In the know

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 22, 2007

BROOKSVILLE

City manager upholds firing of police officer

City Manager Jennene Norman-Vacha has upheld the firing of police Officer Terry Elliott, who was accused of using inappropriate language and profanity toward a female dispatcher. Elliott had appealed his firing by interim police Chief Frank Ross in May. But Norman-Vacha said her investigation showed that Ross had terminated Elliott in accordance with the city's employee personnel policy manual. Ross found that Elliott had used profane language to refer to the dispatcher in a complaint lodged by another police employee in April. Elliott initially denied the charge, but a recorder in a police car confirmed he called the dispatcher a "stupid b----."

Group to host free holiday meal today

Seven Sistaz Inc. of Spring Hill will host a free Thanksgiving dinner from 1 to 4:30 p.m. today at the Community Activity Center at 205 E Fort Dade Ave. The event is for homeless and disadvantaged youth and families in the Brooksville/Spring Hill area. Hot meals will be served. Seven Sistaz is a new grass roots nonprofit organization that aims to help where help is needed. Call 200-8560.

SPRING HILL

Church provides meal delivery, too

Thanksgiving dinner will be served at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church at 2 p.m. today in Xavier Hall, 5030 Mariner Blvd. Anyone who cannot make the free dinner can have dinner delivered to their door at no cost. For information or for those wishing to have meals delivered to their homes, call 683-9666.

Local station sells $112,179 winner

One of two winning tickets in Monday's Fantasy 5 drawing was purchased at the RaceTrac service station at 9410 Cortez Blvd., Florida Lottery officials reported. The other ticket was sold in Miami. Each of the two winning tickets paid $112,179. The winning numbers were 3, 7, 14, 27, 31.

Botanical Gardens event starts Dec. 1

"Holiday in the Gardens" will start Dec. 1 at the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, 1489 Parker Ave. Clubs, organizations and businesses may decorate an evergreen. There are a number of existing evergreens that line the main walkway, or additional trees can be purchased and planted for $50. The trees will remain on display through early January. There will be a contest for the best-decorated tree. Trees can be decorated until Dec. 24. To reserve a tree in advance, stop by the gardens Wednesday or Saturday mornings or call 683-9933. The gardens can be visited any day during daylight hours.

Today's pick

Sertoma Youth Ranch Thanksgiving Bluegrass Festival: 3:30 to 10 p.m., Myers Road, south of Spring Lake. The festival will continue through Sunday. Adult weekend tickets are $45 at the gate. Tickets for today are $8 each. Children 12 to 16 are $3 per day or $7 for the weekend; ages 11 and younger are free with adult ticket. 754-3082.

[Last modified November 21, 2007, 20:27:49]