Saturday, December 29, 2012
Patch highlights interactions with its readers. Today, it's a comment on our story about Largo's "Muffler Man."
Thanks to Patch reader David, who posted this comment on our recent story about Largo's "Muffler Man," who has stood atop a Starkey Road business for 25 years: I always like seeing the Muffler Man on that roof when going through there. When I lived in Sanford we had an Art Grindle car dealership that had a huge statute of Art in one corner of the lot with it's mechanical arm caching your eye when passing by. These icons are hard to find anymore and it's a shame. Do you have fond memories of the "Muffler Man" or similar statues from other places you've lived? Post a comment at the bottom of our story and join the conversation. Largo Patch is an interactive community site, and we want you to get involved! Post a comment at the bottom of any …
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The iconic lumberjack statue has held a pair of tires on top of a Largo business for years.
The statue of a man holding two tires has stood on the roof of a Starkey Road business for years. The Paul Bunyan-like statue has a yellow cap, red shirt, and blue pants. Known as the "Muffler Man" or "Muffler Men", the large fiberglass sculptures were originally made to hold full-sized car mufflers at automotive repair places. Most of the Muffler Men were made in California and stand about 20 feet tall, according to tripwiser.com. According to Roadside America, Largo's Muffler Man has been on Starkey Road for 25 years and came from Webb's City Store in St. Petersburg originally. The website tracks Muffler Men around the country. A Patch reader recently emailed us, concerned about the fate of the Starkey Road Used Auto Parts store with the…
Sunday, November 4, 2012
The St. Petersburg man was struck by a car driven by a Largo woman Oct. 22 and died from his injuries Nov. 1, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
A bicyclist from St. Petersburg who was struck by a car at a Largo intersection last month has died, authorities said. Thomas Gregory Hirsch, 58, was crossing Bryan Dairy Road at Starkey Road on Oct. 22 when he was struck by a Pontiac Vibe that was headed westbound on Bryan Dairy, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Although he was in the crosswalk, Hirsch "entered into the path" of the car and violated the driver's right of way, FHP investigators said. Hirsch was ejected from his bike and sustained serious injuries. He was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, where he died more than a week later, on Nov. 1. Charges are pending against the driver, Gina Marie Andrews, 40, of Largo, according to the FHP. The incident is …
Saturday, October 13, 2012
The investigation to find the suspect's vehicle in a Seminole hit and run, which left a Dunedin woman seriously hurt, continued Friday afternoon.
Friday, October 12, 2012
The investigation to find the suspect's vehicle in a Seminole hit and run, which left a Dunedin woman seriously hurt, continued Friday afternoon.
Detectives continued to search Oct. 12 for a suspect's vehicle around the Seminole neighborhood where a Dunedin woman was injured in a hit and run Wednesday afternoon. Barbara Gaymore, 76, of Dunedin, was walking with a blue suitcase on Wednesday on Starkey Road just north of Park Boulevard in Seminole near the Perkins Restaurant, said Pinellas County Sheriff spokeswoman Cecelia Barreda. Gaymore was "seriously hurt" with mutiple fractures and a head injury, Barreda said. On Friday afternoon, detectives from the Major Accident Investigation Team canvassed the neighborhood east of Starkey Road, near where a school crossing guard saw the suspect vehicle turn, Barreda said. The detectives planned to go door-to-door with a flyer, which showed …
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Busy week? Allow us to catch you up on some of the highlights.
1. Late Largo Soldier's Letter Changed Congressman's Mind on War. Matt Sitton wrote to U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young about his concerns regarding improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan. Last month, he was killed by one. 2. Three Wawa Stores Coming to the Largo Area. The popular northeastern fuel and convenience store plans Largo and Pinellas Park locations. 3. Man Goes to Jail For Having a Sandwich in His Pants. The suspect refused to return the sandwich to the shelf and instead kept it in his pants, according to the arrest affidavit. 4. New Bistro Brings Authentic German Food to Largo. The new eatery German Bistro 2 offers hearty servings and complete home-cooked meals. 5. Why is it Called Starkey Road? Ever wonder about the origin of …
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Ever wonder about the origin of road names around Largo? Jay B. Starkey, Jr. shared memories of Largo from his childhood on the road now named after his family.
Largo residents are very familiar with trying to avoid orange construction barrels around town. But imagine having to avoid a herd of cattle? Obstacles are apparently nothing new on Largo roadways. Largo native Jay B. Starkey, Jr., 76, shared at a special Pinellas County Historical Society Centennial dinner his memories of growing up on his family’s 650 acres farm around what is now Starkey Road. Before fence laws, cattle roamed free in Largo and around Florida, he said. “It didn’t matter how much land you had. It was how much cattle. They loved to sleep on the road at night. It made travel around Florida interesting ... Cows roamed everywhere around Pinellas,” Starkey said. Starkey shared how his father, Jay B. Starkey, provided for the …
Friday, July 29, 2011
Railroad repairs on Starkey Road between Ulmerton and Bryan Diary Road are complete and all lanes are open.
Construction on Starkey Road between Bryan Dairy Road and Ulmerton Road is complete. All lanes opened to traffic Thursday night. Starkey Road was reduced to one lane in both directions from July 27 through July 28, for railroad crossing repairs. Officials estimated that the railroad crossing repairs would be complete on July 30. They finished a day ahead of schedule. Officials don’t anticipate any further lane closures on Starkey Road between those intersections. The county and CSX Transportation Inc. performed emergency repairs on a damaged concrete transition panel between the railroad tracks and the roadway.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Commuters are advised to take an alternate route until repairs are completed. The primary detour route is Seminole Boulevard.
Commuters who travel on Starkey Road are advised of possible delays from July 27 through July 30 due to railroad crossing repairs. The portion of Starkey Road between Bryan Dairy Road and Ulmerton Road will be one lane of traffic in both directions at the railroad crossing beginning at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27, through Saturday, July 30. Commuters are advised to take an alternate route until repairs are completed. The primary detour route is Seminole Boulevard. The county and CSX Transportation Inc. are performing emergency repairs on a damaged concrete transition panel between the railroad tracks and the roadway. Officials said the two-way traffic will be maintained in this stretch of road by using southbound lanes to keep one lane …
David
3:45 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I always like seeing the Muffler Man on that roof when going through there. When I lived in Sanford we had an Art Grindle car dealership that had a huge statute of Art in one corner of the lot with it's mechanical arm caching your eye when passing by. These icons are hard to find anymore and it's a shame. more ›