PASCO COUNTY NEWS

Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Mike Jenkins compares overdose numbers before and after an investigation that focused on the opioid supply source in the county, Monday, December 17, 2018. (Sarah Blazonis/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Joint Pasco Sheriff-DEA Investigation Strikes at Opioid Supply Source

Pasco County

The country's first-ever Crystal Lagoon has opened in Wesley Chapel. The lagoon is more than seven acres and located in the Epperson housing development. (Tim Wronka/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Crystal Lagoon Opens in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood

Pasco County

FDOT will be conducting road repairs across the Bay area, resulting in lane closures, starting Sunday, December 9 through Saturday, December 15. (file photo)

County-By-County Road Closures Starting Sunday Due to FDOT Repairs

Tampa

The chase that led to the eventual arrest of Chase Johnson, 19, was caught on video.

Pasco Man Accused of Armed Home Invasion Leads Deputies on Chase

Pasco County

BayCare announced it received approval from the Agency for Health Care Administration to build a 60-bed hospital along the I-75 corridor.

New BayCare Hospital to be Built Along I-75 Corridor

Pasco County

Power outages are common during storms. (File photo)

Bay-Area Power Outage Maps

Tampa

This image taken from video shot by Thomas Lessing shows the reindeer making a break for it Tuesday afternoon. (Courtesy of Thomas Lessing)

Santa Missing a Reindeer? Pasco Man Finds Deer Inside Home

Pasco County

Sign outside Tropical Breeze Casino Cruz in Port Richey. (Sarah Blazonis/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Family of Passenger Who Died Following Shuttle Boat Fire Settles With Operator

Pasco County

Pasco County

ID Released After Skeletal Remains Found In Pasco County

Pasco County

Heartwood Preserve offers natural burials, meaning there's no concrete vault or embalming.

Environmentally Friendly Burials at Pasco County Cemetery

Pasco County

Image showing van still in place where it impacted against the house in Holiday, Tuesday, December 11, 2018. (Tim Wronka/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Pasco Family Cleaning Up After Van Strikes Their Home

Pasco County

FILE: Image showing the "Island Lady" on fire off the coast of Pasco County, January 14, 2018. (Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff's Office)

NTSB: Operation of Pasco Casino Shuttle Boat That Caught Fire "Absurd"

Pasco County

Driver Katheryn Krzyzanski was confused when Dade City Police pulled her over Tuesday afternoon. That confusion turned to elation when Sgt. Leroy Harrelson gave her a $50 Walmart gift card for her safe driving, as part of the department's "Operation: Blue Christmas."

Dade City Police Bring Holiday Cheer Through 'Operation: Blue Christmas'

Pasco County

The owners of RedTree Landscape Systems wanted to help with clean-up efforts following Sunday's tornado and the damage it did to a New Port Richey home. They offered to remove this damaged tree for free. (Sarah Blazonis/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Pasco Neighbors, Businesses Help Owners of Home Hit by Tornado

Pasco County

New Port Richey tornado

Clean-up Continues For New Port Richey Neighborhood After Weekend Tornado

Pasco County

A tornado damaged a New Port Richey home on Sunday. Neighbors helped clean up the damage. (Trevor Pettiford/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Tornado Rips Through New Port Richey Neighborhood

Pasco County

Governor-elect Ron DeSantis kicked off his Thank You tour in Pasco County. (Katie Jones, Spectrum Bay News 9)

Governor-elect DeSantis Begins 'Thank You' Tour Across Florida

Pasco County

Sunlake High School student Jillian Gordy, 18, was named Pasco County Schools’ 2018-2019 Outstanding Senior. (Sarah Blazonis/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Outstanding Senior: Making a Difference While Making the Grade

Pasco County

file photo of ambulance

1 Seriously Hurt After Garbage Truck Hits SUV in Trinity

Pasco County

handcuffs

Ex-Pasco Schools Transportation Chief Gets Life In Prison

Pasco County

ambulance file photo

Pedestrian Killed in Hit-And-Run in Holiday

Pasco County

police tape

FHP: 1 Dead in Pasco Hit-and-Run Crash

Pasco County

The Holy Ground Shelter in Hudson has been open for nearly 30 years. (Tim Wronka/Spectrum Bay News 9)

'Angel' Helps Pasco Homeless Shelter Find New Home

Pasco County

The Messengers of Hope Mission warehouse in Odessa. (Sarah Blazonis/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Pasco Nonprofit Feeling Strain of Growing Demand

Pasco County

Billy Poe

New Zephyrhills Administrator Coming 'Home' From Next Door

Pasco County

This week’s Traffic Inbox looks at the intersection of U.S. 19 and Flora Avenue in Holiday.

TRAFFIC INBOX: Change Coming to Dangerous Pasco County Intersection

Hillsborough County

Phone scam

Pasco Deputies Warn Residents of Duke Energy Scam

Pasco County

A deputy's camera caught a vehicle crashing into another deputy's cruiser.

Body Cam Catches Suspect Hitting Pasco Deputy Vehicle

Pasco County

Robert Zehetner was 17 years old when he enlisted just days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. (Family photo)

World War II Hero Laid to Rest After Remains Finally Identified

Pasco County

Pasco County

Deputies: Girl, 10, Made Up Story About Attempted Kidnapping

Pasco County

A Bay area neighborhood in disrepair is getting a big upgrade. Habitat for Humanity is building over a dozen new homes in the heart of Dade City. (Spectrum Bay News 9)

Habitat for Humanity Building 14 New Homes in Dade City

Pasco County

Bright H.O.P.E.S. Pasco set up this donation clotheline near a Walmart parking lot on U.S. 19 in Port Richey. Anyone is welcome to take an item of clothing from the clothesline for free. (Sarah Blazonis/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Pasco Groups Seek to Help Homeless Shelter During Cold Snap

Pasco County

Cross above Holy Ground Homeless Shelter in Hudson.

Pasco Homeless Shelter Facing Deadline to Move

Pasco County

Organizers of the 4th annual organic food drive in New Port Richey are asking for donations of certified USDA organic food. (New Port Richey FarmNet)

4th Annual Holiday Organic Food Drive in Pasco County

Pasco County

The Know Box gives Pasco fire crews quick access to a person's home during an emergency. (Sarah Blazonis/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Residents Can Install Knox Box on Home, Allow Fire Crews Quick Access During Emergency

Pasco County

The new Zephyrhills City Hall has more meeting space, better equipment for audio/visuals, and a larger waiting area. (Sarah Blazonis, Spectrum News)

Zephyrhills to Open New City Hall to Public Next Week

Pasco County

About a 100 people packed First Baptist Church of New Port Richey for its annual Thanksgiving dinner. (Tim Wronka/Spectrum News)

Pasco Church Welcomes People Who May Spend Thanksgiving Alone

Pasco County

The head of food services for Tampa's Metropolitan Ministries Luis Soto says the food preparation for the Thanksgiving meal started a week ago. (Spectrum Bay News 9)

Tampa Ministry Serves Up Thanksgiving Meals For Those In Need

Hillsborough County

Port Richey Police welcomed back one of their own earlier this month when Officer Joseph Tactuk returned from a deployment with the U.S. Army Reserve. (Sarah Blazonis/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Port Richey Officer Trades One Uniform For Another After Deployment

Pasco County

BCMF Total Phit in Odessa held a food drive to collect supplies for Volunteer Way, an organization that feeds thousands of families each month. (Tim Wronka/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Odessa Gym Holds Food Drive to Help Feed Families for Thanksgiving

Pasco County

police lights file photo

Teen Forced to Walk Nude Down Road in Dade City as Punishment

Pasco County

Pasco Fire Rescue personnel helping people injured in a crash on westbound State Road 52 at Hays Road, Thursday, November 15, 2018. (Courtesy of Pasco Fire Rescue)

8 Injured in Pasco Crash, Fire Rescue says

Pasco County

SOE Corley

Pasco Supervisor of Elections Credits Team During Election Chaos

Pasco County

Ambulance

1-Year-Old in Pasco in Critical Condition After Falling Into Pool

Pasco County

Pasco County Animal Services is using facial recognition technology to help identify lost dogs and cats. (PCAS)

Pasco Animal Services to Use Facial Recognition to Reunite Lost Pets, Owners

Pasco County

A group of international sand sculptors work together on a collaborative piece for this weekend's Sanding Ovations Masters Cup and Festival on Treasure Island, Tuesday, November 13, 2018. (Virginia Johnson/Spectrum Bay News 9)

On the Town: Sand Sculptors Converge on "Sanding Ovations" Competition

Pinellas County

Parts of the Gulf View Square Mall in Port Richey are being demolished.

Part of Port Richey Mall Torn Down; Apartments to Take Place

Pasco County

Danuta Fabisiak donated copies of a book her uncle wrote that could be auctioned off to help with the restoration of a WWII-era plane. (Kim Leoffler/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Bradenton Woman Honors Uncle By Helping With WWII Plane Restoration

Pasco County

Connorton Elementary School in Land O'Lakes.

Pasco principal allegedly stole hundreds of dollars from student's family

Pasco County

handcuffs graphic

Pasco School Principal Arrested, Charged With Grand Theft

Pasco County

Megan Harding was teaching third grade at Fox Hollow Elementary in Port Richey.

Pasco County Teacher Wins Seat on School Board

Pasco County

Police line near scene of shooting on Illinois Avenue in New Port Richey, Wednesday, November 7, 2018. (Dave Hodge/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Police Investigating New Port Richey Drive-By Shooting

Pasco County

Sign posted outside Grace of God Church in New Port Richey on Election Day.

Pasco Church Loses Polling Place Status After Posting Controversial Sign

Pasco County

A mock voting booth set up in a Pasco County classroom.

Pasco Students Participate in Mock Elections

Pasco County

Left: The C-47 at the start of the restoration process (Courtesy of Ed Franco); Right: The C-47 in its current state. (Kim Leoffler/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Zephyrhills Group Restoring WWII-Era Plane to Honor D-Day

Pasco County

Sign outside Windsor Woods Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Hudson

Nursing Assistant Denies Physically, Verbally Abusing Patient

Pasco County

Pasco County sent 20 school buses to Bay County, which is still recovering after Hurricane Michael. (Kim Leoffler/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Helping Michael Victims: Pasco County Sending School Buses to Panhandle

Pasco County

Sign outside Lacoochee Elementary School

Pasco May Close Rural Dade City School Due to Low Enrollment

Pasco County

Pasco County

Tourism Officials Say a Little Snow Could Benefit Pasco

Pasco County

Left: Rep. Gus Bilirakis; Right: Chris Hunter

DECISION 2018: Bilirakis Faces Former Prosecutor Hunter for Congressional Seat

Pasco County

Brook Lynn Peck was last seen on October 26, 2015. (Courtesy of Paul Desmond)

Pasco Family Still Seeks Answers 3 Years After Woman's Disappearance

Pasco County

Election day is Nov. 6. (Tim Wronka/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Poverty, Job Growth At Center of Pasco Commission Race

Pasco County

Pasco County Animal Services is kicking off the weekend with free adoptions during their 'No Tricks, Just Treats' event on Friday and Saturday. (AP file photo of dogs, not actual dogs up for adoption)

No Tricks, Just Treats: FREE Pet Adoptions This Weekend in Pasco County

Pasco County

Early Voting

Early Voting Kicks Off in Pasco, Hernando and Manatee

Pasco County

Pasco County early voting information flyer

Pasco Sees Major Vote-By-Mail Response Ahead of Early Voting

Pasco County

Cirilo Fulgencio waits to cross US-19 at Marine Pkwy. in New Port Richey. (Sarah Blazonis/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Pasco to Discuss Plan for Overpass Across US 19 in New Port Richey

Pasco County

Deputies are searching for 15-year-old Lakia Capers who escaped from the Wilson Youth Academy in Land O' Lakes. (Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff's Office)

Deputies Search for Teen Who Escaped From Juvenile Facility

Pasco County

A stilt house that was destroyed in a fire two months ago is being rebuilt. (Tim Wronka/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Pasco County Stilt House Destroyed by Fire Being Rebuilt

Pasco County

The Holy Ground Homeless Shelter may be forced to close its doors because the property owner wants to sell. (Tim Wronka/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Pasco County Homeless Shelter May Have to Close

Pasco County

Richardson Roofing LLC out of Pasco County is helping St. Cloud woman MaryAnn Crocker finally get her Hurricane Irma-damaged roof fixed after she was initially scammed. (Stephanie Bechara/Spectrum News)

Roofing Company Repairs St. Cloud Senior’s Irma-Damaged Roof

Osceola County

Aisles of products at the soon-to-open Wright's Natural Market in downtown New Port Richey. (Sarah Blazonis/Spectrum Bay News 9)

New supermarket in downtown New Port Richey expected to fill fresh food void

Pasco County

The fire happened Thursday afternoon in the 13100 block of Ocasta Avenue. (Pasco Fire Rescue Facebook page)

Rounds of Ammo Go Off During Pasco Mobile Home Fire

Pasco County

Pasco Deputy Darren Goodwald

Deputy: Citizens helped keep man from grabbing deputy's weapon

Pasco County

Kirby and Heather Sober. Kirby, 24, was severely injured in a head-on collision with a vehicle driven by a man going the wrong way on State Road 54 Saturday night. Pasco County deputies say the wrong-way driver was fleeing from them. (Courtesy of Heather Sober)

Man in Fiery Crash Caused by Fleeing Car Faces Long Road Ahead

Pasco County

Scream-A-Geddon is open every night through Nov. 3. (Virginia Johnson, Spectrum Bay News 9)

On The Town: Scream-A-Geddon is a Gem of Terror

Pasco County

Remains of an aircraft that crashed into a tree in Zephyrhills on Monday, October 15, 2018. (Laurie Davison/Spectrum Bay News 9)

1 Injured in Pasco Small Aircraft Crash

Pasco County

Pickup truck heavily damaged in a fiery crash on State Road 54, Saturday, October 13, 2018. (Courtesy of Florida Highway Patrol)

Pasco Sheriff: Domestic Violence Incident Led to Fatal Pursuit

Pasco County

Cots and equipment at the Fasano Regional Shelter in Hudson.

MICHAEL: Pasco Opens Special Needs-Equipped Shelter for Storm Evacuees

Pasco County

The fire started in a shed in the backyard of the home on Sonny Drive in Wesley Chapel. The flames then spread to the house and also destroyed the family's vehicles. (Jorja Roman/Spectrum News)

Fire Destroys Pasco County Family's Home

Pasco County

File photo of police lights

Man Accused of Kidnapping Dies in Crash After Fleeing From Deputies

Pasco County

A truck from Ain't Gonna Fix Itself construction drop off donated items for Hurricane Michael survivors in the Panhandle at Carol & Rogers Cricketers Bar in Hudson, Friday, October 12, 2018. (Saundra Weathers/Spectrum Bay News 9)

MICHAEL: Bay area businesses step up to help hard-hit residents

Pasco County

police car lights

Owner, Employees at 2 Pasco Massage Spas Facing Prostitution Charges

Pasco County

Pasco supplies

MICHAEL: Bay Area Crews Heading to Panhandle to Assist in Recovery

Tampa

Sandbags

MICHAEL: Where to Find Sandbags in the Tampa Area

Tampa

Power outages are common during storms. (File photo)

MICHAEL: Bay-Area Power Outage Maps

Tampa

Bond approval would help expand the 1,900 bed jail in Land O' Lakes.

Officials to Discuss 'Go 4 Pasco' Bond Initiative

Pasco County

Sandbag

Sandbag stations open ahead of Hurricane Michael

Tampa

Pasco County map graphic

New clinic for veterans set for Pasco County

Pasco County

For the first time, Pasco County held a pride festival. Hundreds came out to the inaugural event in downtown New Port Richey. (Tim Wronka, staff)

Pasco County's first pride fest was held on Saturday

Pasco County

Marco Stephens, 29, of Jacksonville, was arrested in Pasco County on Saturday after turning himself in for his wife's murder. (Pasco County Sheriff's Office)

Jacksonville man accused of murdering wife arrested in Pasco County

Pasco County

Steven Skaggs Sr. 33, was arrested Thursday and charged with child neglect.

Deputies: Pasco man virtually starved 11-year-old son

Pasco County

Flooding at Sixth St. and Pasco Ave. following heavy rain in Dade City. (Photo courtesy of Dade City)

Dade City budget includes funds for downtown storm water project

Pasco County

Harry Sam, 39, went missing after he fell off a small boat in Holiday's Lake Conley Sunday afternoon. His body was recovered from the lake by Pasco Sheriff's deputies on Monday. (Photo courtesy of family)

Body of missing boater found in Lake Conley

Pasco County

A woman is facing 47 counts of animal cruelty after dozens of cats were found inside a locked U-Haul in Pasco County. (Pasco County Sheriff's Office)

Pasco deputies find dozens of cats inside U-Haul

Pasco County

Ambulance file photo

Motorcyclist critically injured in hit-and-run in Land O' Lakes

Pasco County

Hailey Henderson, 10, stamps personalized books and sells them through her Etsy store, Hailey Brooke Designs. (Melissa Eichman, staff)

Pasco entrepreneur, 10, working towards dream of Olympic gold

Pasco County

New Port Richey welcome sign

New Port Richey Aims at Preserving Housing Stock

Pasco County

One of the methods proposed based on findings is purchasing security cameras for schools that currently have minimal or no video surveillance.

Upgraded door locks, cameras among security recommendations for Pasco schools

Pasco County

Ambulance file photo

Man riding scooter died after crashing into crosswalk sign

Pasco County

Sunrise of Pasco County CEO Kelly Sinn

Pasco nonprofit reacts to multiple Bay area murder-suicides

Pasco County

LATEST BAY AREA NEWS

FWC personnel helping in the release of a manatee into the warm waters near TECO's Big Bend power station in Apollo Beach, Tuesday, December 18, 2018. The manatee had spent the last three months rehabilitating from red tide-related symptoms. (Josh Rojas/Spectrum Bay News 9)

3 Rehabbed Red Tide Manatees Released in Apollo Beach

Hillsborough County

This piece by famed French jewelry designer Jean Schlumberger is among the many on display at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg through March 31, 2019. (Kim Leoffler/Spectrum Bay News 9)

On the Town: Designer Jewelry Sparkles at MFA St. Pete

Pinellas County

During a red-carpet celebration in Palm Coast for the new movie, "Bernie the Dolphin," actor Kevin Sorbo said people ask him all the time to make more family-friendly movies. (Spectrum News)

On The Town: 5 Things to Know About New Movie "Bernie the Dolphin"

Florida

Residents of the New Horizons Assisted Share Home in Winter Haven got a nice treat Tuesday. Members of the Faith Extreme youth group came over to sing Christmas carols and give them teddy bears. (Rick Elmhorst/Spectrum Bay News 9)

Youth Group Surprises Residents at Assisted Living Facility With Carols

Polk County