Digest

Mermaid's touch helps woo bowlers

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 10, 2007

SPRING HILL 

The Hernando County Bowling Association took a chance last weekend in its bid for the 2009 Florida State Bowling Championships. It figured it had to, considering that Tampa was the competition.

So rather than host a traditional Friday night social hour, the association, with help from the Hernando County tourism office, brought a Weeki Wachee mermaid for pictures and autographs. A video from Google Earth flashed on a nearby wall, showing bowlers how easy it is to get around in Hernando County.

During the official presentation on Sunday, the association used testimonials and video rather than slides.

Throughout the weekend, the county promised a 900 - a perfect series - experience for the bowlers.

The creativity paid off, and Hernando County beat out Tampa for the tournament. It will be the first time Hernando has played host to the championships.

The event is expected to funnel about $4.5-million into the economy. Mariner Lanes and Spring Hill Lanes, both in Spring Hill, will host the event, which runs from the end of April to June in 2009, bringing in about 1,000 bowlers each weekend. 

DADE CITY

Wiregrass Ranch dispute still lingers

Pasco commissioners on Tuesday voted to approve a legal settlement with the state Department of Community Affairs that soothes the agency's concerns over road improvements around the 5,000-acre Wiregrass Ranch development.

Or did they?

State officials and the Hillsborough County Attorney's office can't seem to agree on who has the final word on the squabble.

Hillsborough says Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet - and not the DCA - has to decide. The DCA says that Hillsborough doesn't even have a case if the department doesn't present it to the Cabinet.

Hillsborough wants Pasco and Wiregrass developers to pay $28-million to help widen Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Hillsborough appealed to the DCA to get it done.

But state and Pasco officials said Tuesday's decision by the Pasco commission settles the DCA's concerns about Wiregrass. All that's left now is for the DCA to verify that the approved settlement is the same as what was earlier agreed upon with Pasco officials.

"We'll dismiss our petition within five days, as long as the amendments are consistent with the agreement," said Jon Peck, the DCA spokesman.

State officials say the settlement means Hillsborough's demands go away, too. The Hillsborough County Attorney's Office disagrees.

Hillsborough officials are irate that the department has not taken up the cudgel on the Bruce B. Downs issue.

TAMPA

Murder victim's brother triples reward money

When Troy McPeak's 1996 murder case was reopened in March, his brother Richard offered $5,000 for any information about the killing.

Now he's upped the ante to $15,000.

The McPeak brothers, originally from Indiana, were supposed to meet in Giddens Park on Jan. 7, 1996, for their usual game of basketball. Richard, who was then the father of a newborn, said he was too tired to make it.

Troy was found the next morning in the park pavilion beaten, stabbed and strangled.

Tampa police said they don't believe Emillio Demon Jenkins, who is serving time in prison for Troy's murder, acted alone.

"The way they beat and stabbed my brother was brutal," Richard said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Tampa Police Department at (813) 231-6130.

Richard, who owns a vitamin supplement company in Orlando, said that he's been saving this reward money for almost six years.

"We were only one year and three months apart, so he is a big part of my heart and soul," Richard said. "That's why I'm paying out of my pocket - for Troy."

LAND O' LAKES

Couple fights rezoning to allow for pet motel

A Land O'Lakes couple is fighting possible plans to rezone land near their home to allow a pet motel.

Steve and Deon Coogle say they fear that a buyer for their neighbor's property will tear down the house and build a huge concrete building, which could house more than 100 dogs.

The Coogles have collected three dozen signatures in their neighbhorood off Ehren Cut Off for a petition.

A decision to allow the needed change in zoning restrictions could be made at a Pasco planning commission meeting today.

[Last modified October 10, 2007, 00:34:42]