5 things you need to know happening in Florida on Monday, March 4

TAMPA, Fla. - Here are five things you need to know happening in Florida on Monday, March 4.

(1) Dontae Morris trial begins

The first of four murder trials for Dontae Morris is scheduled to begin in Orlando.

Morris is charged with killing five people, including Tampa police officers David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab. The officers were shot to death during a traffic stop on June 29, 2010.

Prosecutors say in the weeks before the officers were murdered, Morris killed three other men: Rodney Jones, Derek Anderson and Harold Wright.

The murder trial beginning today is for the murder of Jones. Investigators say Morris killed Jones outside the Cotton Club in Tampa.

The trial was moved to Orlando after many potential jurors told a Hillsborough County judge they knew Morris was the prime suspect in the murders of the two officers.

The judge told the potential jurors not to discuss the case, but some ignored his order.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Orange County Courthouse in downtown Orlando.

(2) Brittany Miles trial begins

Convicted felon Brittany Miles will go on trial in Hernando County for first-degree murder beginning on Monday.

In November a Pasco County jury convicted the 24-year-old Miles of battery on a law enforcement officer, driving under the influence, and fleeing and eluding.

In 2011 Pasco County deputies stopped Miles for a DUI in Hudson. She was able to break away from a deputy. On the ensuing high speed chase authorities say she hit and killed a motorcyclist, 67-year-old Henry McCain.

A judge sentenced Miles to 15 years in prison for the Pasco County charges.

If convicted, Miles faces up to life in prison on the murder charge. The trial will begin at 9:00 a.m. with jury selection at the Hernando County Courthouse in Brooksville.

(3) Clearwater fire station groundbreaking

The City of Clearwater is breaking ground on its news downtown fire station on Monday.

Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos, Fire Chief Robert Weiss, and members of the city council and fire department will take part in the groundbreaking ceremony.

Fire Station 45 will be a new four-bay, three-story station located at 1140 Court Street in downtown Clearwater. It replaces the original Fire Station 45 built in 1974.

"Many things have changed in the past four decades," said Fire Chief Robert Weiss. "The old fire station served us for 39 years but new energy-efficient technology will help us save about $8,000 a year in operating costs."

The new station is designed to withstand Category 5 strength hurricane winds. It is scheduled to be completed by April 2014.

For more information on the original Fire Station 45, visit www.clearwater-fl.com/gov/depts/fire/stations.asp#45 .

(4) Willie Taggart "Coming Home Party"

Multiple Manatee County groups are hosting a "Coming Home Party" for new University of South Florida head football coach Willie Taggart on Monday.

Taggart is a graduate of Manatee High School. He was named USF's new football coach on December 9.

The party, sponsored by Take Stock in Children of Manatee County; Shinn & Company, LLC.; Florida Shores Bank; Bradenton Herald; the USF Bulls Club; and USF Alumni, is being held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.

(5) Jerry Greenfield at USF

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream co-founder Jerry Greenfield will speak at the University of South Florida on Monday.

He will talk in the Marshall Center Ballroom at 8 p.m. as part of USF's University Lecture Series.

Greenfield will share his personal insights on the relevance of entrepreneurship and sustainability in business.

USF is a leader in those fields. The school's graduate entrepreneurship program ranked 11th on Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine's list of the top programs in the nation in 2012.

Sierra magazine ranked USF 12th on their annual "America's Coolest Schools" list in 2012. The list ranks universities and colleges for advances in sustainability in research and education.

Tonight's talk is open to the public. Every audience member will receive free ice cream for attending Greenfield's lecture.

For more information, visit uls.usf.edu .