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Joey Flechas

Antoinette Gouger of Z Video Relay Service uses sign language to make a sales call. The company facilitates phone calls between the deaf and hearing and between deaf people themselves. (SHNS photo by Jim Damaske / St. Petersburg Times)

Company reaches deaf community with its own language

Last updated Wednesday, May 25, 2011 - 2:53pm

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Sean Belanger reached into his pocket to show his audience a glimpse of the future.

It was January 2007. The leader of a fledgling telecommunications company run by and for deaf people, he was making a speech to the local deaf community. An interpreter at his side repeated his words in sign language.

The CEO took his BlackBerry out of his pocket and hoisted it in the air. He promised to bring a luxury to the deaf that hearing folks take for granted -- the ability to make a phone call wherever, whenever.

Business, Deaf, Phone Read more Comments

April 2, 2011 -- The Florida Canine Academy trains dogs to sniff out bedbugs. They have a mock hotel room. (SHNS photo by Jim Damaske / St. Petersburg Times)

Bedbug-sniffing dogs do battle against spreading scourge

Joey Flechas, St. Petersburg Times

Last updated Tuesday, April 12, 2011 - 1:34pm

SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. -- Jet scurried into the room, eyes wide open and tongue hanging out of his mouth as he panted. The white and brown rat terrier knew it was time to eat -- but lunch was not served. He had to earn it.

Obeying his trainer, he calmly walked around a carousel of plastic containers with blue lids. He sniffed a series of small plastic containers one at a time until the scent of one made him quickly sit up, like a soldier being called to attention.

"Show me," said his trainer, Steve Price.

Jet lowered his nose to the lid of the container to show Price that he can quickly sniff out what it usually takes humans hours to find: bedbugs.

Features, Bedbugs, Dogs Read more Comments