Gnome Sweet Gnome: Woman accused of striking man with garden ornament May 24, 2013

Garden gnome used in attack, police say

A domestic dispute that involved yelling and thrown household items ended in violence Sunday when, police say, a woman clonked a man on the head with a New Orleans Saints garden gnome.

A report by Gulfport police Officer Jennifer Crowson says that at about 4:17 p.m. Sunday, Lisa D. Buckley, 47, a server at a local restaurant, arrived at her home at 5407 29th Ave. S “and began yelling at the victim.” Buckley then “threw items all around the residence and then picked up a New Orleans Saints garden gnome and struck (the victim) with it.”

Crowson reported that the victim was bleeding from the ear and the left side of his head but refused medical attention. Meanwhile, she wrote, “Buckley fled the scene prior to my arrival.”

The next day, though, Buckley called and sent text messages to the victim trying to persuade him to drop the case.

Buckley was arrested Tuesday on charges of domestic battery and harassing a victim and taken to the Pinellas County Jail, where records show she was released in lieu of $5,000 bail.

Just because your house overlooks a golf course doesn’t mean it will always be a golf course May 22, 2013

SARASOTA COUNTY – Realtors say it’s another sign of the housing market making a comeback — but not everyone is pleased about plans to close one of the oldest public golf courses in the area.

The Sarasota Golf Club on Palmer Road, east of Interstate 75 is shutting down next week, with plans to turn the golf course into new homes. Realtors are pleased, but others are concerned. And it’s not just golfers who are teed off.

The course has been there 53 years, but realtors say projects like this are a positive sign about the direction of the area’s economy. “The pendulum seems to have swung several months ago. All this year, we’ve been reporting sales higher than previous,” says Kathy Roberts of the Sarasota Association of Realtors.

The concept of closing a golf course to build houses isn’t new in Sarasota; it happened at Forest Lakes along Beneva Road in Sarasota — and those houses still haven’t been built.

“That’s why I bought this condo in the first place, it was next to a golf course,” says Forest Lakes resident Rick Cavanaugh. His place was next to a golf course, but now he lives next to a lot of high grass.

Back at the Sarasota Golf Club, neighbors are aware of what’s happened to other golf courses that were closed to make way for houses several years ago; and they hope the same thing doesn’t happen there.

“We don’t want a Forest Lakes or Sunrise (Golf Club) debacle behind us. We would want a nice community if that’s the way it’s gonna go,” says Gloria Dehaven, who lives next to Sarasota Golf Club.

New numbers released Tuesday show the positive trend continues in local real estate. But all this comes as bad news for those looking for public golf in Sarasota.

Another downtown St. Pete restaurant shut down after inspection finds roaches May 19, 2013

ST. PETERSBURG — Acropolis Greek Taverna was shut down for several hours midday Friday after a state inspection found a raft of violations at the restaurant, including live and dead roaches.

It’s the second time in the past five weeks that a popular downtown restaurant has been shut down by health violations that include roaches. Just last month, Ceviche on Beach Drive was shuttered for 24 hours after inspectors found a number of health problems.

Acropolis manager David Stead invited a Tampa Bay Times reporter into the kitchen about 4:30 p.m. Friday, shortly after the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation allowed the restaurant to reopen.

An inspector, Stead said, found termites above the first floor and a few live roaches in an electrical box attached to the dishwasher — nothing else.

“We had an issue. It’s been corrected,” he said. “It’s all good.”

Minutes later, the reporter returned to the restaurant with a complete list of the state’s 22 findings. Six were considered “high priority,” including flying insects near the ice bin, 11 live roaches on and around the dishwasher, two under the fryer, one under the ice bin, another under canned goods stored at the front of the cooks line, two dead in the dish area and one dead inside the ice machine.

The inspection also discovered food stored at unsafe temperatures, employees touching food with bare hands when they shouldn’t and a dishwasher operating below the proper minimum strength.

When the reporter confronted Stead with the host of violations he neglected to mention, the manager shrugged.

“What did you want me to tell you?” he asked.

Stead insisted he had told the truth, then said, “Go by your report.”

“I told you the problem. I told you the problem has been fixed,” he continued. “Done deal.”

But if recent history is any indication, the deal may not be done.

State officials consistently made similar discoveries during their 2012 inspections. Over seven visits between April and December, officials found 61 “critical” violations at Acropolis.

Among the agency’s findings, some of which were repeat violations: chicken sauce found at 89 degrees, raw shrimp and fish being thawed in a sink, dried rodent droppings on top of dry good containers and beside the ice machine, employee training provided by an unapproved provider, raw eggs stored over cooked rice and sauces, dead roaches in the ice machine, live roaches in a variety of areas and a multitude of issues related to proper handwashing.

It’s unclear why Acropolis, 515 Central Ave., was shut down after Friday’s inspection but not for any of last year’s.

After Ceviche’s problems were reported by the Times and other media, the restaurant let go of its general manager at the St. Petersburg restaurant and got rid of its cleaning and pest control companies. The restaurant also enlisted a third-party company to conduct monthly reviews of its operations.

Acropolis and Ceviche, 10 Beach Drive, are less than a half-mile apart.

Is it just a coincidence that two popular downtown restaurants were shut down by violations within just a few weeks?

“That’s still being investigated,” said Samantha Stratton, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. “We are looking into it.”

Stratton said she did not know if the agency recently hired more inspectors or whether new inspectors monitor the area.

“When we have an answer,” she said, “we’ll get back to you.”

The agency praises restaurants when inspectors don’t find any violations, releasing regular lists of the problem-free establishments.

When asked why the agency doesn’t notify the public when violations are found, Stratton said: “I don’t know. That’s a good question. Do you get the list?”

Woman bit boyfriend’s penis after he refused to have sex … Alittle horney? May 17, 2013

As Krystle M. Harrison and her boyfriend were lying in bed Wednesday evening,  the 19-year-old Bradenton woman began touching him, wanting to have sex, according to an arrest affidavit from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

The couple have been dating for about 3 years and have a child together, according to the arrest report.

After the beau turned Harrison down — several times — she grabbed him and bit his penis, the affidavit stated.

The boyfriend then pushed Harrison away and went outside, where she continued to argue with him and scratched his chest, the deputy reported.

The boyfriend refused to complete a sworn affidavit and told the deputy that he didn’t want to “press charges” against his girlfriend, who was then taken to the slammer.

Christmas won’t arrive for another 223 days, however; 1 family starts their preparations months in advance. May 15, 2013

Christmas comes early in Plantation Acres every year, but this year the battle over one family’s holiday extravaganza is starting now.

The “Hyatt Extreme Christmas” won’t start appearing on their lawn until September, but some homeowners are already calling on the city to intervene.

Councilman Bob Levy said two of the cul-de-sac’s homeowners have already started calling him. There are eight homes on the street, including the Hyatts.

“The lights are blinding,” he said. “The traffic from cars, the pedestrians … are creating a real problem. There has to be something. … I just can’t believe that our hands are totally tied.”

Mark and Kathy Hyatt host their “Hyatt Extreme Christmas” — an annual Christmas display on Northwest 14th Street, which includes almost 200,000 lights, a 20-foot Ferris wheel that gives stuffed animals a ride, a 30-foot Christmas tree, life-size gingerbread men, a snow-blowing machine, moving elves and a 20-foot inflatable movie screen that loops Disney movies.

The neighbors have long complained about the noise, the lights and the crush of hundreds of visitors who litter the streets and park in their driveways each night for more than a month. At least one said their family leaves town for weeks.

At the city’s request last year, the Hyatts reduced the number of days the display is illuminated and added more volunteers to direct traffic.

For the inconvenienced neighbors, it still isn’t enough.

“I’ve tried to be the peacemaker,” lamented Mayor Diane Veltri Bendekovic recently. “It’s just not happening. It’s like the Hatfields and the McCoys out there.”

Kathy Hyatt called the mayor “a hater of Christmas.”

“I don’t know why she doesn’t have better things to do with her time,” Hyatt said. “I don’t know why she doesn’t embrace Hyatt Extreme Christmas.”

Not fair, said Bendekovic, who is Catholic.

“I don’t hate Christmas, that’s all there is to it,” she said. “I think the holidays are a celebration of family and all the good things we have in this country.”

The city has applied to the state for “no parking” signs along Old Hiatus Road. While the mayor said the intention was for consistency along the road, it would limit the number of people who could attend the display, because throngs of cars park on the street around the corner from the Hyatt house.

“The city has done legally [everything] it can,” she said.

Bendekovic said residents have the option of asking a civil judge to declare the property a nuisance, citing a quality-of-life issue. “It’s a civil matter — neighbor to neighbor,” she said.

But that would be very costly and not neighborly, said neighbor Adam Fractenberg,

“I don’t want to sue. I just want the enjoyment of our home without hundreds of cars.”

He said he’s asked for the city to provide shuttle buses to keep cars off the street and to pay for off-duty police to manage traffic, but the city said the money isn’t there.

Fractenberg also suggested the city use a park for overflow parking, but the mayor responded in a February letter that holiday display guests would take up too much parking and not allow enough spots for people who wanted to use the park.

Fractenberg is hopeful no parking rules along Old Hiatus Road would be helpful — if the city enforces it with tickets.

But Mark Hyatt said enforcing no parking along the road would cause more problems because if people can’t find parking, they’ll drive around the cul-de-sac which is just what the neighbors don’t want.

And Hyatt said he keeps the event well-controlled. He won’t stop the display: “It’s something I’ve been doing since I was a kid,” he said. “It’s to bring the community together.”

Kathy Hyatt said complaints are limited to a few neighbors.

“There is no public nuisance,” she said.

Dolly Imbert said she is dreading the season, especially since the Hyatts start setting up their props and testing the lights a couple months before display is open to the public.

“We cannot enjoy our peace of the Christmas season, because we have a nightmare across the street,” she said. “I’m a Catholic, I celebrate Christmas. But [you] live there, be there, spend one season there, try to get to your own house after 6 p.m. Don’t we have some rights to have some peace in our home?”

Conrad Hilton III, grandson of hotel chain founder, arrested in Florida for domestic battery May 7, 2013

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Conrad Hilton III, the grandson of the founder of the  Hilton hotel chain, was arrested Sunday and charged with domestic battery.

According to a police report, a Boca Raton police officer was at Abe and  Louie’s at 2200 Glades Road when he says he saw Hilton stand up from a seated  position at the bar and grab and push his girlfriend. The girlfriend, who was  interviewed by officers, declined to talk to investigators about the  incident.

Hilton, who lists his occupation as philanthropist, sits on the governing  board of the Conrad Hilton Foundation according to its website. The foundation  states that it is dedicated to humanitarian works.

Hilton III was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail overnight.

He was released without bond after making his first appearance before a Palm  Beach County judge.

Burger King worker attacked boss when he didn’t get it his way May 3, 2013

IMMOKALEE — A resentful Burger King employee in Immokalee threw chicken tenders and hamburgers at his boss and threatened him with a knife Monday after losing his job, deputies say.

The manager told Collier County deputies he began arguing with the employee, 21-year-old Nicholas Trejo, when Trejo told him he needed time off in mid-May for a family emergency. Trejo became enraged after the manager told him it was impossible to pre-plan for a true emergency, according to an arrest report.

After Trejo began yelling, the manager fired him, at which point Trejo removed his uniform shirt and threw it at his boss, deputies reported. Trejo then grabbed handfuls of chicken tenders, hamburgers and chicken patties, chucking them at the manager and spitting in his face, reports stated.

The manager said Trejo then picked up an 8-inch knife and came at him in an aggressive manner. An assistant manager intervened, and Trejo left the store, according to the report.

Trejo, of the 300 block of South Sixth Court, faces a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor charge of battery.

Man threw ex-wife’s TV over balcony, ran over it with truck … Just get over it man! May 2, 2013

Man arrested for attacking ex-wife, boyfriend

A Key West man is under arrest, charged with breaking into his ex-wife’s residence, damaging her property then attacking her and her current boyfriend at her place of work.

50 year old George Rodriguez is accused of going to his ex-wife’s house and entering it without permission. Once inside, he took a 65 inch flat screen television and threw it over the balcony into the driveway. Witnesses say as he left the residence, he drove over the television with his truck, destroying it.

Rodriguez also confronted his ex-wife at her place of business, grabbing her by the hair and hitting her. He also confronted her current boyfriend. The two got into a fight. During their struggle, Rodriguez attempted to hit the boyfriend’s head on a metal truck bumper. An employee of the business had to pull the two apart.

Deputies responded to both the house, on Sugarloaf Key, and the business on Rockland Key. They found Rodriguez still at the business. He was placed under arrest. He was charged with aggravated assault, battery, criminal mischief and burglary. He was booked into jail.

Disney-loving Wiccan witch’s home is target of attacks

New Port Richey – A Pasco County couple is living in fear after some violent  attacks at their home.

The multi-colored house is impossible to miss.
“We call it the  Glitter Dome,” said Randy Withers.
Inside is just as colorful and  includes a shrine to all things Disney.
“We absolutely adore all the fun  that goes with it, but the diversity that’s embraced is what also draws us in,”  said Kryja Withers.
But the Withers say their New Port Richey home,  designed to make people happy, is now a target, because of their Pagan faith.
“It’s a shame that this perpetuation of fear must continue,” said Kryja  Withers.
Kyrja authors children’s books featuring a bunny named Rupert  who learns about Pagan holidays.
She says along with her Wiccan beliefs,  she is a practicing elemental witch.
“We are perceived to be bad people  and hurting children, and nothing could be further from the truth,” said  Withers.

The harassment started with people yelling expletives as they drove by and  others leaning on their horns.

But last month someone fired a pellet gun at the home.

“I hear pop, pop, and something jumped off the wall at me and it turned out  to be the shards of glass from the window,” said Kyja.

And two weeks ago on the same day as the Boston bombings, two acid bombs were  tossed on their front yard.
“We couldn’t sit down to our dinner table  for one hour, not for one hour without being concerned that someone else was  coming by to do something to us,” she said.

Kyrja and Randy say they are getting help from local authorities, the New  Port Richey police department has this patrol car parked out front. But they are  also getting support from the Lady Liberty League, a national Pagan religious  freedom and civil rights support organization.

“We are assisting law enforcement in helping protect Kyrja, her family, and  home,” said Rev. Selena Fox, Executive Director of Lady Liberty League.   Many of LLL’s recommendations for the Withers have now been put into  effect.  The organization will continue to assist law enforcement and work  with Kyrja and her family to ensure their safety as the situation unfolds.”

Police have questioned some area high schoolers who may be responsible for  some of the harassment, but they are still looking for whoever crossed the line  into violence. They say it could be considered a hate crime.
“They are  really good people and they don’t deserve to be treated like this. We are going  to do whatever we can to prevent anything further from happening,” said  detective Greg Williams.

The Withers are offering a $200 reward to help catch whoever attacked their  home, but they are more interested in turning this into a opportunity to teach.
“We need to be out and say who we are. I am a witch. Come and find out  who I am,” said Kyrja.

The couple is trying raise money to pay for a security system. Here is a link  to their fundraisng site.

http://igg.me/at/kyrja/x/3136210

Here are some other links if you want to find out more about the Withers:

http://theilluminatinetwork.com/friends-of-rupert/ www.friendsofrupert.com www.facebook.com/friendsofrupert www.youtube.com/friendso www.facebook.com/theglitterdome

Read more: http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_pasco/pagan-witch-says-her-home-was-targeted#ixzz2SACWHEfD

‘Shroom trip sent naked, bleeding man to the hospital April 30, 2013

There was nothing magical about these mushrooms.

Police assisted a 20-year-old Gainesville man early Saturday morning who was found naked and bleeding on West University Avenue after eating psilocybin mushrooms and crashing through a window, according to a report.

After ingesting the hallucinogenic mushrooms, Nicholas Koster stripped naked and ran from his friends’ apartment at 111 NW 15th St. when they called 911, the Gainesville Police Department report said.

Police found Koster on West University Avenue near Chipotle around 4 a.m., and he resisted officers as they tackled him to the ground. Koster had a laceration on his back from jumping from the first-floor window pane of his friends’ apartment, police said.

Koster was not in possession of any drugs when apprehended by police and does not face any charges.

A similar incident occurred a week earlier when Michael Joseph Silecchia, a University of Florida student, was arrested for wandering naked around Campus Club apartments at 4000 SW 37th Blvd. after taking LSD. He was charged with battery on a medical care provider, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer.

The incident occurred around 1:25 a.m. last Saturday. Silecchia, 19, spoke randomly about God and told people, first, not to cut off his penis, and then to cut it off, police said.

Silecchia refused to dress himself when approached by police. He attempted to walk away from police, who then physically restrained him. Silecchia struggled with law enforcement, punching one officer in the head. Police hit Silecchia with a Taser about six times, but it had no effect, police said.

He was then taken to Shands at the University of Florida where he spit on Shands employees, police said.