5 things you need to know happening in Florida on Tuesday, September 4

TAMPA - Here are five things you need to know happening in Florida on Tuesday, September 4.

(1) Paul Royster murder trial

Jury selection begins in the murder trial of Paul Royster in Bradenton on Tuesday.

Royster is charged with first degree murder, attempted murder and armed robbery in an attack that left Orvile Uhl dead and another man critically injured last year.

Detectives say Paul and his younger brother Davone went to a house in the 5900 block of Sixth Street East in Bradenton on May 27, 2011. It was there deputies say the Roysters shot and stabbed Uhl and Jeremy Mitchell in what appears to be a drug-related incident.

Davone Royster will be tried separately in a trial scheduled to begin on November 5.

If convicted of first degree murder, Royster would be sentenced to life in prison.

Jury selection is scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m. at the Manatee County Courthouse in Bradenton.

(2) Tropical Storm Debby federal disaster assistance deadline

Tuesday is the deadline for Tropical Storm Debby survivors to apply for federal disaster assistance.

Anyone who had storm-related damage to their home, vehicle, personal property, business or its inventory between June 23 and July 26 should register for assistance.

Federal disaster assistance helps eligible applicants with temporary housing, uninsured personal property losses and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other disaster-related expenses and serious needs.

Survivors must register with FEMA to be considered for federal disaster assistance even if they have contacted the State of Florida, their local emergency management agency, the American Red Cross or other charitable organizations.

To register for disaster aid, call FEMA's toll-free helpline at (800) 621-3362. Online registration is available at www.disasterassistance.gov or through a smartphone at m.fema.gov .

Business owners may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling (800) 659-2955 or online by visiting www.SBA.gov .

(3) Belleview Biltmore tax abatement vote

The Belleair Town Commission is scheduled to vote for a second time on Tuesday to extend the historic tax abatement to commercial properties.

The vote would be a critical step forward to saving the historical 115-year-old Belleview Biltmore hotel.

A change in the town ordinance requires two votes. A first vote passed 3 to 2 in August.

Supporters of the tax abatement plan say it would allow developers to restore the hotel to its former grandeur. Opponents say Belleair would give up near $5 million in tax exemption over a 10 year period.

The vote is scheduled to occur during a meeting of the Belleair Town Commission at 5:30 p.m.

(4) Salad bars in Hillsborough high schools

Beginning on Tuesday, all public high schools in Hillsborough County will be offering salad bars during lunch.

For sanitary reasons, the salad bars will not be a traditional salad bar. Students will check off the items they want on their salad and cafeteria workers will make the salad for them.

Salads cost $2.75. Students can choose up to five items along with their salad dressing. Additional toppings are 50 cents each.

Students who are eligible for free or reduced lunches can receive the salads for little or no cost.

The goal of the salad bars is to get more Hillsborough County students to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

(5) Yankees vs. Rays

The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays continue their three-game series at Tropicana Field on Tuesday.

The Rays beat the Yankees 4-3 on Monday afternoon behind James Shields' solid pitching performance.

The first 10,000 fans to tonight's game will receive a free Fernando Rodney collectible T-shirt.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Tropicana Field gates open 90 minutes prior to game time.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (888) FAN-RAYS or visit www.raysbaseball.com .