Staff Reports

PASCO COUNTY – The community can see how feedback has helped shape the draft Pasco 2050 Comprehnsive Plan.

Pasco County’s Planning, Development and Economic Growth Department will host two Public Engagement Sessions to show how feedback from workshops, surveys and other outreach efforts over the past three years influenced the plan’s proposed goals, objectives and policies.

The community can review the draft plan, ask questions and learn more before the plan moves forward to public hearings.

Public Engagement Sessions will be held at the following times: 

• Nov. 17, 6 to 8 p.m., at Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., Dade City

• Nov. 19, 6 to 8 p.m., West Pasco Government Center Boardroom, 8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey.

Each session will include a presentation on the draft Pasco 2050 Comprehensive Plan followed by a question-and-answer discussion with county staff.

On the web: Pasco2050.com

 

Groups can apply for tree grants

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Community groups in unincorporated Hillsborough County can apply for funding to plant trees in residential neighborhoods through the Neighborhood Tree Grant Program.

The program supports projects that expand tree canopy coverage, improve community spaces and enhance environmental sustainability.

Hillsborough County UF/IFAS Extension Service administers the program. Funding comes from the Hillsborough County Tree Trust Fund, which collects fees through tree mitigation requirements.

Applications are being accepted through Jan. 31, 2027. Recipients will be notified by April 30.

Approved projects may begin in May 2027 and must be completed by Nov. 30, 2027.

Recipients must submit reports documenting tree planting and the trees’ health after one year.

Apply at https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/agriculture/urban-forestry/neighborhood-tree-grant/.

 

County extends dengue emergency declaration

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Hillsborough County has extended its state of local emergency through Nov. 5 as officials work to control mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus.

County Administrator Bonnie Wise signed the extension Oct. 29, allowing emergency managers to respond quickly and seek reimbursement for certain expenses.

Mosquito surveillance has detected dengue virus activity in multiple neighborhoods. The county has increased aerial and ground treatments.

Call Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services at 813-635-5400 for details about mosquito control treatments.

 

Residents can give input on adult sports leagues

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation is seeking public input on adult sports programs and potential recreational leagues at local parks.

An online survey asks residents which sports they would like to play, how frequently they participate and whether they would pay fees to join organized leagues.

The survey also explores barriers to participation, including costs and distance to parks.

Residents can complete the survey through Nov. 20 using the Hillsborough Engagement Hub at HCFL.gov/HCEngage.

 

Nominate women who have made an impact

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Hillsborough County is accepting nominations for its Women’s Hall of Fame through 5 p.m. Nov. 12.

The program recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the community through education, social services, philanthropy, military service, public service and other fields.

The Commission on the Status of Women established the program in 2011. More than 40 women have been honored.

Up to three women are selected for induction each year.

Nomination forms are available at HCFL.gov/WHOF.

 

Gunn Highway to close for culvert replacement

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – A section of Gunn Highway in northwest Hillsborough County will close for up to four weeks beginning Nov. 5 for stormwater culvert repairs.

The closure will affect Gunn Highway between Lutz Lake Fern Road and Tarpon Springs Road, near the Pasco County line.

Crews will replace an aging 5-by-10-foot box culvert with two reinforced concrete elliptical pipes measuring 53 by 83 inches.

County officials said the replacement will improve drainage capacity and long-term durability.

Drivers should follow marked detours during construction. Navigation apps have been updated to reflect the closure.

Call Hillsborough County Public Works at 813-635-5400.

 

Pop-up centers offer hurricane-recovery assistance

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Hillsborough County will open three temporary service centers to help income-eligible homeowners apply for assistance with damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The centers will operate:

• Nov. 4, 5-7 p.m., at Mango Park & Recreation Center
• Nov. 9, 3:30-5:30 p.m., at Brandon Regional Library
• Nov. 17, 5-7 p.m., at Egypt Lake Recreation Center

The county’s Rebuilding for Tomorrow program has $211 million available for homeowner repairs and reconstruction.

Eligible homeowners may qualify for up to $350,000 for rebuilding, $150,000 for repairs or $50,000 in reimbursements for completed work.

A permanent service center operates at 1029 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa.

Call 813-540-7767 for assistance.

 

Fire station opens in Palm River

PALM RIVER – Hillsborough County Fire Rescue celebrated the opening of Fire Station 15 with a ribbon cutting Oct. 28 at 6212 12th Ave. S., Tampa.

The new two-bay station replaces an older facility nearby and was funded through the American Recovery Act.

The station will accommodate five firefighters per 24-hour shift and house a fire engine and a rescue ambulance.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue responds to approximately 140,000 emergency calls annually.

The department’s master plan identifies a need for 20 additional fire stations over the next 24 years.

 

Carrollwood Village wins Neighborhood of the Year

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Carrollwood Village Homeowners Association Phases I, II and III has received Hillsborough County’s 2026 Neighborhood of the Year Award.

The association earned the recognition for organizing its fourth annual neighborhood cleanup, which attracted 114 volunteers.

The association also received the Engaged Neighborhood Award and a $500 prize.

Buckhorn Groves Homeowners Association in Valrico received the Safe Neighborhood Award for improving seating and amenities around neighborhood playgrounds.

Bay Port Colony Property Owners in Town ‘N Country earned the Healthy Neighborhood Award for organizing community cleanups, including a waterways cleanup involving 100 volunteers.

The awards recognize neighborhood improvement projects in unincorporated Hillsborough County.

 

North Tampa Bay events 

LAND O’ LAKES – The North Tampa Bay Chamber will host a Leading Ladies Network event. 

• Tabitha Thomas, of USF Credit Union, discusses “Community Impact Through Connection,” at the Leading Ladies Network from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 6 at USF Credit Union, 20610 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa. Admission costs $15. Register in advance. 

Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details about the chamber and events.

 

Greater Pasco events  

NEW PORT RICHEY – The Greater Pasco Chamber will host networking events that include roundtables and ribbon-cutting ceremonies. 

• Members celebrate the grand opening of FastSigns from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 4 at 6484 Ridge Road, Port Richey. The ribbon will be cut at noon.
• The chamber hosts the Greater Pasco Medical Roundtable from 8 to 9 a.m. Nov. 5 at Life Care Center of New Port Richey, 7400 Trouble Creek Road, New Port Richey. Members get in free. Others pay $10. Register in advance.
• Members make connections during the Hudson Business Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 5 at Vitality Living Baypoint Village, 7927 State Road 52, Hudson. Members get in free. Others pay $10. Lunch costs $14. Register in advance. 
• Members celebrate the grand opening of Jubilee Aerial from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 6 at 10086 Hudson Ave., Hudson. The ribbon will be cut at 3:30 p.m. 
• Sheri Horvath, founder of Operator’s Edge Co., leads a Business Capacity Builders session titled “What’s Working, What’s Heavy, What’s Next?” from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 10 on Microsoft Teams. Registration is free for members. Register in advance. 
• Members network during Chamber on Tap from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, 25372 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz. Register in advance. 
• Members attend the Greater Pasco Veterans Roundtable from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at Patriot Stogies, 6153 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey. Members get in free. Others pay $10. Register in advance.

Visit greaterpasco.com for details about the chamber and events. 

 

East Pasco events

DADE CITY – The East Pasco Chamber will host After Hours Networking, On the Menu, Coffee & Networking and women’s programming.

• Members mingle during After Hours Networking at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Zephyrhills Brewing Company, 38530 5th Ave., Zephyrhills. 
• Jose Melgar and Rick Faig explain resources available through Pasco-Hernando SCORE during On the Menu from 8 to 9 a.m. Nov. 6 at the chamber, 38550 5th Ave., Zephyrhills. 
• Members mingle during Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. Nov. 10 at the Gordon M. Crothers American Legion Post 15, 37745 Church Ave., Dade City. 
• Zephyrhills Mayor Melonie Bahr-Monson speaks at the next Women of East Pasco Business Alliance luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 10 at Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club, 12900 Lake Jovita Blvd., Dade City. Members pay $15. Others pay $20. Register by noon Nov. 6. 

Visit eastpascochamber.org for details about the chamber and events. 

 

Zephyrhills to host Veterans Day parade Nov. 7

ZEPHYRHILLS – Main Street Zephyrhills will host its annual Veterans Day Parade from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 7 in the downtown historic district along 5th Avenue.

The parade will feature local veterans, community organizations, businesses and other participants honoring those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Zephyrhills was founded in 1910 as a retirement community for Civil War veterans. The city continues to recognize military service through community events and local veterans’ organizations.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to line the streets downtown for the celebration.

On the web: MainStreetZephyrhills.org

 

Teen last seen in Oviedo remains missing

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is asking for the public’s help to bring a missing teen home.

Aniyah Breeding, 17, was last seen in Oviedo on Oct. 7. She is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds, and has brown eyes and brown hair. 

Authorities believe Aniyah may stay in Seminole County or may travel to the Winter Haven area.

If you have any information about Aniyah or her disappearance, call NCMEC at 1-800-843-5678 or the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office at 407-665-6650.

 

Tampa Bay Water receives $10 million state grant

CRYSTAL RIVER – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $100 million in grants for 45 projects aimed at restoring Florida’s springs and expanding alternative water supplies.

Tampa Bay Water will receive $10 million to expand its surface water treatment capacity by 12.5 million gallons per day to meet demand.

Since 2019, Florida lawmakers have appropriated $385 million for the Alternative Water Supply Grant Program.

On the web: ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov/Grants.

 

Water management district elects governing board officers

BROOKSVILLE – The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board has elected officers for the 2026-27 term. 

Dustin Rowland was elected treasurer of the governing board. Rowland represents Pasco County and serves as the president and owner of Rowland Truck Lines Inc., Rowland Cattle Company LLC and Dustin Rowland LLC. Rowland was appointed to the governing board in February 2023.

Other elected officers include Jack Bispham (Manatee County), Ashley Bell Barnett (Polk County) and John Hall (Polk County).

The board establishes policies for protecting water resources, reducing flood risks and meeting public water needs. Members are unpaid volunteers appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. 

 

Pasco County announces November meeting schedule

PASCO COUNTY – The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners has announced its November public meeting and hearing schedule.

The schedule includes a planning meeting at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 in Dade City, a commission meeting at 10 a.m. Nov. 17 in Dade City and a planning meeting at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in New Port Richey.

Meetings are open to the public and broadcast live on Pasco Television and the county’s YouTube channel.

Residents wishing to provide virtual public comments must register by 4 p.m. the day before the meeting. In-person comments are also accepted.

On the web: MyPasco.net.

 

Man dies following shooting in Hudson

HUDSON – A 29-year-old man has died following a shooting in the Hudson area, according to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

Deinis Carrillo died from injuries sustained in the shooting, which deputies began investigating Oct. 22 near Joliet Street.

Investigators initially reported that Carrillo appeared to have been shot at an unknown location before driving his vehicle. He was transported for medical treatment.

In an Oct. 26 update, the sheriff’s office confirmed Carrillo’s death and said the shooting was not random.

Authorities have not disclosed the exact location of the shooting, citing an ongoing criminal investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Pasco Sheriff’s Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488.

 

Port Richey facilities to get FEMA money

LAKE MARY – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded more than $94 million for 121 projects supporting disaster recovery and mitigation efforts across Florida.

The funding includes more than $15 million through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to reduce damage from future disasters.

Nearly $1 million will support wind-resistance upgrades and backup power at fire stations, including the Port Richey Fire Department and city administration and police department buildings. The improvements are designed to withstand winds up to 151 mph.

 

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay earns national accreditation

TAMPA – The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has earned its third consecutive four-year accreditation from COA Accreditation, a service of Social Current.

The designation follows a 16-month evaluation of the nonprofit’s administration, management and service delivery practices. The review included documentation of compliance with national standards and interviews with stakeholders. 

“The COA process is a deep dive into numerous aspects of our operations,” said Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. “The Crisis Center team works diligently to maintain the rigorous standards set by Social Current for the COA Accreditation. This confirms that we are offering community members the highest level of care and service to ensure that no one in our community has to face crisis alone.”

On the web: crisiscenter.com

 

PORT RICHEY – SERVPRO Team George is known for residential and commercial restoration, remediation and reconstruction services throughout the Tampa Bay region, but on Dec. 17, it will become a hub for Toy Express. 

Toy Express is a national program that brings families, first responders and community partners together for an evening of toys, treats and holiday festivities. This will mark the third annual event for SERVPRO Team George.

Families connected to Chasco K-8 Community School will be invited, while SERVPRO Team George is expanding its outreach to additional local organizations serving children and families throughout the area. 

“Toy Express has become incredibly meaningful to our entire team,” said Nora George, president of SERVPRO Team George. “We live here, we work here and we have built our business here. Being a good community partner means more than showing up when something goes wrong. It means finding ways to strengthen the community around us and make a difference for the children and families who call it home.” 

Last year’s event was particularly meaningful as many local families continued to navigate the impact of the hurricanes. The company welcomed 496 local children and distributed hundreds of toys. 

Toy Express is hosted in partnership with the First Responders Children’s Foundation and with support from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

JUNO BEACH – Florida Power & Light Company is sharing tips to help customers reduced standby electricity use and lower their energy bills. 

Such “energy vampires” are devices that appear turned off but are still plugged in, and they can account for 5% to 10% of household energy use, according to FPL. The biggest standby power users in your home:

• Entertainment systems are usually the worst offenders. Cable boxes, gaming consoles and sound systems stay in standby mode 24/7, ready to respond instantly when you grab the remote.
• Kitchen appliances with digital displays – coffee makers, microwaves, toaster ovens – keep their clocks running and displays lit at all times.
• Chargers and power adapters continue drawing power whether your devices are connected or not. That warm laptop charger sitting on your desk? It’s using electricity even when your laptop is nowhere near it.
• Printers and computer equipment maintain network connections and stay ready for wireless printing commands, even in “sleep” mode.

FPL offers these strategies: 

• Use power strips for entertainment centers. Plug your cable box, gaming console and sound system into one strip and flip the switch when you’re done watching TV. Cable boxes and gaming consoles typically use much more standby power than smaller devices.
• Unplug occasional-use items. That coffee maker, toaster oven or printer doesn’t need to stay plugged in 24/7 if you only use it once a day.
• Check your chargers. Unplug phone, laptop and tablet chargers when you’re not actively charging something.

Visit FPL.com/WaystoSave for more tips and tools. 

TAMPA – GTE Financial has named Hope Services its November Charity of the Month.

Hope Services helps people with disabilities and others facing barriers to employment build skills, find work and achieve greater independence. 

The nonprofit plans to move into the credit union’s former building at 6901 Old County Road 52 in Hudson. The building will become its second Life Skills and Vocational Training Center.

“What started as a conversation about how we could support Hope Services has grown into something much bigger,” said Manny Aguilar, chief experience officer at GTE Financial. “It’s incredibly meaningful to know that a building once used to serve our members will now help individuals develop new skills, gain independence and pursue meaningful careers. This is exactly what GTE Financial’s people helping people philosophy is all about.”

The partnership is personal for Claudia Lawson. The community financial center manager nominated Hope Services for Charity of the Month.

After helping Hope Services establish its banking relationship with GTE, Lawson began volunteering with the nonprofit’s Dream Team, which supports the inclusive Dance Your Dream celebration. Through that relationship, Hope Services learned about GTE’s former Hudson building, which it later purchased for its second training center.

“I’ve been personally touched by the work Hope Services does and the incredible people they serve,” Lawson said. “Having the opportunity to work with the organization, meet its participants and see the impact of its programs firsthand has been incredibly rewarding. I’m excited to see how the new Hudson center will create even more opportunities for the people and families they serve.”

Plans for the new Hudson center include a commercial kitchen, a construction training room and a simulated hospital room. Future programming is also expected to include retail and hospitality training.

“More individuals with disabilities will have access to the training, resources and opportunities they need to build independent, fulfilling lives,” said Cindy Bray, founder and CEO of Hope Services. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support of GTE Financial and the opportunity to transform a former credit union building into a place where people can discover their potential and prepare for meaningful careers.”

Throughout November, community members can support Hope Services by making a donation at any GTE Financial Community Financial Center or through Zelle using . 

Eligible members can also contribute through GTE’s Future Change program, which rounds up qualifying transactions to support charitable causes.

GTE employees raised more than $120,000 last year for the credit union’s Charity of the Month initiative.

On the web: hopegetsjobs.org or gtefinancial.org/about/charities