Judge sets aside $23,000 verdict against Pasco County in firefighters' lawsuit

TAMPA

Judge sets aside verdict against Pasco County

A federal judge on Tuesday set aside a $23,000 verdict against Pasco County in a workplace retaliation lawsuit filed by two county firefighters. The verdict focused on psychological tests the county ordered Anthony Booth and Jerry Brown to take last summer, after the men said they feared fellow firefighters might not save them if they were caught in a burning building. Both men said they felt ostracized for filing discrimination claims at Pasco Fire Rescue. Though a jury last month found those tests were retaliatory, U.S. District Judge James Moody said the county "had to deal with a serious safety issue" in checking whether the men were fit for duty. Moody refused to overturn a $166,000 verdict against the Pasco County Professional Firefighters union for writing a legal memo that singled out Booth and Brown by name, called their discrimination claims "frivolous" and said their lawsuit might cause union dues to go up.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Fundraisers to help with care costs

A pair of fundraisers will be held next month to help the family of Janelle Honeycutt, who suffered debilitating injuries after being hit by a car in December 2009. Her injuries require constant care, including medical and therapeutic treatments not covered by insurance. A fundraiser will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 6 at Whole Note Acres, 7324 Massachusetts Ave., featuring vendor sales, a silent auction, raffles and door prizes. Admission is $5, with appetizers and cash bar available. There will also be a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 2-3 at 8108 Washington St., Port Richey, rear building 2. Donations are needed for the rummage sale. For information, call Judi Pobst at (727) 808-0808.

NEW PORT RICHEY

School presents Family Movie Night

Chasco Middle School presents Family Movie Night Under the Stars on Friday. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the movie starts at 6 p.m. Mr. Popper's Penguins, starring Jim Carrey, will be the feature attraction. The public is invited and admission is free, but bring a chair or blanket. Food concessions will be for sale to benefit school clubs. They will include hot dogs, popcorn, drinks, nachos and candy.

Correction

Fayyaz Sial, who was beaten during a robbery Thursday, is an employee of the C Store Depot in Port Richey. Due to incorrect information provided by the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, an article Saturday misstated Sial's position in the business.