Suspect Tries To Steal ATM With Forklift

By Matt Wiley,

TD Bank’s surveillance camera caught this image of the forklift that was used in an attempted burglary on Oct. 5.
TD Bank’s surveillance camera caught this image of the forklift that was used in an attempted burglary on Oct. 5.

The plan to rob a bank using a forklift probably looked better on paper.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), at around 12:05 a.m. on October 5, an unknown suspect attempted to remove an ATM machine from the TD Bank branch at the intersection of S.R. 56 and Silver Maple Pkwy. in Wesley Chapel. When deputies arrived, the suspect had already fled and there was structural damage to the building.

However, the suspect failed to steal any money or gain access to the bank, PCSO reports. The forklift itself was left at the scene.

“This is the first time this kind of incident has happened in our jurisdiction,” says PCSO spokesman Kevin Doll.

No additional information was available at our press time.

 

Florida's New Texting Ban Now In Effect, But With Exceptions

Florida's texting while driving ban is in effect as of Oct. 1.
Florida’s texting while driving ban is in effect as of Oct. 1.

By Matt Wiley

If you’re on Wesley Chapel roads, or any Florida road for that matter, stay off your phone. Or, off of the keyboard, at least, as Florida’s texting and driving ban has gone into effect. However, there are some exceptions.

On October 1, Florida became the 41st state to actively ban texting while driving. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), 3,400 crashes resulted from distraction by an electronic device in the state last year, 24 of which resulted in fatalities.

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Wesley Chapel Businesses Grab Hardware At Pasco EDC Gala

By Gary Nager

Shops at Wiregrass’ Greg Lenners
Shops at Wiregrass’ Greg Lenners

I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know the Pasco County Economic Development Council (EDC) also has an annual award banquet, but I do know that at this year’s banquet — held Sept. 4 at Saddlebrook Resort Tampa on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel — businesses located in Wesley Chapel came home with a nice handful of trophies.

Hosting the gala was Al Reuchel of Bay News 9, who helped the EDC give out a number of awards in a total of four categories — “Manufacturing Industry of the Year,” “Service/Distribution Industry of the Year,” “Technology” and “Special Contribution.”

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Mike Moore Kicks Off Commission Campaign In Dade City

(L-R) Pasco County school superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco Republican state committeeman Bill Bunting, Mike Moore, Pasco property appraiser Mike Wells & Dist. 18 State Senator Wilton Simpson came to support Moore at his campaign kick-off reception at Kafé Kokopelli in Dade City on Sept. 18.
(L-R) Pasco County school superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco Republican state committeeman Bill Bunting, Mike Moore, Pasco property appraiser Mike Wells & Dist. 18 State Senator Wilton Simpson came to support Moore at his campaign kick-off reception at Kafé Kokopelli in Dade City on Sept. 18.

By Matt Wiley

Surrounded by family, friends and supporters, Pasco County Board of County Commissioners District 2 hopeful Mike Moore (R-Wesley Chapel) kicked off his campaign on September 18 in Dade City.

Inside the packed KafĂ© Kokopelli in downtown Dade City, guests and honorary hosts — including Dist. 18 State Senator Wilton Simpson (R-Dade City), Pasco County Schools superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco property appraiser Mike Wells, San Antonio Mayor Tim Newlon and Zephyrhills Mayor Danny Burgess — gathered with Moore for a fund-raising reception. Honorary hosts House Speaker Will Weatherford (R-Wesley Chapel), Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco (R-Odessa) and Commissioner Jack Mariano (R-Hudson), all of whom have endorsed Moore, were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.

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Bickham Named Honorary Mayor At Chamber Awards Banquet!

Among those honored at the Wesley Chapel Chamber’s annual awards banquet at Hunter’s Green Country Club on Sept. 14 were (l. to r.) Greg Lenners of the Shops at Wiregrass mall; Peter Castellani of Oasis: A Pregnancy Care Center, Maureen Moore of St. Leo University, Kelly Mothershead of A Focus on Fitness, Cathy Bickham of Chapel Home Health & Brian Adams of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. At right is Chamber president Jeff Novotny. Photos courtesy of OurTownFla.com.
Among those honored at the Wesley Chapel Chamber’s annual awards banquet at Hunter’s Green Country Club on Sept. 14 were (l. to r.) Greg Lenners of the Shops at Wiregrass mall; Peter Castellani of Oasis: A Pregnancy Care Center, Maureen Moore of St. Leo University, Kelly Mothershead of A Focus on Fitness, Cathy Bickham of Chapel Home Health & Brian Adams of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. At right is Chamber president Jeff Novotny. Photos courtesy of OurTownFla.com.

By Gary Nager

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC)’s annual “Excellence in Business Awards” banquet, which was held on September 14 at Hunter’s Green Country Club in New Tampa. But, I was definitely there in spirit as the Chamber once again showed why it is still the heart of the business community in Wesley Chapel.

Congrats go out to the evening’s many award winners, especially to the new Honorary Mayor of Wesley Chapel, Cathy Bickham of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC)’s Chapel Home Health. Cathy also was one of the primary members of the fund-raising teams for previous Honorary Mayor winners John Negley of the FHWC Foundation and Troy Stevenson of Wesley Chapel Nissan, who will retain the title until January 1, 2014.

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