Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 19

5b TIMES THURSDAY. JANUARY 2006 FLORIDA NEWS 4 1 Free eats? If public can part alee, then legislators can too x. 1 1 love my 50 FREE CHECKING Leaders decide a ban on treats from lobbyists can loosen a little. Those mouthwatering Capitol festivals will continue. A account with unlimited check writing and a rate bonus on CD's." By JONI JAMES Times Staff Writer YOUR KIND OF FREE CHECKING1 menu includes smoked mullet, cotton candy and Cuban sandwiches.

But the key is that the event is open to the public and the food is free to anyone who shows up. 'Those are the kinds of things we don't believe were intended to be (banned)," the 'House policy chief, Rep. Dudley Goodlette, R-Naples, told House and Senate members in a rare joint meeting aimed at clarifying the written guidelines released Friday. "In fact, what we believe is that it's an opportunity for the citizens of the state of Florida to petition their government It is something we want to encourage members to attend," he said. But lawmakers still will have to pay to attend other big functions in Tallahassee, such as the large annual reception at the headquarters of Associated Industries of Florida.

Why? Because it requires a ticket, isn't easily accessible to the public and isn't on Capitol grounds. Lawmakers also learned of another exemption to the gift ban: personalized plaques, certificates and photographs from thankful constituents, groups or industries. "A plaque with my name on it has zero market value," joked House Speaker Allan Bense. "I don't think any of us envisioned not being able to receive a plaque." Joni James can be reached at (850) 224-7263 or jjamessptimes.com. CASH BACK TALLAHASSEE Florida state lawmakers can eat free, after all.

At least sometimes. Less than a week after interim guidelines were issued on a new law banning lawmakers from taking gifts from lobbyists, legislative leaders on Wednesday made clear one key component of Capitol life was still to be enjoyed. The open, free and heavily advertised outdoor extravaganzas that take place almost daily in and around the Capitol during the legislative session can continue. The events are sponsored by special interest groups from individual counties to state universities. Hillsborough County's delegation, as a result, is still planning its third annual "Flavors of Hillsborough" event under the Senate Office Building portico for April 20.

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Dr. Bach McComb was using a cheaper knockoff of the popular antiwrinkle drug Botox, which O2006 AmSouth Bank. Member FDIC. 'Free checking is only available for Positively Free, 50 Positively Free and Positively Free Business Checking (for businesses with up to $10 million in annual sales revenue) accounts. Minimum opening deposit required.

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One of McComb's victims, Eric Kaplan, 53, testified that he considered McComb a Dr. Frankenstein. Kaplan said he and i.uvjr5Mni7 IL I II i i i i i i v. 1 1 i .3 McComb this week it will investigate. "We want to make sure that all the facts of the case are presented and that the public in general and Hispanic community is served," said K.B.

Forbes, the group's executive director. Panel hears Dedge, votes to extend DNA testing TALLAHASSEE Wilton Dedge, who was freed after spending 22 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, urged Florida lawmakers to give other wrongly imprisoned inmates a chance to prove their innocence through DNA testing, as he had done. Dedge spoke before two legislative committees Wednesday. One then approved a bill that would lift a deadline for inmates with old cases and extend testing to those who pleaded guilty or no contest. "An innocent man shouldn't spend another day in prison for something he didn't do," Dedge told the Senate Criminal Justice before it unanimously voted for a bill (Senate Bill 186) introduced by Sen.

Alex Villalobos, R-Miami. Orlando woman missing ORLANDO Orlando police on Wednesday issued a request for the public's help in locating a woman who apparently has been missing for at least two days Jennifer Kesse, 24, was last heard from on Monday night apd did not show up for work the next day, family members said, describing such behavior as uncharacteristic. Kesse's 2004 black Chevrolet Malibu also was missing. Kesse is white with brown hair and green eyes, 5 feet 7, and 130 pounds. Police asked that anyone with information call the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline, 1-800-423-8477.

WIRE REPORTS i lit ii off' all yoffall projection, LCD and DLP TVs in stock side-by-side and bottom-mount freezer refrigerators OVER 100 TO CHOOSE FROM i his wife Bonnie, who was also injected in November 2004 with what they thought was Botox, were paralyzed for weeks and nearly died. McComb, 48, pleaded guilty Nov. 10 to charges of providing botulinum toxin type A that was not approved for human use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Prosecutors say McComb was part of a conspiracy of doctors and companies seeking a cheaper alternative to Botox.

His license as an osteopathic 'physician had been suspended when he gave the injections, which also led to hospital stays for him and his then-girlfriend, Alma Hall. Hispanic group looks into hospital ordeal ORLANDO A Hispanic advocacy group will investigate why a tSanford woman contracted a flesh-eating bacteria while in a Longwood hospital to give birth, resulting in the amputation of her arms and legs 12 days later. Claudia Mejia, 24, entered Orlando Regional South Seminole Hospital on April 28 and gave birth to a healthy boy, according to medical records. She then contracted a form of streptococcus that resisted conventional treatment Records show Mejia went into i -z reception is simulated Look for these red tags throughout the store. 'While quantities last savings off original retail price.

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