and fox-13's steve nichols tells us: the service could soon expand... to much larger spots. 3 3 for years st. pete's williams park served as a public bus hub and gathering spot for a homeless population.now the buses are gone...the less welcome crowd is thinning out...and the city is about to use free wifi to bait a new crowd....16:21 - 26. so is wifi a good bait? i would think so. i would think so. i would think it's good bait to bring people in...the target audience are the st pete college students who attend classes right across the street from the park. there. math at would give me quiet time to myself and i can probably get a lot more done... sources tell fox 13 news the city will pay brighthouse networks for the williams park hot spot.other than that it will be similar to the free wifi on tampa's riverwalk. there is a daily limit of a couple of hours and a monthly cap of a gigabyte per month... 6:49. for the average person on the riverwalk to sit down and download a new book to their ipad or perhaps check their mail quickly that's all the access t

the new opal sands hotel and steve nichols takes us inside tonight. >> and quiet and uniquely shaped, there is no overlooking the newest hotel. the opal sands opens monday. the carpet went down and today we tagged along with the tourist development council for a look see. >> the curve is interesting. >> reporter: that's a member of a family of hotel builders which started with the odd lot. >> we tried to take the lot, the every room had a waterfront view. >> allways hug the bay side and gulf side every room faces the water. to the north add in the pier 06% of the beach and toes south -- >> look to sand key came out well we thought because we weren't sure. it is the best view. >> 400-dollar as night buy as standard room. >> they all have a cold out bed and groups they like that. >> then there are the suites, couple of thousand per night gets you two bedrooms, two baths and under 1000 square feet of balcony with a hot top. the interior is local. >> that is colors. >> and courtesy of a director pent on capturing the hues of the waters. that was close to 400 different >> and a variety of

and steve nichols tells us the parks may be the next and larger hot spots. >>> for years the williams park was a bus stop and spot for the homeless. the less welcome crowd is thinning out and the city is going to use wi-fi to bait a new >> i think so. >> the target audience are the college students who attend classes right across the street from the park. they are on board. >> and i would use it there that gives me quiet time to myself and, you know i can get more done. >> and sources kell fox 13 the city will pay bright house for the hot spot. otherwise it will be similar to that on campus. and there is a monthly cap of a gigabyte. >> to down load a book or check their mail quickly, that's all the access that you need. >> sources tell fox 13 that the city and bright house are discussing it in st. pete's welcomed. >> it's by the water more people like to exercise and that sort of thing. increase foot traffic. >> the wi-fi is still in the works but williams park could be a hot spot come monday. >>> beyond the free wi-fi the city wants to host events in the park again to get more people

steve nichols is live at the art center with a story that's has a happy ending. this is good news. >> reporter: yes, it is, it is a happy ending for the art center because in similar thefts the works of dale chihuly were destroyed once the person discovered how valuable they were. maybe not such a happy ending for the thief, the police are, woulding the case hard. >> on monday a cleaning man noticed a obvious gap in a row cobattle and lavender, all 8 inches was gone. tuesday this morning -- >> i just, you know i came in like i always do, like i saw the box sitting there. the pack or something. >> a blown box outside of the art center on central avenue, half a mile away from the chihuly gallery on beach drive. and she set it aside, opened the shop. then opened the box. >> was there a label? >> no some tape. it looks like a beat up box. you know it was the chihuly piece. >> i did cry, i was happy. >> the gallery's director lifted the piece out of the box under the direction of police investigators. a quick inspection revealed no damage. >> we'll do some close looki

students, concerts, markets and food trucks are a part of the strategy to restore the block to pete, steve nichols, fox 13 news. >>> and lots of buses still go through st. pete but as of valentine's day they stick to the arteries they do not use it as a hub. >>> can the republican candidates stop donald trump? a look at his lead in the polls and the races that are just around the corner. >> your tummy, love handles all the places that are tough to fight the fat. there is a treatment promising to do it without surgery. dr. jo will look at how it works. >>> we're taking a peek insiled of the world of cyber security. >> and it is everyone's business. cyber security and dumpster some people don't like to share their wifi, but at bright house networks, we do. login to one of our hotspots and get your code for free wifi at over 50,000 bright house wifi hotspots. know you can keep your financial big picture under control. know you can see how much you have to spend and whether you should transfer funds. know you can easily keep track of what you're putting away. and know you're budgeted for the thanks to

. >> steve nichols. >> fox 13 news. >> thank you. >>> more traffic changes are coming to downtown on monday as well. starting next week east cast street from ashley to franklin will be a two way street. it are you headed to tampa turn right. north on franklin. make a left. you have not done that before. >>> it is part of a redesign making it a two way street. there will be a bike lane. watch out for the bikes and the work should be done this summer. >> what happened at a livestock auction last night brought the crowd to its feet. it may have brought them to tears. >> what a day. >> wrapped up the work week and it will last a while longer. >> and we'll talk about that and 3 ((kelly--vo-)) something amazing happened at this auction at the hardee county >>> something amazing happened at the fair last night. it is a tribute to the people who live there. they rallied to support a boy who lost his mom. 11-year-old heath hendry was adopted when he was a year old. his mom suddenly passed away. >> as we report, last night the farming community dids something very special for heath. >> it is n

in clearwater, steve nichols. >> the president of the union tells fox 13 they want outside cameras in part to protect their vehicles. the union is studying the idea inside. >> we have a us in alert on the scene of an accident with a mo ped and st. pete beach. they are not releasing information but we have a crew on the way. we'll bring you more information as we get it. avoid the area for the time being. >>> and in polk county tonight, hope is fading for hope now. the non-profit that provides residents treatment for drug abuse may have to shut down. leaders voted to pull the finding. why and what what happens to the >> they are caught in the middle of this that's a great question we don't know what will happen. the commissioners voted to eliminate funding because of concerns over how the money was spent and misspent. here is the background. polk county started giving hope now about a mimon an hullly to provide services to residents battling substance abuse. september complaints of mismanagement surfaced. the inspector general started an investigation and last week released a scathing

pfox 13's steve nichols is live pwith an update on this case. phi steve. p>> hi you know, this little iece about 8 inches tall was a pcollection gallery. pthat's down on beach drive. pthis collection is owned by more pan arts is there florida about phalf a mile away in 700 block of pcentral avenue. pand this is where the object pturned up. pin a box outside the front door. pthe good news and somewhat punexpectedly cobalt and lavender ick although with gilded phandles appears to be undamaged. pit is also back at the beach pdrive gallery now because there pwas no way st. pete police want pirreplaceable piece of art worth pas much as $25,000. pwe spoke to an employee who pfound the box and before opening pit actually set it aside for a pfew minutes while while she popened up this gallery. p>> i opened box oh my gosh. pno way. pno way. pit's pretty crazy. pyou know. pwas there a label or any pmarkings on it. pbeat up box. pand uniait was, chihuly piece in pit like oh, recognizes it had pobviously i work here. pand i was seen it enough times. pit is still thoug

. >> reporter: steve nichols, fox 35 news. >> sonni: a fox alert, a suspect is behind bars after a police officer is shot in the head. the police officer was responding to an armed robbery when the masked suspect took off running. he's in critical condition tonight. >>> disgraced new york politician elliott spitser. >>> under investigation for assault. a woman says the former governor attacked her at a hotel. >>> a huge drug bust down under about $900 million worth of liquid meth. discovered in jail bra inserts, one of the largest drug busts in australia's history. some of the meth was snuggled in art supplies. four suspects have been arrested, all of them hong kong national, each one could get life in prison. >>> a virgin atlantic flight heading to new york returns to london after a laster beams into the cockpit. police got the call sunday night. passengers said it was frightening. no arrests have been made but a full investigation is underway. >> bob: pope francis continuing he visited his tour. this is pope francis' first trip to the central american country. checking in with glenn. >>

pfox 13 steve nichols shows us phow this all ties together. premember how cold it was last pweekend, the you'll remember pclearwater marine aquarium. pwe received over 20 live intake pand 8 daedz on beach these panimals a most of them are pexhibiting a number of different pfactors. p>> that's twr from cma new tv pshow which premiere monday night pon youtube. p>> the two motivations for the pmoney. pwe built up a large audience pdolphin tale movies. pthey want to know what is next. ptv. psnow launches just as the cma pexpansion. pdolphins and sea turtles premember that cold snap, we're ptaking our regular pools and phave to divide them into half pand fourths to make room for peveryone. pthat's not an ideal situation, pbut with the overflow across the pstate that's what we have to do. p>> preliminary plans show a cma, p45 to $50 million from now pdouble in size with more space pfor visitor and parking garage pfor their cars. pbut we're told most importantly, pmore room for the rehab work. pexpansion allow us to not have pto turn animals away whi

pfox 13's steve nichols tells us pthis need to ration was redicted actually 15 years ago. p>> at the moment only a whole plot of traffic gets in the way pof jumping in a car and driving pto clearwater beach. pisland transformed into a high pend destination under a master lan called beach by design. padopted in 2001, with one pcomponent forgotten or ignored pever since. pbeach by design suggests is that pwe consider some form of prationing of the access to the pbeach. pthat pepsi delivery, no the on pthe busy daytime. pspecial fast lane for transit pvehicles and a residents peveryone else enjoy the slow plane. pa few examples of rationing paccess to at island. pnever popular, never really pdiscussed until now. p>> are we at a point where we pseriously need to consider rovide priority access to who pgoes to the beach and then how pmight we do that? pcongestion never really goes paway. pthat said spring break 2016 pstarts this month and the pclearwater chamber of commerce pwants to quickly fire up a park pand ride program. pusing existing trollies and pdowntown parking gadget