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Pasco County leaders recommend moratorium on data centers

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DADE CITY – The Pasco County Planning Commission is recommending leaders approve a moratorium on the acceptance of applications and permits related to data centers within unincorporated Pasco County.

The planning commission came to this decision June 11 after hearing from several residents concerned about the impact data centers will have on the environment and their quality of life. The recommendation will be taken into consideration by the Pasco County Board of Commissioners, who were scheduled to discuss the issue June 16.

The moratorium would be for 12 months, giving the county time to evaluate the impact of data centers and other largeload customers on the community before accepting any applications for permits, site plans and other development services.

A member of Pasco County Planning Development and Economic Growth told the planning commission there are four key research points:
• Compatibility of data centers with surrounding land uses.
• Impacts on electricity demand, water consumption, wastewater treatment capacity and environmental concerns like noise and light pollution.
• Efficacy of best practices from jurisdictions nationwide.
• The appropriateness of data centers and if there is a need to develop definitions and performance standards to regulate or prohibit the use.

A significant amount of the planning commission’s discussion centered on whether the language of the moratorium was restrictive enough to prevent developers and their attorneys from spotting loopholes to push a data center through.

Planning Director David Engel explained to the commission that staff will consult industry professionals and utilities as well as engage with stakeholders and the public. They will collect “a library of white papers and research.”
“Then we’re going to prepare, through assistance from our county attorney’s office, a draft ordinance to regulate and/or prohibit data centers here in Pasco County,” Engel said.
Residents take aim at data centers 
Ryan Broome, of Odessa, opposes data centers being built in Pasco County. He explained the trade-offs associated with their development.

“Data centers often occupy large tracts of land that could otherwise be used for a variety of uses, including housing, parks, small businesses or mixed uses,” Broome told the planning commission. “Once these facilities are built, they can shape the character of a community for decades.”

Broome said they typically employ fewer people than office campuses or commercial developments of similar size.
He also shared concerns about their demands on infrastructure, such as electricity and water, as well as noise from cooling equipment, backup generators and electrical gear.
Jami Thornton, of Port Richey, supports the temporary moratorium but she’d prefer to see a permanent ban.
“If it’s ever considered, other countries are doing far more superior things than using land,” Thornton said. “They are putting them underwater, since water is such a big resource that these data centers need.”
Marilyn Holleran, of Hudson, wanted the commissione to consider the environmental impact. She was representing the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida during the hearing.
“Pasco County is on the front line of climate change,” Holleran said. “Rising seas, record heat, worsening storms and hyperscale data centers are among the largest single source of new carbon emissions and heat load on the planet. Approving one here without a climate impact study is a decision this county would feel for generations.”
One path forward, she said, involved requiring renewable energy sourcing, greenhouse gas and climate impact assessment, and annual public carbon reporting.
Doris Carroll spoke on behalf of the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Pasco County.
“When industrial facilities of this scale move into a county, they do not land in wealthy neighborhoods,” Carroll said. “They land next to the people who have the least power to stop them and the least resources to flag the consequences.”
She asked commissioners which communities will bear the noise, heat, exhaust, water flow and infrastructure burden of allowing data centers in and if they know it’s coming.
David Hammond, of Wesley Chapel, offered suggestions on how to manage the development of data centers in Pasco County, such as providing an industrial center away from homes and surrounded by hundreds of acres of mature trees. He also suggested making the power grid and aquifer off limits to billion-dollar corporations, requiring them to develop their own clean power source and immersion cooling technology.
“Pasco County has valuable resources,” Hammond said. “A data center developer wants access to land, power and water. This means that the county holds the cards. We dictate what the terms of doing business in Pasco County are if you want to build and operate a data center here.”
Cindy Skarda, of San Antonio, reminded the planning commission that the Tampa Bay region is experiencing its worst drought in 50 years with residents being asked to conserve water as part of a water shortage order.
“I’m being asked to not water my lawn, not wash my car, turn off the water while I’m brushing my teeth, but we are going to consider massive data centers that consume huge amounts of our precious water?” Skarda said. “Do we really need more data centers in Florida?”
Potential data center applicant speaks up 
Someone asked staff if there were plans to put a data center at Speros, Fl, a 775-acre global research park in Land O’ Lakes.
“I want to let the public and the planning commission know: We have no active application for a data center at this time,” Engel told the commission. “I do want to let you know that I’ve had some brief communication with some data center users. Nothing definitive. There’s no concept site plan. There’s no specific plans to move on anything, just inquiries. As of late, we’ve had one inquiry about a data center to be potentially located in an employment center business park, but that was just conceptual. There’s nothing active right now. In the case of Speros, we have had general conversations with them over the last three years about the need for some type of data center support that’s focused on delivering services only to the campus.”
Later in the hearing, David Miltenberger, of Parkland, shared plans with the commission to open a 19.9-megawatt data center at an industrial park in the Double Branch development near Interstate 75. Miltenberger said he had no neighbors and his center would use less water annually than most car washes, hotels and golf courses.
“There are frankly a lot of new inventions and technologies that have been created that allow us to use much, much fewer resources than has been talked about,” Miltenberger said. “We actually fully, fully support much of what has been talked about today related to large data center companies. We are not that.”
He told the planning commission that his stance is not to stop the moratorium. He encouraged local leaders to follow the state’s lead in regulating larger data centers. He suggested they consider requiring data centers be located no more than 1,000 feet from a substation.
“That will further allow your county to make sure no data centers are going in random places around the community,” he said.
The planning commission asked Miltenberger several questions about how his data center would operate. There was some disagreement about whether Miltenberger had the zoning to follow through on his vision.
“First of all, Mr. Miltenberger made a statement that he’s zoned,” Engel assured the planning commission. “We don’t permit data centers here in Pasco County, so he does not have the zoning.”
Miltenberger told the planning commission that he had been engaged in a three-month negotiation to get the site under contract and was under the impression they had the zoning to move forward with his project. He was shocked to learn about the moratorium.
He assumed the master planned unit development district would allow data centers since they were an industrial or light industrial use.

Sunlake High graduation: Principal Merlin can relate

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TAMPA – 2026 not only marks one of the most accomplished graduating classes in Sunlake High School history but it’s also a personal milestone for Principal Kara Merlin.

Forty years ago, Merlin walked across the stage as a graduating senior. She remembers life being much slower in 1986. 

“If you had told me that today’s teenagers would be inseparable from a device you can hold in your hand, secure on your wrist or wear as spectacles, and that this singular device would replace a Walkman, a camera, encyclopedias, textbooks, telephones and also give away your location, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Merlin told students on June 5 at the Yuengling Center. 

She connected this nostalgia to a man walking across eight lanes of traffic one Thursday afternoon at Little Road and State Road 54. She noticed how the pedestrian started walking into the intersection before transitioning into a jog. 

She wondered why everyone seems to be in a hurry. 

“I want you to take time to appreciate how awesome the world is for you compared to what it was like when I graduated way back when,” she said, mentioning tools like smartphones and social media that help us connect to information simultaneously. “Live in the moment. Let the memories you create be etched deeply in your mind and not just in the cloud.”

The Class of 2026 achieved the highest graduation rate in school history, according to Merlin. The class also had 369 honors graduates, including Valedictorian Isheeta Mishra.

“I don’t think any of us got here on our own, “ Isheeta said. “Not because we didn’t work hard, but because at some point, somebody made things a little easier for us when they didn’t have to.”

A couple of these instances happened during her freshman year. Isheeta remembers feeling overwhelmed when her schedule changed mid-year and she didn’t know where to go. A senior noticed and offered to take her to the office. 

“My schedule never changed, but my perspective did because, at that moment, a complete stranger I never saw again went out of their way to care when they didn’t have to,” Isheeta said. “And I think that’s something we don’t really notice while it’s happening.”

She told classmates that there will be times when they see someone feeling overwhelmed or lost like she was. They can walk on by or intervene. 

She encouraged classmates to become random people in “someone else’s story.”

Salutatorian Kayla Rivera’s parting wisdom also involved decisions.

“In your future, every choice you make, every step you take, and everything you work toward should be something that you want to do,” Rivera said. 

She encouraged classmates to make decisions that won’t lead to what-ifs later. She evoked author Mark Twain, when she said,  “Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from bad decisions.”

Slight adjustments like studying harder for the next test can ensure you don’t bomb one again. Surrounding yourself around people that encourage you can help, too.

“With the right people, good choices are much clearer to see and easier to make,” she said. “In the end, this life is yours and yours only. Do what will make you happy and proud of yourself in the future. Don’t worry about what others will think of you. At the end of the day, you are the one who lives with the consequences of your actions.”

 

Wesley Chapel High graduation: Success is more than numbers

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TAMPA – Principal Matt McDermott said that Wesley Chapel High School’s Class of 2026 demonstrated intelligence, talent and determination. After all, the numbers speak for themselves. 

Among those walking across the stage to receive diplomas June 6 at Yuengling Center were 250 students who graduated with honors, 122 who passed the Florida Civics Literacy Exam, 60 who earned AP Capstone diplomas and 17 who earned associate degrees. The 26th graduating class at Wesley Chapel High School earned more than $4 million in scholarships. 

Then there were the students who contributed to team success that led to conference and district titles in baseball, track and weightlifting as well as superior ratings by the band. 

“Beyond the awards, titles and recognitions, what I am most proud of is the character that you have demonstrated,”  McDermott told graduates. “You supported one another, showed resilience through challenges and created memories that will last well beyond these walls. Take a moment today to congratulate yourself. You have earned it.”

Camden Battey, who earned the distinction of valedictorian, said he once believed the future was built with numbers like grades, SAT scores and having among the top grade point averages in the class. 

“Somewhere between these expectations, I think we lost track of something,” Battey said. “We were already living in the moments we were working so hard for – random nights spent laughing more than working, learning how to play pickleball, early mornings at the beach or staying at Culver’s until close. Because years from now, we won’t remember every assignment or test score. But we will remember how these moments felt, the people we laughed with, the inside jokes I put in this speech, the ordinary days that turned out to matter the most. Those moments will stick with us.”

Salutatorian Christopher Koschman gave a speech along the same lines. 

“Looking back on it, high school was never just about passing tests or getting good grades,” Koschman said. “It was about figuring things out and finding yourself while doing it. It was about finding the people who matter most to you, figuring out the things you thrive at, and sometimes seeing what needs improvement. And most importantly, figuring out how to get back up and persevere even when faced with adversity.”

Business Digest (06/03/26): Chamber events

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North Tampa Bay events

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

  • Members celebrate the grand opening of Worthington Agency with a ribbon cutting from 4 to 6 p.m. June 4 at 35366 Pure Water Way,  Zephyrhills. 
  • Michelle Stanaland, founder of Shark Branding Solutions, talks about preparing companies to become AI-ready during the Leading Ladies Network from 9 to 10:30 a.m. June 5 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 a ribbon cutting, Hudson Business Exchange as well as medical and veterans roundtables. 

  • Marissa Banico, senior associate of strategic markets at United Way Suncoast, talks about her nonprofit’s work during the Greater Pasco Medical Roundtable from 8 to 9 a.m. June 4 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 celebrate the opening of Kiddie Academy Educational Childcare Center of Land O’ Lakes with a ribbon cutting from 10 to 11 a.m. June 4 at 17881 Aprile Drive, Land O’ Lakes. 
  • Members trade business materials during the Hudson Business Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 4 at Vitality Living Baypoint Village, 7927 State Road 52, Hudson. Members get in free. Others pay $10. Lunch costs $14. Register in advance. 
  • Members attend the Greater Pasco Veterans Roundtable from 8 to 9:30 a.m. June 10 at 4 & Co Coworking Spaces, 16703 Early Riser Ave., Land O’ Lakes. 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 Coffee & Networking.

  • Members mingle during After Hours Networking from 4 to 5 p.m. June 4 at Dade City Tap House & Spirits, 37916 Pasco Ave., Dade City. 
  • Members interact with each other during Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. June 9 at the Dade City office (14112 8th St.) and 8 to 9 a.m. April 3 at the Zephyrhills office (38550 5th Ave.). Register in advance.

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

 

What’s Happening: June 3-10, 2026

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June 3

Handwork Circle

Land O’ Lakes Library offers Handwork Circle, a program intended for adults and teens who have previous handwork experience. Bring a project and meet with others who enjoy crocheting, knitting, counted cross stitch or hand sewing. All Makerspace programs require closed-toe shoes and completed waiver. 813-929-1214

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy, Land O’ Lakes

 

Baby Storytime

Land O’ Lakes Library offers a Baby Storytime designed to instill the love of reading in children at an early age. The lap-sit program is suitable for babies up to age 1 and their caregivers. 813-929-1214

10:15-10:35 or 11:15-11:35 a.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy, Land O’ Lakes

 

Storytime

Regency Park Library hosts a Storytime for children in early literacy stages. 727-861-3049

10:15-11 a.m. or 11:15-noon; 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey

 

Preschool Storytime

Children, ages 3-5, listen to stories and songs during Preschool Storytime at Hugh Embry Library. 352-567-3576

10:15-11 a.m. or 11:15 a.m.-noon; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

Chair Yoga

Zephyrhills Public Library offers a chair yoga class. Call 813-780-0064 to register.

10:30-11:30 or 11:30 a.m.-noon; 5347 8th St., Zephyrhills

 

Tiara Club

South Holiday Library invites adults to create hair jewelry. Registration is required. 727-834-3331

2-4 p.m.; 4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday

 

Ingenuity Lab 

Hugh Embry Library offers an Ingenuity Lab with materials and activities that encourage children to create and explore. This week, participants will make whatever they want from the materials provided. Waivers must be signed beforehand. 352-567-3576

2-7 p.m.; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

Chess Club 

New River Library hosts Chess Master-rated coach Rick McKnight for lessons and games. The program is geared for grades 4-12. Intermediate and advanced players can play from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Beginners can play from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Registration required. 813-788-6375

3:30-5:30 p.m.; 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel

 

Mat Yoga

Zephyrhills Public Library invites adults to join instructor Michelle Mack for a mat yoga session. Bring a mat.  813-780-0064

4-5 p.m.; 5347 8th St., Zephyrhills

 

Teen Advisory Board 

Regency Park Library invites teens to share ideas for programs, meet friends, have a snack and talk about what’s on their minds. 727-861-3049

4-5 p.m.; 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey

 

Chess Club

The Hugh Embry chess club, a U.S. Chess Federation affiliate, meets weekly and is open to all ages and skill levels at Hugh Embry Library. 352-567-3576

5:15-7:45 p.m.; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

ClayWorks Open Studio

Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center offers open ClayWorks studio hours. Time in the studio is by registration only. Access to the pottery wheels is first come, first served. Prior ceramics experience is recommended. Sign a waiver beforehand. Ages 16 and older are welcome. 727-815-7126

5:30-7:30 p.m.; 12118 Lake Blanche Drive, Odessa

 

Master Gardener 

Land O’ Lakes Library hosts a gardening workshop for beginners and experienced gardeners. Registration required. 813-929-1214

6-7 p.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes

 

English Conversation Corner

Improve reading, writing and speaking with tutor support at Land O’ Lakes Library. 813-929-1214

6-7:30 p.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes

Conversation Corner

Trained tutors help adults improve English reading, writing and speaking skills at Wesley Chapel Library. Designed for ESL learners and those wanting to build literacy skills. 352-518-5064

6-7:30 p.m.; 27531 Mystic Oak Blvd.,Wesley Chapel

 

June 4 

Woodworking

Land O’ Lakes Library invites adults (or youth 9+ with guardian) to use Makerspace tools for approved projects. Bring your own plans and materials. Closed-toe shoes and completed Foundry Waiver & Safety Playbook forms required. Registration required. Call 813-929-1214 for details.

9-10:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.-noon or noon-1:30 p.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes

 

Storytime Fun!

Zephyrhills Public Library invites toddlers and preschoolers for a fun, interactive storytime filled with reading, singing and dancing. Call 813-780-0064 for details.

10-10:20 a.m. or 10:30-10:50 a.m.; 5347 8th St., Zephyrhills

 

Support Group

Land O’ Lakes Library hosts a monthly Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, led by a trained facilitator from the Alzheimer’s Association. Call 813-929-1214 for details.

10-11:30 a.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes

 

Ingenuity Lab

Children work on open art projects during Ingenuity Lab: Open Ar at Hugh Embry Library. Call 352-567-3576 for details.

2-5 p.m.; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

Mat Yoga

Zephyrhills Public Library invites adults to join instructor Michelle Mack for a mat yoga session. Bring a mat. The library does not provide one. Call 813-780-0064 for details.

4-5 p.m.; 5347 8th St., Zephyrhills

 

Plant Parent Club

Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center hosts Plant Parent Club with a walk along neighboring wetlands. Registration required. Call 727-815-7126 for details.

6-7 p.m.; 12118 Lake Blanche Drive, Odessa

 

Yarn for a Cause

New River Library invites yarn enthusiasts to a weekly gathering to share projects, tips and conversation. Call 813-788-6375 for details.

6-7 p.m.; 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel

 

June 5

Driver Safety 

Zephyrhills Public Library hosts an AARP Smart Driver Safety Course for drivers 50 and older, led by instructor Glenn Frances. Learn defensive driving techniques, proven safety strategies and new traffic laws. No tests required; completion may qualify for a three-year insurance discount. Bring a lunch. Registration required. Call 904-544-8734 for details.

9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; 5347 8th St., Zephyrhills

 

Conversation Corner

Hugh Embry Library hosts trained tutors to help adults improve English reading, writing and speaking skills. Designed for ESL learners and English speakers wanting to strengthen literacy skills. Call 352-567-3576 for details.

10-10:30 a.m.; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

Ingenuity Lab

Children work on open art projects during Ingenuity Lab: Open Ar at Hugh Embry Library. Call 352-567-3576 for details.

10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

BINGO!

Hugh Embry Library invites the community to enjoy bingo with a chance to win prizes. Call 352-567-3576 for details.

2-3 p.m.; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

June 6

Turn & Learn

Land O’ Lakes Library invites adults for guided woodturning with skilled mentors during Tri County Woodturners Turn & Learn. Two sessions offered. Prior lathe experience required. Closed-toe shoes and completed Foundry Waiver & Safety Playbook forms required. Registration required. Call 813-929-1214 for details.

9 a.m.-noon or 12:30-3:30 p.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes

 

Kids Legos

Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center invites families to build with Legos. Call 727-815-7126 for details.

10 a.m.-noon; 12118 Lake Blanche Drive, Odessa

 

Book Club

The Saturday Book Club discusses “The Berlin Letters” by Katherine Reay at New River Library. Call 813-788-6375 for details. 

10:30-11:30 a.m.; 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel

 

Read to Rover

Hugh Embry Library invites young readers and their families to read with therapy dogs from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Call 352-567-3576 for details.

10:30-11:30 a.m.; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

Ingenuity Lab

Children work on open art projects during Ingenuity Lab: Open Ar at Hugh Embry Library. Call 352-567-3576 for details.

10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

Ukulele Jam

New River Library hosts the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society for a jam session. Bring your ukulele and join the fun. Call 813-788-6375 for details.

Noon-2 p.m.; 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel

 

Conversation Corner

Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center hosts casual English practice with trained tutors. Designed for adults looking to improve speaking, listening, reading and writing. Supplies provided. No registration required. Call 727-815-7126 or email for details.

3-4:30 p.m.; 12118 Lake Blanche Drive, Odessa

 

June 8

Friends of Library 

Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center hosts the Friends of the Library Board of Directors meeting to discuss events, fundraising and community outreach. Open to all. Call 727-815-7126 for details.

10 a.m.-noon; 12118 Lake Blanche Drive, Odessa

 

Ingenuity Lab

Children create Father’s Day gifts Ingenuity Lab: Father’s Day at Hugh Embry Library. Call 352-567-3576 for details.

10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

Free Art Closet

Centennial Park Library opens its community art supply closet with free materials including beads, yarn, paint, brushes and more. Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Sponsored by Friends of the Library and community donations. Make an appointment by calling 727-834-3204 for details.

4-6 p.m.; 5740 Moog Road, Holiday

 

Master Gardener 

Regency Park Library hosts UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener volunteers for a presentation on how to select, plant, and care for trees. Call 727-861-3049 for details.

6-7:30 p.m.; 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey

 

June 9

Woodworking

Land O’ Lakes Library invites adults (or youth 9+ with guardian) to use Makerspace tools for approved projects. Bring your own plans and materials. Closed-toe shoes and completed Foundry Waiver & Safety Playbook forms required. Registration required. Call 813-929-1214 for details.

10-11:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes

 

Book Sale

The Friends of the Library holds its weekly book sale at Land O’ Lakes Library. Call 813-929-1214 for details.

10 a.m.-noon; 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes

 

Toddler Storytime

Children up to 2 years old join in stories, songs, movement and other fun activities at Hugh Embry Library. Call 352-567-3576 for details.

10:15-11 a.m. or 11:15 a.m.-noon; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

Yarn for More

Hugh Embry Library hosts a weekly gathering of yarn enthusiasts to share projects, tips and conversation. Call 352-567-3576 for details.

12:15-1:40 p.m.; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

Master Gardeners

New River Library hosts a hands-on gardening workshop on native bees. Registration required. Call 813-788-6375 for details.

2-3:30 p.m.; 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel

 

Ingenuity Lab

Children create Father’s Day gifts Ingenuity Lab: Father’s Day at Hugh Embry Library. Call 352-567-3576 for details.

2-5 p.m.; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

Video Game

Youth ages 9 and older play video games during Tween/Teen Gaming at Zephyrhills Public Library. Call 813-780-0064 for details.

3-4 p.m.; 5347 8th St., Zephyrhills

 

Therapy Dogs

Regency Park Library invites children to practice reading with certified therapy dogs. Relax, read and pet these friendly dogs. Call 727-861-3049 for details.

4:30-5:30 p.m.; 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey

 

June 10

Handwork Circle

Land O’ Lakes Library offers Handwork Circle, a program intended for adults and teens who have previous handwork experience. Bring a project and meet with others who enjoy crocheting, knitting, counted cross stitch or hand sewing. All Makerspace programs require closed-toe shoes and completed waiver. 813-929-1214

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy, Land O’ Lakes

 

Baby Storytime

Land O’ Lakes Library offers a Baby Storytime designed to instill the love of reading in children at an early age. The lap-sit program is suitable for babies up to age 1 and their caregivers. 813-929-1214

10:15-10:35 or 11:15-11:35 a.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy, Land O’ Lakes

 

Preschool Storytime

Children, ages 3-5, listen to stories and songs during Preschool Storytime at Hugh Embry Library. 352-567-3576

10:15-11 a.m. or 11:15 a.m.-noon; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

Chair Yoga

Zephyrhills Public Library offers a chair yoga class. Call 813-780-0064 to register.

10:30-11:30 or 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 5347 8th St., Zephyrhills

 

Chess Club 

New River Library hosts Chess Master-rated coach Rick McKnight for lessons and games. The program is geared for grades 4-12. Intermediate and advanced players can play from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Beginners can play from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Registration required. 813-788-6375

3:30-5:30 p.m.; 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel

 

Mat Yoga

Zephyrhills Public Library invites adults to join instructor Michelle Mack for a mat yoga session. Bring a mat.  813-780-0064

4-5 p.m.; 5347 8th St., Zephyrhills

 

Chess Club

The Hugh Embry chess club, a U.S. Chess Federation affiliate, meets weekly and is open to all ages and skill levels at Hugh Embry Library. 352-567-3576

5:15-7:45 p.m.; 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

 

English Conversation Corner

Improve reading, writing and speaking with tutor support at Land O’ Lakes Library. 813-929-1214

6-7:30 p.m.; 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes

Conversation Corner

Trained tutors help adults improve English reading, writing and speaking skills at Wesley Chapel Library. Designed for ESL learners and those wanting to build literacy skills. 352-518-5064

6-7:30 p.m.; 27531 Mystic Oak Blvd.,Wesley Cha

Airport CEO talks about contributions to regional mobility 

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As you may be aware, the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce recently shared a letter expressing support for a Regional MPO, while raising concerns about voting representation for Tampa International Airport and Port Tampa Bay. l appreciate the chamber’s engagement on this important issue and their recognition that our region functions more effectively as a single, interconnected economic ecosystem. l write today to share why Tampa International Airport (TPA) is an essential force in regional transportation, and why it is imperative for the airport to be a founding and voting member of the proposed Regional MPO. 

First, I want to clarify how we define what it means to be a regional asset and how representation on a Regional MPO should reflect that reality. Tampa International Airport operates under the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA), an independent special district of the State of Florida. It is not – and has never been – a subordinate department of Hillsborough County. 

From its inception, HCAA and Tampa International Airport were established with a regional purpose and have operated consistently in that manner ever since. This is not a recent evolution. It reflects how we were designed and how we have operated for decades. Our governance includes a majority of state-appointed members, and our fiduciary responsibility is to the traveling public and the state economy as a whole. Our master planning, air service development, infrastructure investment and community engagement are all driven by the needs and growth of the broader Tampa Bay region. Our role is defined not by geography, but by function, responsibility and sustained practice. Today, that regional role is even more evident in both data and experience: 

  • TPA serves approximately 25 million passengers annually 
  • TPA generates more than $11 billion in economic impact across the region 
  • TPA serves a primary catchment of more than 3.3 million residents and a broader region of approximately 5.7 million people 
  • Nearly 30% of TPA’s passengers originate from Pinellas County Pinellas County is not merely adjacent to Tampa International Airport. We share a long reciprocal relationship, and Pinellas is integral to our regional and global success. Pinellas residents rely on Tampa International Airport for business travel, tourism access and global connectivity. Your economy benefits directly from the visitors, commerce and opportunities that flow through TPA every day. In every possible way, the airport operates as a shared regional transportation infrastructure. 

The proposed regional MPO is charged with guiding long-term investment, prioritizing infrastructure and positioning our region for sustained growth and competitiveness. The airport is not only part of that system, it is one of its primary drivers. Decisions made within the MPO directly influence access, capacity, connectivity and economic opportunity across all three counties and at TPA. 

That brings us to the central issue before us. If governance is to reflect how our transportation system truly operates, then it must include the institutions that are essential to that system. 

We fully support governance structures that promote equity, collaboration and shared accountability. However, we believe a regional planning organization should be informed by regional transportation voices. Respectfully, excluding Tampa International Airport from a voting role would not improve balance and regional planning outcomes instead, it would risk critical funding opportunities and create a disconnect between key planning decisions and the transportation systems those decisions are meant to support, weakening regional alignment and, ultimately, impacting the residents and communities we are all responsible for serving. 

TPA is recognized as one of the most effective organizations in the region for fostering true collaboration. Our team has literally traveled the world with Visit St. Pete Clearwater and the Pinellas Department of Economic Development and their Global Tampa Bay partners to win and support new nonstop flights and new airlines for our region. The first tri-county meeting between Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough was hosted at TPA building upon the deep connections formed on a business mission together to London in support of our new Virgin Atlantic flights. 

We truly value our longstanding partnership with Pinellas County and remain deeply committed to supporting its residents, businesses and long—term economic success. I look forward to joining you on April 21 to provide an update on Tampa International Airport and to continue our shared work around strengthening regional mobility and economic connectivity across the Tampa Bay Region. 

Michael Stephens is the CEO of Tampa International Airport. Stephens sent this letter to Dave Eggers and the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. 

Port Tampa Bay CEO explains regional transportation role 

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Port Tampa Bay sits at the center of how goods, energy and people move through West Central Florida and throughout the state. That role should be reflected in how we plan for its future.

Port Tampa Bay is not a peripheral voice in regional transportation; it is one of West Central Florida’s primary economic engines. As an independent special district of the state of Florida, we serve not only Hillsborough County but the broader Tampa Bay region. As the state’s largest port by tonnage, Port Tampa Bay handled more than 32 million tons of cargo in 2025 across diversified cargo streams, a role defined by both scale and responsibility.

Strategically located as a deepwater port serving Florida’s fastest-growing population and the I-4 distribution corridor, Port Tampa Bay is a critical link in the movement of goods across the state. Port Tampa Bay’s operations exemplify intermodal transportation, integrating water, rail and road to move cargo efficiently through the region. The port moves the commodities that sustain daily life and economic activity, including fuel, food and other essential commodities. That responsibility does not begin or end at a county line; it is regional by design and necessity.

Every day, the port supports supply chains that extend across Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties and beyond. The data reflects that reality:
• More than 192,000 jobs are tied to port activity
• Over $34 billion in regional economic impact annually
• At least 43% of Florida’s fuel supply moves through Port Tampa Bay

Those figures are not abstract. They translate directly into how this region functions, how people commute, how businesses operate and how communities grow across the region.

Pinellas County is deeply connected to the port’s operations, but the impact is far greater. West Central Florida’s supply chain depends on the consistent movement of goods through our terminals, including lumber, steel and aggregates that support residential and commercial growth across surrounding counties. This is shared infrastructure in the truest sense, and it depends on a reliable network of roads and highways to move freight efficiently across the region.

In addition, the port’s cruise business continues to expand, with a record 1.6 million passengers moving through our terminals last year and an estimated 1.8 million this year. Those visitors stay in local hotels, dine in area restaurants, explore our beaches and museums, and support businesses across West Central Florida, underscoring the port’s role as an economic driver well beyond its gates.

The proposed MPO will make decisions that shape freight movement, roadway access and long-term infrastructure investment. Those decisions will directly affect the port’s ability to operate efficiently and support the broader regional economy.

That is why this matters.

If the MPO is intended to reflect how our transportation system actually works, then its governance must include the institutions that carry the greatest operational responsibility within that system. Excluding the port from a voting role does not create balance; it creates a gap between decision-making and real-world impact, particularly in freight movement across the region.

Over time, that misalignment has consequences: missed funding opportunities, slower project delivery and reduced competitiveness at both the state and national levels.

We support a collaborative regional model grounded in a transportation network that moves people and goods throughout West Central Florida. We have a long history of working alongside partners across all three counties to align priorities, strengthen trade and expand economic opportunity. That approach has produced real results and will continue to do so.

Collaboration should be matched with representation.

I respectfully urge you to support a governance structure that reflects the full scope of the regional transportation network, including a voting role for Port Tampa Bay.

We are ready to continue this work with you and ensure the MPO is positioned to support the region’s long-term growth, resilience and competitiveness.

Paul Anderson is president and CEO of Port Tampa Bay. Anderson sent this letter to Dave Eggers and the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. 

 

Zephyrhills mayor honors wrestler, public works employees

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ZEPHYRHILLS – Melonie Bahr Monson issued two proclamations May 11 recognizing the work of individuals in the community.

One of the proclamations honors staff in the city’s public works department. The other proclamation celebrates the state championship won by Zephyrhills High School wrestler Andrew Bray.

 

National Public Works Week

WHEREAS, public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are vital to sustainable and resilient communities and to the public health, safety, and well-being of the people of the City of Zephyrhills;

WHEREAS, these services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals, including engineers, managers, and employees at all levels, who are responsible for building, maintaining, and protecting our transportation systems, water supply, water treatment, solid waste systems, public buildings, and other essential infrastructure;

WHEREAS, it is in the public interest for citizens, civic leaders, and youth in the City of Zephyrhills to gain knowledge of and maintain an ongoing understanding of the importance of public works and the critical role it plays in everyday life;

WHEREAS, the year 2026 marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week, sponsored by the American Public Works Association, with the theme “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community,” recognizing the essential contributions of public works professionals to our community

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Melonie Bahr Monson, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Zephyrhills, Florida, do hereby proclaim the week of May 17–23, 2026 as NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK and urge all citizens to join with the American Public Works Association and the City of Zephyrhills Public Works Department in recognizing the dedication, service and contributions of public works professionals who enhance our quality of life each and every day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the official seal of the City of Zephyrhills, Pasco County, Florida, this 11th day of May, 2026..

CITY OF ZEPHYRHILLS, FLORIDA

 

Wrestling Champion Andrew Bray

WHEREAS, the City of Zephyrhills takes great pride in recognizing student-athletes whose dedication, perseverance, and achievements bring distinction to our schools and community; and

WHEREAS, Andrew Bray, a senior at Zephyrhills High School, capped an outstanding wrestling career by capturing the 2026 FHSAA Class 2A State Championship in the 175-pound division at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee; and

WHEREAS, Andrew secured the state title with a late takedown in the championship match against Winter Springs’ Jacob Rodriguez, overcoming a 2-1 deficit in the final minute to earn a 4-2 victory; and

WHEREAS, Andrew concluded his senior season with an exceptional 51-3 record and shattered the Zephyrhills High School career takedown record by finishing with 131 takedowns, surpassing the previous school mark; and

WHEREAS, Andrew’s state championship marked a historic milestone for the Zephyrhills High School wrestling program, ending a 23-year drought and crowning the Bulldogs’ first wrestling state champion since the early 2000s; and

WHEREAS, through hard work, determination, and commitment to excellence, Andrew Bray has represented Zephyrhills High School and the City of Zephyrhills with pride, sportsmanship, and Bulldog spirit;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Melonie Bahr Monson, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Zephyrhills, do hereby recognize and commend Andrew Bray 2026 FHSAA Class 2A State Wrestling Champion for his outstanding athletic accomplishments and for the pride he brings to the City of Zephyrhills and Zephyrhills High School.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the official seal of the City of Zephyrhills, Pasco County, Florida on this 11th day of May, 2026. 

 

Pasco County Schools puts spotlight on Tourette Syndrome

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LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County School Board member Colleen Beaudoin smiled as she watched a video of Adrianna Trader explain how she educates classmates at Thomas E. Weightman Middle School about Tourette Syndrome. 

The video was filmed eight years ago but shown during the May 19 school board meeting in honor of Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month from May 15 to June 15. Adrianna went on to graduate from Wesley Chapel High School in 2023.

“As many of you know, this impacts my family,” Beaudoin told the crowd during the May 19 school board meeting. “I used to facilitate a local support group and Adrianna was in that support group.”

Beaudoin read a proclamation explaining the campaign and encouraged the community to show support by wearing teal on Tuesdays now through June 15. 

She said Tourette Syndrome usually shows up between ages 6 and 10 as motor or vocal tics. These involuntary movements may start as a blink or nose twitch and progress to include tics of the neck or limbs as well as pacing or kicking. Verbal tics may include grunting, throat-clearing, shouting or barking. 

“What you often see portrayed in the media about people with Tourette is called coprolalia, the involuntarily outburst of obscene words or socially inappropriate remarks,” she said. “Only a very small percentage of people with TS experience this. It is important to remember that tics are outside of a person’s control and that Tourette Syndrome does not negatively impact intelligence. In fact, many students with TS are identified as gifted.”

A couple of recent Pasco County Schools graduates were introduced during the topic, including one studying information technology at the University of South Florida. 

Here is the proclamation read into the record by Beaudoin:

 

Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month 

Whereas, Tourette Syndrome is an inherited neurological disorder that is characterized by involuntary physical and vocal tics that occur many times a day; and 

Whereas, Tourette Syndrome is often accompanied by other mental health disorders, such as Attention Deficit, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, learning disabilities and anxiety; and 

Whereas, Tourette Syndrome and persistent tic disorders affect approximately one in 50 children. According to the 2020 Census, more than 85,786 school-age children in the State of Florida alone are dealing with Tourette Syndrome and although some of these cases are aided by medication there is no standard treatment or known cure for this disorder; and 

Whereas, there is an important need for more professional help with interest and expertise to identify, counsel and treat people with Tourette syndrome, a disorder that is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood; and 

Whereas, positive actions to assist children and families living with Tourette Syndrome would result in a broadening of public and professional knowledge and acceptance of Tourette Syndrome; and 

Whereas, the Tourette Association of America is actively providing services to families, educating medial professionals and teachers and supporting research to better understand the signs and treatments of Tourette Syndrome.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that May 15 to June 15,2026, will be recognized as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month in Pasco County as a special month to promote understanding, compassion and acceptance for all of our fellow citizens who serve and need our support to break the stigma that surrounds Tourette Syndrome. 

 

Pasco County agrees on regional MPO structure

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NEW PORT RICHEY – Leaders in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties have each agreed on the structure for a regional group that will plan major transportation projects. 

Each county currently operates its own Metropolitan Planning Organization, but the MPOs have been in talks for many years about consolidating to take a more regional approach to transportation planning. 

“A single MPO amplifies public input and participation,” explained Tania Gorman, executive director for the Pasco MPO, to her board on May 21. “And then we’re a unified decision-making body to be looked at as not just three single MPOs but one large MPO so that we can possibly get more discretionary funds and be a part of the larger discussions here in the Tampa Bay region.”

Pasco County MPO approved a structure May 21 that would give Hillsborough County 10 of the 25 voting seats. Pinellas County would have eight, Pasco County would have five and Port Tampa Bay and Tampa International Airport would each have one. 

Voting has been a hot topic in Pinellas County as a previous proposal would have given Hillsborough County 13 voting seats, giving it more than 50% of the vote. 

Chris Steinocher, president and CEO of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, wrote a letter to Forward Pinellas Executive Director Whit Blanton calling for the consideration of moving a Hillsborough seat to Pasco and designating the two seats to the port authority and airport. 

Leaders for Port Tampa Bay and Tampa International Airport also sent letters to the Pinellas County Commissioners expressing the importance of their organizations having a vote on the regional MPO. 

These changes were reflected on what Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties have voted on. 

Pasco County’s five seats on the regional MPO will include four designated for the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners and one seat to represent cities, which will rotate among New Port Richey, Port Richey, Zephyrhills and Dade City. 

“I like the structure; however, if four commissioners aren’t going to show to a meeting, I want to make sure the other commissioner that’s not going to be on there can go,” Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano said. “And if he can’t go, then any of the other cities go.”

This generated some brief discussion about alternates. The Pasco County MPO ultimately decided that voting alternates may come from the cities.