Barbara BehrendtPasco County Reporter
The North Suncoast and the Times have been my home since I graduated from the Ohio State University more than 35 years ago. Every day I get to come work for one of the country’s finest newspapers with talented co-workers who share my passion for informing our readers about their community. From the latest development plan near your neighborhood to the newest road project to impact your commute, there is no more relevant journalism than what we do here in Pasco County. I cherish your input, suggestions and story ideas.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/d84eeed4-7cb9-4ddc-bf48-187e1fdb8393.png "Barbara Behrendt - Pasco County Reporter")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LCFLN5X4YJBLJJJAUR4QOTT42I.JPG "At left, Donald Russell helps homeless man John Pettus fill out a survey form during the homeless count in East pasco County. JAY CONNER/STAFF")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/INPUILT5AFGQNOCUXBJY3V64CU.JPG "Pasco County tax revenue is expected to rise by $87.6 million. That money will be distributed throughout various service departments, with the sheriff getting 40 percent and the county’s other constitutional officers also getting a share. Budget Director Robert Goehrig also recommended adding $1 million to the budget for Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, clerk of the circuit court and comptroller, for court-related technology and other expenses. Seen here is the historic Pasco County Courthouse")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7IQW6UWBRZBVPEMLP6O4C6SEAI.jpg "Construction workers build a house near Rangeland Boulevard and Gunn Highway on Thursday, June 30, 2022 in Odessa.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BIHS2SKU7NAP7DBMJ2X42R66K4.jpg "The West Pasco Government Center, at 8731 Citizens Drive in New Port Richey, houses the County Commission Chambers.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BH6TGOOBSNHDNBIIGVND67RGNI.jpg "Pasco County commissioners voted to end public sales of rabbits, but stopped short of a full retail ban. Still, they told animal advocates they were willing to consider that. Pasco has a full retail ban on selling dogs and cats, but allows rescue groups to offer animals up for adoption at their facilities.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/B5GP6I3CZZAXLARUXVVO7AEXVU.JPG "Pasco County Fire Rescue, seen here investigating a fire in Hudson in 2020, want the county to drop its legal challenge of the state law that protects the interest of firefighters who contract cancer while on the job.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/AHAMXQVLHNFUJMQYPD2QYFFE2Y.jpg "Mike Carballa")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/HYM7J5BOUZGHJA2NZE5GKOSYVY.JPG "The West Pasco Government Center")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/AMHOB7TGPFCJTAFVMJKIFZYWR4.jpg "“I Voted” stickers on the table for after voting at the Coliseum, 535 4th Ave N, on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LX3JB6PVOFFIZCCNXAQDKDWLCQ.jpg "D&D Ranch of Pasco County owner Andy Scaglione said his next door neighbor George Southworth improperly cleared trees as he prepares to develop his land in the Central Pasco Employment Village. Southworth said he is just replacing grazing land and has an agricultural right to do so.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/Z6FSN6GVM5GQNI2GRNP7RJQ6PM.jpg "The Central Pasco Employment Village, comprised of 2,400 acres to the south of State Road 52, is now at the center of public debate over which should come first: businesses that bring jobs, or housing for people needed to work those jobs.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/6CHO5TI4X5B7ZBIGYLCRLLWAM4.jpeg "Zephyrhills officials are upgrading facilities at their municipal airport")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/RDQY4XXRXNFJ5OLX6CEUISF7XY.JPG "Construction more than a dozen years ago widened a stretch of County Line Road between Pasco and Hernando counties. Since then, Hernando has blamed Pasco officials for failing to do their share to push new widening. Last month, Hernando decided to end a utility agreement with their neighbors to the south, compromising Pasco's ability to grow at its northern border.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/E6AIORZ3SNFZHKVKIFMDHJOK3Q.jpg "Zephyrhills, which became Pasco County’s largest city with the 2020 Census, also had the largest property tax value increase in the preliminary estimate. The city saw an increase of 15.1% compared to the county’s overall 14.9% increase.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4NLNUZUR5FAX7DPWBKPCPO32BA.jpg "The West Pasco Government Center, at 8731 Citizens Dr in New Port Richey, houses the County Commission Chambers.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/EERVE55OP5FZTEZWQWJHLLWQPI.jpg "Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles had five eventful years at the helm.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/OSMG4JN5FNDE5LVG3PCKLWWH3M.jpg "Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles announces his resignation after five years on the job.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3YEACZQDRZBUFDMA5HU3JJCWKU.jpg "County officials have agreed to give Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco another $1.68 million to add 10 additional deputies separate from his budget request.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/YJBKVUDCT5FO3L5PAIW5CG34GI.jpg "State Rep. Amber Mariano, R-Hudson, was first elected in 2016 at the age of 21.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5WBA7YGIKAI6TGNIIBWI6S7HAY.jpg "Hernando County Government Center")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/2672VDXBE5ACZDHM4CDILYCV5M.JPG "Bradley Wiersma, of New Port Richey, explores a fallen tree at the bottom of the Weeki Wachee River within the boundaries of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Hernando County. Swimming is not permitted in the river within the state park boundaries.")
