By William Jacko Special to The Laker/Lutz News When people think of an American success story, they may very well be thinking of Vladimir Breton and Optimum Plumbing. After earning a civil engineering degree in his native Dominican Republic, Breton immigrated to the United States and took a job as a plumber’s assistant in New York. He did not speak English, but he had a plan — to one … [Read more...]
Starkey appointed to national trade advisory committee
June 27, 2018 By
Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey will serve on a national trade advisory committee, providing advice to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. The trade representative serves in a Cabinet level position, and is appointed as President Donald Trump’s principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues. There are eight advisory committees focusing on … [Read more...]
Baldomero Lopez was more than a local hero
June 6, 2018 By
When motorists drive past the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes, chances are they won’t know much about the history of the man for whom the facility is named. That’s where Bill Dotterer comes in. He’s a volunteer with the Tampa Bay History Center and he shared the story of 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez’s life and his heroic actions during a talk earlier this year at … [Read more...]
Figure skating heats up in Wesley Chapel
June 6, 2018 By
As Tampa Bay becomes synonymous with hockey this time of year, another ice-based sport is heating up in the region. For the first time, the Florida Sports Foundation selected Pasco County to be the host community for the annual Sunshine State Games Figure Skating Championships. The competition took place at Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, from May 18 through May 20. The … [Read more...]
Region has frigid wake-up call
January 10, 2018 By
The new year brought the first blast of winter to Pasco County, and to the Tampa Bay region. Freeze warnings and wind chill advisories rained down daily from the National Weather Service, as frigid air dipped into north and central Florida, and stayed for days. For the first time in decades, Tallahassee had measurable snowfall. Here in Tampa Bay, snow was a no-show, but temperatures … [Read more...]
Incentive money brings more jobs to Pasco
October 18, 2017 By
Pasco County commissioners approved an incentive payment of $141,000 to Meopta U.S.A, an optics manufacturer bringing nearly 50 new jobs to the county. The company is relocating its headquarters from Long Island, New York, to 7826 Photonics Drive, in Trinity. Meopta officials plan to renovate a building formerly occupied by another optics manufacturer, VLOC, Inc. That company closed in … [Read more...]
Pasco County seeks new location for food relief
October 18, 2017 By
Pasco County commissioners don’t want a replay of the overwhelming crowds and hours-long waits that hampered efforts in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties for residents seeking to qualify for disaster food relief following Hurricane Irma’s destruction. So, on Oct. 16, Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles prepared to send a letter to the Florida Department of Family and Children Services … [Read more...]
Prep football mid-season review
October 18, 2017 By
With the midway point of the 2017 prep football season recently passing by, here’s a look at some noteworthy teams and players in The Laker/Lutz News coverage. Best team: Zephyrhills High Bulldogs (6-1 overall, 5-0 district) Aside from an early season hiccup to Wiregrass Ranch (31-to-29 loss), the Bulldogs have planted themselves as one of the top — and most electrifying— teams in the … [Read more...]
Light rail is top Tampa Bay choice for transit
October 11, 2017 By
A light rail system running beside Interstate 275 is the top choice for transit in a study that identifies potential projects in the Tampa Bay region, according to rankings from the Regional Transit Feasibility Plan. The route would link Wesley Chapel to Tampa and St. Petersburg, with a stop at the University of South Florida. The second choice would follow the same route but rely on “rubber … [Read more...]
