Five Things You Should Know Today, August 24

1.     It could feel as hot as 100 degrees today due to the heat index. It will be mostly sunny, with a chance of rain or thunderstorms after noon.

2.     Do you have a hobby? Do you have thoughts on life in West Pasco? We want to hear them. Maybe others do, too. Become a blogger with New Port Richey Patch and have your voice heard. E-mail Alex.Tiegen@patch.com if you have an interest.

3.     Thinks it’s hot now? Imagine living in Pompeii on this day in the year 79 B.C., when Mt. Vesuvius rained ash on the ancient Roman city.

4.      We may not have to worry about volcanoes or earthquakes, but we’re sill in the middle of hurricane season. Good news is that Hurricane Irene is expected to veer away from the Tampa Bay area, but it could still affect our weather.

5.     Richey Elementary School’s principal, Ken Miesner, is reminding parents that the pickup and drop-off locations at the school have changed due to the construction of the new campus. The former car loop on Madison Street is now the bus loop. The car loop is now on the west side of the school, on Adams Street. Parents are advised to take Madison to Ohio Avenue and then turn right onto Adams when picking up their kids.