Plenty of music on schedule at seafest today

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 10, 2007

HUDSON

Music lovers are in for a special treat today as the Hudson Seafest continues at the festival grounds behind the USA Fleamarket on U.S. 19 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Richey Community Orchestra will perform movie and television themes at 1 p.m., and Nashville country singer Daniel Lee Martin will headline at 8 p.m. In between are the Dapper Dan Band at 3 p.m. and the Sassy Brassy Band at 5:30 p.m. Hudson Seafest also has a carnival, Kidzone, arts, crafts, seafood, festival foods and beer. Admission is free, but parking is $3. Go west at the intersection of U.S. 19 and State Road 52 to reach the entrance to the fairgrounds. The Seafest continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, with entertainment by Hudson Middle School Jazz Ensemble at 12:30 p.m. and the 42nd Street Big Band at 2 p.m. All proceeds go to charities and community enhancement.

HOLIDAY

Two new hotels planned for U.S. 19

A four-story Marriott-brand hotel is expected to break ground on U.S. 19 early next year. The 78-room Fairfield Inn & Suites, Marriott's mid-price brand aimed at business travelers, is planned for a nearly 2-acre parcel on the east side of the highway just north of Sunray Drive and south of the future home of a Volkswagen dealership. The hotel, which awaits final county approval, is one of two planned on U.S. 19. A 78-room Hampton Inn & Suites also will be built just north of Ranch Road. Construction on that hotel will start early next year, said Richard Bekesh, president of Spring Engineering, which is handling both projects. Holiday Inn Express & Suites, which has 85 rooms, opened on U.S. 19 near Jasmine Drive in June.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Grant's goal: Cut aggressive driving

City police will hire an officer dedicated to helping reduce aggressive driving through traffic enforcement and education thanks to a three-year grant from the Florida Department of Transportation. Aggressive driving includes speeding, running red lights, following too close and changing lanes illegally. In the first year, the grant will pay $110,556 for the officer and for the purchase of an unmarked car and equipment including an in-car video and radar device, according to a news release. The grant will pay 75 percent of the officer's salary and benefits in the second year and 50 percent in the third. After that, the city will be responsible for funding the position.

[Last modified November 10, 2007, 00:52:01]