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  • Shootout in Spring Hill Injures Two, No Comment from Officials on Motive

    Tom Lemons, September 21, 2024|Updated Sep 21, 2024

    SPRING HILL, FL – Earlier this afternoon R News reported two shooting incidents that officials now say are related. Around 4:00 p.m. today, deputies responded to the area of Holiday Drive and Newhope Road to investigate a shooting. Officials say two men were injured during a shootout, but their injuries are not life-threatening. There are no further details at this time....

  • Remains of Missing Webster Man Found Along Highway, Victim of Hit and Run

    Tom Lemons, September 21, 2024|Updated Sep 21, 2024

    DADE CITY, FL – A tragic end to the search for a Webster man who disappeared from his home earlier this month. On September 8th, officials say 63-year-old Boby Joe McCall walked away from his home on Kramer Street to try and purchase a car title on Snyder Street, less than a mile from his home. On Thursday, authorities received a tip about a hit-and-run victim lying on the side of US-301, north of SR-50. The Florida Highway Patrol responded and confirmed the deceased to be M...

  • Nienhuis, Campbell Attack Champion for Trying to Protect Taxpayers, Double-Digit Increase Proposed

    Tom Lemons, September 19, 2024|Updated Sep 21, 2024
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    BROOKSVILLE – Each year, the Hernando Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) holds budget hearings to review each department's proposed increases and that often leads to a fiery debate between the most conservative County Commissioner and an extremely liberal County Sheriff. Last week's budget hearing proved no different than prior years when Commissioner Steve Champion asked Sheriff Al Nienhuis why he's asking for another double-digit increase and refuses to make cuts. S...

  • Spring Hill Man Charged After Scamming Pedophiles and Possessing Images of Animals Involved in Sex

    Tom Lemons, September 12, 2024|Updated Sep 12, 2024

    SPRING HILL, FL – The Hernando County Sheriff's Office has announced the arrest of a Spring Hill man who lured pedophiles into believing they could purchase images of child pornography on a social media site. During a search warrant, Investigators didn't locate child pornography, but they did locate images of sexual activity with animals. According to officials, a tip led detectives to a residence located at 10512 Blythville Road on Wednesday, where they say 34-year-old A...

  • Sheriff: Detention Deputy Took Her Own Life

    Tom Lemons, September 12, 2024|Updated Sep 12, 2024

    BROOKSVILLE, FL – Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis announced the death of a female Detention Deputy during a County Budget hearing this evening. Nienhuis did not identify or share further details regarding the incident....

  • Threats Made Against Several Schools, Officials Say Hernando County Not Mentioned

    Tom Lemons|Updated Sep 12, 2024

    HERNANDO COUNTY, FL – The Hernando County School Board has notified parents of a series of threatening statements made against several schools. In a statement to all parents, school officials said, "Local law enforcement agencies, throughout the area, are aware of an individual who is believed to be responsible for personal writings that express homicidal thoughts and includes a broad list of local sites and schools- HCSD schools are listed. The individual makes NO threat t...

  • Hernando County First Responders Remember September 11, 2001

    Tom Lemons, September 11, 2001|Updated Sep 11, 2024

    HERNANDO COUNTY, FL – Today Hernando County Fire Rescue did their part in memorializing the tragic events of 9/11. Chief Hasenmeier and other First Responders gathered to remember the hundreds of responders and thousands of civilian and military personnel who lost their lives on and after 9-11-2001. "It has been 23 years since the event that changed our country forever. Let us never forget the sacrifices countless numbers of people made that day." – A Facebook post from HCF...

  • Violence Breaks Out During P&Z Meeting, Two People Face Several Charges

    Tom Lemons, September 10, 2024|Updated Sep 11, 2024

    BROOKSVILLE, FL – Two people were arrested during a Hernando County Planning and Zoning Committee meeting Monday after a woman blasted committee members over a proposed low-income housing project being considered near Cortez Blvd and Mariner Blvd. Several residents living near the proposed development attended the event to voice opposition of the project but one woman took things to the extreme when she refused to abide by the committee's rules of decorum. CLICK HERE FOR V...

  • Search for Armed Burglary Suspect Underway

    Tom Lemons, September 9, 2024|Updated Sep 10, 2024

    RIDGE MANOR – Hernando County Sheriff's Deputies are searching for an armed burglary suspect who fled from the area of Reynolds Street and Dale Anne Drive. Officials say the suspect jumped into the Withlacoochee River in an attempt to reach Pasco County. The suspect is described as a white male, bald, no shirt, jean shorts, and is armed with a knife....

  • Hudson Woman Charged with DUI Manslaughter in Fatal Crash

    Tom Lemons, September 8, 2024|Updated Sep 9, 2024

    HUDSON, FL – An arrest has been made in an early morning fatal crash on US-19 that claimed the life of a 21-year-old Inverness man. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 25-year-old Melissa Annette Lopez was traveling northbound on US-19 while the driver of a Kawasaki motorcycle was traveling southbound. At the intersection of Sea Ranch Drive, Lopez turned left under a flashing yellow light into the path of the motorcycle. The impact caused the motorcycle to burst into f...

  • Two Injured in Crash Involving a School Bus

    Tom Lemons, September 6, 2024|Updated Sep 6, 2024

    OXFORD, FL – Two people were injured in an early morning crash involving a Sumter County school bus. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a school bus driven by a 50-year-old Wildwood woman was traveling southbound on CR-223, approaching CR-222. A 68-year-old Bushnell woman was traveling eastbound on CR-222, when she failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck by the school bus. Both drivers were transported to area hospitals for treatment, with the 68-year-old woman s...

  • Investigation Underway into Game Room Robbery

    Tom Lemons, September 5, 2024|Updated Sep 6, 2024

    HUDSON – An investigation is underway into a robbery that took place earlier this afternoon at Plaza 19 near New York Ave. Sources say a game room was targeted but officials have not released any details into the investigation. Immediately after the robbery, R News learned that Sheriff's Deputies shut down US-19 in all directions to try and search for the suspect who was possibly in a vehicle. There are no injuries reported....

  • Fentanyl Disguised as Oxycodone Discovered During Drug Bust

    Tom Lemons, September 5, 2024|Updated Sep 5, 2024

    SPRING HILL – After a months-long vice and narcotics investigation, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office says three people have been charged in connection with the sale of Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Hashish. Officials say during a traffic stop on Tuesday, 49-year-old Leonard Hall and 43-year-old Heidi Williams were taken into custody after detectives discovered Cocaine and Fentanyl in their possession. Detectives say Williams was also concealing Crack Cocaine in a body cavity. A...

  • Spring Hill Man Dies in Motorcycle Crash

    Tom Lemons, September 3, 2024|Updated Sep 5, 2024

    HUDSON, FL – An early morning motorcycle crash claimed the life of a Spring Hill man, say officials. According to reports, the 43-year-old driver of a Yamaha motorcycle was traveling eastbound on Peace Blvd around 12:30 a.m. this morning, when he lost control near Jackie Lane and veered off the roadway. The driver collided with a traffic sign and was thrown from the motorcycle, causing fatal injuries. He was transported to a trauma center where he later died. The cause of t...

  • Retired K9 Passes Away After Serving Five Years with HCSO

    Tom Lemons|Updated Aug 31, 2024
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    BROOKSVILLE – Sad news to report, after one of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office' (HCSO) retired K9 passed away Friday. K9 Judge worked the streets of Hernando County between 2013 and 2018 when he retired with his handler Lt. Brandon Cox. HCSO has very few working K9 and recently lost one of their handlers. Comparatively, the Pasco Sheriff's Office has over 50 K9 in service at this time....

  • Vehicle Pursuit Leads to Deputy Involved Shooting

    Tom Lemons, August 29, 2024|Updated Aug 31, 2024

    UPDATE: Sheriff Chris Nocco will be going live on Facebook in 15 minutes to provide an update on the deputy-involved shooting that occurred today in the Katherine Dr. and Widgeon Way area of New Port Richey. NEW PORT RICHEY, FL – An investigation is underway into a deputy-involved shooting that occurred earlier this afternoon in the River Ridge area. According to the Pasco Sheriff's Office, deputies who are part of a United States Marshals Task Force were attempting to l...

  • Spring Hill Woman Charged with Aggravated Child Abuse After Infant Suffers Multiple Fractures

    Tom Lemons, August 28, 2024|Updated Aug 29, 2024

    SPRING HILL, FL – The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is reporting the arrest of a woman who they say caused severe injuries to her infant child. According to reports, Detectives were alerted to a possible child abuse case by the Tampa Police Department, after an infant was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital on August 25, 2024. Officials say the child suffered multiple skull fractures, along with fractures to both shins and both femurs and a collarbone fracture. All i...

  • BREAKING: Children Escape "Runaway" School Bus, Possibly Still Missing

    Tom Lemons, August 27, 2024|Updated Aug 28, 2024

    UPDATE 5:30 P.M. - Bjarkman says another parent told him that at least six children were able to escape. He says one child was driving to use the front exit door but fell back inside when the bus began moving again. Bjarkman says he's the Transportation Department is not taking parent's calls. "How can I put my kid back on that bus in the morning and how can the Transportation Department ignore our calls," says Bjarkman. SPRING HILL – There are unconfirmed reports that a F...

  • Spring Hill Woman Dies in Single Vehicle Crash

    Tom Lemons, August 24, 2024|Updated Aug 27, 2024

    BROOKSVILLE – A Spring Hill woman died last night after she lost control of her vehicle and struck a utility pole on Commercial Way. According to reports, the 20-year-old driver was traveling northbound on US-19, just north of Cortez Blvd, when she departed the roadway and collided with a utility pole. Transported to a trauma center, the woman later died from her injuries....

  • The Results Are In

    Tom Lemons, August 20, 2024|Updated Aug 20, 2024
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    HERNANDO COUNTY – After months of campaigning the unofficial results of the Primary Election are finally in. We will update this story once all votes have been confirmed. Office of Sheriff Al Nienhuis (REP) Winner Joe Puglia (REP) 000 County Commissioner District 1 Ryan Amsler (REP) Winner Beth Kirshy Narverud (REP) 000 County Commissioner District 3 John Allocco (REP) Winner Marvin Baynham (REP) 000 County Commissioner District 5 Steve Champion (REP) Winner Pam Everett (...

  • False Accusations Lead to Ethics Complaint Filed Against Commissioner

    Tom Lemons, August 20, 2024|Updated Aug 20, 2024

    HERNANDO – The divide within Hernando County's Republican Party has never been greater and that's led to one of the most vicious election cycles the County has ever seen. Things were quiet until mudslinging began in the last few weeks and that's because the establishment incumbents have noticed growing support for their opponents in three very contentious races. Republicans Marvin Baynham, Ryan Amsler, and Joe Puglia are vying for the District 3 and District 1 Commissioner s...

  • Nienhuis Refuses to Acknowledge Fatal Shootings Ahead of Primary Election

    Tom Lemons, August 19, 2024|Updated Aug 20, 2024

    SPRING HILL – Since Saturday, there have been two fatal shootings, but Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis refuses to confirm that there have been any fatalities, provide suspect information, or talk about possible motives. Around 2:00 a.m. Saturday a man was shot in the head and then shot several more times as his body lay on the ground in front of Mermaids Lounge. The only information provided by the Sheriff's Office was a Facebook post stating that a shooting occurred a...

  • Second 'Deadly' Shooting in Two Days, One Person in Custody

    Tom Lemons, August 19, 2024|Updated Aug 19, 2024

    SPRING HILL – Several people were shot Sunday evening at a local apartment complex and there are unconfirmed reports that one person has died. The shooting occurred around 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Mariner Kay Apartments located on Northcliffe Blvd, where officials say three people were shot. During a press conference, Sheriff Al Nienhuis told reporters that a vehicle occupied by five subjects pulled into the complex and was approached by the suspect. Nienhuis says that's when he o...

  • Sheriff Accused of Exploiting Deputy's Death to Advance Campaign

    Tom Lemons, August 12, 2024|Updated Aug 14, 2024

    HERNANDO - Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis is drawing fire for posting a politically driven Facebook video and exploiting the death of a deputy to advance his campaign. Lake County Master Deputy Bradley Link was killed on August 2nd in Eustis after he and two other deputies were ambushed and shot. Bradley died from his injuries. On Saturday, August 10th, a Celebration of Life was held for Link in Clermont, Florida. Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis posted the following...

  • Sheriff Candidates Trade Barbs, Transparency, Body Cams, 'Crime is down' Top Issues

    Tom Lemons, August 12, 2024|Updated Aug 12, 2024

    SPRING HILL – It was a busy weekend for candidates running for public office in Hernando County, but all eyes seemed to be focused on one particular race – the Office of Sheriff. It was standing room only at the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Hernando Beach, Friday, where candidates from all local races faced off to answer tough questions from voters. As candidates took their seats on stage, one thing became clear, the only incumbent in the room was Sheriff Al Nienhuis. It also bec...

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