Assembly line of love [Times photo: Dan McDuffie] Starting with a block of wood, the men saw, shape, and sand. With a little paint, the toy is off to a needy child. And the Toy Makers grind on, 152,000 toys and counting.

May 13, 2000

Sex assault convictions overturned
The appeals court blames an overzealous prosecutor. The defendant, accused of repeatedly molesting a 9-year-old girl, will get a new trial.

100 feast on Stage West's new theater
After years of planning, adjusting, agonizing over details, soliciting funds and negotiating financing, Stage West Community Playhouse finally opened The Forum on May 5. It's a charming, 159-seat boutique theater that will be home to children's plays and offbeat, serious and classic grown-up productions and a fitting adjunct for the existing 391-seat theater.

Bulldogs step up to the plate
The Zephyrhills High School baseball team has a chance to make history next week -- its first state championship.

School program uses ink to link seniors, students
HUDSON -- Madaline Woodman greeted her three young friends with hugs and a hearty hello. Although it was the first time the four of them had ever met, they all knew each other quite well.

Shortage of water hinders firefighters
A family's double-wide mobile home burns to the ground. The fire chief says a lack of hydrants doesn't help.

Holiday man suffers burns while working on his car
HOLIDAY -- A 61-year-old man suffered serious burns while working on his car Friday evening, according to Pasco County Fire-Rescue District Chief Doug Drape.

'Senior Adventures' makes Pasco debut
Participants choose from eight activities, called "adventures." The idea is to provide a fun learning experience.