BROOKSVILLE - A team of volunteers is filling in what's become a sad reminder of what toll Tropical Storm Debby took on some families around Brooksville. L.R.E. Ground Services, Inc., is donating thousands of dollars worth of manpower and dirt to fill in three sinkholes that swallowed Troy and Lily Fielder's front yard.
"What we're doing is probably outside the scope of what an engineer would recommend," said Jim Flynn of L.R.E. Ground Services, Inc. "The way we look at it: We're trying to put a Band-Aid on a problem that really needs to be addressed long-term." No one has tested the ground yet to figure out exactly why it opened up here.
"Those tests can literally cost thousands of dollars; especially if you don't have sinkhole coverage," Flynn said. Lily Fielder initially bought the house at 4370 Broad Street in 1963. About a decade later she married Troy.
"You couldn't help being touched by the story," said "You had a brother and sister that grew up in the house and literally overnight or the span of just a few days ... everything they owned was lost."
Last June, when Tropical Storm Debby's winds and rain were bearing down on Brooksville, Lily was in the hospital fighting leukemia. Troy was at home as the floodwaters crept in. By the time woke up that Sunday morning, his bed was moving ... floating - in about 2 feet of water.
People had to help him in through the flooded yard to safety. Tropical Storm Debby ruined almost everything inside the house. What the water didn't take inside, sinkholes did in the yard including an oak tree that stood on the property more than 200 years. Richard Gray, Lily's son, said the family is hoping to eventually salvage the house, but it will take work.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:45 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:45:45 GMT
State education commissioner Dr. Tony Bennett addressing students at Starkey elementary
The FCAT results are in and state officials are happy with what they see. Statewide, the math numbers stayed the same, but scores are up in both the writing and reading tests.
The FCAT results are in and state officials are happy with what they see. Statewide, the math numbers stayed the same, but scores are up in both the writing and reading tests.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:57 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:57:07 GMT
A 4-year-old K9 Officer, Ike, with Hernando County Sheriff Office K9 Unit passed away unexpectedly Thursday after an emergency surgery, Sheriff Al Nienhuis told us.
A 4-year-old K9 Officer, Ike, with Hernando County Sheriff Office K9 Unit passed away unexpectedly Thursday after an emergency surgery, Sheriff Al Nienhuis told us.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:34 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:34:55 GMT
The military arm of the Better Business Bureau, BBB Military Line, reminded of possible scams targeting the active and retired military personnel and elderly veterans before the Memorial Day. Karen Nalven,
The military arm of the Better Business Bureau, BBB Military Line, reminded of possible scams targeting the active and retired military personnel and elderly veterans before the Memorial Day. Karen Nalven,
Friday, May 24 2013 12:13 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:13:39 GMT
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 24 2013 12:13 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:13:39 GMT
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Is there such a thing as a high-tech bikini body? When exercise and a healthy lifestyle still don't yield the results you want there is a newly approved FDA skin tightening device.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:57 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:57:07 GMT
A 4-year-old K9 Officer, Ike, with Hernando County Sheriff Office K9 Unit passed away unexpectedly Thursday after an emergency surgery, Sheriff Al Nienhuis told us.
A 4-year-old K9 Officer, Ike, with Hernando County Sheriff Office K9 Unit passed away unexpectedly Thursday after an emergency surgery, Sheriff Al Nienhuis told us.
Friday, May 24 2013 3:26 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:26:57 GMT
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez closed on the sale of his Miami Beach home on Friday morning. The baseball icon sold his North Bay Road home for $30-million dollars. The sale is among the
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez closed on the sale of his Miami Beach home on Friday morning. The baseball icon sold his North Bay Road home for $30-million dollars. The sale is among the
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:29 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:29:23 GMT
Kmart has launched the latest in what appears to be an edgy string of commercials. In April, one of its commercial went viral for a play on words. Explaining the ease of shipping a product to a customer
Kmart has launched the latest in what appears to be an edgy string of commercials. In April, one of its commercial went viral for a play on words. Explaining the ease of shipping a product to a customer
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:53 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:53:43 GMT
A wealthy Sarasota retiree was tired of air travel options in Sarasota, so he decided to fix the problem the only way he knew how- he's starting 'Sunrise Airlines.'
A wealthy Sarasota retiree was tired of air travel options in Sarasota, so he decided to fix the problem the only way he knew how- he's starting 'Sunrise Airlines.'
