He's accused of killing a teacher. His ex warned he'd hurt someone else.

St. Pete apartments win approval despite opposition; judge to temporarily stop 15-week abortion ban; Pinellas high school's staff turnover raises questions

View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Friday, July 1, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters The holiday weekend is almost here. Today's forecast starts off with partly cloudy skies, then scattered thunderstorms by the afternoon with a high of 91 and low of 76.  Start your Friday by reading up on items exempt from sales tax during "Freedom Week"; what experts say caused the spike in traffic fatalities around Tampa Bay; and a St. Petersburg artist who will be remembered for living a colorful life. Check your inbox for our next newsletter on Tuesday, July 5.  [Courtesy photo] After stabbing his ex, he got out of prison early. Now he’s accused of killing a Ruskin teacher. In 2017, Matthew Terry stabbed his then-girlfriend Michelle Rogers, putting her in the hospital for days.    During Terry’s trial, Rogers tried to warn his next girlfriend she was in danger.   She sent Kay Baker, a Hillsborough County elementary school teacher, a photo of her stab wounds: “Please don’t let this be you.” Five years later, Baker was dead. She’d been stabbed in the neck multiple times at her home in Lithia. Hillsborough sheriff’s deputies found 47-year-old Terry hiding in the bushes, covered in blood. Read the story from Mary Claire Molloy. Get the latest sports coverage from the Times For updates and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays, Florida college teams and more, follow the Tampa Bay Times sports crew on social media. Twitter Facebook Instagram AROUND THE BAY “He lived a lot of lives”: St. Petersburg artist Jimmy Breen painted murals on local businesses, designed for big-time musicians and made time for the people he cared about. He died last week at 37. Learn more about his colorful life.   Apartment tower wins approval: St. Petersburg City Council OK’d an increase in the number of residential units for a controversial project, despite opposition from concerned neighbors.   Chlorine plant to relocate: The biggest hurdle for Tampa’s Rattlesnake Point is on the way out. Hundreds of residencies are likely on their way in.   Fresh mall mix: Westfield Brandon is getting 10 new restaurants and stores.   Clearwater Whole Foods closed: Crews extinguished a fire in the vent system that filled the Countryside Mall store with smoke, authorities said. But the location remained shuttered Thursday morning.   Staff turnover draws concern: Tarpon Springs High had four assistant principals resign in a year. A Pinellas County School Board member is asking questions. So are some former staffers: What took so long to take a look?   First look at 2023 budget: The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s $155.4 million spending plan includes higher union wages and zero-emission buses.   Under investigation: Clearwater police are looking into a shooting in Safety Harbor that involves Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies.   Guilty verdict in Tampa trial: A jury on Thursday found David Vasquez Malave guilty of killing a 2-year-old boy. BRIGHT SPOT [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times (2020)] New tax holidays start today for Floridians You can score sales tax breaks on a variety of recreational activities and outdoor gear through Thursday as part of “Freedom Week.” But that’s not the only discount period now in effect. See a full rundown here. CORONAVIRUS DEVELOPMENTS UPDATES AT TAMPABAY.COM/CORONAVIRUS Removed for COVID vaccine criticism: A pediatrician on a state-appointed board received an email Wednesday informing her she was being removed for making “political statements that do not reflect the CFO’s point of view.” POLITICS 15-week abortion ban: A judge says he will temporarily block the new Florida law, but not before it takes effect today. And there’s more legal wrangling to come.   New donations on the rise: After the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Tampa Bay residents are raising money to support organizations that help pay for abortions through everything from bake sales to haircuts to benefit concerts.   Now what? The U.S. Supreme Court striking down Roe v. Wade means the decisions about whether to permit abortion revert to the states. PolitiFact looks at where access to the procedure stands across the country.   Historic moment: Ketanji Brown Jackson, who was sworn in Thursday as the 116th justice of the nation’s highest court, inspires Black Florida law students.   Limiting EPA’s authority: Also on Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court curbed how the federal agency can regulate fossil fuel emissions from power plants. That could slow the state’s fight against climate change.   DeSantis gets go-ahead: Florida’s Supreme Court has approved the governor’s request to impanel a statewide grand jury to investigate immigration issues.   Residency raises questions: Does Pasco County School Board hopeful Al Hernandez live in his district? Opponents say no. Dive deeper into your favorite local subjects 📨 Our free email newsletters bring the best of the Tampa Bay Times to your inbox every week. Explore all of them here. SPORTS Rays come up short: Tampa Bay kept its game Thursday against the Blue Jays close, but two two-run homers propelled Toronto to a win.    Preparing for 2022-23: The Lightning unveil their six-game preseason schedule.   Bolts re-sign Darren Raddysh: A two-year, two-way contract with the defenseman allows the team to retain some of its blue-line depth. Plus: Another Lightning defenseman could be the subject of trade talks, one report says.   Top honor: Quinton Flowers, the best player in Bulls football history, is a first-ballot inductee into the USF Athletic Hall of Fame. TODAY'S TALKER [CHRIS URSO | Times] Tampa Bay roads were deadlier in 2021 than in recent years Last year, traffic fatalities surged 48% in Pinellas County and 28% in Hillsborough. What's with the spike? Experts blame a number of factors. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Alexandra Urban, Kelsey Harrell, Joshua Gillin and Amy Gehrt. Did someone forward this to you? 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