It’s hard to paint with cuteness running around. But that’s what people tried to do at B Creative Painting Studio at the Grove at Wesley […]
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This Week

Steinbrenner band headed across the pond
By Mike Camunas
It’s time to pack the passports inside their instrument cases. For members of Steinbrenner High’s band, The Marching Warrior Brigade, they’ll need to have their international travel affairs in order come Dec. 27 when the band heads across the pond to England. The 136-member band has been invited to be in the massive 2024 London […]

What if Hurricane Ian had made a direct hit on Pasco?
By B.C. Manion
In the days leading to Hurricane Ian’s landfall in Fort Myers, officials across Tampa Bay called for evacuations and warned those sticking around to stock up on essentials and brace for impact. The hurricane tracking path had shown Ian heading straight toward Tampa, and weather experts predicted that hurricane-strength winds, record storm surge and heavy […]

Keeping safe from dangerous flood waters
The Florida Division of Emergency Management has shared information to help educate the public about flood hazards and some suggestions to help reduce risks of injury or death. Flooding is one of Florida’s most frequent hazards and is a coast-to-coast threat that occurs on a yearly basis, according to a news release issued by the […]

Thousands of homes proposed on 2,900 acres of ranch land
By B.C. Manion
A new development is being proposed in Land O’ Lakes that would transform 2,900 acres of ranch land into roughly 3,800 homes and 300,000 square feet of retail and office uses. The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a proposed land use change requested in the name of 4G Ranch PD. Attorney Clarke […]

Making a pact to act
By Mike Camunas
World Autism Awareness Day is April 2. But Land O’ Lakes High International Baccalaureate students Sydney Crenshaw and Sajni Shah have been raising awareness about autism throughout the school year. They began their project, Action For Autism, as members of the school club HOSA – Future Health Professionals, which is an international competition based on […]
Approval is a step closer for county’s Odessa Town Centre plan
By B.C. Manion
Concerns about the potential for piecemeal development on about 81.5 acres at the southwest corner of Gunn Highway and County Road 54 prompted the county to launch a planning initiative about two years ago. The effort aims to create a cohesive approach to future development at the intersection and it yielded what is known as […]

Road widening delay won’t stall industrial park opening
By B.C. Manion
It turns out that Old Pasco Road won’t be widened before the Rooker industrial park is allowed to open, after all. When Pasco County approved an economic deal with Rooker Properties LLC, based in Atlanta, it included a condition that issuance of certificates of occupancy would be contingent upon a segment of Old Pasco Road […]

Pasco board approves charter school foundation request
By B.C. Manion
The Pasco County Commission has approved a request to enable Innovation Preparatory Academy in Wesley Chapel to qualify the issuance of tax-exempt bonds to finance Innovation Preparatory Academy in Wesley Chapel. The board approved the request from the Florida Charter Educational Foundation (FCEF), without discussion, as part of its consent agenda. The consent agenda contains […]
This Week (cont)

Cultivating positive change through partnerships
By B.C. Manion
Whitney Elmore — the executive director of the UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Office — has her fingers in lots of pies. Her office provides information, classes and programs on topics ranging from gardening, to nutrition to caring for cattle, budgeting money, and more. She’s had a hand in all sorts of initiatives since arriving […]

It’s a sweet season for picking
By Mary Rathman
Blueberry season in Florida has opened, giving family and friends an opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, while picking their own supply of the fruit. Besides boasting a rich flavor, blueberries are packed with antioxidants — providing health benefits and giving people a chance to have fun while gathering the berries. The Florida […]

Safe Places for youths in crisis
Hillsborough County teens and children in crisis can receive help by sending a single text message, according to a news release from Hillsborough County. Hillsborough County’s Children’s Services wants to remind kids and teens that there are nearly 200 ‘Safe Place’ locations for kids in need. Safe Place is a national initiative locally managed by […]
Pasco board discusses how to regulate vacation home rentals
By B.C. Manion
The Pasco County Commission approved a request to allow short-term rentals in a waterfront home in West Pasco, but not before hearing complaints from nearby neighbors, and discussing bigger-picture issues affiliated with such rentals. Board members approved the request for a short-term rental from Nikki and Michael Rutman to allow short-term rentals at 14429 Birch […]
Local Sports

Local teams compete during Spring Break
By Mike Camunas
Spring Break typically is a time for beach trips or relaxing, but not for everyone. Several high school baseball and softball players skipped working on their tan — at least for a few days — so they could compete in annual tournaments in March. Here are the results of teams and individual performances of players […]

2022-2023 Sunshine Athletic Conference Winter Awards
By Mike Camunas
The Sunshine Athletic Conference, which is made up of the 14 public high school athletic programs in Pasco County, announced its 2022-2023 Winter All-Conference Teams and Players, voted on by the sports’ respective coaches. The awards are split into East and West divisions of the county. Here are the East Division First Teams and the […]
Sports – Check This Out
Home Run Derby
By Mike Camunas
The Land O’ Lakes Recreational Complex will host the inaugural “At Bat 4 Autism” Home Run Derby on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Field No. 9, 3032 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes. Cost is $3 per batter, with each participant receiving five outs. There will be four age divisions (8 […]
Scholarship tournament
By Mike Camunas
Heritage Christian Community Baptist Church in Lutz has scheduled its annual Heritage Golf Tournament on April 29 at 8 a.m., at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., Land O’ Lakes. Cost is $100 per player or $400 per foursome; registration includes cart and green fees, goody bag, snacks, lunch, awards and contests. Proceeds […]
Youth Basketball League
By Mike Camunas
Summer Coed Youth Basketball League Registration at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex is open for the eight-week season that will run from June 3 to July 29. Cost is $45 per player and includes a game jersey; the purchase of an annual membership card ($10) is required. The league will consist of age divisions of […]
Reasons To Smile

Dogs Days brings smiles, and barks, to Dade City
The 13th annual Dogs’ Day in Dade City brought out its usual crowd of dogs, and owners, to Agnes Lamb Park on March 18, attracting several businesses and local organizations to the event. Dog-Mania & Cats, Dade City Animal Clinic and Nutrena Farmers Feed Depot were part of Dogs’ Day activities, including costume contests, a […]