Spring Hill man critically injured in fiery crash

CARROLLWOOD -- A 21-year-old man from Spring Hill was critically injured Tuesday morning when his northbound pickup truck veered off the Veterans Expressway north of Gunn Highway and struck a light pole and a tree before bursting into flames.

Brett J. Hawkins was trapped inside the 2009 Dodge in the 8:22 a.m. accident, but a motorist helped him get free, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Hawkins was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

Times staff writer

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First swine flu case confirmed in Hernando County

BROOKSVILLE -- The Hernando County Health Department on Tuesday reported that the first case of H1N1 flu virus in the county has been confirmed.

The patient is a 70-year-old woman, who is responding well to treatment. No other details were released.

There have been 166 confirmed cases of swine flu in Florida as of Thursday, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza: chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.

Times staff writer 

Armed suspect sought in Brooksville robbery

BROOKSVILLE - Deputies are searching for a gunman who robbed the Supercuts shop at 3128 Aerial Way this afternoon.

The suspect was armed with a black pistol when he entered the store around 1 p.m. After taking an undisclosed amount of money, he ordered the clerk into the rear of the store while he fled, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

The clerk did not see which direction he fled or whether he was on foot or in a vehicle. The suspect was described as a white man in his 50s around 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds with brown and gray hair, wearing a white shirt and jeans.

- Times staff writer 

Wikipedia bans Scientology from editing Scientology entries

Wikipedia has banned people using the Church of Scientology’s computers from changing Wikipedia articles about Scientology and its critics.

The site's administrators imposed the ban after concluding that church members have been altering articles related to Scientology to promote their own interests.

It is believed to be the first time that Wikipedia has banned such a large group. Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis said the church is preparing a statement in response.

Wikipedia is billed as “the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.” Many Wikipedia entries are in a constant state of flux as they are edited and re-edited, and the site's many volunteers and administrators attempt to keep an eye out for bias.

After a lengthy internal review, Wikipedia’s “Arbitration Committee” of experienced volunteer editors voted to block changes from all IP addresses owned or operated by the Church of Scientology and its associates.

“Up to a dozen long-time Wikipedians concluded that not much good has come from this range of computers,” said Wikipedia spokesman Jay Walsh.

The committee’s discussions are in an online posting on Wikipedia. In that posting, the site’s administrators say they have noticed a trend of what they called “edit wars” – repeated additions and deletions – to entries regarding Scientology.

Wikipedia has blocked IP addresses for certain congressional offices and even, temporarily, the Department of Justice, when Wikipedia's volunteer editors said found abuses coming from IP addresses affiliated with those offices.

-- Mike Brassfield, Times staff writer

Today's weather: Rain probable, hail possible

A quarter to half inch of rain is expected from scattered showers and thunderstorms this morning and afternoon across Tampa Bay according to the National Weather Service.

Expect mostly clouds and temperatures reaching a high of 86 degrees today.

Hernando property values drop 12.3 percent

BROOKSVILLE -- Hernando County's property values dropped about 12.3 percent last year, according to Property Appraiser Alvin Mazourek’s office.

Taxable value has fallen to about $9 billion, down from last year’s $10.3 billion, officials reported Wednesday.

County officials have been talking about a $10.5 million revenue shortfall overall for the general fund. County Commission Chairman Dave  Russell said Wednesday that this latest information might mean that the shortfall is around $11 million.

The reduction in value is even steeper than last year's drop of 9.75 percent, the first time in years that values had fallen.

Mazourek’s numbers also reflect just how drastic the building slowdown has become. He reported $127 million in new taxable value in 2009, down from $398 million in 2008 and $703 million in 2007.

"This doesn’t come as a great surprise,’’ said Russell. "It’s not welcome, but we did anticipate it.’’

Barbara Behrendt, Times Staff Writer

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Weather: Afternoon showers possible, high around 87 degrees

Afternoon showers and thunderstorms, some bringing localized mayhem with strong winds, rain and large hail, are forecast to pass through the area again this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Otherwise, it's expected to be mostly cloudy, with a high near 87 degrees.

Sinkholes open in front of Brooksville Regional Hospital

BROOKSVILLE -- Four sinkholes have opened in front of Brooksville Regional Hospital along Cortez Boulevard.

The largest is estimated at 50 feet across and 15 feet deep.

The three smaller holes range from 1 to 15 feet across.

The holes, including the second major one to develop in Hernando County in recent weeks, are between the highway and the facility's parking lot. There were no vehicles or buildings in apparent danger.

A nearly 15-foot-deep sinkhole opened May 6 under the home of Jim and Joan Bates at 2133 Orchard Park Road, almost completely devouring the garage and the front of the ranch-style house.

Times Staff Writer

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Hernando County 2-year-old drowns in backyard pool

Update:

SPRING LAKE -- A 2-year-old girl drowned this morning after falling into her family's swimming pool in eastern Hernando County.

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office said that Carole Kras, 34, had gotten her children off to school about 8 a.m., and her daughter Mariah was inside the home at 1012 Cardwell St. watching television.

Carole Kras fell asleep, the report states, and Mariah somehow got out of the double-wide mobile home's back door and climbed a deck to the above-ground pool.

When the mother awoke after 10 a.m., she went looking for Mariah and found her floating in the swimming pool, according to the report. She pulled the girl out, called for help and started CPR. The girl was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Tampa, where she was pronounced dead.

Detectives have said this appears to be an accidental drowning, the report states, but an investigation is continuing pending an autopsy.

Logan Neill and John Frank, Times Staff Writers

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School officials will investigate vandalism at Hernando High School

Brooksville police photo

BROOKSVILLE -- School officials have decided to do their own investigation into a break-in and damage at Hernando High School that occurred sometime during the holiday weekend.

Superintendent Wayne Alexander signed a waiver of prosecution today, essentially asking the Brooksville Police Department to stand down, Chief George Turner said.

That means there likely won't be any criminal charges in the case, Turner said.