Life of service and sacrifice for decorated Marine Charlie Haggett

NEW PORT RICHEY

Once a Marine, always a Marine.

One would be hard-pressed to find anyone who wears that time-worn motto more proudly than Charlie Haggett.

Look around Haggett's New Port Richey home and you will see abundant signs of that dedication, from the numerous Marine Corps emblems, stickers and other memorabilia found in every corner to the brilliant American flag that flutters in the breeze from his porch....

Hernando Sheriff's Office loses one of its canine members

BROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is mourning the loss of a beloved veteran of the department. And while not a paid employee, the 4-year-old German shepherd, Ike, one of the department's four-member canine unit for three years, was nonetheless an integral part of the department's crime-fighting force.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Ike and his handler, Deputy Brandon Cox, were en route to a service call Thursday when the deputy noticed the dog convulsing on the rear seat of his cruiser. The dog died a short time later during emergency surgery after veterinarians diagnosed him with an undisclosed medical condition....

After successful weekend event, kennel clubs may reunite for 2014 show

BROOKSVILLE — In the rising heat of the early afternoon, Trish Weston smiled and watched as her 3-year-old basenji, Jake, sat happily in a blue kiddie pool filled with water and ice.

"That looks fun," Weston said as she sipped on a soft drink. "I almost wish I could jump right in with him."

Yes, it was quite warm at the Inverness Kennel Club's Spring Fling dog show last weekend. So warm that club officials set up special cooling lounges for the canine contestants around the show grounds at the Hernando County Fairgrounds....

Hernando's Chinsegut, technical education center land state funding

BROOKSVILLE — County business development manager Michael McHugh couldn't be happier with the word this week out of Tallahassee.

Hernando County landed $3 million in state funding for two of McHugh's pet projects: startup funding for an adult technical education program and money to help restore the manor house at Chinsegut Hill, north of Brooksville.

The projects are key to Hernando County's economic and tourist development goals....

Glen Lakes residents want compensation for damage caused during prescribed burn

WEEKI WACHEE — Two months ago, residents of the Glen Lakes community looked above the horizon and saw something that no homeowner ever wants to see: a wall of flames racing toward their property.

Within minutes, the normally quiet neighborhood that abuts the eastern edge of the 34,000-acre Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area was flooded by emergency responders from six agencies scrambling to control the blaze....

Orange Blossom spreads the jam

SPRING LAKE — Four years ago, south Florida promoter Russ Bowers had a plan to bring together some of Florida's more noted improvisational rock bands that he hoped would appeal to the growing audience for jam bands.

Since then, the annual Orange Blossom Jamboree has, well, blossomed into one of the largest festivals of its kind in the Southeast.

"We always knew that Central Florida would support a festival like this," Bowers said. "Every year, it keeps getting better — the music, the audience, the vendors, everything."...

Perennial foster mom has big home, big heart

BROOKSVILLE

When asked what she was planning as a Mother's Day gift, 8-year-old Natallie giggled and explained that she had put together in school a "breakfast bag."

It would hold a muffin, a drawing, a poem she had written and a surprise that she refused to reveal, other than to say this:

"Linda will really like it."

Mother's Day is always a special occasion for Linda Hoins. Cards, letters and phone calls flood into her comfortable home south of Brooksville to remind her of the dozens of young people who have lived here over the past 21 years....

Chinsegut Hill Manor House primed for turnaround

BROOKSVILLE — Just a few months ago, supporters of the historic Chinsegut Hill Manor House almost felt like throwing in the towel.

Turned down by agency after agency in their quest to keep the 165-year-old landmark and its picturesque grounds from being "surplussed" — or sold to a private buyer — the nonprofit Friends of Chinsegut Hill made a last ditch pitch to the Hernando County Commission. It asked the commission to underwrite a plan to lease the facility from the state and keep it in public hands....

Second Florida Blueberry Festival deemed a success

BROOKSVILLE — This past weekend's second annual Florida Blueberry Festival in Brooksville had a lot riding on it. Not only was it a calling card to potential visitors from all over Central Florida, but also it had to make a profit to return in the future.

It turns out, the event was a winner on both counts, said Michael Heard, chairwoman of Florida Blueberry Festival Inc.

A preliminary tally of gate receipts showed that festival pulled in between 45,000 and 50,000 visitors during its two days, she said. That should ensure a profit that will be divided between chosen charities....

Brooksville paints town blue for Florida Blueberry Festival

BROOKSVILLE — Normally, not much happens in downtown Brooksville on a weekend afternoon. Only a handful of people walk the streets. Most businesses are closed.

But on Saturday, it was awash in blue as thousands of people descended upon the historic city for the second annual Florida Blueberry Festival.

"I just love blueberries,'' said Teri Schummer, dipping her spoon into a blueberry smoothie. "I always come to these things for the food.''...

Easton Corbin to play Florida Blueberry Festival in Brooksville

BROOKSVILLE — If you're hosting a big-time public event such as the Florida Blueberry Festival, its organizers say, you need a big-time attraction.

And the people running this weekend's festival in Brooksville think they have found that draw in 31-year-old country music upstart Easton Corbin.

"We brought him in to bring a bigger audience to the festival," said Sue Rupe, entertainment chair of Florida Blueberry Festival Inc....

Florida Blueberry Festival ready for second go-round in Brooksville

BROOKSVILLE — Organizers of the Florida Blueberry Festival stepped into their new venture last year hoping that the investment of thousands of advertising dollars and many hours of planning would pay off by bringing hordes of visitors to downtown.

In one way, the event — which returns this weekend — was a success, drawing a crowd of about 40,000 over the course of the weekend....