Brown-Waite Needs time with ill husband

By Times Staff Writer
Published March 1, 2008

COUNTYWIDE

U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite on Friday said she was absent from Congress this week to be with her husband, Harvey Waite, who has been diagnosed with cancer. "As anyone who has been through serious medical issues with a loved one knows, I plan on spending as much time as necessary to care for my husband," Brown-Waite said in a news release. "Harvey and I appreciate the kind words and prayers from our friends and loved ones but at this time we would ask for some privacy in dealing with his medical problems." She said she plans to return to Washington, D.C., once she knows more about her husband's prognosis.

PORT RICHEY

One charged, two sought in rape

A 30-year-old Port Richey man is facing sexual battery and kidnapping charges stemming from an incident Wednesday involving a 17-year-old girl. Here is what happened, according to a Pasco Sheriff's Office report: The victim was sitting in the passenger seat of a car about 2 a.m. when an unidentified female tried to stab her through the open car window. That female's boyfriend pulled her away from the car, and told the victim to hand over her laptop computer to avoid being stabbed. After the victim complied, two men drove her to an unknown location on U.S. 19, flashed a gun and threatened to shoot her if she didn't have sex with them. After she was assaulted, the men drove the victim to Main Street and U.S. 19 and let her out of the car. The victim, whose identity is being withheld because of the nature of the allegations, picked one of her attackers out of a photo lineup. Jose Manual Marcano, of 11105 Pine Tree Lane, is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail at the Land O'Lakes jail. Deputies are looking for the other man and the female who took the laptop. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's tip line toll-free at 1-800-706-2488.

Correction

Stephen Tuttle was shot in the back of the head in 1999 and the bullet remains lodged in his brain. An article Friday incorrectly described his injury.

[Last modified February 29, 2008, 21:47:12]