Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 65

4 TIMES TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2006 PAN SPORTS WEST PASCO HAPPENINGS GIVE BLOOD: Florida Blood Services will be at St Michael Church on Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m. Hosted by the Knights of Columbus Council 10377, Tony Corio, blood drive chairman. The drive will be at the east side of the Parish Center, 8014 State Road 52, Hudson. GARDEN CLUB: The Elfers Centennial Garden Club will meet on Monday, 7 p.m., at the Centennial Park Branch Library, 5740 Moog Road, Holiday.

The program will be a discussion of plants that become invasive in a garden. For information, call Joan (727) 376-2862. BIBLE SCHOOL: Faith United Methodist "Church, 12128 State Road 52, Hudson, will have summer vacation Bible School this week, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For information, call Jinny (727) TIPS: The Italian-American Women of Today (LI ADO) will meet for a crochet lesson, Monday at 6:30 p.m.

at the New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St For information, call Virginia Sessa, chairwoman (727) 372-7863. TAKE A TRIP: Elfers Travel Department is having a trip, Monday at 9 a.m. aboard the Sun Cruz Casino-Treasure Island. There will be a breakfast buffet The cost is $15. For information, call (727) 848-3387 from 9 a.m.

to 3 p.m. DRIVING LESSONS: The AARP Driver Safety Program of Pasco County will have two classes on Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road. Pre-registration is required.

The cost is $10. For information, call (727) 862-7598. J. "crackheads" at the home smoking drugs, according to a report The elder Webb complained of pains in his chest and feet and was transported to Pasco Regional Hospital. While the father was being transported, the son said it was possible there were more drugs inside the home, according to the report The son gave the officer two Zip-loc bags that belonged to his father and said he had repeatedly thrown away other drugs from the home, according to the report Inside the bag was aluminum foil with burnt residue on it and what was suspected to be several homemade crack pipes and other drugs, according to the report After Webb Johnson was released from the hospital, he was charged with possession of cocaine, meth-amphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

that after she is released from jail she feels like walking into traffic, the report said. Hoyt was charged with battery of a law enforcement officer, resisting an office with violence and violation of her pretrial release. Son alerts police to dad's drug stash, report says DADE CITY When Brandon Johnson heard his father was lying naked in the street near their house, he had a hunch his father had been smoking crack. Shortly after 8:30 a.m. Sunday, a Dade City police officer found Webb Johnson, 60, lying in the street near his home on Candlewood Drive.

The younger Johnson told a police officer his father had been acting spacey, and that when he was away on business, his dad often had other POLICE REPORT Woman, 30, accused of kicking arresting officer HOLIDAY Jennifer Hoyt had been ordered to stay away from her brother pending resolution of a charge that she had battered him. On Sunday, a Pasco County sheriffs deputy said the 30-year-old woman violated that order, and he attempted to arrest her. Hoyt kicked the deputy in the groin and threw a phone and other items at him, according to a sheriffs report The deputy sprayed Hoyt with pepper foam and pinned her legs to the car, according to the report Hoyt later apologized to the deputy and said she was upset because of the charges against her, saying Times photo DAN McDUFFIE East Pasco Belles shortstop Christin Boettcher, right, tags teammate Justine Thompson during practice before a Dixie Softball League District 4 tournament game on Wednesday in Zephyrhills. Down to the last inning Skerritt from Page 1 i 3 I a I that the attorney fees for the marina project were ally for the hotel and condo venture. Her critics don't believe her.

There's a group of, people who see growth as necessary and inevitable But others are adamantly opposed to any change to. Yankeetown. This group of people distrusts Johan-, nesson most They ve accused her of many things, even sleeping with the developer, she said with a laugh. So is Johannesson out of touch, -incompetent or worse? An ongoing Florida Department; of Law Enforcement investigation -should eventually answer some of those questions. But there are questions only the mayor can answer.

For instance, if the people don't want her, why doesn't she just'quit? "I could have just walked out" she said. "But I took an oath. I made a commitment." The 54-year-old grandmother made a name for herself in 2004 when hurricane-related weather swept through Yankeetown and left many without power or running water. As the Red Cross representative, Johannesson operated the shelter and showed up at people's doorstep with ice and other emergency rations. "People remember me for getting them supplies," she said.

Contrary to some of the conspiracy theories, she says there was no master political strategy to her relief work. "I didn't intend to run when I did it," she said. She was a Town Council member last fall when she. ran for mayor unopposed, after her opponent dropped out of the race and endorsed her. Be careful what you wish for.

Those are Johannes-son's words, not mine. Many of those same people who urged her to run have signed the recall petition to remove her from office over her handling of a development proposal at the site of the Izaak Walton restaurant and lodge. "Small-town government can be a bloodbath," she says. Nobody told her that before she became mayor. She said even though she was on the Town Council, she had no clue the town attorney and the developer were holding secret talks for months.

She had no idea Times photo DAN McDUFFIE East Pasco Belles coach Craig Boettcher helps Tiffany Shepler with her bunting during practice in Zephyrhills on Wednesday. Still, the intensity of the vitriol has thoughts. quitting, but it became a matter of said. reputation a very big deal in a small The West Pasco Belles softball team defeated Spring Hill with a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth to score, earning them the division title. By STEVE LEE Times Staff Writer ZEPHYRHILLS Sometimes a championship can be traced to one moment or one hit, as was the case for the West Pasco Belles (ages 13-15) in the Dixie Softball League District 4 tournament Sammy Stahl's two-out single in the bottom of the ninth scored Car-ley Parker for a 3-2 win over Spring Hill.

That hit, and the victory, helped West Pasco go up 2-0 in the Belles division en route to a 4-1 mark and the division title. West Pasco advances to the DSL state tournament that begins Thursday in Belleview. Five division titles were up for grabs in the district series (June 22-26 at Zephyrhills), but two divisions the Darlings (7-8) and Debs (16-18) did not play for a championship. There are only six state teams in those divisions, including District 4 squads East Pasco, West Pasco, Hernando ad Spring Hill. Those district teams earned state byes.

West Pasco Belles manager David Radke called Stahl's winning hit "huge for our girls. They kind of came together with that win." West Pasco opened the series with a 7-2 win over Spring Hill, then won two of three against Hernando 3-2 and 1-0 victories sandwiched around a 12-9 loss. "We got it back," Radke said, alluding to last year's district title won by East Pasco. Cortney Radke, the manager's daughter, went 2-0 on the mound, and Stahl had a 1-1 pitching mark. In the title game, Radke pitched a be reached at (813) 909-4602 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext.

4602. His e-mail address is Joanne Johannesson says she will not quit as mayor of Yankeetown. I've considered my reputation," One woman's town. man said he hopes the council will eventually embrace the proposal to use future tax revenue generated by the project to pay off about in bond financing. "In all my years in office, I've seen a lot of public outrage for what people didn't want Only one other time have I seen the case where people came out in support of something with the passion they have," he said.

Tune heals all wounds. I would never empower any individual with the authority in my mind to demolish or save anything." Altman has long been seen as a city visionary, who as mayor left his fingerprints on major projects like streetscaping and the purchase of the James E. Grey Preserve but also on failed plans like a children's museum. Main Street Landing was a vision he had first, one that he saw as the accumulation of his career as a public official working on redevelopment issues. He shopped around for developers before eventually her second she Andrew Skerritt can at askerrittsptimes.com.

finding Ken McGurn of Gainesville, who is widely credited with helping turn that city around. Here are the conundrums associated with the financing proposal for Main Street Landing: Without Altman, the project would not have existed. With Alt-man, the project raised questions in the minds of longtime detractors. Altman acknowledged being a "flash point" in the city and said someone once told him, "People either love you or they hate you." But he said he thinks the criticisms come from a vocal minority that predicted his failure before he started. "They have been telling each other how sure they are about me, that they believe it how sure they are I'm motivated by some self-interest "It's been apparent to me that there's no profit in it," Altman said.

"But I am still passionate about seeing it happen because it's what I've worked for all these years." Jodie Tillman can be reached at jtillmansptimes.com or (727) AROUND AND ABOUT Altman from Page 1 the City Council's 3-2 vote last month against public financing for the mixed-use project, which was expected to jump-start downtown development Spoonbills along with a now-defunct boat and bait shop that Alt-man also owned lost hundreds of thousands of dollars for the lifelong city resident who spent much of his nearly two decades in public office championing downtown redevelopment, even as population centers moved to the suburbs. The day after the council vote, Altman was dejected about his prospects. "It takes the wind out of my sails," he said then. "I'm not the right guy to do it That's my lesson. I'd have been fine if I'd just been the idea guy" But his optimism has returned.

Encouraged by a public outcry over the Main Street Landing vote, Alt- All UBcoum iuoks KcqMol 7-1 1M Kales only I Exp. 73106 029204O1 mmmrnm ipm -arm arriaspM DIXIE SOFTBALL LEAGUE STATE TOURNAMENT WHEREWHEN: Belleview, Thursday, July 11. DISTRICT 4 TEAMS TO QUALIFY: West Pasco Belles (ages 13-15); Spring Hill Angels (9-10); Spring Hill Ponytails (11-12); and East Pasco, West Pasco, Hernando and Spring Hill squads in the Darlings (7-8) and Debs (16-18) divisions. AT STAKE: Division winners advance to DSL World Series. ADMISSION: $5 per day, or $20 for a series pass.

STEVE LEE, Times Staff Writer three-hit shutout with six strikeouts and one walk. Casey Knight averaged a team-high .600 to lead West Pasco's offense. Other key contributors were: Taylor Bruckner (.500, four RBIs), Parker (.462, three RBIs) and Kayla Constentino East Pasco, which last season won district and state titles before finishing fifth in the DSL World Series, Keppel can be reached at jkkeppelhotmail.com GOLF The Links Golf Course summer junior golf program will be held July 11-15. The four sessions will be held Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The program is run by Saint Leo coach Ray Cisbani, who will focus on swing, rules, etiquette and physical conditioning. Each player will also compete in a skills competition. The program is open to the first 20 entrants. The cost of $75 includes range instruction, balls and loaner clubs, if needed. For more information call Cisbani at (727) 514-0985.

The third annual American Educational Assistance Corporation tournament will be Sept 15 at Timber Greens. There is a noon check-in with a 1 to 1:30 p.m. starting time. Lunch is included, and prizes will be awarded. Cost is $75 per person.

Team and hole sponsorships are available. Registration deadline is Sept. 1. Proceeds benefit scholarships for those with 120 or more hours of community service. For details, call David Wong at (727) 697-3467.

SOFTBALL The Tampa Heatwave fastprtch softball team is holding tryouts for all positions for its 12-and-under and 14- went 1-2 in the Belles bracket "We just didn't have the same group of girls; not the team unity," East Pasco coach Craig Boettcher said. Spring Hill won the Angels (9-10) and Ponytails (11-12) titles, and the Spring Hill Darlings bested West Pasco 14-10. In the latter division, Spring Hill's Brianna Harvey, Celine Kordon, Jackie Pennett and Taylor Russell each had three hits. Despite a 13-0 loss to Hernando, East Pasco Darlings manager David Isbell remained upbeat about his team's prospects for a state title. "It didn't matter," Isbell said.

"We played one game, but it was kind of like an exhibition. It gave us a good idea of what the competition (at state) would be like." On the other hand, David Radke is glad to have won a series on the field. "I think it makes a big difference," the West Pasco Belles manager said. "We get one tournament (title) under out belts before going to state. We got rid of the jitters." Contact Steve Lee at leesptimes.com and-under travel-ball teams.

The Heatwave is looking for parents and players interested in competing against the best players in the nation. For more information, contact coach Jack at (813) 892-1355 or Golfjakaol.com. The Lutz Leaguerettes girls slowpitch softball program will hold registration for its upcoming instructional fall league July 15 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Oscar Cooler Park on Lutz Lake Fern Road. All girls ages 6-17 as of Sept.

1 are eligible. No experience is necessary. The fall season runs July 24 through Oct 1. Registration is $30. For more information call Lori at (813) 4314302.

TENNIS Ridgewood High will hold tennis camp July 27-28 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 1 :30 a.m. The camp will be instructed by coach Mike Bua and various members of the boys and girls teams. The camp is for kids in grades two through nine. It will emphasize fundamentals including forehand and backhand strokes, serving and net play, and there will be drills and contests.

The cost is $40. For more information contact Bua at (727) 774-3900. SUBMISSIONS Contact staff writer Izzy Gould in Port Richey by fax at (727) 869-6233 or by e-mail at igouldsptimes.com. I SPRUCE UP SPECIAL JSPSL y' Make your dome in. man i 1.1 1 1 lmmmmmmm ceiling look new again with ft ifiitTtfyffTTVTHffr'TL7, replacement plastic panels Free In 9739 New York Ave.

OFF 0i Any Job Under $100 Home Estimates Hudson, FL $10.00 OFF 0. Aiy Job Over $100 Pasco Call (727) 862-1543 All others (800) 892-5095 Expires 73106 oWno BASEBALL The Florida Panthers, a nonprofit youth baseball organization, are holding tryouts for their AAU fall season for an 11-and-underteam and a 12-and-under team. Players who have turned 11 or 12 before May 1, 2006, are invited to tryout The Panthers are looking for dedicated players and parents interested in high-level competition. For more information call Andy Contafio at (727) 271-5249. BASKETBALL CAMPS Pasco High will host a basketball camp July 17-21 hosted bycoach John Edwards, a former assistant at Saint Leo and USF.

The camp is for children in grades five through nine. The camp will focus on teamwork with an emphasis on individual instruction. Camp competitions include tournament play, a 3-point shootout free-throw shooting, an obstacle course, three-on-three, one-on-one and hot shot. The $60 cost includes a T-shirt and instruction from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

For more information call Edwards at (813) 355-7860. CROSS COUNTRY Athletes interested in participating in Land CLakes cross country should contact coach Kris Keppel about registration and summer conditioning, which is held weekly at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. "Whether they shriek for Neil Diamond or scream for Nine Inch Nails, Times readers are intensely passionate music fans. They're crazy.

I dig that about them. Sean Daly, Pop Music Critic In the know. In the Times. tampabay.com.