AMBLER IN THE NEWS

A frightening moment for a young girl helped patch a hole in state law.

In August, a man tried to lure 11-year-old Sonia Acevedo into his truck by offering her a wad of cash. Police found the suspect, but they were frustrated to learn that they couldn't arrest him.

"You know, the problem was, we didn't have a crime," police Chief Steve Hogue told reporters Monday.

Former state House Speaker Johnnie Byrd wants to make good on a promise he made after his father died of Alzheimer's disease in 1998.

"I made a commitment that I would bring down that beast," Byrd said.

He took a significant step toward his goal Tuesday, breaking ground on the Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute. Housed at the University of South Florida Tampa campus, the Alzheimer's facility, named after Byrd's father, should open by summer 2006.

Florida's next new law could come from the minds of teenagers.

On Wednesday, state Rep. Kevin Ambler told students at Gaither High School that he would bring a bill they write before the Legislature in March. He said his "It Ought to be a Law" bill- writing contest is the only one of its kind in the nation.

Students at the northwest Hillsborough school say the best part is there are no restrictions on topics or ideas.

State Rep. Kevin Ambler, R-Lutz, will host a series of town hall meetings throughout House District 47 beginning this week to discuss legislative issues.

"I wanted to talk directly with my constituents, listen to their concerns, and notify them of our accomplishments in Tallahassee during the 2004 legislative session," Ambler said.

After four contentious special sessions in the state Legislature this year, lawmakers will hold yet another one in Tallahassee this week. But this time, Kevin Ambler is actually looking forward to it.

The freshman state representative says this one could be a huge boost to Florida's economic future.

"This is going to be one of the most exciting and dynamic special sessions that you have ever seen in the state of Florida," Ambler told the Carrollwood Area Association of Neighbors on Thursday. "We are considering a couple of actions that will probably change the economic landscape of this state forever."

With the annual Great American Teach-In coming up on Wednesday organizers are scrambling to put the finishing touches on their guest lists.

The Teach-In, a national program where professionals from all walks of life talk with students about their jobs, has become one of the most popular, widely-attended campaigns in the county.