Digest

Director leaves Downtown Main Street

By TIMES STAFF
Published June 26, 2007

DADE CITY

DIRECTOR LEAVES DOWNTOWN MAIN STREET

Downtown Dade City Main Street executive director Amy Ellis has resigned from her post. Ellis has been the director for the past two years, and made a significant contribution to the Main Street program. The board will immediately begin searching for her replacement. In the interim, Sean Ashburn, president of the Main Street board, will handle the day-to-day responsibilities.

ZEPHYRHILLS

Hospital has new president and CEO

John Harding, who currently heads a Sebring medical center, is the new president and CEO of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. Harding, 53, has been president of Florida Hospital Heartland Division for the past 10 years. Adventist Health System, based in Winter Park, owns both facilities. Harding takes over as the company moves on a joint venture with Tampa's University Community Hospital to build a $121-million, 80-bed hospital in Wesley Chapel. Harding, who replaces former CEO Scott Pittman, is married with two grown daughters. He should assume the post by the end of July, said hospital spokesman Jerry Sterner.

HUDSON

Report: Man kicks woman in the face

Steven Lee Kennedy kicked his girlfriend in the face with steel-toed boots, authorities say, pulled out a 9mm pistol and threatened to kill her. Then, as she lay face-down on the ground, he fired four shots near her - "warning shots, " he later told deputies, according to a Pasco County Sheriff's Office report. Kennedy, 26, was arrested on Sunday on charges of aggravated domestic battery and aggravated domestic assault. The incident took place at 2:30 that morning. Kennedy kicked and punched the unidentified victim in the head, the report said, leaving her with a "severe disfiguring injury" to the face. The report does not say how close the bullets came to the victim. Kennedy, of 12421 Hicks Road, was held at the county jail on Monday in lieu of $100, 000 bail.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Insurance forum to explain changes

Area legislators and representatives from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. will host a public forum to discuss recent changes to homeowners insurance law as well as new optional sinkhole coverage. The meeting will be 4 to 7 p.m. today at Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey. All area homeowners are invited to attend, as issues of interest to non-Citizens policyholders will be discussed as well. Citizens staffers also will be there to answer customers' questions.

[Last modified June 26, 2007, 08:08:43]