Birthday girl Amy Gernert sat at the head table and laughed as those around her joked about her zest for life. ...more

January 22, 2008

A booming membership has forced a local gym to get a lot bigger. ...more

January 13, 2008

The long-running debate about what to do with private dirt roads in need of repair or maintenance in unincorporated Pasco County, which county commissioners plan to tackle once again, needs a jolt of common sense. ...more

January 13, 2008

Dusty Travels I read with much interest your story regarding the dirt roads in Pasco County ("County To Address Road Fixes Again," Jan. 3). Since we live on a dirt road and have to breathe dust from four-wheelers, cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc., I have several questions: 1. I do not understand why the county would repair, pave, etc., any private road in a gated community. Would this not be the responsibility of the gated community? 2. If a road, such as ours, Bay Avenue in Zephyrhills, has to be paid by the residents to be paved, why, then, would the county pave private roads? I am sure our road is in Pasco County. It gets graded after it rains, maybe, and this only makes the dust problem worse. Plus, we have several older citizens breathing this polluted air, as well as several children and their parents. If an air quality test was ever taken in this area, it would not pass any clean air requirement. 3. Since our esteemed five members of our county commission cannot find a solution to the problem, isn't it time they go to another county to find out how they solved the problem? This is the first county we have lived in that does not tax all property owners land/home on their tax bill for road maintenance and paving. However, all subdivisions built must have paved roads and other amenities as required by the "permit to build." This is paid by the developer, and the cost is passed on to the buyer. Thank you for a very informative article on this subject. VIRGINIA FREELAND Zephyrhills Feeling Neglected I recently wrote a letter to the editor stating how Dade City has gone from being a charming, antique collector's dream town to one with an influx of trash, loud music and disregard for neighbors. The letter brought no response. Apparently, more important issues are at hand — i.e., water spots on an ice machine, a place to walk dogs, etc. Today, while outside enjoying the warm sunshine, I looked over to my neighbor's yard only to witness a man urinating in his yard. Oh yes, there is a house there, but this man appears to be residing in either a van or a makeshift lean-to shed. Two evenings ago, around 11 p.m., music was playing so loud that we could make out the words. Trust me — it is not something you would want your children to hear. Still in my nightgown, I donned a heavy jacket and began walking. The music came from one-half mile away! Should I not be able to give the deputy an address of the source of loud music, they don't feel a need to do anything about it. While on my way there, I was approached by two men on separate occasions. What a lovely place to live. Sure, I can move, but why should I have to? I would like to make Sheriff Bob White and his deputies aware of county ordinance 66-97 (7) (b). If you would like a copy, just let me know! It is about loud music. It has become obvious to me that Dade City/county officials don't seem to care much about anything when it comes to the subjects I've addressed. FRAN TOLL Dade City Give Babies Chance Regarding National Folic Acid Awareness Week (Jan. 7-13): Do it for yourself. Do it for the ones you love! When you hear of folic acid you mostly think "that's something for pregnant women." But here are a few things you may not know: The most recent data available shows that 12.2 percent of live births are preterm in Pasco County. Folic acid, when taken before pregnancy, can reduce the risk of spina bifida and other serious birth defects up to 70 percent. Although all grain products and enriched cereals in the United States are fortified with the B-vitamin folic acid, only one-third of childbearing-aged women consume the recommended amount. Taking the multivitamin with folic acid every day is a key way for women to get the recommended amount of 400 mcg. For more information on folic acid and National Folic Acid Awareness Week, visit: www.folicacidinfo.org. After having volunteered at the hospital and seeing premature babies, I wanted to help make a difference. Working with the March of Dimes, I can help educate every woman that it is possible to give every unborn child a chance at a healthy life. MARISSA COLLIER Land O' Lakes The writer is Miss Teen Kumquat and Miss Teen Largo. Last Auction I have been to a lot of public auctions, but Action Auctions on South U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills is the first one that I have attended that requires a bidder number to stay on their property. Also, they require a Social Security number to write a check. I called the state attorney's office. They informed me that a Social Security number is not necessary to collect on a bad check, and they said they wouldn't give them one, either. This is a good way to have your identity stolen. My neighbor refused to let them make a copy of his driver's license, and they ordered us off the property. If they had called a deputy, I wonder what the charge would have been. I won't be back! LYDEN GREEN Zephyrhills ...more

January 11, 2008

Dusty Travels I read with much interest your story regarding the dirt roads in Pasco County ("County To Address Road Fixes Again," Jan. 3). Since we live on a dirt road and have to breathe dust from four-wheelers, cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc., I have several questions: ...more

January 11, 2008

Pasco Commissioner Pat Mulieri wants the county to consider changing the way it paves its many miles of dirt roads. ...more

January 5, 2008

The issue is not a new one in Pasco County: A dirt road outside government jurisdiction falls into disrepair. Residents ask for a "one-time emergency fix." County commissioners consider paying to grade or pave the road. ...more

January 3, 2008

Residents began making their way through back streets and dirt roads Sunday afternoon into evacuated areas of this upscale community to see whether their homes survived a wind-driven wildfire that scorched surrounding brush-covered hills. ...more

November 26, 2007

Here is an excerpt from Farnell Middle School eighth-grader Jakob Klukow's story, "Spooky Alabama:" ...more

November 14, 2007

To the fans at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday night, it was just another play in South Florida's eventual 28-13 season-opening victory against Elon - a simple, unspectacular carry by freshman running back Mike Ford. It didn't even gain a yard. ...more

September 7, 2007