Parent gets into tussle with deputy at school

By Times Staff Writer
Published March 6, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY

Carolyn DeBouter got into a fight at school Tuesday that landed her in jail. What is noteworthy about the situation is that DeBouter is 42, the parent of a student at River Ridge High, and the person she chose to tangle with is a sheriff's deputy.

According to her arrest report, DeBouter was drunk when she drove to the school about 2:30 p.m. The school resource officer noticed this and tried to stop her from driving. He asked for her keys, and she shut the door on his arm, the report says. He then took her keys, and she grabbed his uniform shirt and tore his whistle from the chain around his neck.

DeBouter, of 9329 Nile Drive, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, a felony. She was released from jail Wednesday after posting $5,000 bail.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Doctor's office worker accused of fraud, theft

During her employment as a doctor's office manager, authorities say Laurette Philipsen collected far more than her $3,000 monthly salary.

According to her arrest report, Philipsen, of 7240 Westwind Drive, opened bank accounts, took out loans and provided fraudulent tax and insurance information to her employer, Dr. Louise Templeman. Philipsen's scheme, the report says, left Templeman liable for nearly $160,000 in debt.

Philipsen, 52, is charged with grand theft, scheming to defraud and criminal use of personal identification. She remained in the Pasco County jail in Land O'Lakes on Wednesday, held in lieu of $150,000 bail.

NEW PORT RICHEY

4.5% raise okayed for police, fire workers

City police and fire employees will see their salaries go up 4.5 percent this fiscal year after the City Council on Tuesday approved three-year collective bargaining union contracts.

Under both the police contract and fire contract, union employees also get an additional paid holiday, Good Friday, plus additional pay for officers who work holidays.

The contracts do away with merit pay. Salary increases for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 contract years will be subject to further negotiation. The new agreements will cost the city roughly $143,000 this year. That money will come out of the city's reserves.

[Last modified March 5, 2008, 22:41:13]