Corps requests Sierra Club's suit be halted

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 16, 2008

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WESLEY CHAPEL

In another twist to the legal drama over Cypress Creek Town Center, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers moved in federal court this week to halt a lawsuit by the Sierra Club against the corps for permitting the 1-million-square-foot mall. The motion comes a week after the corps suspended the mall's permit for illegally letting construction site runoff pollute Cypress Creek. The motion, filed Wednesday, asks the court to let the permit be sent back to the corps and to "stay all proceedings in this case." The Sierra Club opposes the motion. Its spokeswoman, Denise Layne, said the club wants the corps to re-evaluate the entire permit, and not just the narrow issue about the recent environmental violations by the mall's builder. The corps is currently working with the builder to address those lapses.

HUDSON

Blood drive today at Elks Lodge 2520

Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520 will host a blood drive from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. today. Elks and non-Elks alike are invited to roll up their sleeves and donate. The lodge is at 9135 Denton Ave. For information, call Florida Blood Services toll-free at 1-800-683-5663 or Mary Ann Steffes at (352) 686-5842.

TRINITY

Author to sign two gangland books

Renowned author Scott Deitche will do a special book signing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today of his two latest releases, Cigar City Mafia, a complete history of the Tampa underworld, and The Silent Don, about the criminal underworld of Santo Trafficante Jr. The event, which is a fundraiser for SPCA Suncoast, will be held at Let's Eat!, a gourmet meal preparation store in the Trinity Village Center at 10720 State Road 54. Call (727) 376-6707.