DADE CITY
Wife no longer charged in immigrant scam
Eugenio and Starann Riviera were arrested in March on charges they preyed on illegal immigrants. Ever since, more victims have come forward and more charges have been filed against the husband — but not the wife. In fact, charges against Starann Maxine Riviera were dropped this week, but the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office won't say why. "No comment," was all prosecutor Manny Garcia would say Thursday. Nor would he say whether the charges would be refiled or if the wife is part of an ongoing investigation. Like her husband, Starann Riviera, 28, was arrested on charges of scheming to defraud and criminal use of personal information. She was released from the county jail April 28 and charges were dropped Monday. Her husband, 38, is being held in lieu of $21,500 bail. He is accused of conning immigrants out of their property and personal information while posing as a law enforcement officer.
WESLEY CHAPEL
Event raises funds for teens' burials
There will be a fundraiser noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Tijuana Flats, 27709 State Road 56, to raise money for burial costs of two Wesley Chapel High School seniors — Tabatha Pastrana, 18, and Kristin Gaskin, 17, — who died Monday afternoon after Pastrana's car careened off Interstate 75. Gaskin worked at Tijuana Flats. For information, call Ruby Houg at (813) 994-9184 or (949) 254-5102 or Steve Fischer, general manager of Tijuana Flats, at (727) 244-1112 or (813) 994-9010.
Viewing hours for Pastrana are noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Memorial Gardens, 12609 Memorial Drive, New Port Richey, (727) 376-7824. There will be a funeral Monday, but details are still pending.
Viewing hours for Gaskin are 5 to 9 tonight at Hodges Funeral Home, 11441 U.S. 301, Dade City, (352) 561-6100. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Dade City, 37511 Church Ave., Dade City, (352) 567-3265.
LAND O'LAKES
USF professor to discuss elections
Susan MacManus, University of South Florida political science professor, will speak to the Republican Club of Central Pasco at 7 p.m. May 21; social hour starts at 6 p.m., at Steve's Fountainview Restaurant, Central Pasco Government Center, 4111 Land O'Lakes Blvd. MacManus will give her outlook on the 2008 elections at local, state and federal levels. The meeting is open to the public. Call Steve Graves at (813) 996-3011 for information.
Pasco deaths
Chinnici, Viola Mary
DeRycke, Marietta
Frost, David M.
Gooding, Vincent Matthew
James, Nancy
Jones, Norman W.
Justice, Mildred J.
New, William Anton, Jr.
Pastrana, Tabatha
Rosalia, Carmen
Woods, Mary Ann
This list is from detailed obituaries published in Section B.
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