5 things you need to know for Wednesday, February 16

Here are five things you need to know happening in Florida on Wednesday, February 16.

(1) Tampa Downtown Partnership mayoral forum

All five Tampa mayoral candidates are scheduled to attend a forum hosted by the Tampa Downtown Partnership at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

ABC Action News anchor Brendan McLaughlin will moderate the forum.

Business leaders, community groups, downtown residents and anyone who has an interest in meeting the candidates is encouraged to attend.

Reservations are required. Online registration is available at events.tampasdowntown.com .

The forum takes place at the Embassy Suites Downtown at 513 South Florida Avenue.

(2) 23rd annual City of Tampa Black History Celebration.

The City of Tampa hosts their annual Black History Celebration at the Tampa Convention Center at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

The program's theme, "Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve: The Importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities," highlights the impact graduates from these schools have had shaping the City of Tampa.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Walter Smith, President Emeritus of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

Throughout the program, Jacksonville’s nationally acclaimed Edward Waters College Concert Choir will present a repertoire of exhilarating interpretations of classics, spirituals, gospel, and contemporary music.

The event is free and open to the public. The celebration will be broadcast live on City of Tampa Television (CTTV).

For more information, call (813) 274-7032 or visit www.cityoftampablackhistorycommittee.org .

(3) 25th annual Superintendent's Academic Challenge

Sixteen Pinellas County high school teams will play for the 25th annual county academic championship on Wednesday afternoon.

Students will be asked questions from multiple categories: mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, foreign language and technology.

Preliminary rounds begin at 3:30 p.m. with qualifying teams playing for the championship at 6:00 p.m.

Six students competing today will be named to the Pinellas County All-Star Academic Team and compete at the Commissioner's Academic Challenge to be held April 7-9 at Walt Disney World.

The Superintendent's Academic Challenge takes place at the Pinellas County Schools Administration Building at 301 Fourth Street SW in Largo.

For more information, visit www.pinellas.k12.fl.us .

(4) David Cassidy DUI Guilty Plea

Partridge Family star and 1970s heart throb David Cassidy is expected to plead guilty to Driving under the Influence in Ft. Pierce on Wednesday.

In exchange for his plea, Cassidy is expected to receive the minimum mandatory sentence of one year probation, $500 fine, 50 hours of community service and attendance at a DUI school.

Cassidy was arrested November 3 after allegedly weaving and nearly causing an accident on the Florida Turnpike near Exit 152.

The Florida Highway Patrol trooper who pulled Cassidy over said the 60-year-old actor appeared confused and smelled of alcohol. After failing three sobriety tests Cassidy was arrested and taken to the St. Lucie County Jail.

Records indicate Cassidy was given a breath test at the jail and blew a .139 and .141 percent blood-alcohol contest.

Today’s hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Cassidy is not required to be in the courtroom for the plea agreement.

(5) Willie Nelson

Country music legend Willie Nelson returns to the Bay Area on Wednesday night.

The 77-year-old singer is best known for songs “Always On My Mind,” “On the Road Again” and “Georgia On My Mind.”

His career began in 1956 when he wrote the song Lumberjack. He signed his first publishing contract in 1960 and reached the pinnacle of the music world in 1975 with his first number one album, Red Headed Stranger.

Nelson appears tonight at 8:00 p.m. at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.

For more information, call (727) 791-7400 or visit rutheckerdhall.com .