Digest

Teachers reject a second merit pay proposal

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 25, 2007

COUNTYWIDE

Pasco's schoolteachers resoundingly rejected performance pay bonuses for a second time. The United School Employees of Pasco reported Monday that 76 percent of teachers who voted opposed the $2,100 bonuses for 25 percent of the staff. The teachers turned down performance pay under a previous plan earlier this year. "What's remarkable is that during a time when the district is facing funding cutbacks and teacher raises are on hold, the teachers put their principles ahead of their pocketbooks and said, 'We can't be bought!'" union president Lynne Webb said in a news release. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the agreement today. It could impose the deal on teachers, to claim the $3.5-million set aside for Pasco.

Beef O'Bradys hosts fundraiser

Three years ago, a 27-year-old special education teacher was killed at her apartment complex. Since then, a memorial fund in honor of Kim Delancey has raised money to buy Christmas gifts for special education students at Anclote Elementary. This year, proceeds from food sold on Oct. 6 at two Beef O'Bradys locations will go toward purchasing gifts. The fundraiser will be held all day at the restaurant's Hudson location, 13706 Little Road, and from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Beef O'Bradys at 4762 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey. For more information or to donate directly to the fund, go to www.myspace.com/kimdelancey.

LAND O' LAKES

Hudson woman in critical condition

A Hudson woman was in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital on Monday after falling from a moving vehicle outside the Target store at 1135 Dale Mabry Highway in Land O'Lakes, authorities said. Around 5 p.m. Sunday, Kristin M. Luther, 28, was arguing with Christopher Krondon, 33, who was driving her in the vehicle, sheriff's spokesman Doug Tobin said. It remains unclear how or why she fell out. A deputy found her lying on the pavement with blood pooling around her head. Tobin said there were no immediate indications of foul play, though the incident was listed as a domestic dispute.

Predators dedicate field to player

The South Pasco Predators unveiled their new playing field at Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex on Monday by honoring a former player. The Pop Warner squad dedicated the field to Thomas Kranendonk, who died in a tractor accident in July. Kranendonk, 16, attended Land O'Lakes and played baseball and football. Kranendonk was a lineman. He started playing for the Predators when he was in middle school and went on to earn two scholastic All-American awards with the league. "Our family is more honored than you can possibly believe about doing this for Thomas," Jim Kranendonk, his father, said. "He was a good football player, a good baseball player. He was on the honor roll. He was a kid that was going places."

[Last modified September 24, 2007, 22:33:13]