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BROOKSVILLE – A former Hernando County Sheriff's Deputy has filed a federal lawsuit against several top agency officials, including Sheriff Al Nienhuis, claiming his refusal to join in on the agency's "culture of extramarital sexual activities" led to his unjustified termination. On August 25, 2022, former Hernando County Sheriff's Deputy Matthew Puglia filed a lawsuit against Sheriff Al Nienhuis, Col. Kenneth Hayden, Maj. Philip Lakin, Lieutenant Scott Reak, Sgt. John E...
HERNANDO – Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis is in the hot seat again, after records show he ordered the blocking of nearly 300 Facebook accounts for making critical comments about the agency. In doing so, Nienhuis violated the First Amendment rights of every individual he blocked, according to recent federal court rulings. Last month, R News published a report on rampant sexual misconduct occurring within in the agency that involved top ranking officials. The i...
BROOKSVILLE – Citizens have had enough of sexual predators stalking their children and preying on their naivety through social media apps, and that's what led a group of Hernando County residents to start exposing their illegal activities with decoy sting operations. Popular apps like Meetme, Whatsapp, Kik, and Grindr have become hunting grounds for sexual predators to chat with underage victims and attempt to lure them into meeting. Often times the predator will entice t...
HERNANDO – We are supposed to trust those who protect and serve our community, but when leadership is self-serving and corrupt, it tarnishes the reputation of those on the street. When a bad apple is left too long among the bunch – well – you know the result. Last week, R News broke the news of a lawsuit filed against seven Hernando County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) employees, including Sheriff Al Nienhuis. Former Deputy Matthew Puglia alleges in the federal action that an agenc...
BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is under fire again, after one of its own is arrested on sexual battery charges. In a statement released by the Public Information Office, now-former deputy Zachary Carter was arrested yesterday on one count of sexual battery, after he coerced the victim into having sexual relations. Officials say, Carter had sexual relations with the victim on two different occasions while he was on duty and in uniform. According to our s...
NEW PORT RICHEY – The Cotee River Bike Fest is one of many events that takes place in and around Sims Park every year. The event draws thousands to the city, and that means a boost in revenue for the many bars, restaurants, and shops that line Main Street and Grand Blvd. The event also raises thousands of dollars for Farrell Cares, a local non-profit that contributes to various causes. According to the non-profit's president Stephen Farrell, all proceeds for this year's f...
TALLAHASSEE - Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida's unemployment rate remained strong at 2.7 percent, the lowest unemployment rate among the nation's ten largest states and a full percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.7 percent in August 2022. Florida also leads the nation in new business formations with 1,534,221 new businesses, outpacing second place California by more than 250,000 new business formations since January 2020. For 25 consecutive...
HUDSON - For the second day in a row, Investigators with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office are working a crime scene along US-19, near New York Ave. Officials have not released any new details into the discovery; however, transients are known to camp in the area. We will bring more on this as it develops....
TAMPA - FDLE agents arrested 24 SUR 13 gang members charged with various crimes including conspiracy to commit murder, directing the activities of a criminal gang, conspiracy to commit aggravated battery upon a prison inmate, racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and trafficking in numerous controlled substances including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and morphine. Hendry County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and Attorney...
SPRING HILL – The body of a 35-year-old man has been discovered in a residence at the Hibiscus Spring Apartment Complex on Barclay Ave. According to sources, the deceased was discovered face down in a bathtub inside a residence on Swordfish Lane. Law enforcement is on scene and an investigation is underway. It is unknown if foul play is suspected at this time....
BROOKSVILLE – Fire Rescue is responding to Chocachatti Elementary, located at 4135 California Street, after a vehicle crashed into a school bus. Sources say at least seven children may have suffered injuries to their wrists and arms, but none of the injuries appear to be serious. It is unknown if any of the children will be transported for treatment. There are unconfirmed reports that the accident occurred in the school's bus loop....
SPRING HILL – Earlier today, R New reported that seven students at Grace Education Academy were hospitalized after drinking an unknown substance. Now School officials say that it was all a hoax and that no children were harmed. According to a post on the school's Facebook page, all seven students claimed they became ill after ingesting water that contained "medication." The students were transported to a nearby hospital, where school officials say they all have "a clear tox s...
BROOKSVILLE – An Investigation is underway into a stabbing that just occurred at Freedom Gardens Apartments on Constitution Drive. According to sources, at least one person has been stabbed and is being transported by ground to Bayonet Point Hospital with traumatic injuries. There are unconfirmed reports that at least two suspects are involved in the stabbing. Sheriff's Deputies have one person in custody and another is still being sought. We will bring more on this story a...
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - This morning, Governor Ron DeSantis issued updates on Hurricane Ian at the State Emergency Operations Center with Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie. From the Governor's Office: Since 1:00 a.m., search and rescue operations have been underway in response to Hurricane Ian. Urban Search and Rescue Team 2 was the first on site and the Coast Guard made dozens of rescues overnight. There are 8 USAR teams with more than 800 team members...
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - This morning, Governor Ron DeSantis issued updates on Hurricane Ian at the State Emergency Operations Center with Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell. Today, Governor DeSantis is traveling to Fort Myers and St. Augustine to survey the damage. Full remarks are available here. There are currently 42,000 linemen responding to the more than 1.9 million reported power outag...
BROOKSVILLE – Hernando County Officials assembled at the Emergency Operations Center this morning, to provide an update on evacuation orders, closures, and services available to the community during Hurricane Ian. According to officials, all schools and government offices will be closed on Tuesday and will remain closed through the end of the week. Voluntary evacuations of coastal areas begin today and will become mandatory starting tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. All r...
UPDATE: 4:30 P.M. SPRING HILL – Earlier today, R New reported that seven students at Grace Education Academy were hospitalized after drinking an unknown substance. Now School officials say that it was all a hoax and that no children were harmed. According to a post on the school’s Facebook page, all seven students claimed they became ill after ingesting water that contained “medication.” The students were transported to a nearby hospital, where school officials say they al...
NEW PORT RICHEY – Taking a nap at busy intersection is a sure way to get the attention of law enforcement, especially if you're behind the wheel of a car and holding a bag of drugs. That what New Port Richey Police say led to the arrest of one person after they located pounds of illegal drugs in his possession. According to Police, a code enforcement officer was assisting with crossing guard duties at the intersection of Madison Street and Cecelia Ave, when they noticed the d...
ADVENTURE COAST – In preparation for what is expected to be Hurricane Ian, Pasco County Schools will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hernando and Citrus County School officials have not announced closures at this time, but they are expected to give an update tomorrow. Weather experts believe the west central coast of Florida is the most likely area of landfall at this time. Forecasters also believe Ian could develop into a category 3 or 4 before it makes landfall, s...
BROOKSVILLE – An early morning crash involving multiple semi-tractor trailers left I-75 covered in thousands of beer cans. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, just after 6:00 a.m. this morning, a semi-tractor trailer rear ended a second semi that was traveling southbound on I-75 at milepost 296. Both vehicles pulled to the shoulder after the collision, followed by a third and fourth semi and a pickup truck. A fifth semi, which was hauling Coors Light Beer, failed to s...
WEEKI WACHEE - On Friday, R News was first to report the removal of a substitute teacher from Winding Waters K-8, after a student made allegations that he inappropriately touched her. School officials notified parents on Thursday and stated the following: This afternoon, Winding Waters administration was made aware of student's allegations of inappropriate touching by a substitute teacher in a middle grade classroom. School administration immediately escorted the substitute...
BROOKSVILLE – Fire Rescue is on the scene of a vehicle accident involving a pedestrian at 1400 East Jefferson Street. Sources say the female victim was struck by a pickup truck and is not conscious or breathing at this time. CPR is in progress and the victim will be airlifted to a trauma center from the scene. Jefferson street is blocked in both direction at this time. UPDATE: The victim has died from her injuries....
BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is reporting the arrest of the person responsible for a fatal shooting that occurred on Monday. According to reports, Deputies responded to 765 S. Broad Street, just after 1:00 a.m. Monday, after receiving reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a 28-year-old male victim clinging to life from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a trauma center where he later died. Officials say the shooting o...
HUDSON – A St. Petersburg man is dead after he was struck by a vehicle on US-19. According to officials, the 52-year-old victim was crossing US-19 at Viva Via Drive, when he was struck by a pickup truck, driven by a 72-year-old Port Richey man. The incident occurred around 10:00 p.m. Saturday. The victim suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene....
WEEKI WACHEE – On Friday, R News was first to report the removal of a substitute teacher from Winding Waters K-8, after a student made allegations that he inappropriately touched her. School officials notified parents on Thursday and stated the following: This afternoon, Winding Waters administration was made aware of student's allegations of inappropriate touching by a substitute teacher in a middle grade classroom. School administration immediately escorted the substitute f...
