[Times photo:Dan McDuffie] Sonia Hernandez, 7, and her cousin Tereza Zamora, 7, await the start of the Cinco de Mayo parade in Dade City.

May 6, 2000

Fiesta spirit spreads over border
The Mexican holiday honors a battle more than 100 years ago that marked the decline of French domination of Mexico.

Suicidal man stopped, only to die soon after
The victim's adoptive father says he talked his son out of suicide, only to shoot him. The father, 60, is charged with manslaughter.

270 residents get ticketed in crackdown on watering
However, county officials have dropped a ban on washing cars, boats or trailers in front yards, if the hose has a shut-off nozzle.

Oakstead lawsuit is settled
Citizens for Sanity gets few concessions as it drops its suit, allowing Oakstead development to proceed.

Two more enter race for commission seat
The District 5 race now has three Democrats, three Republicans and an independent. Democrat David H. "Hap" Clark is the incumbent. The primaries are in September.

Barbara L. Fredricksen
Give those metal fans a map -- please!
The page one photo of the buxom lass crowd-surfing at the Livestock music festival in Zephyrhills last week made me realize why so many raucous people keep showing up (and sitting next to me) at plays and concerts around the Tampa Bay area.

Man gets life for attacking teenager
The man jumped from a van and put a stocking around a 13-year-old girl's throat. A prosecutor called him a "serial killer ready to happen."

Family to sue over fatal shooting
They say officials could've prevented Teddy Niziol's death at Ridgewood High.

Degrees are only the start for grads
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Like so many students before her, Carmen Kinard entered her first community-college class scared, edgy and not entirely sure what she was doing. It had been 17 years since she set foot in a classroom, and she wasn't exactly thrilled to return.

Driver gets no jail time for new DUI charge
He tells the court he hasn't had alcohol since a 1994 manslaughter conviction.

Car salesman is accused of stealing $24,000 in sales tax
PORT RICHEY -- A 52-year-old used car salesman and auctioneer was arrested by Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents Friday and charged with stealing nearly $24,000 in sales taxes that he collected from customers.

Jeweler's retirement to close landmark
Bob Mauro, owner of Rossi Gold, has sold gems and baubles to Pasco customers for 15 years.

Sports
Side-effects of a shuffle in coaching
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Scott Schmitz was the football coach at River Ridge.

Broner honored by state Legislature
Pasco boys basketball coach Willie Broner caps a period of honors with a Tallahassee trip at Rep. Mike Fasano's invitation.

Ridgewood's Seels picks E. Tennessee State
Citing the "family atmosphere", Ridgewood basketball player Cory Seels has signed with Division I-A East Tennessee State.

Clower glad about stepping in as Weightman football coach
Spring football is in full bloom, but a familiar face is missing from the Pasco sideline.

Knight jumps to state berth
River Ridge's Jessica Verga qualified for the Class 4A state meet Thursday night, taking third place in the region in the high jump with a leap of 5 feet.