WESLEY CHAPEL – Pasco-Hernando State College will expand and update nursing and allied health programs after receiving an $850,000 appropriation from the Florida Legislature. This is […]
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This Week
Pasco students among semifinalists for National Merit Scholarships
EVANSTON, Ill. – Several students from Pasco and Hillsborough counties are among the more than 16,000 semifinalists eligible for National Merit Scholarships. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently announced nominees that qualified by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Semifinalists represent less than 1% of high school seniors nationwide, according to the NMSC. […]
College students and young adults face ongoing mental health challenges
Mental health challenges among young people remain persistently high, and many students and families are still trying to understand how best to respond. UnitedHealthcare’s fourth annual Young Adult and College Student Behavioral Health Report found that more than 6 in 10 (62%) college students and young adults not enrolled in college ages 18 to 28 […]
Veteran builds motorcycle movement around mental health
SAN ANTONIO – Throttle Before the Bottle is building a national network around mental health awareness, healthier outlets and conversations that are often hardest to begin. Army veteran Noah Gradillas founded the movement, which uses motorcycle culture as a kick-start for a broader message: People need something healthy to reach for before alcohol or other substances […]
Chick-fil-A Dade City gives back from the start
DADE CITY – Chick-fil-A celebrated the opening of a new restaurant in Dade City on Sept. 2 by donating $35,000 toward local hunger-relief agencies. The restaurant donated $25,000 to Feeding Tampa Bay and $10,000 to Meals on Wheels of Pasco. Scott Amole has served as a Chick-fil-A local owner-operator since 2015. Amole now owns and […]
Saint Leo University selected for Partners in Peace Initiative
New Honors course on 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate connects Saint Leo students with Tampa Bay’s Venezuelan community and the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo ST. LEO – Saint Leo University’s Honors Program has been selected to join Partners in Peace, an initiative between the National Collegiate Honors Council and the Nobel Peace Center in […]
Tampa Funeral Home plans Dolly Parton celebration
TAMPA – Blount & Curry Funeral Home-Carrollwood is inviting the Tampa Bay community to celebrate the life, music and legacy of Dolly Parton at Dolly & a Cup of Ambition. The free community celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 25 at Blount & Curry Funeral Home-Carrollwood, 3207 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa. Guests are welcome to […]
Golisano gives $40M to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
WESLEY CHAPEL – Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital announced a $40 million gift from Paychex founder Tom Golisano to support the construction of its new campus in Wesley Chapel. The gift is the largest donation in the 100-year history of Johns Hopkins All Children’s. In recognition of the gift, the new building will be known […]
Trans-Siberian Orchestra announces 30th anniversary winter tou
TAMPA – The Trans-Siberian Orchestra will celebrate its 30th anniversary at Benchmark International Arena with two events Dec. 20, featuring a reimagined staging of “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” followed by a second set. Trans-Siberian Orchestra pairs an audio/visual experience that includes lasers, pyrotechnics and special effects with fan-friendly ticket pricing. “Thirty years in, […]
The Warlock House Enchantment opens gates for Spookfest
WESLEY CHAPEL – Lewis VanDercar spent decades transforming his Wesley Chapel property into an unusual world of sculpture, statuary, artwork, unconventional architecture, gardens and peculiar creations. VanDercar was once known locally as the “Warlock of Wesley Chapel.” Halloween was part of family life at The Warlock House Enchantment during the 1970s, with costumes, tricks, treats […]
This Week (cont)
BayCare generates $13B in economic impact for Florida
CLEARWATER – A new report by Washington Economics Group found that BayCare has a $13 billion impact on Florida’s economy each year, including supporting jobs for more than 66,000 residents. Based on 2025 data, the economists found BayCare’s economic impact was up 30% since its last study based on 2022 data. The latest study found […]
Custom homebuilder incorporates models into sales approach
TAMPA – AR Homes by Custom Craft is expanding its presence in Tampa Bay. The custom homebuilder is taking a different approach to sales through a series of model and inventory homes designed to meet demand for high-end luxury homes. Included in the projects is a model storm-ready home in South Tampa that is designed […]
Local Wildlife: Parrot spreads its wings at aquarium
A double yellow-headed parrot helped the Florida Aquarium kick off 813 Day. The celebration, inspired by the city’s area code, featured special activities to encourage natural behaviors among the aquarium’s animals while keeping them active and engaged. Photo courtesy of The Florida Aquarium
Health & Wellness: Doctor performs 1,000th robotic surgery
Doctor performs 1,000th robotic surgery LUTZ – Dr. Louis Matherne IV, a general surgeon at Lutz’s St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, recently performed his 1,000th robotic surgery. A surgeon guides and controls the robot’s mechanical arms and surgical instruments from a console with a high-resolution 3-D screen. When the surgeon moves, the robotic arms respond precisely to […]
Sports & Rec – Check This Out
Adopt a Pet (3/26/25): English Muffin is quite the treat
English Muffin is an incredibly loving 2-year-old who lives to spread happiness. The moment she sees you, she will joyfully roll onto her back, eagerly awaiting belly rubs. Her tail never stops wagging, showcasing her happy and affectionate nature. Although English Muffin was previously adopted, she was returned because she prefers to be the only […]
USF Women’s Basketball volunteers with Habitat for Humanity
The University of South Florida Women’s Basketball team volunteered with Habitat for Humanity on Aug. 24 in Safety Harbor. The players and coaches painted the exteriors of two Habitat Homes alongside the future homeowners, the Baker and Glazman families, according to a news release. This continues USF’s tradition of community service, as various USF sports […]
PHSC golf tournament
The Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) Foundation will host its annual golf tournament on Oct. 18, at the Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club in Dade City. Registration will be at 7:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Jen Ferguson at 727-816-3431 or . For sponsorship opportunities, visit Giving.PHSC.edu/golf.
Reasons To Smile
Celebrate with your canine friend!
National Dog Day is Aug. 26 — an opportunity to celebrate man and woman’s best friend, and to help find loving homes for dogs in the community. Here are five ways to make a difference: Adopt a new best friend Spay and neuter. Foster first. Not ready to adopt? Fostering is a great option to […]
