New Tampa I-75 Widening Way Ahead Of Schedule

By Matt Wiley

Although it may be holding up the completion of the Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. widening from Pebble Creek Blvd. in New Tampa south to Palm Springs Blvd. in Tampa Palms, the I-75 widening project between Fowler Ave. and S.R. 56 actually is ahead of schedule — unlike the widening of I-75 between S.R. 54 & S.R. 56.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7 spokesman John McShaffrey says that the $95-million project, which Prince Contracting, LLC, began in October 2011 to widen the 11.4-mile section of the interstate from four lanes to six lanes — and eight lanes near the interchanges — is cruising right along.

“The whole project is well ahead of schedule,” McShaffrey explains. “If you go by (Prince’s) schedule, they’re more than 500 days ahead. It looks very likely that they are going to finish that job early, depending on how much rain we get.”

And, part of that project includes the new, widened overpasses above BBD, which could now be open to traffic in both directions in late November to early December, McShaffrey says.

“After that happens, (Prince) will take the temporary bridge out and do all of the BBD widening underneath,” McShaffrey explains. “There’s a lot that can’t be done (for the widening of BBD) right now because of the location of the support structures for the existing temporary bridge.”

Michele Baker Accepts County Administrator Job

Michele Baker has officially become the first new Pasco County administrator in more than 30 years, succeeding her previous boss, long-time administrator John Gallagher.

The Pasco Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 on July 9 to approve a two-year contract for Baker that would pay her $170,000 per year with the option for a raise, pending an evaluation after one year. The job was originally offered to current Irving, TX, city manager Tommy Gonzalez on May 28, who turned down the county’s offer on June 22.

The BOCC then voted to offer the job to Baker on June 25.

“Michele has been an outstanding assistant and will do a great job as administrator,” Gallagher told the Wesley Chapel Rotary club on July 24.

FHP Seeks Witnesses In July 4 Crash

A fatal traffic crash early on July 4 has left one Wesley Chapel man dead and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) searching for witnesses.

According to FHP, at 12:20 a.m. on July 4, Terry A. Carver, 53, of Wesley Chapel, was parked at the Cumberland Farms gas station at Morris Bridge Rd and S.R. 54, when he shifted his Ford F-150 into reverse and slammed into a Dodge Durango being driven by Kyle Thompson, 28, of Zephyrhills. Following the collision, Carver fled the scene.

The report states that a short time later, Carver was stopped by a PCSO deputy on S.R. 56, west of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. Carver was discovered to be suffering from an undisclosed emergency medical condition and was transported to nearby Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC), where he later died.

An alcohol test was pending at our press time and the case is still under investigation. FHP is seeking anyone who may have witnessed the accident. If you, or anyone you know, have information about the case, please contact FHP by calling 631-4020.

WC Man Dies In Marion County I-75 Crash

By Matt Wiley

A Wesley Chapel man is dead following a fatal accident in Marion County, FL.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Beau Charles Ramey, 40, of Wesley Chapel, was killed on I-75 on July 15, just before 6:30 p.m., a few miles north of Ocala.

FHP reports that Ramey was driving southbound in the left lane when, for unknown reasons, he lost control of his vehicle and crossed the center and right lanes of the interstate highway. Ramey drove off of the shoulder and struck multiple trees, which caused his vehicle to flip over, landing on the passenger side.

It was determined that Ramey was not wearing a seatbelt and he was pronounced dead at the scene. An alcohol test is pending. No further information was available at our press time.

Boys Burgle FBI Rifle, Ammo, Armor From Car

FBI Place Holder
Boys Burgle FBI Rifle, Ammo, Armor From Car

By Matt Wiley

Two car burglars are in custody after stealing more than just some valuables from the trunk of a car in Wesley Chapel.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), sometime around 1 a.m. on July 20, a juvenile (whose name is being withheld due to his age) and Raymond Cano, 18, who is homeless, broke into a FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) agent’s vehicle and removed a MP5 assault rifle, bulletproof body armor and several rounds of ammunition. The agent’s name has not been released.

PCSO reports that three eyewitnesses saw Cano and the minor with some of the stolen property around on July 20, which they reported. Cano and his accomplice were arrested on Kirkshire Ct. in the Heatherstone community of Meadow Pointe around 4 p.m. on July 20. PCSO says no additional information can be released about how or where the eyewitnesses saw the suspects, as they may be asked to testify in court.

Cano is charged with armed burglary and grand theft and is being held on a $32,500 bond at the Pasco County Detention Center in Land O’ Lakes. The juvenile involved was being held at the Pasco County Juvenile Assessment Center in San Antonio, but no additional information was available at our press time.