HNS REPORTS---FEBRUARY 24, 2010
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PASCO WOMAN KILLED IN TWO-CAR WRECK ON US 19
A 32-year old Pasco County woman died Wednesday morning in a two-car collision on US 19 just north of Weeki Wachee. Highway Patrol troopers said Shawna Masterson of Holiday was driving a Chevy pick-up that collided with a car driven by 28-year old Amanda Rice of Weeki Wachee, who was reportedly turning from St. Andrews Blvd. at the Heather subdivision entrance onto the highway. Neither Rice nor her 9-year old son Jake were injured, but troopers say Masterson's truck rolled and she was ejected from the vehicle. The HIghway Patrol report said she was not wearing seat belts. Masterson was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers said the crash is still under investigation and charges are pending.
SCHOOL BOARD SEEKS SAVINGS, HEARS NEW ZONE PLAN NEXT WEEK
The Hernando County School Board has a busy Tuesday in store next week. At an afternoon workshop the board will work with transportation staffers looking at alternatives for saving money. Among the possibilities are staggered school starting times, restricting magnet school transportation, and changing policy on transporting students who live within two miles of a neighborhood school.
Later board members discuss statistics on participation in middle school sports and will look at potential cutbacks.
While saving money is the workshop focus, spending money is no longer on the agenda. A $25 million master plan for new facilities at Springstead High School was postponed from earlier this month and expected to be on the March 2 workshop agenda, but it's not there. Principal Susan Duval's efforts to reduce portable classrooms and make Springstead comparable in facilities to newer high schools will apparently not be a board topic, at least for next week.
And the regular Tuesday night meeting features a public hearing and scheduled final approval of new attendance zones for Springstead and Central High Schools to accommodate the opening of the new Weeki Wachee High. Some parents affected by the proposed new zones have complained that they didn't get enough notice of the changes.
CUSTODY INTERFERENCE CHARGED IN TODDLER'S BRIEF ABDUCTION
SPRING HILL HOME DAMAGED IN KITCHEN FIRE
A Spring Hill home was damaged by fire and smoke Tuesday when a pot of oil was left on a stove. A sheriff's report says smoke and flames were coming from the stovetop in the kitchen at 7367 Gates Circle when Spring Hill firefighters arrived and extinguished the blaze. A resident of the home evacuated with pets and called 9-1-1 from a neighbor's home. Firefighters said there was fire damage to the kitchen and smoke damage to the rest of the home. Although the homeowner said the stove was not on, authorities said the blaze was not classed as suspicious.
DETECTIVES SEEK ANSWERS IN RASH OF CHURCH BURGLARIES
Hernando Sheriff's investigators say they are working on several unsolved church burglaries. A sheriff's release says other central Florida counties are also experiencing an increase in break-in's at churches. Detectives say the offenses are occurring during nighttime hours where the burglars are apparently rummaging through offices and looking for money. Detectives are asking anyone with information on church burglaries to contact the sheriff's office. Anonymous tips can be passed along to the Crime Stoppers toll free number, 866-990-8477. As with other unsolved crimes, tipsters may be eligible for a reward.
SOUTH BROOKSVILLE ACTION GETS COUNTY BOARD BACKING
Utilities staff told the board they are moving forward on drainage improvement concepts, but warned that eliminating frequent flooding in the area could cost as much as $13 million. Added to water and sewer upgrades, the total cost would be almost $20 million and could require major debt service expenditures, depending on how large a loan is required and how much in grant money may be available.
NO GAS TAX TALK, BUT ADKINS GETS APRIL CHARTER WORKSHOP
If there is to be a County Board workshop on raising the local gas tax, commissioners agreed on the date Tuesday...the workshop would be April 31. That was the facetious suggestion of County Administrator David Hamilton, who acknowledged that there was no board support for discussing a move to increase a tax, even to help fund stalled projects such as County Line Road. Of course, April has only 30 days.
Adkins also asked for the board to schedule charter government on the workshop agenda for next Tuesday, March 2. But other board members and staff indicated that a late add-on to an already long agenda didn't seem like the best idea. Adkins got his charter government workshop, but it's now scheduled for April 6.
HARD TIMES HIT HERNANDO AIRPORT BUSINESSES, COUNTY BOTTOM LINE
A hopeful hotel builder got a big break from county commissioners Tuesday. The Aviation Authority and staff had recommended lowering the tenant's lease payments because hotel financing had fallen through due to the recession. The airport director said the Authority wanted to cut the lease payment from $6,000 a month down to $1,200, though the tenant, a Crystal River doctor, had asked for an even lower lease option payment, which would be less than $400 a month. County Board members said the tough economic times justified the lower rate and voted unanimously to put the option back in effect.
Another airport business will keep a lease with the airport, though an adjacent site is being dropped from the deal. Duratek had planned a major facility on the additional site but recently decided not to build in Hernando County. Though initially planning an Ocala location, the company is now saying it's postponing its plans. Commissioners agreed, noting that the adjacent site is marketable and Duratek is retaining part of the site for local offices.
LOCAL BANK GETS INFUSION OF CASH
The Miami Herald reports that BCOM CCB Holdings LLC has agreed to invest $15 million in Cortez Community Bank and acquire control of the Brooksville-based bank.
The transaction is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and other conditions.
At the end of 2009, the bank had assets of $82 million and two branches, both in Hernando County.
Under the terms, BCOM would become a bank holding company and own at least 80 percent of the stock in Cortez, whose shares trade over the counter on the Pink Sheets.
The Herald reported that Cortez president and CEO Donald Page said the investment would boost capital and give the bank more flexibility to weather the tough real-estate environment.
EXTENSION SERVICE SEEKS MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS
The first step is to come to one of the mandatory “get acquainted” sessions to learn more about this exciting volunteer program. Sessions are held at 1653 Blaise Dr. in Brooksville. Choose to attend either Friday, March 5, at 2:00pm or Friday, March 12 at 9:30am. Registration is requested for these free informational sessions by calling 352-754-4433.
After completing in-depth training, Master Gardeners must volunteer to maintain their status. Volunteer opportunities are varied. Training starts Friday, April 9 and runs for 12 consecutive weeks covering such diverse gardening topics as: garden pest management, proper pruning, composting, vegetable gardening, citrus, etc. Cost of the training covers all reference books and materials and is $135. The cost for couples wishing to share materials is $150. The training will be a combined effort of Hernando and Pasco County. Classes will alternate between the Hernando County (Brooksville) and Pasco County (Dade City) Extension offices.
Master Gardeners must volunteer 75 hours of service their first year and participate in at least 10 hours of continuing education. After the first year, 35 hours of volunteering are required per year. Donating time can take place in a variety of ways. Some Master Gardeners develop and maintain demonstration gardens; teach students about gardening or insects, write articles for local newsletters, and educate adults at gardening seminars and plant clinics.
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