Thursday, October 14, 2010
LAND O'LAKES
FHP looking for witnesses to fatal accident
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for people who saw a crash Wednesday morning that killed a woman crossing Night Heron Drive with her 7-year-old son. Susan Lewis and her son, Hayden, who is autistic, usually went out of their way to use a crosswalk to get to a bus stop on the other side of the street, neighbors told the Times. About 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, a driver "failed to observe" the pair in the road, near Ambleside Drive, the FHP said. Lewis died at the scene. Hayden was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening, officials said. Troopers were still investigating to determine whether charges will be brought against the driver, Eugene Williams, 64, who lives down the street from the Lewis family. Anyone who saw the accident is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (352) 797-5737. The homicide investigator is Cpl. Mike Styers, and the investigating trooper is Jackie Hollis.
SAN ANTONIO
Snake festival is this weekend
The 44th annual Rattlesnake Festival slithers into downtown this weekend with snake and reptile shows, gopher races (using plastic tortoises), craft vendors, live music, children's games and festival food. The event is centered in the city park. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, and shuttles will be provided from several parking lots.
SHADY HILLS
Friends of NRA will hold banquet
The West Pasco Friends of NRA will hold its annual banquet Oct. 23 at the Concourse Rotary Pavilion, 15323 State Road 52, just west of the Suncoast Parkway. Social hour will begin at 5 p.m. with a cash bar and roast spit pig appetizers. The barbecue buffet dinner will start at 7 p.m. The event will include live music by Ashley Shannon, live and silent auctions, drawings and door prizes. Proceeds will provide grants for firearms training, hunter education, conservation awareness and other courses to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H Clubs, JROTC programs, the Eddie Eagle program and other firearm enthusiast clubs. Tickets are $40 per person or $275 for a table of eight. Tickets may be purchased at friendsofnra.org or at Ol' Time Gun Shop at 10038 State Road 52 in Hudson or by calling (727) 857-1661 or (727) 857-1937.
Correction
Chrissy Baumaister is the instructional technology specialist at Northwest Elementary School in Hudson. A story and a photo caption Thursday had an incorrect spelling of her last name.