Fourth sextuplet joins siblings at home

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 3, 2007

WESLEY CHAPEL

The Byler house is starting to get crowded. Jackson Robert, the fourth sextuplet, was released Thursday from All Children's Hospital, said his father, Ben.

He joined brothers Brady Christopher and Eli Benjamin, sister MacKenzie Margaret and 4-year-old big sister Zoe.

Ben was with the babies Friday while Karoline went to get Jackson and said all are doing well.

"They're all waking up to eat right now," he said. "We've got them on a pretty good schedule." He said he and Karoline rotate night duty, and friends have helped.

Ryan Patrick and Charlie Craig remain at All Children's Hospital. Ryan is listed in fair condition, and Charlie, who is receiving help with breathing, is listed in serious condition.

SPRING HILL

Report of staph case brings calls for calm

Public health officials are urging Hernando County residents not to panic over reports of a student's staph infection.

Earlier this week there were reports that a student possibly had been infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. That prompted a scrubdown of Deltona Elementary School. Because a diagnosis of MRSA includes a lab culture from the patient, the confirmation took a few days. The child's identity and medical status have not been released. It has not been confirmed that the child is a student at Deltona.

"This (MRSA) has been around awhile, and it is something the health care community can definitely treat," said Ann-Gayl Ellis, public information officer for the Hernando County Health Department.

PORT RICHEY

Teen motorcyclist dies, girl injured in collision

A 17-year-old riding his motorcycle with his girlfriend Thursday night was killed after they collided with a car, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol.

Jonathan Harrigan, a senior at Ridgewood High School, died. Krystale Fernandez, a 16-year-old junior, was transported to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.

The accident occurred about 7:20 p.m. Sandra Bari, 61, of 112-A Gordon St., was westbound on Commons Boulevard in a 1993 Honda when she stopped at a stop sign at U.S. 19. Meanwhile, Harrigan's 2003 Kawasaki motorcycle was headed north on U.S. 19 in the outside lane, the report said. Bari didn't see Harrigan coming, and came across the northbound lanes of U.S. 19, the report said. Harrigan hit the side of her car and was killed.

[Last modified November 2, 2007, 23:44:48]