NEW PORT RICHEY
Detectives: $1.5M, drugs found in truck
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office stopped a New Port Richey man on a federal drug warrant and found nearly $1.5-million and about 3 ounces of marijuana in his 2001 Dodge truck, officials said Thursday. Acting on a request from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, vice and narcotics detectives stopped the driver of the truck last Friday at Bass Lake Drive and Ridge Road. Police dogs KT and Missy helped point to drugs in the truck. Johnathan Mortimer, 46, of 9326 Elaine Drive was arrested on a federal warrant from Louisiana for illegal interstate travel and possession of cocaine, oxycodone and methamphetamine. Mortimer's wife, Kathryn, 45, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and about a half-ounce of marijuana, trafficking in hydrocodone and possession of a controlled substance. The money is considered evidence. Once the case is resolved, and if the suspect is found guilty, the money would probably be forfeited, sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll said. "And then there's a chance that the law enforcement involved would have a share in the money and the truck," he said.
Rotary raises $20,000 for gifts
The Rotary Club of New Port Richey announced Thursday that it has raised more than $20,000 for its second annual Santa program, which provides Christmas gifts for needy children. This year's program will help 30 families, including 90 children, the group said in a news release. Last year's program served 20 families and about 60 children. Individual members of the New Port Richey club pledged money, and the club also held fundraisers. A significant portion of the money came from anonymous private donors. Gift delivery to the children's homes will be Dec. 22, courtesy of Rotary volunteers dressed up as Santa Claus. Each chosen family also gets a complimentary holiday meal from Publix at Southgate in New Port Richey, plus framed photographs of the children with Santa.
$38M allotted for Ridge Road work
Ridge Road's eastern section will receive a $38-million widening to four lanes next year, Florida transportation officials said Thursday. The state Department of Transportation will concentrate the largest part of its nearly $54-million work program on the project. Ridge will be widened between Little and Moon Lake roads, a well-traveled route that carries traffic to Pasco-Hernando Community College. Other projects include new lights on U.S. 19 and repaving Interstate 75.
Pasco deaths
Calano, Antoinette
Campbell, Lois Leah
Cash, Edward L.
Doyle, Cevin Conway
Gaskins, Dorothy
Gordon, Charles
Gould, Claire Mary
Joslin, Elizabeth D.
Kahl-Winter, Hazel (Janice)
Mappus, Charlotte C.
Marsh, Anne
Rizzitano, Donald J.
Santinga, Nancy Jane
Wiegand, Marie H.
This list is from detailed obituaries published in Section B.
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