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Pasco Canine Is Among Top Dogs In Contest

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Djuke vom Vilstaler Land, 117 pounds of toned muscle, is getting over the jet lag of a weekend flight to Buenos Aires, where he raked in the top three prizes in a contest that drew 300 Rottweilers from around the world.

Djuke, pronounced Duke, is the favored dog among some 15 prize Rottweilers around the office and home of breeders Eve and Manson Johnson on U.S. 41 just north of State Road 54.

Some of their dogs are sold to celebrities and sports stars, including Ken Griffey Jr. and former Buccaneers Shelton Quarles and Al Singleton. Griffey was so impressed, Manson Johnson said, that the star outfielder bought several for his then-Seattle Mariners teammates.

How much is that doggy in the window? A puppy ranges in cost between $2,000 and $4,500. Having a top dog is gratifying for the Johnsons, who have been perfecting the bloodline for almost three decades.

"If this is our legacy in life," Manson Johnson said, "I guess this is a good life."

Land Appraiser Cleared In Deal

CLEARWATER - A state ethics investigation has cleared Pinellas Property Appraiser Jim Smith and other county officials of wrongdoing in a controversial land deal between Smith and the county.

The report by the Florida Ethics Commission, released Wednesday, also cleared former Pinellas County Attorney Susan Churuti and county Commissioner Ronnie Duncan.

The investigation involved a deal in June 2007 in which the county bought a 1.4-acre lot from Smith for $225,000, nearly four times the taxable value of the property set by Smith's office.

Pasco County Buys Morsani Ranch

SHADY HILLS - Pasco County commissioners this week agreed to spend $2.55 million to preserve the Morsani Ranch in northwestern Pasco County.

The 600-acre ranch will be purchased through the county's Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program using Penny for Pasco funds.

Home, At Last, For Plant City Football Team

PLANT CITY - With the season more than half over, the Plant City High Raiders finally are coming home.

Raider Stadium has been cleared for football action after new turf took longer than expected to take root. Plant City High has been playing its home games at other stadiums.

The Raiders will play their first home game at 7:30 this evening against Newsome.

Fall Festival Focuses On Families

TAMPA - Looking for something to do outdoors, is suitable for the family and is free?

Saturday's University Area Family Fall Festival is free. The event, sponsored by the University Area Faith-Based Coalition, is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University Area Community Park, 14013 N. 22nd St.

About 50 vendors and exhibitors will provide information about social services, apartments, local businesses and craft activities. Several mobile vans will offer health screenings. Voter registration and driver's license updates also can be completed at the event.

For information, call (813) 558-5212

Reporters Keith Morelli, Steve Girardi, Lenora Lake, Darek Sharp and Kevin Wiatrowski contributed to this report.

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