CLEARWATER - A county judge this morning dismissed a motion to drop charges against Jean Merola, the 76-year-old woman arrested in January and accused of blocking the drive-through at a McDonald's. ...more

June 20, 2008

A county judge on Friday said he would consider a motion to dismiss charges against the 76-year-old grandmother accused of obstructing a McDonald's drive-through, while the woman's attorney said he would attack the arresting officer's ability to tell the truth if the case goes to trial. ...more

June 14, 2008

CLEARWATER - A county judge today said he would consider a motion to dismiss charges against the 76-year-old woman accused of obstructing a McDonald's drive-through, and her attorney said he would attack the arresting officer's ability to tell the truth if the case goes to trial. Jean Merola was 75 when she arrested Jan. 17 at the McDonald's drive-through at 1934 Hercules Ave. N., after Officer Matthew Parco repeatedly instructed her to move her Lincoln Town Car while she waited for an order of french fries without salt. ...more

June 13, 2008

DRINK UP AND SALUTE God bless the French. First they teach Thomas Jefferson about cuisine. Then they give us a big ol' statue. (We won't even get into the whole french fries thing. For that achievement alone, we should rename a state. Frenchissippi, maybe.) Now they're celebrating All Things American with POP Champagne in petite red, white and blue, starred-and-striped bottles. The limited-edition bottles retail for $14.95. Available at www.sherry -lehmann.com or on store shelves beginning Fourth of July weekend. ...more

June 11, 2008

Doug Wilson says his taste is more down-to-earth than people might think. ...more

May 7, 2008

Local art lovers will crowd Tom Varn Park this weekend to check out some of the area's best homemade jewelry, paintings and wood carvings. ...more

May 2, 2008

Tasty Morsels On TV This Week "The Secret Life of ... Family Restaurants," 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Food Network ...more

April 15, 2008

Gadzooks, at the rate things are going you have to wonder if Clearwater geezerette Jean Merola will ultimately end up facing charges of offing Jimmy Hoffa, stealing those Swiss artworks and being the mastermind behind the Medellin Cartel. ...more

February 23, 2008

A few weeks back I got a chance to meet Debra Snyder the new general manager of Woody's BBQ in Sebring. She is one progressive lady. For example, it takes a lot of nerve to close your business to paying customers for an evening in order to host a monthly Chamber of Commerce Mixer. ...more

February 23, 2008

The Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office is pursuing a charge against Jean Merola, the 75-year-old woman who was arrested after not moving her car out of a drive-through lane at a McDonald's. ...more

February 21, 2008