The Tampa Tribune from Tampa, Florida • 11

WEDNESDAY September 3, 2014 The Tribune ir NORWEGIAN BUYS LUXURY CRUISE UN Miami-based company hopes purchase of Prestige helps it compete with big rivals. Page 3 MIlJJ rL ttti nwi i- fv i i 5 pedestrians died in Gulf Boulevard accidents in 2009-13 BY KRISTEN MITCHELL Tribune staff their visitors to look both ways before crossing the street. Guests at many hotels along Gulf Boulevard are getting pedestrian safety key cards as part of an educational program to prevent pedestrian accidents. The key cards come with tips such as wear bright colors, use crosswalks and avoid cell phone distractions while walking. "We've had a lot of pedestrian crashes out there," said Kris Carson, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Transportation.

"A lot of the hotels have been very receptive to handing these out." CROSSING, Page 6 JAY CONNERSTAFF Many guests at the Bilmar Beach Resort In Treasure Island have appreciated getting the pedestrian tips, the hotel's general manager says. ST. PETERSBURG beach hotels are Local reminding 4.uAtf' 1 4 j-vNrr i' v.W 'c 4 4 CHRIS URSOSTAFF Falcon's Fury officially opened Tuesday as the newest attraction In Busch Gardens' growing array of thrill rides. It was hit or miss for adventurers after a soft opening last month. Fs cons Fury rakes un After sporadic soft opening, Busch Gardens promises big thrills daily North America's tallest free-standing drop tower will operate this fall between 10 a.m.

and 6 p.m. most days. Check the Busch Gardens website for specific days and operating times. "With the soft opening in the last couple of weeks, we tried to operate it as much as we could," said Busch Gardens spokesman Travis Claytor. "Now that it's open all the time, it should be open constantly until close" each day.

"We are safely into the thousands" of guests who have already taken Falcon's Fury FURY, Page 4 BY YVETTE HAMMETT Tribune staff Tampa Thousands of thrill-seekers have experienced the plunge in recent weeks, but it has been hit or miss for those visiting Busch Gardens hoping to hop on Falcon's Fury and dive face-first toward the ground. Now, the long-awaited drop tower is officially open. Falcon's Fury went online Tuesday as the newest attraction in the theme park's growing array of rides offering titillating turns, sweeping slides and terrifying tumbles. rm Jennifer King and Steven Burant of Brandon react after taking Falcon's Fury's 60-mph plunge at the official opening on Tuesday. Minorities staffer when districts drawn by race (SS'MMi iT" Palm Harbor aces scores for college prep JoeDrcnvn Jbrowntampatrlb.com ings released last week, Palm Harbor ranked 28th out of 683 high schools in Florida's 73 school districts for students' college readiness.

About 57 percent of students at Palm Harbor University passed the state math exams at proficiency level or higher, and 79 percent passed the state reading exams. In addition, about 62 percent of the 12th grade students took International Baccalaureate exams, which are college-level courses offered nationwide, and 43 A few weeks ago in this space, I wrote that the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately would have to decide on the redistricting lawsuit that threatened to put a wrench in Florida's upcoming elections. The judge in the case pretty much let Florida's congressional districts stand, even Rep. Conine Brown's racial gerrymandered 5th District, which meanders from Jacksonville to Orlando picking up black voters along the way.

Now it looks as if the I BY ANASTASIA DAWSON Tribune staff ST. PETERSBURG Palm Harbor University High School is the best in Pinellas County and among the top schools in the state when it comes to preparing students for college, according to U.S. News and World Report. In the spring 2014 edition the magazine's highly touted school bank nation's highest court will weigh in on the constitutionality of drawing voting districts to maximize the likelihood of electing a black candidate to office. The case before the justices involves a state Senate district in Alabama heldhy BROWNage6 CHRIS URSOSTAFF U.S.

News and World Report ranked Palm Harbor University High School 28th out of 683 high schools in Florida's 73 school districts for students college readiness..