5 things you need to know happening in Florida on Friday, July 8

TAMPA BAY, Fla. - Here are five things you need to know happening in Florida on Friday, July 8.

(1) Shuttle Atlantis launch

The final launch of NASA's space shuttle program is still a go for Friday morning despite a dismal weather forecast.

Meteorologists say there is only a 30 percent chance of favorable conditions at launch time. However, NASA test director Jeff Spaulding did mention space shuttles have launched on time with worse forecasts.

Launch time is scheduled for 11:26 a.m. The space agency estimates there could be up to a million people near Cape Canaveral to watch the final launch of the 30-year space shuttle program.

NASA has until Monday to get Atlantis into orbit or wait until the following weekend because of an Air Force rocket launch that takes priority.

Atlantis will carry the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module containing supplies and spare parts for the station and its crew.

For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/shuttle .

(2) Rosanna DiMauro sentencing

Rosanna DiMauro is scheduled to be sentenced for her participating in the murder of Brandon resident Robert Mason Brewer on Friday.

On May 3, 2010, Hillsborough County deputies say Brendan Lee Terry, Kasey Lee Ackerman and David James Link II stabbed Brewer, threw him into a trash dumpster and then set him on fire.

Link pled guilty last September to being an accessory after the fact. He was sentenced to nearly 3 years in prison followed by 5 years of probation.

Terry pled guilty to second-degree murder and kidnapping in October. He could have faced the death penalty had he been convicted of first degree murder in a trial.

Deputies say DiMauro aided the trio by using rags and bleach to clean up the stabbing scene in an apartment at the Brandon Manor Court apartment complex.

DiMauro's sentencing is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.

(3) Deputy John Mecklenburg funeral

Co-workers, friends and family of Hernando County Deputy Mecklenburg will pay their final respects at his funeral on Friday.

Early on the morning of July 3, Mecklenburg was killed in the line of duty

According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Mecklenburg was pursuing Michael James Anthony. Anthony was in the process of leading law enforcement officers on a chase that spanned four counties.

During the case, Deputy Mecklenburg lost control of his police vehicle and crashed into a tree. The impact killed him.

He leaves behind his wife, Penny, his 5-year-old son Andrew and his 18-month-old daughter Jessica.

Mecklenburg was 35 years old.

The funeral mass begins at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church 5030 Mariner Boulevard in Spring Hill.

(4) Party for the Paws

A pit bull puppy that was close to death just two months ago will make an appearance at Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill in St. Petersburg on Friday night.

Lotus was found on May 4 chained to a piece of wood floating in a St. Pete canal. A Good Samaritan rescued her. She was taken to Pet Pal Animal Shelter for life saving treatment.

Lotus was emaciated with severe Demodex, tiny parasitic mites that live in or near the hair follicles of mammals.

The Party for the Paws is a fundraiser for the Pet Pal Animal Shelter. The event will be filled with food, live entertainment by 80's cover band Screamin' Donkey, and gift drawings including a wall portrait on the Murals for Mutts project.

Mural artist Anna Hamilton has a goal of painting one thousand animals ont he wall over the next year to raise money for animal welfare. The mural is located adjacent to Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill.

All funds raised during the evening will benefit Pet Pal Animal Shelter's homeless animals and emergency medical fund.

Party for the Paws takes place from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

For more information on Pet Pal Animal Shelter, call (727) 328-7738 or visit www.petpalanimalshelter.com .

(5) David Alan Grier in concert

Actor-comedian David Alan Grier comes to Pinellas County to perform stand-up comedy at The Club at Treasure Island on Friday.

Grier has had a long acting career. He first was noticed as a Shakespearean actor after graduating from the Yale School of Drama.

In 1981 he was a Tony Award for his portrayal of Jackie Robinson in The First.

From there Grier began appearing in films and on television.

He shot to super-stardom during a five-year run on Fox's In Living Color starring alongside Jim Carey, Jamie Foxx and Damon Wayans.

Grier takes to the stage tonight at 9:00 p.m. The Club at Treasure Island is located at 400 Treasure Island Causeway in Treasure Island.

For more information, visit www.theclubti.com .