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Briefs

Pedestrian struck, killed by van Monday on U.S. 19

By Times Staff Writers
Published January 11, 2006

NEW PORT RICHEY - A 61-year-old Holiday pedestrian died Monday night after a van hit him as he tried to cross U.S. 19 near Trouble Creek Road, according to a New Port Richey police report.

Ovidio Tabares was headed across the northbound lanes from the east shoulder at 8:19 p.m. He was struck by a 2005 Chevrolet van driven by Cathy M. Ellerd of Port Richey, police said.

Tabares was pronounced dead upon his arrival at Community Hospital. Police say Ellerd, 28, will not be charged.

MASARYKTOWN - Ralph Ernest Roller, president of the Hernando County Cattlemen's Association, faces charges of performing sexual acts with a 17-year-old boy at his Pasco County home on New Year's Eve.

According to a Pasco County sheriff's report, Roller, 42, was arrested Friday afternoon after an interview in which he admitted to providing the teen with alcohol and watching pornographic movies with him before they performed oral sex on each other.

Although the report listed Roller's bail at $150,000, he was later released on his own recognizance, a booking deputy said.

Roller, who works as environmental specialist with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, has served as president of the Hernando County Cattlemen's Association for about six years and helped organize the association's annual Rodeo and Barbecue Festival, said the organization's vice president, Dana Hurst.

Hurst said Tuesday that Roller "has stepped down at least until this has been settled." Roller also has been removed from the Hernando County Fair board, said fair association president Deb Pedone. His appointed position on the fair board will be filled by the cattlemen's association's interim president.

[Last modified January 11, 2006, 00:41:19]