Deputies: Homeless Man Strangles Woman in Woods

Robert Kelly was charged with battery by strangulation.

Gen. Schwarzkopf, 78, Has Died in Tampa

Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf had retired to Tampa, Fla., after a final military assignment leading U.S. Central Command.

Retired Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, 78, passed away today in Tampa, according to media reports. Schwarzkopf was best known to the American people for his leadership in removing Saddam Hussein and his forces from Kuwait in 1991. Schwarzkopf had successfully led an international coalition of U.S. allies to drive out Iraqi troops. "Barbara and I mourn the loss of a true American patriot and one of the great military leaders of his generation," former President George H.W.  Bush said in a written statement, according to ABC News. Schwarzkopf led what came to be known as Operation Desert Storm under President Bush. Most recently, Schwarzkopf had served as commander-in-chief of U.S. Central Command, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in …

•  25 Comments
• Photos (1)

Florida Amendment 1: What a Yes Vote Means

Take a closer look at the proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution before you head to the polls Nov. 6.

Whether you head to the polls Nov. 6 to cast your vote or you’re planning on voting early, you can count on having to decipher a very long ballot. In addition to national, state and local candidates, this year’s ballot also includes a number of proposed amendments to the Florida  Constitution. To help speed up the process at the polls, Dunedin Patch has created a guide on each of the amendments. Let’s take a look at Amendment 1 and what a yes vote on it means at the polls. Amendment 1: Health Care Services This proposed amendment would give Florida the ability to opt out of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. A number of organizations have taken a strong stand of opposition against this amendment, …

•  8 Comments
• Photos (1)

Florida’s Constitutional Amendments: What Yes Votes Mean

Take a closer look at the 11 constitutional amendments voters are being asked to consider before heading to the polls.

When voters head to Florida’s polls Nov. 6, they’ll be faced with a ballot that’s much larger than many are accustomed to. With 11 proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution up for consideration, a little advanced studying might help speed up the voting process. To help out, New Port Richey Patch has created a guide of the amendments and what yes votes on each will mean. Explore each amendment by clicking through the links below: Florida Amendment 1: What a Yes Vote Means Florida Amendment 2: What a Yes Vote Means Florida Amendment 3: What a Yes Vote Means Florida Amendment 4: What a Yes Vote Means Florida Amendment 5: What a Yes Vote Means Florida Amendment 6: What a Yes Vote Means Florida Amendment 8: What a Yes Vote Means Florida …

• Photos (1)

Longtime New Port Richey Educator Gail Crowder Passes Away

Crowder taught at Gulf High and Ridgewood High schools.

Beverly "Gail" Crowder, a longtime educator in West Pasco, died Thursday morning at the age of 71. Jim West president of LegacyTv, in Odessa, told us: West Pasco educator passed away this morning at Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee,. “She was a longtime teacher and assistant principal serving at Gul High and Ridgewood High Schools. Her health had been declining for several years following heart surgery. She is survived by her husband, Dan, son: Bruce, daughter Kelly Seay and five grandchildren. According to the Gulf High website, Crowder was an assistant principal at Gulf in the 1980s and early 90s. An obituary in the Tallahassee Democrat says she graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in education and spent 23 …

• Photos (1)

Total Sound Alumni Share Memories of Connie Mack Perdue

The longtime choir teacher's pupils eager to recall good times.

The former students of Connie Mack Perdue, longtime choir director and music teacher at Gulf High School, were quick to share their thoughts on Facebook after he died this week. Patch requested permission to republish some of them and got it, but so many came out to remember the teacher, who founded the Total Sound choral group, that we didn’t have to room to publish them all. So, we’re posting an extra article with some of the memories from Total Sound alumni who wanted their thoughts shared. Do you have memories of Connie Mack Perdue you would like to share? Post t in our comments section. Tasha Gibson Lindsey My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Mrs Perdue. Mr Perdue was the best of my high school career. Because of him …

• Photos (2)

Former Gulf High Choir Master Dies

Connie Mack Perdue founded the Total Sound choral program and treated his students like family.

Connie Mack Perdue, a longtime choral director and music instructor at Gulf High in New Port Richey, died this week at the age of 78. Perdue died Tuesday, Aug. 28, on a visit to Orlando, according to the Gulf High website. Perdue taught classes at Gulf High School from the 1970s to the 1990s and retired in 1997, according to the site. While at the school, he established the Total Sound choir group, which performed at events and concerts. The Gulf website says Perdue started the group 23 years before his retirement and “had led hundreds of students in award-winning performances and two appearances before the United Nations and in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.” Myndee Washington, who lives in Hernando County, was in Perdue's …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (2)

Celebration Planned in Charlie Skelton's Memory

Honor the life of the managing director of the Richey Suncoast Theatre.

Charlie Skelton, managing director of the Richey Suncoast Theatre, died July 4 at the age of 66, and a celebration is planned in honor of his life.  Marie Skelton, his widow, let us know about how she would like people to particiipate. I am having a celebration of life for Charlie on August 12, 2012, 2:30 PM at the (Richey Suncoast) theatre (6237 Grand Blvd. NPR) Charlie would not want us standing around crying... instead we are going to remember all the good and fun times we had with Charlie. There are two requests from me: 1- No black clothes. 2- no flowers. If someone wishes, they may send a donation to the theatre with a notation "Charlie Skelton Memorial Fund". Monies are to be used for the renovation of the lobby and backstage. Did …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Richey Suncoast Theatre Director Passes Away

Charlie Skelton kept the downtown landmark float and was an active supporter of the arts. He died July 4.