Navigating the turn from the Pinellas Bayway, or 54th Avenue South into Eckerd College in St. Petersburg can be risky.
For years, retired diplomat Bob Shepherd fought unsuccessfully to get a stoplight installed. He was a member of Eckerd's Academy of Senior Professionals and regularly drove to the campus from his nearby home. "He was a man who saw a need for this traffic light. It was a tragedy waiting to happen," said long-time friend Jack Reed. Sadly, the tragedy was Shepherd's own death at this very intersection in a car accident last November.
Today, state officials unveiled plans for a red light to be installed at the college entrance. "We pressed the secretary to conduct the study, the study was conducted, it did prove that the intersection warranted a signal and we're very happy with the outcome," said Republican Senator Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg.
The new signal is welcome news on campus. "We think it'll make people a whole lot safer over the long haul," said Dr. Don Eastman, Eckerd College President. He said the intersection is often the site of fender benders and more serious accidents.
Shepherd's friends believe he would be pleased with his legacy. "Bob Shepherd would've been absolutely delighted. It's a pity that it took a life but it's very important for the succeeding generations."
Already Florida Department of Transportation workers are assessing the site, but it may take a year for the light to be installed.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:51 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:51:06 GMT
Attorney William Grant is representing the family of Jamie Seeger. Grant says they want answers on why Seeger did not have protection as a confidential informant for the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. To the left of Grant is Wendy Moore, Seeger's mother
The family of a female confidential informant says, they want answers. Last July, Jamie Seeger was found shot to death in her car in Crystal River.
The family of a female confidential informant says, they want answers. Last July, Jamie Seeger was found shot to death in her car in Crystal River.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:31:28 GMT
Starting next week traffic on the Davis Islands bridge and the Bayshore Boulevard ramp will likely become more congested due to intermittent lane closures.
Starting next week traffic on the Davis Islands bridge and the Bayshore Boulevard ramp will likely become more congested due to intermittent lane closures.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:51 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:46:51 GMT
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Chrysler says it has resolved its differences with the government and will recall older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire. Earlier this month the company refused
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:09:00 GMT
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Fewer U.S. adults are smoking, a new government report says. Last year, about 18 percent of adults participating in a national health survey described themselves as current smokers.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 3:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 19:01:00 GMT
It seems getting down on one knee with a ring is taking a backseat to some very creative marriage proposals. In recent years, men have conceptualized and executed marriage proposals that have raised
It seems getting down on one knee with a ring is taking a backseat to some very creative marriage proposals. In recent years, men have conceptualized and executed marriage proposals that have raised
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:50:46 GMT
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis would like to verify that the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is currently working on one of hundreds of very ambiguous leads in the Jennifer Odom Homicide.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:00:43 GMT
Forecasters say a tropical depression crossing Mexico's Bay of Campeche is expected to become a tropical storm before making landfall in that country's Gulf Coast state of Veracruz.
Forecasters say a tropical depression crossing Mexico's Bay of Campeche is expected to become a tropical storm before making landfall in that country's Gulf Coast state of Veracruz.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:51 GMT
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring. Numerous customers of Pompano Beach-based Nationwide Pools contacted 8
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing a pool company that was the subject of an 8 On Your Side investigation this spring.
