Digest

Commissioner files papers for Nov. '08 election

By TIMES WIRES
Published May 10, 2007

COUNTYWIDE

County Commissioner Jack Mariano is the first commission candidate to sign up for the November 2008 election. Mariano, a Republican from Bayonet Point, filed paperwork for a second term May 2 so he can raise money. Why so early? "Make sure I win, " he said. It had nothing to do with him missing a deadline to qualify for a School Board race in 2002. "That's old news, " Mariano said.

DADE CITY

Trial opens today in shootout case

Ralph Eugene Governor, accused in a 2005 shootout at a Meadow Pointe home, faces trial today on a charge of armed burglary. Authorities say Governor, 24, and Ronald Albert Donovan broke into the home of William Chavis on Ox-Eye Court in Wesley Chapel on Jan. 23, 2005, and planned to kill him. Chavis was shot in the upper left torso with an SKS assault rifle by Donovan, authorities said; Chavis brandished a shotgun and returned fire, chasing the men away. Authorities say they believe the shootout was drug-related. Statements Governor made to detectives upon his arrest have been ruled inadmissible. Additionally, Assistant State Attorney Stacey Sumner told Circuit Judge Pat Siracusa that several witnesses for the state had been subpoenaed to testify but could not be found. Chavis is expected to testify. Governor could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.

Rap sheet longer for armless driver

Michael Wiley, the armless driver with only one good leg and a long history of traffic offenses, was arrested Wednesday, a day after leading police on an eight-minute chase through New Port Richey. See Local & State.

Finish line leads to new starting point

DuJuan Harris trained hard, ran well, set records. Now life gets harder.

[Last modified May 9, 2007, 23:17:45]