Times staff
Friday, September 24, 2010
PORT RICHEY
Police identify man found dead in river Aug. 26
Authorities have released the name of a man found dead in the Pithlachascotee River on Aug. 26 — but his history and family remain unknown. Leonard Dwayne McKinney, 45, was homeless, according to the Port Richey Police Department. The Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner's Office is still working to determine his cause of death, but authorities said it did not appear to be suspicious. McKinney had ties to Texas and appeared to have lived in Hillsborough County, as he was arrested there three times in 2008. Port Richey police Chief Dave Brown said his officers contacted homeless agencies throughout Tampa Bay and went to transient camps in Pasco County searching for anyone who might know whether McKinney had relatives. They found nothing. But Brown still has hope. "If someone knows this person, we would like to speak to them," Brown said. He asked that anyone who might have known McKinney call the Police Department at (727) 845-1439.
ZEPHYRHILLS
Blessing of the animals is Oct. 9
St. Joseph Catholic Church will host a Blessing of the Animals event Oct. 9 at the parish center at the corner of 12th Street and Fifth Avenue. The event will include a yard sale starting at 9 a.m., a breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and pet blessing at 10:30 a.m. A special prayer will be held at noon for pets that have passed away; owners are encouraged to bring photos or ashes of the animals for blessing. The free event will feature veterinarians, pet rescue services and other vendors to help educate the public in the best ways to keep their pets healthy and happy. There will also be a pet parade judged by Zephyrhills Mayor Cliff McDuffie. For information, call the church at (813) 782-2813.
COUNTYWIDE
Volunteers needed to help seniors
Community Aging and Retirement Services — better known as CARES — needs volunteers to help seniors who need help writing checks, paying monthly bills, balancing their checkbooks or setting up budgets. This Bill Payer Service is available to adults 60 years of age and older who need help managing their financial obligations because of a visual or physical impairment or a mild memory loss and who have a low to moderate income. The volunteers are thoroughly screened and trained in all aspects of the program. Anyone interested in volunteering may call the CARES Crescent Center at (352) 518-9300 or the CARES administrative office at (727) 862-9291, ext. 224.
Correction
Mirel Sessa was the woman who spoke with two rabbinical students visiting Pasco County. A story Wednesday misspelled her name.
Pasco deaths
A detailed list of obituaries is published in Section B.
