Jeb Bush 'Endorsement' Flap, Brandon Skate Park Jam, Randall Eulogized

Here’s just a sampling of stories that posted in Brandon Patch for the week that ended July 21. To review additional stories, go to Browse News for a listing of stories in chronological order. (Also, you can search there by month, with the links posted in the left-hand column.)

• A special Brandon Patch report explored the Jeb Bush "endorsement" that wasn't, becoming the . Former state Senate president Tom Lee calls this "the dirtiest campaign I’ve ever been a part of in 20 years in public office." His opponent for the Distrct 24 Senate seat, Rep. Rachel Burgin, said there are questions raised "that should be answered."

• Coverage of the Brandon Skate Park 'Band Jam/Skate Jam' included a gallery of photographs and video, a preview of the event featuring an interview with program specialist Sam Haslet and an event wrap-up exploring .

• were held July 17 at the Southside Baptist Church in Brandon. A Korean War veteran, past principal of Brandon High School, past president of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and namesake for the middle school in FishHawk, Randall died July 13 at age 82. , a man Lennard said was "an astute disciplinarian" who "would give you the shirt off his back and then give you the money to get it dry cleaned." Lennard is the former Hillsborough County school superintendent and now the county's supervisor of elections.

• Adjacent to Randall Middle School is the high school named in honor of Joe E. Newsome, whose wife, . Her husband of 49 years was a Plant City pharmacist, who served on the Hillsborough County School Board for more than 25 years.

• were held in the Tampa Bay area this week for Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Seija and Army Sgt. Clarence Williams III. The soldiers became the 27th and 28th Tampa Bay area service members killed in Afghanistan.

• A that led to the evacuation of 160 inmates. The inmates were housed elsewhere in the jail.

• spread the word that Tampa Bay area men and women are being sought for an historic, nationwide study looking at the genetic, environmental and lifestlye factors that might cause or prevent cancer. Sign-ups in July are at St. Joseph's hospitals.

• The grassroots celebration. Children ages 8 to 18 are asked to learn one or both dances created by the Dizzy Feet Foundation, and then join to perform July 28 at The Regent.

• Hillsborough County athletes at the were cheered on by a supportive crowd, including members of BSAC's Team TRIDENT, for people with intellectual disabilities.

• this year moves indoors to the Campo Family YMCA in Valrico. The FishHawk Area Networking Group event this year is scheduled for Aug. 5 from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring more than 100 local business booths, demonstrations, giveaways, door prizes and samplings from area restaurants.

• In its 2012 inaugural season, the with an overall record of 7-5-4, for a combined total of 25 points. The team plays at home at J.C. Handley Park in Brandon.

• A 23-year veteran of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, assigned to the community outreach division, resigned after surrendering her four miniature horses to RVR Rescue of Riverview. were lodged.

• , Aug. 17 at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Associations, were announced, featuring the productions of four community theater troupes.

• and notes its fundarising efforts this year that raised more than $13,000 for charities, including A Kid's Place in Brandon, the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) in Brandon and the Alice Storms Very Special Arts Festival.

• The for the 2012-13 service year.