INDEXChurch 3B

Classifieds 10B

Clubs/Parks 5B

Crime Reports 2B

Commentary 11A

Community Calendar 2A

Legals 10B

Sports 1B, 6B , 7B & 10B

T.V. Guide 11B

Crossword Puzzle 9B

Weather 3A

Zephyrhills News

SPORTSThe Zephyrhills cheerleaders in the Pasco Police Athletic League

program prepare for the upcoming season. Wiregrass

Ranch fines for FHSAA violations

reduced and girls basketball coach resigns.

Zephyrhills High football coach

Reggie Roberts talks about

realignment.PAGE 1B

COMMENTARYColumnist Dave

Walters shares his view on the good and bad merits of the city budget.

Student columnist Rachel Wise

writes about her affinity for movies and talks to local teens about this

summerÕ s hits on the big screen.

PAGE 11A

Thursday, August 4, 2011 99th Year - No. 45 Y O U R H O M E T O W N N E W S PA P E R S I N C E 1 9 11 50¢

ONLY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN ZEPHYRHILLS, “CITY OF PURE WATER”

I’m For A Friendlier Florida

CHURCH OVERCOMES

DAMAGEAgape Baptist

Church has overcome tornado

damage and is expanding to add a

pre-school.PAGE 9A

Symbolic demolition paves way for hospitalÕ s new project

As local dignitaries took turns knocking down a partition with a sledgehammer in a sym-bolic demolition to pave the way for Florida Hos-pital ZephyrhillsÕ new Breast Health Center, presi-dent Doug Duffi eld assessed the damage.

Ò Like a good general surgeon; small incision,

big hole in the back,Ó he said jokingly, pointing to a widening hole in the drywall.

The mood was festive and spirits were high among local leaders and hospital offi cials in atten-dance last Thursday for the so-called hard hat par-ty. The tone of some speakers, however, took on a more serious note while discussing the merits of the comprehensive breast center and its lifesaving programs.

Among that group was Lanell Jacobs, a breast cancer survivor, nurse and project consultant at the local hospital for the past year.

Ò It is so exciting,Ó she said of the kickoff party.

FHZ Breast Center to be built

BY STEVE LEENews Reporter

�FHZ: See Page 9A

Community leaders and hospital officials take turns weilding a sledgehammer to demolish a wall in an area of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills that will be transformed into a new comprehensive breast health center. STEVE LEECRIME

REPORTSCheck out the

reports from the Zephyrhills Police Department and

Pasco County Sheriff Õ s Office.

PAGE 2B

Council holds the line on taxes

Proposed $18.2 million budget calls for cutting 11 positions

Despite a gloomy economyÕ s impact on real es-tate values on local property tax revenue, Zephyrhills City Council approved a tentative budget Monday that holds the line on property taxes.

City Manager James Drumm presented an $18.2 million budget refl ecting a signifi cant reduction in spending as a result of a three percent drop of antici-pated revenue because of falling property values.

DrummÕ s budget calls for the tax rate to stay at 5.9999 mills, For the city to bring in the same amount of tax revenue as last year, the roll-back rate would have to climb to 6.1234. Keeping the rate at 5.9999 would cost the city roughly $72,000.

While council could have set the millage rate at 6.1234 Monday and then reduce it to 5.9999 when council approves the fi nal budget in September, coun-cil members agreed that citizens would perceive the roll-back rate as a tax hike although the city would generate no more revenue than last year.

Ò Perception is everything and as much as I feel the roll-back rate would be the safe approach, I also know that people arenÕ t ready to hear that yet,Ó said coun-cilwoman Jodi Wilkeson. Ò I have to believe that folks have already put their best forward and I canÕ t see why we have to raise the millage rate.

Ò If we have some unexpected expenses then we have to deal with it with what we have in our pocket and not have to go back to the well.Ó

The proposed budget calls for the elimination of

�COUNCIL: See Page 11A

BY DAVE WALTERSNews Reporter

BACK TO SCHOOL

DonÕ t miss our five-page special back-to-school

section. Parents and schoolchildren will

find the information helpful in preparing

to return to class.PAGES 4-8A

Attorney General Pam Bondi fi res up the local GOP at fundraising event

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi had a home-coming of sorts Friday as she addressed more than 300 members of the Republican Party of Pasco during a fund-raising Ronald Reagan event at Saddlebrook Resort.

As the organization gathered to garner fi nancial sup-port for the partyÕ s push to unseat President Obama in 2012, Bondi stressed the importance of having a Repub-lican in the White House to ensure the Ò Great American comeback.Ó

Ò We have a federal government paralyzed by petti-ness and politics to a President that has come to represent both,Ó said Bondi in her address. Ò What they have done up there or failed to do is jeopardizing our children for what theyÕ ve never done and a fate they donÕ t deserve. I believe that securing our future is to have the courage to do what is right.

Ò If you are looking for those who will spark The Great American comeback, you donÕ t have to look too far. Look right here in this room tonight, because they are here too.Ó

DAVE WALTERS

State Senate candidate Wilton Simpson, Attorney General Pam Bondi and incoming Speaker of the House Will Weatherford take a moment to pose for a photo.

Pasco Republican Party making a charge for 2012

�PARTY: See Pages 10A

BY DAVE WALTERSNews Reporter

Search is on for three suspects who opened fi re in a high speed chase

Zephyrhills Police offi cer Kevin Widener was back on the streets Wednesday, doing the job he loves just a day af-ter dodging three barrages of bullets that came from a car he tried to pull over for speeding on Sixth Street.

The attempted traffi c stop for unlawful speed turned extremely dangerous Tuesday morning when Widener was fi red upon by three suspects in a four-door sedan.

Two men and a woman got away when WidenerÕ s cruiser was disabled by a bullet. The suspects were in a 2006 Subaru Impreza with a New YorK tag FBE5900. The car belonged to an unidentifi ed girlfriend of a suspect.

Zephyrhills Police and Pasco SheriffÕ s deputies have joined forces in a search for Ryan Edward Dougherty, Dylan Dougherty Stanley and Lee Grace Dougherty, sib-lings who all have criminal records and had been renting in Lacoochee for the past three years.

According to the sheriff’s offi ce, Ryan has 13 felonies on his record. He had recently been arrested and charged as a sexual offender, cutting off an ankle bracelet earlier this week.

Ò We know Ryan was upset, because of his arrest,Ó de-tective Jim Medley said. Ò We have no idea why the others got involved.Ó

Lee had been charged with a hit-and-run felony in Zephyrhills and Dylan had a misdemeanor marijuana charge.

STEVE LEE

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco and Chief David Shears conducted a press conference Tuesday at the Zephyrhills Police Department. The law enforcement agencies are united in their pursuit of three shooting suspects.

ZPD offi cer caught in the line of fi re

�SHOOTING: See Pages 2A

BY DAVE WALTERS AND STEVE LEENews Reporters

Pasco County Extension seminar, Aug. 13, 9 - 11 a.m. This is an unbelievable Hibiscus seminar with fl owers the size of dinner plates. Come discover more about these beautiful plants. This is a free seminar located at Land O Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’Lakes Blvd. For more information call (352) 518-0156.

Back to School Bash, Aug. 13, 12 - 2 p.m. The Back to School Bash is a free family friendly event that pro-motes a healthy start to the school year, provides in-formation on community resources, and provides free school supplies for children pre-k to 12th grade. This year’s event will be held indoors at the First Presby-terian Church, 20th street and 6th Avenue. So don’t let Florida’s heat be a reason not to attend. Along with giving out free school supplies, the event will feature different area businesses and organizations such as Florida Hospital and the YMCA. There will also be free haircuts available for all students donated by Nelson’s Barber Shop, which is located in Zephyrhills historic downtown district on Main Street. For more informa-tion on the event, contact the church offi ce at (813) 782-7412. School supplies are on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis. If you would like to pre-register your child to help ensure that there are school supplies for him/her please contact the church.

Big Brothers Big Sisters School Supplies Drive. Start out the 2011 school year with a bang by donat-ing school supplies, backpacks, clothes and shoes to those in need. Your donations give the children of Pas-co County a fresh start to the new school year. Conve-nient drop off locations: Zephyrhills Chamber Offi ce, 38550 5th Ave. and Eye Glass World, 6844 Gall Blvd. For more information call (813) 997-6881.

Always Making Music, Aug. 14, 1 Ð 5 p.m. Take a break from the summer heat. The new karaoke singing group, Always Making Music, will make a public ap-pearance at Zephyr Park in Zephyrhills. In addition to enjoying a variety of songs from the past, there will be an open mike available for anyone interested in sing-ing karaoke. The group will make a second appearance on Aug. 21 at Pat’s Place in Zephyrhills for the annual benefi t/auction for Hospice starting at noon.

Crossfi re Concert, Aug. 20, 7 p.m. The concert will take place at the Zephyrhills First Nazarene Church, 6151 12th St. Dean Johnson, Phil Sarlo, Lauren Harvey and Brad Williams will provide gospel and tradition Blue Grass music. Donations collected at the concert will benefi t the Zephyrhills Pregnancy Care Center.

American Cancer SocietyÕ s 8th Annual Cattle Bar-ons’ Ball, Aug. 20, 6 p.m. This event will be held at the Heritage Springs Golf & Country Club. This year’s theme is Diamonds & Denim. The Ball will begin at 6 p.m. and goes ‘til the coyotes howl! The ball includes: music, dancing and food. For more information or tick-ets call (800) 940-1969.

Dog Daze, Aug. 27, 1 – 4 p.m. Come and enjoy this free event with your pet. All kinds of pets welcome. Dog Daze will be located at the Zephyr Park, 4941 4th St. in Zephyrhills. There will be many business there including: AM/PM Pet Sitting, Bestie Bowtique, Great Pyrenees Rescue, Pet Supermarket, Tranquil Pawz Pet Therapy Dogs and many more. There will be a contest involving you and your pet. There is no charge to set up a booth or table. For a spot in this event call (813) 782-1500 or email mjprice@goinpostal.com.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Thursday, August 4, 2011 | Zephyrhills News2 A

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AUGUST CALENDAR2 – 12 p.m. Ambassadors Luncheon, Sponsored by CF Industries at the Zephyrhills Chamber Offi ce5 – 12 p.m. Executive Board Meeting at the Cham-ber Offi ce10 – 9 a.m. Member Orientation at the Zephyrhills Chamber Offi ce All members welcome11 – 5 p.m. Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting at Ad-vanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, Sun Profes-sional Building, #106, 6719 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills18 – 5 – 7 p.m. Chamber Mixer at Westbrooke Manor, 6701 Dairy Rd., Zephyrhills16 – 3:30 p.m. Board Meeting at the Chamber Offi ce25 – 7 a.m. Chamber Breakfast at the Hampton Inn Dade City, 13215 US Hwy 301, Dade City (RSVP requested)

38040 Market Square Drive

788-4625Supplying all of the blood

needs for patients at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, Primary Surgery and Pasco Regional

Medical Center.

CHAMBER BREAKFAST - BLOODNET USA @GOLDEN CORRAL, 6855 GALL BLVD., ZEPHYRHILLS

BankingÊ onÊ aFirstÊ NameÊ Basis.

36450 EILAND BLVD. | ZEPHYRHILLS813.782.9593

CHAMBER AFTER HOURS

PIN CHASERS6816 GALL BLVD.

ZEPHYRHILLS

HERITAGE PARK

37135 COLEMAN AVE,DADE CITY

MEMBER ORIENTATION

ZEPHYRHILLS CHAMBER OFFICEALL MEMBERS WELCOME

“Turn yourself in, because we’re coming to get you,” said Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco, who pleaded for the trio to surren-der. “Realize that we are clos-ing in on you. We will bring you to justice.”

According to ZPD Chief David Shears, approximately

10 bullet casing were discov-ered in three areas and there could possibly be more.

“They were defi nitely at-tempting to harm him, causing him great harm,” Nocco said “God was there with (Widen-er). There was an angel looking over him.”

For his part, Widener wasn’t going to let the harrow-ing experience get to him.

“You know why he didn’t take the day off? He was good to go,” Shears said. “He was mentally ready for this. He did everything textbook the way it was supposed to be done. I’m proud of him.”

Widener, a six-year veter-an, was operating radar to de-tect speeders on the one-way road. When he went to pull over the vehicle for unlawful speed the suspect in the pas-senger seat pulled out a hand-gun and fi red at Widener as the vehicle turned west onto State Road 54.

Widener pursued the sus-pects and the chase exceed-ed speeds of 100 mph. When the chase reached the intersec-tion of SR 54 and Allen Road, a second barrage of shots came from the suspect vehicle to-ward Widener.

The sedan reached the in-tersection of SR 54 and Morris Bridge Road where it turned into the parking lot of the CVS Pharmacy and pulled to the far side of the building. The sus-pects waited for Widener’s car to come around the corner of the building where the third set of bullets fl attened a tire on the patrol car.

A ricocheted bullet was found in the Suntrust Bank Building on the north side of SR 54.

The suspects then traveled south on Morris Bridge and turned west on Chancey Road. Widener continued his pursuit in an effort not to lose visual contact, but the fl attened tire forced him to end the chase. Widener lost sight of the vehi-cle when it turned north onto New River Road.

Police discovered at least 10 empty bullet casings com-bined at the three locations and more could be found during the investigation.

“The bullet struck the left front tire of his vehicle and thank God not Kevin,” said Shears.

Police offi cers normal-ly don’t commence in high-speed chases because of safety reasons. This case warranted a

pursuit. “We had the use of deadly

force on a police offi cer and we were defi nitely going to pur-sue the bad guys,” Shears said. “They were a safety hazard to the entire public at that point.”

Shears said sheriff’s offi c-es in Pasco and Hillsborough were called quickly. Hillsbor-ough dispatched a helicopter when the chase continued on Morris Bridge Road.

Shears, along with cap-tains Jeff McDougal and Rob-ert McKinney, were four blocks away and were approximately 50 seconds behind the chase. They were in radio communi-cation with Widener.

“It’s a scary situation,” Shears said. “The way this area has been with police offi cers and shootings lately, it’s get-ting real scary. You try to pre-pare yourself for a day you hope never comes.

“I don’t want to be mak-ing the knock on the door and face a wife and children telling them the news of their husband and father’s death in the line of duty,” Shears said. “What hap-pened today was just a stop for speeding. They had a plan if they were confronted by the police.”

Nocco committed the county’s forensic team to assist in the investigation.

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�SHOOTING: From Page 1A

Zephyrhills Police Chief David Shears informs the media about the recent shooting. STEVE LEE

Lee Grace E. DoughertyDOB: 05/29/82

Ryan Edward DoughertyDOB: 08/21/89

Dylan Dougherty StanleyDOB: 02/26/85