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Boy's BB gun poor choice for show-and-tell

By TIMES STAFF
Published March 15, 2007

LACOOCHEE

First things first: No one got hurt. But a 6-year-old boy faces suspension after showing off his Airsoft BB gun to friends at Lacoochee Elementary School on Wednesday morning. He didn't use it in a threatening manner. With its bent barrel and lack of grips, in fact, there was no way to confuse it with an operable weapon. The Pasco County School District in the past has deemed Airsoft guns to be toys, not weapons, so the boy doesn't face punishment under the zero-tolerance policy. Still, "we don't allow look-alikes," Student Services director Lizette Alexander said. "The incident is over, but the discipline is not."

ZEPHYRHILLS

Sports bar targets July opening

A new sports bar may soon be set up on State Road 54, about a mile east of Eiland Boulevard. Hambone & Tiny's Sports Bar gets its moniker from the nicknames of the owner, Mark Hampton, and his son, said Lea Ann Plain, an agent for the bar's development. Located in the Zephyr Village Plaza, the proposed 2,400-square-foot bar will have pool tables and television sets screening the usual sports fare, Plain said. It's expected to open in July, if the developer, Sunshine Investments LLC, gets county approvals on schedule.

COUNTYWIDE

Must you file? Maybe, IRS says

As the April 17 deadline to file income tax returns nears, some are unsure what the income cutoff is to file a return. Here are the guidelines, according to the IRS: For the 2006 tax year, unmarried people younger than 65 don't need to file a return unless their gross income exceeds $8,450. A single person 65 or older doesn't need to file unless his or her gross income is more than $9,700. Married couples who are both under 65 and are filing jointly don't need to file unless their combined income is more than $16,900. And married couples 65 and older who are filing jointly don't need to file unless their income is more than $18,900.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Event offers help to former inmates

The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County is sponsoring an event Friday to help people getting back on their feet after spending time behind bars. A showcase of services for those recently freed from jail or prison will include job programs, mental health services and adult education opportunities. There will be 37 vendors, nonprofits and government agencies on hand, and a continental breakfast. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will be on hand to process new identification cards. The showcase will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church social hall at 5340 High St.

[Last modified March 15, 2007, 07:10:24]