Talented Dunedin

Dunedin 'Target Rich' for Local Photographer

Richard Bennett's photo taken from the Dunedin Causeway is Patch's featured Facebook cover photo for April. Meet the man behind the lens.

Dunedin Patch's April Facebook cover photo is a timeless Dunedin scene. Lucky for us, this month's featured photographer Richard Bennett is a 10-year Palm Harbor resident who found himself on the Dunedin Causeway on March 30. It isn't the first time we've noticed his photos in the Dunedin Patch community scrapbook, so wanted to learn more about the person behind all the amazing shots. Here's some of his stats: Rick Bennett, 50, is St. Petersburg native and 27-year Pinellas County Sheriff's veteran, who became interested in photography when he retired in 2010. Find more of his photography at his website www.rwbadventures.com. Equipment: Canon EOS 7D digital camera and wide angle and super telephoto lens Mentor: photographer Adrian Maj What …

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New Pinellas Sheriff's Captain at Dunedin Station Explains Challenges, Changes

Pinellas County Sheriff's Capt. Glenn Luben, the new man in charge of day-to-day patrol operations in north Pinellas, shares challenges he and his deputies face in times of tightening budgets and evolving technology.

Glenn Luben, the new sheriff's captain in charge of north Pinellas County, was headed down a much different path. As a teenager growing up in Clearwater during the late 1970s and early '80s, he was starting to get into a lot of trouble. That is, until he stumbled upon a Police Explorers program, he said. The action, excitement and non-stop nature of the job sold him. "Had that not happened, I might have ended up in jail," he said.  Luben, 50, who replaced Capt. Bill Hagans at North District Station in Dunedin in late December, now oversees patrol operations for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office's northern contract cities — Dunedin, Safety Harbor and Oldsmar — as well as Palm Harbor, East Lake and unincorporated Clearwater. ***  He …

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Mutt March 2013: Who Will Be Dunedin's Honorary Mayor?

Suncoast Animal League's seventh annual Mutt March at Highlander Park in Dunedin on Feb. 16 will reveal more than the most talented dogs in the area. It also determines the next Honorary four-legged (or web-footed) Mayor of Dunedin.

Canines of all shapes, sizes and skills are running over to Dunedin's Highlander Park to cast their vote on Saturday, Feb. 16. They'll be lining up to take part in Suncoast Animal League's seventh annual Mutt March for pet look-a-like, singing and dancing competitions, pet vendors, raffles, an art corner, food and and water stations (don't worry, there's a beer garden for people). They'll be there to help their four-legged friends from more than 20 animal rescue groups get adopted to new families, as well as see who gets named the next Honorary Mayor of Dunedin, a fundraising campaign title that goes to the dog (or goose) with the most pledges. (It's not too late, start your dog's campaign or cast your vote.) The event is free to attend, …

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Fingerprint on Stolen Scratch-Off Foils Munchee's Robbery Suspect, Detectives Say

Pinellas County Sheriff's detectives arrested a Palm Harbor man on Feb. 7 in connection with a string of recent robberies and a burglary at a Munchee's convenience store in Dunedin.

A fingerprint lifted from a stolen lottery ticket is the key piece of evidence authorities used to find the suspect in a string of recent Dunedin convenience store robberies. Pinellas County Sheriff's detectives arrested Trevor David Winsett, 24, of 402 North Carolina Ave. in Palm Harbor, late Thursday, Feb. 7, in connection with two robberies and a recent smash-and-grab burglary of 100 scratch-off lottery tickets at Munchee's, 2100 Bayshore Blvd. Detectives say Winsett gave the lottery tickets from the Jan. 29 burglary to his brother to repay a debt. Winsett's brother went with his girlfriend to cash the winning tickets a few hours later at a Palm Harbor 7-Eleven, two miles north of the burglary at 100 Alt. U.S. 19, according to …

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July Fourth Celebrations in Pinellas County

Here are some great events that are happening this 4th of July in Pinellas County.

1. Dunedin's Hometown USA: The City of Dunedin Parks & Recreation Department and the Dunedin Blue Jays will host the annual Dunedin Hometown USA event in partnership with Budweiser, featuring a game against the Daytona Cubs and a concert with fireworks. 2. Kiwanis Midnight Run: Get active this Indepedence Day. The previous 32 midnight runs have raised more than $595,000 for the Kiwanis clubs of Dunedin and Top of the Bay community service activities. Between 2,200 and 2,800 runners are expected at this event.  3. Safety Harbor 4th of July Parade: Make sure you wear your red, white and blue for the American Legion Auxilliary Main Street Parade. Following the parade, there will be a patriotic ceremony and live music at the gazebo at John …

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