An 11-year-old boy who lost control of his bike was hit by a truck about 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Parkwood Acres neighborhood. Nathan Tucker was riding his bike south on Litewood Drive, in the shoulder facing oncoming traffic, when he started wobbling into the roadway near Clyde Street, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. Zackery Thomas Wynn, 17, who was driving a 2002 Chevy pickup north of Litewood Drive, told FHP he slowed and tried to go around the bike but there were two cars coming in the other lane. When Tucker fell down in the roadway tangled up with his bike, Wynn was unable to stop, he told FHP. Tucker, who was not wearing a helmet, was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in critical condition. The incident is still under investigation and any witnesses are asked to call Trooper D. Nieman at (727) 841-4181.
LAND O'LAKES
Pressure eases on school budget idea
Just one month ago, the Pasco school district's finance team told the School Board it intended to recommend offering incentives to lure dozens of employees into early retirement. Now it doesn't look like the district needs to offer a payout to lower its payroll. "Through attrition … we believe we are down to the number of employees we need to be at," superintendent Heather Fiorentino said this week. More than 200 workers did not seek contract renewals, she said, creating plenty of jobs for the employees who were bumped from their posts because of budget concerns. "So we didn't need the early retirement plan to drop our numbers any lower," Fiorentino said. If the budget picture worsens, though, the incentive idea could come back into play.
Historical marker for black cemetery
One of the county's black cemeteries will receive a historical marker during a dedication ceremony on Saturday. Those who want to attend should meet at 10:15 a.m. at Connerton's Rose Cottage, 20421 Rose Cottage Way in Land O'Lakes for refreshments. At 10:45 a.m., attendees will caravan to Mount Carmel Cemetery, which sits on an acre off Ehren Cutoff. The dedication ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. For directions to the rose cottage or for information, call Blanche Benford at (813) 778-6064.
HUDSON
Scouts yard sale to fund Keys camping
Boy Scout Troop 79 will hold its semi-annual rummage sale 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 7922 State Road 52. The scouts will also sell hot dogs, chips, soda and candy bars. The troop is raising money for a summer camping trip to Key West. For information, call the church at (727) 863-5646.
Inside
• A former respiratory therapist at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point awaits a verdict on charges of sexual abuse and child pornography. Page 5
• A Dade City man is arrested for last week's shooting of Lacoochee resident Cleo Stinyard. Page 3
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