Swiftmud fines Cypress Creek for runoff

By Times Staff Writer
Published March 7, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is fining the developers of Cypress Creek Town Center $41,456 for violations at the mall's construction site. On Jan. 23, the builders allowed construction runoff to taint Cypress Creek, which broke the terms of Swiftmud's permit for the development. Swiftmud is also demanding that the builders submit a plan to restore wetlands affected by the discharge. The mall developers voluntarily agreed to Swiftmud's findings, conclusions and corrective actions, according to the agency's consent order released Thursday.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Elderly boyfriend accused of forgery

An 83-year-old woman told authorities that her boyfriend wrote checks to himself from her bank accounts and forged her name to obtain the title to her car. The woman, whose identity is being withheld by the Times because of the nature of the allegations, has been diagnosed with dementia. She told Pasco sheriff's deputies that she gave power of attorney to Claude Martin Howard, 79, of 5005 Damsen Circle. According to Howard's arrest report, he wrote himself at least 10 checks totaling more than $5,000 over five months last year, under the guise of using them to pay the woman's bills. He also got title to her 1999 Mercury, worth about $4,600. Howard was aware of the woman's dementia, the report says, but told deputies the money was payment for his taking care of her finances. He was charged with exploitation of the elderly and released from the Pasco County jail Wednesday after posting $5,000 bail.

TRINITY

Corporate park sells lot for $1.6M

Trinity Corporate Park, a proposed 40-lot mixed-use project that has been in the permitting stages for the last three years, has finally closed on its first deal: a convenience store and gas station and an 8,300-square-foot retail center. The 1.72-acre lot sold for $1.6-million, according to a news release from Prudential Tropical Realty. Agent Renee Dyer said nearly 20 other lots have pending contracts or letters of intent from buyers. When finished, the project on State Road 54 at the former Tampa Bay Executive Airport site will feature retail, office and light industrial uses.

[Last modified March 6, 2008, 22:40:06]