Fundraiser will help deputy's daughter

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 16, 2007

COUNTYWIDE

Pasco County Sheriff's Deputy David Riffe's daughter Brittany was paralyzed from the chest down in a car accident, and now friends of the family are staging a benefit concert to raise money for her medical expenses. The Benefit For Brittany Riffe will start at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Shipwreck Lounge, 5511 Chaparral Lane in Holiday. A donation of $10 per person will be collected at the door. Free food, water, and soda will be provided until 7 p.m., donated by Albertson's of Clearwater. There will be a $5 raffle with a grand prize of a guitar and an amplifier. Bands including Sobriety, Downside, Rescue22 and Autumn's Pain are scheduled to perform live. For more information, please call James Presta at (727) 514-2555.

DADE CITY

Man found guilty in murder solicitation

A jury found Robert Bellon guilty of solicitation to commit murder Thursday. In 2005, authorities say Bellon met a hired killer at a Wesley Chapel motel. Bellon was willing to pay $8,000 to have his wife's boyfriend killed, authorities say. "What if the wife (is) killed?" the hit man asked. "So be it," Bellon reportedly said, "as long as I don't get charged extra." The assassin was actually an undercover detective with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Later that year, Bellon pleaded not guilty, and the Public Defender's Office was appointed to represent him because he said he could not pay for his own defense.

Extension expo has events for everyone

The Pasco County Extension Expo 2007 will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Pasco County Extension Office, State Road 52, Pasco County Fairgrounds, Dade City. A variety of events will be offered for adults and for children, who will have the chance make a gingerbread house. Pasco master gardeners will be on hand to answer landscaping questions and hold a "plant clinic," so participants can find out what's troubling their plants and how to safely and effectively control pests. There will be information on Florida Friendly landscapes and demonstrations, and exhibits on topics including butterfly gardening and native plants. Tours of Florida Friendly gardens will also be offered. Information regarding upcoming master gardener classes will be available and master gardeners will be selling enviro-friendly mulch for $2 a bag.

[Last modified November 15, 2007, 23:26:36]