Clearwater, FL -- Linda Carbone, CEO of the American Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter and Florida's West Coast Region will testify at a hearing for the House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.  

The field hearing will be held on Friday, June 10 in the Clearwater City Council Chambers, located at Clearwater City Hall, 112 S. Osceola Avenue, Clearwater.

The hearing entitled "Weathering the Storm: A State and Local Perspective on Emergency Management" will include Ms. Carbone's testimony on the readiness and responsibilities of the Red Cross during majors disasters.

Clearwater, Florida -- He murdered his father and first said it was in self defense. Then an expert said the fact the man drank Red Bull contributed to the murder. Now the plea is not guilty by reason of insanity and the state is cutting a plea deal to accept it.

It goes back to December of 2009 when Tom and Stephen Coffeen were standing outside their father's St. Petersburg home. Stephen told Tom he had to rush home from Disney World. When Tom arrived he knew something was wrong and called 911. On the tape you hear him asking his brother, "Did you do it? Open the door. Is he alive? Did you kill him?

Tom says he knew his 83 year-old father was dead and on the 911 tape screams, "Is he alive? Can you tell? Oh my God, you F***ing killed him."

Pinellas County, Florida -- Kicking off today, June 1st, Big Brothers Big Sisters will launch the “100 Men in 100 Days” campaign to encourage men to step up and volunteer with the organization. The recruitment campaign comes at a good time as there are more than 200 boys on the waiting list hoping to be matched with a positive role model. 

While Big Brothers Big Sisters accepts volunteers from all walks of life, there is a greater need for male and minority mentors.  More than 74% percent of children waiting for a “Big” are boys, but only 34 out of every 100 inquiries to volunteer come from men.  Now more than ever, Big Brothers Big Sisters needs men to step up and help kids.

“The reality is that any man with good intentions, imperfections and all, has what it takes to be a mentor,” said Susan Rolston, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County.  “Research has demonstrated that part of men’s reluctance to mentor includes personal reservations they may feel about themselves, the uncertainty of making a positive impact, and how they might be perceived.  The reality is you don’t have to be perfect to make a positive impact.”