LAND O'LAKES - The Serenova nature preserve will be closed to the public Friday through Sunday while officials prepare the tract for an event for disabled hunters.
The hunters already have been chosen for the event, which was organized by the National Wild Turkey Federation/Wheelin' Sportsmen, but people may visit www.nwtf.org for information about participating in future events. The Southwest Florida Water Management District owns the Serenova tract, which is located just off State Road 52 near the Tampa Bay Water Starkey well field.
Deputy euthanizes horse struck by minivan
HUDSON - A sheriff's deputy had to shoot a horse twice Sunday after it had been hit by a minivan on State Road 52.
Brenda Smith, owner of the 6-year-old mare named He's Breakin' My Heart, said the animal escaped through an open gate of a public horse park near Hays Road shortly before 5 p.m. Smith gave chase but the horse went into the road. The horse was struck by a gold Chrysler Town & Country driven by William Paladine, 61, of New Port Richey.
Paladine said he had no way to avoid the animal, according to an incident report.
The horse suffered a broken leg and had a wide cut on its side. Deputy Charles Keppel Jr. had to shoot the animal twice with his handgun to put it out of its misery, the report said.
Boy says driver tried to solicit sex near business
NEW PORT RICHEY - A 14-year-old boy told Pasco County sheriff's deputies that a man solicited sex from him about 8:45 p.m. Saturday near the A-1 Discount beverage store on Massachusetts Avenue.
The boy said the man was in a white Nissan Maxima and asked him if he wanted $50 in exchange for sex, according to a Sheriff's Office report. The boy refused and began to ride off, but the driver pulled in front of him and then grabbed the handlebars of his bicycle. The boy used a cell phone to call his mother and her boyfriend who went to the scene to confront the driver. But the driver sped off, according to the report.
The Maxima had the words "Puerto Rico" on the rear door window on the driver's side, the witnesses said. A complete description of the suspect was not given, other than he had a beard and wore a white baseball cap and blue pullover.
