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UPDATE - March 5, 2024: Former Hernando Correctional Institution (HCI) Officer contacted R News earlier this week to advise that the state has dropped the charge of Sexual Activity Involving Animals filed against her last October. Assistant State Attorney Bryan Sarabia tells R News that he did not want to abandon the case but there were technicalities that would not allow the prosecution to continue. Sarabia says a recent court ruling changed her charge from a misdemeanor to...
HERNANDO – There isn't a city, town, or suburb that hasn't been affected by the fentanyl crisis plaguing our country. With approximately 10,000 immigrants crossing the U.S. southern border every day, there isn't much that can be done to stop the deadly flow of fentanyl into the U.S., so residents want to know what local officials are doing to help protect the community. In 2022, Florida had over 5,083 drug overdose deaths, with 2,744 of those related to fentanyl. Data for H...
BROOKSVILLE - Two suspects charged in connection with last week's home invasion robbery and fatal shooting have been booked into the Hernando County Jail. 19-year-old Landon Runyon is suspected of firing a weapon inside a residence on Marquette Street during an attempted robbery last Wednesday. Investigators say when they located Runyon, he was nearly unrecognizable due to swelling from a gunshot wound to the face. Runyon is charged with First Degree Murder, Attempted First De...
SPRING HILL – Losing a child is without a doubt the most traumatic and heartbreaking experience of any parent's life. When a child is the victim of a homicide and the person responsible isn't held accountable, a never-ending cycle of grief, anger, and resentment consumes every waking moment. That's exactly what Ed and Judy Ptarcinski are going through right now, as the second anniversary of their daughter's murder approaches. 18-year-old Ariana Ptarcinski was stabbed to d...
SPRING HILL – An elderly woman is lucky to be alive today, thanks to the quick response and heroic efforts of Hernando County Fire Rescue. According to officials, firefighters responded to the 1400 block of Apricot Lane to find smoke billowing out of the front of the home. Early reports suggested that the residence had already been evacuated but when firefighters began attacking the blaze, they discovered an elderly woman still inside the home. She was quickly rescued and t...
BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando County Sheriff's Office has announced the arrests of three suspects involved in Wednesday's home invasion homicide on Marquette Street in Spring Hill. According to Sheriff Al Nienhuis, Hacier Martinez, 22, Dawson Destin 20, and Landon Runyon, 19 are all charged with 1st Degree Murder in connection with the death of the victim, a 25-year-old woman. Nienhuis says Martinez and the other suspects were visiting the victim's home as part of a scheduled s...
BROOKSVILLE – Yesterday, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office announced the conviction of 39-year-old Jamie Lynn Kujawa, the woman who abused her two Pit Bulls for several months by shooting them with a BB gun. But what officials didn't report is that Kujawa was also convicted in connection with a home invasion and arson case that led to a deadly shootout between her accomplice and law enforcement in May of last year. According to court documents, on April 19, 2022, an A...
Hernando County Fire Rescue honored two very brave 10-year-olds today after they saved their grandmother's life. According to officials, Adrianna and Salvatore knew something was wrong with their grandmother so they contacted their parents on Facebook Messenger and then called 911. Because of their quick actions, paramedics were able to reach their grandmother to render aid and save her life. This past Saturday, Adrianna and Salvatore were recognized by the HCFR crew from...
SPRING HILL - The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is investigating an early morning shooting that occurred at a residence on Marquette Street. According to officials, deputies responded to the 11000 block of Marquette Street before 5:00 a.m. this morning, where they discovered two adult females who had suffered gunshot wounds. One victim was pronounced deceased at the scene and the other was transported to a trauma center. Sheriff Al Nienhuis says the incident started as a...
ARIPEKA – Pasco County Deputies are investigating a shooting that occurred at a residence on Jerbert Drive. Officials say around 9:15 p.m. this evening, an adult male was seen trespassing on another individual's property and was subsequently shot. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. There are no further details at this time....
SPRING HILL – An investigation is underway into a robbery that occurred in the area of County Line Road and Josies Drive, inside Topics RV Park. There aren’t many details at this time, but there are unconfirmed reports that a woman was attacked by a male suspect who grabbed her gun and pistol-whipped her before fleeing on foot. Deputies in Hernando and Pasco County have converged in the area to search for the suspect. We will bring more on this story as to develops. UPD...
SPRING HILL – Deputies were called to an abandoned Regions Bank at Mariner Blvd and Cortez Blvd this afternoon, where a campsite was established under the old drive-through canopy. Deputies were observed talking with the individuals and running warrant checks, but it is unknown if the subjects were forced to leave. Scenes like these are becoming more common as the homeless population grows and development pushes them out of woodlines and vacant lots. The cost to rent a home i...
BROOKSVILLE – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that claimed the life of a pedestrian who was crossing US-41. Officials say the 25-year-old driver of a Toyota Tacoma was traveling northbound on US-41 when he struck an adult female attempting to cross at the intersection of Spring Hill Drive. The victim was transported to a nearby trauma center where she was pronounced deceased. UPDATE: The victim is identified as a 40-year-old St. Petersburg w...
HERNANDO/PASCO – Over the last few weeks, R News has received multiple tips from residents regarding animal mutilations. Several weeks ago, an Aripeka woman contacted R News after her daughter discovered a badly mutilated deer at the entrance to the Aripeka Preserve. The deer was skinned and dismembered, and the head was placed on a fence post. On September 24th, Daina Simons says she called the Hernando County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) and Florida Fish & Wildlife C...
SPRING HILL – An alleged Fentanyl dealer is behind bars today on a drug-related homicide charge. Officials have not released details of the homicide investigation, but according to jail records, 36-year-old Jonathon Lazaro Vaz is charged with Distribution of Fentanyl that Caused Death, Sell or Delivery of Opium, and Using a 2 Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony. Vaz is currently held without bond at the Hernando County Jail. We will bring more on this story if a...
HERNANDO – R News receives a lot of requests from our readers to cover more inspirational and uplifting news, but as a small independent outlet, it's difficult to sacrifice our resources and ignore breaking news that is important to the community - but a compromise is on its way. Historically, R News and the former Real News Real Fast would respond to real-time crime, crashes, and other first responder incidents by monitoring emergency radio traffic. Unfortunately, Hernando C...
BROOKSVILLE – The suspect who brutally stabbed to death a gate guard at the High Point Golf Community on Thursday is behind bars, after an extensive search that lasted nearly 24 hours. Officials say 24-year-old Jeremy Jason Patterson was taken into custody around 10:30 p.m. Friday, less than 100 yards from the scene of the crime and charged with Murder without Premeditation. The victim has been identified as 81-year-old Ed Mead. A vigil will be held this evening in front of t...
UPDATE: According to officials, 24-year-old Jeremy Jason Patterson has been identified as a suspect in the Highpoint stabbing death of a male victim. Patterson should be considered ARMED AND DANGEROUS. BROOKSVILLE – Investigators are searching for a suspect involved in a late-night stabbing on Thursday that left one person dead. Officials say the incident occurred around 10:16 p.m. at the entrance to the Highpoint Golfing Community located on Cortez Blvd, where the victim w...
BROOKSVILLE – Yesterday, R News broke the news of a violent shoplifting incident that took place at the Walmart SuperCenter on Cortez Blvd. Officials have now released more details into the incident and identified two suspects who have been charged. On September 26th, Officials say one of the suspects distracted an elderly woman while the other stole her wallet from her purse. They then proceeded to charge more than $2,000 with the stolen card. On Wednesday, while deputies w...
BROOKSVILLE – The 2023-2024 Annual Budget was approved by the Hernando Board of County Commissioners last night, but not without the usual debate over spending, taxes, inflation, and growth. The total approved budget is nearly 16% higher than last year at around $767,373,154, but that's not the only issue addressed during Tuesday's meeting. Prior to the board's budget discussions, members of Mom's for Liberty (MFL) addressed an issue regarding the American Library A...
SPRING HILL – Officials have charged two men in connection with a homicide investigation at an address on Bancroft Street. According to Hernando County Jail records, 24-year-old James Richard Briski is charged with possession of Cocaine and Negligent Manslaughter of a Child. Briski is held on a $30,000 bond. 18-year-old Joshua Ware is also charged with Negligent Homicide of a Child and Possession of Cocaine but is also charged with Trafficking in Fentanyl and possession of a...
SPRING HILL – A death investigation is underway at a residence on Bancroft Street after sources say the body of a female victim was found inside the home. Neighbors say Fire Rescue responded to 202 Bancroft Street around 4:30 a.m. and transported the victim to a nearby hospital. Officials have not released any details into the investigation, but there are unconfirmed reports from sources that say a 17-year-old girl was found unresponsive in a bathtub during the overnight h...
PASCO COUNTY – Earlier today, R News learned that Shauna Urive had met with Detectives in Pasco County and admitted to killing her girlfriend who was found at an address on Darts Street. Officials have now confirmed that Urive is in custody in Pasco County and the victim's vehicle has been discovered. Urive is charged with 2nd Degree Murder and has been booked into the Pasco County Jail. Officials say she confessed to killing the victim....
SPRING HILL – At least one person was stabbed in an early morning home invasion at a residence on Toucan Trail. According to sources, at least three men entered the home around 1:30 a.m. Monday, stabbed a male subject and his dog. The suspects then stole a Mustang and fled the scene. Pasco Deputies caught up with the suspects and began pursuing the vehicle southbound on US-19 until the driver crashed into a utility pole at the intersection of Sunset Road and US-19. All t...
WEEKI WACHEE – Yesterday, R News reported the discovery of a woman's body who was found inside a residence on Darts Street. Today, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office released a statement regarding the investigation. According to officials, at approximately 3:30 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a residence on Darts Street, regarding a possible Missing Person. Upon arrival, deputies met with family members outside the residence in question. Family members told deputies t...
