Digest

Holiday woman held on charge of tampering

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 13, 2007

TARPON SPRINGS

Tarpon Springs police Wednesday arrested a Pasco County woman on a count of tampering with evidence from the killing of Michael Steele last month. Authorities say Candace Marie Taylor, 18, of Holiday helped Robert Maniatis dismantle and discard the 9mm Beretta handgun used to kill Steele, 25, of New Port Richey on Aug. 20. Maniatis, 20, of Holiday was found dead of an apparent drug overdose two days later. Aug. 28, detectives found the gun in the Anclote River in Pasco County. They concluded that Taylor knew the weapon had been used in the shooting and that Maniatis told her he killed Steele in a drug transaction. Early on, officials say, she tried to mislead investigators about what she knew and did.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Beach water advisory issued

A water advisory was issued this week for Anclote River Park Beach after health officials found high levels of fecal bacteria in the water. The Pasco County Health Department urges people to avoid the water, as the bacteria could cause disease, infections or rashes. A similar advisory remains in effect for Robert B. Strickland Beach, better known as Hudson Beach.

SPRING HILL

Learning Coalition names top 2 picks

The Pasco Hernando Early Learning Coalition Wednesday named its top two candidates for the vacant executive director's job. Richard Aubry Jr., a consultant with the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota, and James J. Farrelly, a New Jersey school administrator who works as director of a non-profit guardianship agency, were chosen among seven candidates. The new chief will take over an agency that has been fractured in the two years since the two county groups merged. One director resigned and his successor was fired this past spring amid staff complaints of poor management.

Ruling on Gulf High player's status due

Gulf High School administrators might decide today whether to reinstate Julian Ford, a football player who was arrested in May on robbery and battery charges.

[Last modified September 12, 2007, 23:17:19]