Baseball Star’s New Home Causing Waves in Belleair Shores

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howard’s giant, multi-million dollar mansion on Gulf Boulevard is attracting plenty of attention.

If you’ve ever taken a drive down Gulf Boulevard, chances are you’ve noticed the spectacular beachfront homes that line the west side of the scenic drive.  But one home in the Belleair Shores area is drawing more attention than others, both for its prolific size and for who owns the property. According to reports, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is having the 34,000-square-foot mansion built at a cost of roughly $25 million. The home will reportedly include a lazy river water feature and a bowling alley, among other costly amenities. The place has been attracting onlookers like Howard crushes fastballs, with everyone from neighbors to government officials weighing in on the project.  A recent article published in the …

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Largo Summer Camp Scholarships Are Available

Summer is almost here and the City of Largo offers summer camp scholarship programs. Check here for details including eligibility requirements.

Florida Top Dog Cheerleading Squad is Best in the Nation

One team from the Starkey Road gym won first place in last weekend's Summit competition in Orlando, while a another team took home a second place banner.

Florida Top Dog All Stars lived up to its name last weekend, taking home first and second place finishes in a national cheerleading competition last weekend in Orlando. Teams from the Starkey Road gym had earned two of the 107 paid bids to the Summit, a competition that is equivalent to a world championship meet. There were 340 teams total from all over the country, broken up into divisions and categories based on age and skill level. Top Dog's Junior Co-ed 3 team finished second in its division, while the Co-ed 4 team took home the first place prize at the two-day event. "It's pretty cool because some of the teams there hadn't lost all year," Top Dog co-owner Terri Abasial told Patch. "So this is a pretty big deal for us." Abasial, who …

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Synchronized Swimming Water Show is June 1

The Suncoast Water Works synchronized swim show is June 1 at Southwest Recreation Complex. The nationally-ranked team will have a clinic before the show for those interested in the sport.

Largo Shortstop Commits to LaGrange College

This standout Largo senior was tapped to play in the senior all star game at Tropicana Field in May.

Shortstop Steven Petrilyak, a Largo High School senior, has committed to LaGrange College in Georgia, the Tampa Bay Times is reporting. LaGrange College is in the USA South Athletic Conference. Here are highlights from the Largo shortstop's performance this season. Get the Largo Patch delivered to your email. It's free. Sign up here.

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Alligator Hunting Permits Available – Want to Give It a Try?

Florida Fish and Wildlife is offering permits and a promotion: "Experience alligator hunting."

Florida sportsmen and women are invited to apply for an alligator hunting permit, with the 11-week gator season running from Aug. 15-Nov. 1. But hunters need to think about applying now for a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which has more than 5,000 available. Each permit enables hunters to bag two 'gators. Hunting licenses for gators are awarded to adults; you must be 18 or older. Interested? Just head to the city's tax collector's office to fill out an application, or go online to do it at http://License.MyFWC.com. Applications are free to fill out. Permits are issued at random through May 12. Then hunters who are selected need to buy their permit by June 3. The state then will launch a first-come…

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Softball Game to Benefit Victims of Domestic Violence

The 10th annual Cops for the Cause charity softball game is at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Bright House Field. Proceeds benefit the children of Deanna Mendoza, a victim of domestic violence.

Regardless of the outcome, the winner of the 10th annual Cops for the Cause charity softball game will not be either team on the field. Proceeds from the game benefit the children of Deanna Mendoza, a victim of domestic violence, who was found killed in a murder-suicide in January near Carrollwood. Mendoza worked as a dispatch trainer for the Tampa Police Department since 2009. She had three children Ricky, Cristina and Cailee. Players made up of Clearwater and Largo Police officers will take on a team comprised of Tampa Police players at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Bright House Field. After the softball game, the Threshers play the Tampa Yankees. What: 10th annual Cops for the Cause charity softball game When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, …

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Largo Wrestler Helps Pinellas All Stars Defeat Pasco All Stars

Danny Bergstrom won his match while fellow Largo standout Derrick Doss was upset in the 182-lb. class.

The Pinellas County All Stars wrestling team defeated the Pasco County All Stars 45-15 on April 15, 2013. Pinellas County won 10 of the 14 bouts. Largo High School senior Danny Bergstrom earned a majority decision over Gary Garcia of Land O' Lakes High School in the 195-lb. weight class. Bergstrom's compelling life story was chronicled earlier this year in an article on the Bright House Sports Network website. Another Largo High wrestler, Derrick Doss, dropped his match by a 6-2 score to Collin Hahn of Fivay High School. Doss, a senior standout on the Packers' football team and one of the top wrestlers in Class 2A, was competing in the 182-lb. weight class. The Pinellas team was coached by two-time NCAA All-American Dustin DeNunzio from …

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Mayor’s Golf Tournament Resumes

After a few years off, the Mayor's Golf Tournament which supports summer camp scholarships for Largo youth is April 26.

After a few years off, the Mayor's Golf Tournament which supports summer camp scholarships for Largo youth is back on. The "Tee Off For Kids" tournament is April 26. There are two shotgun starts; at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. The last event was held April 2010. The two person teams are limited to 96 golfers. There will be raffle prizes and awards for the top and bottom teams. Cost is $60 a player and includes golf and food. Call 727-518­-3092 or visit largogolf.com. What: Mayor's Golf Tournament When: 8 a.m. or 1 p.m. April 26 Where: Largo Golf Course, 12500 Vonn Road Sign up for the free Largo Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.

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Former Gator Stacey Simmons Tackles New Opponent: Diabetes

The ex-University of Florida and Dunedin High football star operates a training facility in Largo, where he’s helping diabetics realize they’re just as athletic as anyone else.

Stacey Simmons is the type of person who, as soon as you meet him, you feel like you’ve known him all your life.  A gregarious man with an infectious laugh and relentlessly upbeat personality, the former football and track star at Dunedin High School and the University of Florida who played one season in the NFL has a way of making people feel at ease while still being able to get the best out of them. Simmons’ post-gridiron career has him working with men, women and kids in a way that helps them get in shape by using the power of positivity and hard work, both through his job as a teacher and track coach at Pinellas Park High and at his training center, Stacey Simmons Sports Training.  Surprisingly, many of Simmons’ clients have a lot in …

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