The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Staff Reports

TransCare Medical Transportation hits 30-year milestone

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Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, and John Mikula, senior director of TransCare Operations, show a proclamation from the City of Tampa proclaiming Sept. 16 as TransCare Medical Transportation Services Day. Photo courtesy of Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

TAMPA – TransCare Medical Transportation, a division of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, is celebrating 30 years as a licensed EMS service.

TransCare began in 1982 by providing behavioral health transportation in Hillsborough County. On Sept. 16, 1996, TransCare received its EMS license and started to provide emergency medical ambulance transportation.

“The mission of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is to ensure that no one in our community has to face crisis alone,” said Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. “When someone needs to be transported to the hospital by ambulance, it may be one of the most difficult experiences of their life. For 30 years, TransCare has been on scene when people are facing an emergency medical crisis, and we are so thankful to be able to celebrate this milestone. We are honored to be part of our community’s EMS system and will continue to be there 24/7 to answer the call.”

Today, TransCare continues to provide Basic Life Support 911 ambulance service. It is the primary BLS provider in the City of Tampa. TransCare provides Baker Act and Marchman Act behavioral health transports in Hillsborough and Pasco counties and non-emergency BLS and Advance Life Support interfacility medical transportation in Hillsborough County. It also operates a community paramedicine program that helps individuals struggling with opioid use with Medication Assisted Treatment, basic medical needs and connections to recovery programs.

 

Castor opposes data centers in Hillsborough County

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TAMPA – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) expressed strong opposition to data centers in Hillsborough County in a Sept. 10 letter to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. 

Castor highlighted the strains on pocketbooks and local resources associated with data center development that can drive up electric and water bills for residents, farmers and small businesses.

In Hillsborough County, the average electric utility bill has increased by over 40% in the past five years. Castor’s bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act would require data centers to pay the full costs of energy demand and protect ratepayers from data center rate hikes.

The letter is as follows: 

Dear Commissioner[s]:

As the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners considers the future of data centers in our community, I would like to relay my strong opposition to the siting of data centers in Hillsborough County. The potential impacts on the cost of living for our residents and on our community’s essential resources are too significant to ignore.

As the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy Subcommittee, I have led the national conversation in Congress as we grapple with high energy bills and rising electricity demand from data centers. I’m proud to lead the Ratepayer Protection Act – a bipartisan bill that requires data centers to pay the full costs of their energy demand. Data centers cannot be allowed to pass on their costs to hardworking Florida families and small businesses. The Ratepayer Protection Act would preserve local control over siting and permitting decisions – because these are decisions that should be made by the people and communities where these facilities are being built.

Equally troubling is the immense water usage required for cooling these facilities. In a state where water resources are already under pressure from population growth and climate challenges, diverting millions of gallons for private corporations is neither sustainable nor in the public’s best interest. The county faces moderate to extreme drought conditions, limiting our public water supplies and hurting our farming communities.Anchor[2] Hillsborough County and Tampa Bay Water are grappling with huge new water demand requirements and costs. Plant City is already turning to creative water solutions, like reuse for crop freeze protection, and population growth that are threatening local aquifer levels. Community leaders have expressed to me their strong opposition to data centers that could further strain our limited water supplies.

I am also deeply concerned about the new state law permitting nondisclosure agreements for data centers. Secret deals are wrong. This lack of transparency undermines public trust and prevents residents from fully understanding the environmental, economic, and infrastructural impact on their lives. Our community deserves immediate open access to information about developments that could affect our daily lives for decades to come.

Data centers cannot come at a cost to neighbors who are already facing high grocery, gas, utility, health care and housing costs. We need to make sure these projects actually bring good-paying jobs to our community and that workers, families, and neighborhoods aren’t forced to pay the burden of rapid technology growth, while out-of-state tech billionaires get richer.

Please act decisively to protect Hillsborough County’s residents, resources, and long-term sustainability.

I respectfully urge you to prioritize the public interest over private profit.

Thank you for your time, service, and commitment to our community.

 

Pasco students among semifinalists for National Merit Scholarships

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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. 

Semifinalists from Pasco County schools included: 

  • Academy at the Lakes – Walter Levy.
  • Hudson High – Stephanie Burgos.
  • Land O’ Lakes High – Julian W. Coburn, Narendran Karikkathil, Akaash K. Patel and Khushi R. Talati.
  • George M. Steinbrenner High – Zaina S. Dubey, Denis Kurylev, Abhinav S. Muvva, Sydney G. Rayburn, Owen D. Schousboe and Hudson P. Thompson.
  • Gulf High – Chris Misquith.
  • Homeschool – Javen J. Waechter.
  • J.W. Mitchell High – Suraj Paidela, Isabella Porcelli and Ishaanth Ravichandran.
  • Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation – Julian Gutierrez.
  • Pasco High – Alexander Villalvazo Mendez.
  • Wesley Chapel High – Joash Park.
  • Wiregrass Ranch High – Aarna Barr, Sebastiano F. Endara-Sargeant and Sydney C. Kim.

Semifinalists from Hillsborough County schools included: 

  • Academy of the Holy Names – Hadley M. Angle, Cristina B. Contreras, Katelyn Hoar and Margarita M. Valdez Puente.
  • Berkeley Preparatory School – Ravin Alahakoon, Jay Alvarez, Nicholas Capo, Damian Caraballo, Jianlin Chen, Charles Fisher, Kailash Gowda, Oliver Hernandez, Christopher Leonardo, Chilok Mak, Simona Pimiento, Carson Radnay, Ryan E. Rich, Aryan Saha, Walter Stephens, Akarsh Thalakola and Dhruv S. Tummala.
  • Bloomingdale High – Jacob J. Abraham, Lawrence V. Derosier and Emerson J. Spencer.
  • Brandon Academy High – Brian Nguyen.
  • Braulio Alonso High – Alex L. Kohler and Havisha Mula.
  • C. Leon King High – Stuart Dickinson, Amber B. Jiang, Jerry P. Lee, Frederick Li, Satchel F. Puhr and Sheridan A. Yenter.
  • Carrollwood Day School – Shreya Chatterjee, Alyssa Chen, Sahana Chhabra, Gabriel Lopez, Aadi Patel and Nishant Shah.
  • Dr. Kiran C. Patel High – Aarya Bhuta and Christian Y. Yi.
  • H.B. Plant High – Caitlin Q. Du, Jackson T. Fowler, Gabriel J. Kastner and Ian A. Pegler.
  • Hillsborough High – Disha S. Abburi, Pranav Gadipathi, Nayana Jayakumar, Daniel M. Kim and Samantha L. Tinley.
  • Jesuit High – Joseph J. Acosta, Juan D. Amador, Austin W. Boyle, Tyler D. Frank, Rafael Ludovice, Rhys A. Marriott, Ethan G. Smith, William B. Tuomy, Evan G. Voor and William M. Weaver.
  • Jule F. Sumner High – Ayden M. Creech.
  • Middleton High – Parv R. Kothari, Kanu Lala, Andrew J. Logan, Sonum Mittal, Matthew F. Monteiro, Nivedha Narayanan, Saahil Nayar, Archit Pandey, Shreyas N. Penugonda, Harith Talapaneni, Andrew P. Thomas, Saicharan Vutukuri and Ronit H. Yeotikar.
  • Plant City High – Westin T. Brooks and Simpa N. Oboro.
  • Riverview High – Alexander E. Guirguis.
  • T.R. Robinson High – Lucia Borunda, John C. Joura and Atrina Zahedi.
  • Tampa Catholic High – Gregory Doyle and Lucas Ruan.
  • Tampa Preparatory School – Stone Font, Maximilian Karmazyn and Alan Ralston.
  • Walter L. Sickles High – Ishan Devpura, Vivaan Gupta, Saketh R. Kolla, Aarti Raghunathan, Kylie Tran and Camilo E. Utria-Salgado.

 

College students and young adults face ongoing mental health challenges

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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 reported experiencing a mental or behavioral health concern in the past year – consistent with elevated levels over the past four years.

Among college students, concerns are rising. UnitedHealthcare’s survey found nearly 70% said they had experienced concerns such as anxiety/stress or depression, reaching the highest levels in four years. Eleven percent of young adults surveyed also reported suicidal ideation and intent. At the same time, many parents may not fully recognize what students are going through, pointing to an opportunity for more awareness, communication and support.

During National Suicide Prevention Month, it’s a meaningful time to focus on practical ways to support young adults and students. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator or navigating these challenges yourself, here are some ways to help support mental well-being.

 

Start with open, honest conversations

Frequency doesn’t always lead to understanding. Survey findings show that while 39% of parents of college students believed their child felt understood after conversations, only 28% of students agreed, and 26% said they felt misunderstood. Meanwhile, young adults not enrolled in college reported speaking with parents less often, yet their perceptions of mental health challenges were more closely aligned with their parents. Together, these findings suggest that how we communicate matters as much as how often. Prioritizing meaningful, two-way conversations that emphasize listening, empathy and understanding can make a meaningful difference.

 

Encourage balanced use of AI

Digital tools are playing a growing role in how young adults and students manage their mental health. Nearly one-third (31%) of respondents reported using AI-based platforms to explore symptoms or find coping strategies, and 26% of those users said they’ve turned to these tools for companionship, reassurance or emotional support. While these resources can be helpful, they are most effective when used alongside guidance from qualified health care professionals.

 

Help build awareness of trusted resources

Many young adults are unsure where to turn for help, which can be particularly true when they or their families are navigating mental health concerns for the first time. At the local level, community organizations, nonprofits and state-based services can provide accessible, often low- or no-cost support – from crisis lines to counseling and peer programs. Raising awareness of these options can make it easier to take the first step.

Health plans can also play a role in helping individuals understand and access available mental health support. For example, some insurers provide digital self-care tools, coaching and 24/7 support lines for in-the-moment assistance, as well as in-person and virtual care options.

 

Seek professional help when necessary

If feelings of stress, anxiety or depression start to feel overwhelming, reach out to your primary care physician. If you don’t have a PCP, establish a relationship with one. Your PCP will provide valuable insights and care, and referrals if needed. Getting the right support can guide you toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can also call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for 24-hour, confidential support.

Supporting mental health is a year-round priority. By improving communication, increasing awareness and helping young adults connect to care, we can better support their mental well-being when it matters most.

 

Dr. Danielle Madril serves as chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual Plans of Florida.

 

Veteran builds motorcycle movement around mental health

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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 become the way they cope. 

“The bottle is a symbol. The choice is the point,” Gradillas said. “Your throttle may be a motorcycle, the gym, music, hiking, wrenching, creating or calling a friend. What matters is having something worth choosing.” 

Throttle Before the Bottle has assembled its Original 25 Founding Riders from communities around the country and grew to more than 1,500 Instagram followers during its opening weeks. Riders are invited to share their #WhyIRide stories and represent a culture built on encouragement and checking on one another. 

The organization is also building practical support around its message. Its website provides crisis direction and educational resources. 

Motorcycle gear company EKON has joined Throttle Before the Bottle as a founding partner and has offered product support for future community campaigns, giveaways and rides. Throttle Before the Bottle continues to pursue relationships with dealerships, veteran-serving organizations, mental health groups and other motorcycle brands. 

Throttle Before the Bottle publicly commits 20% of profits to mental health awareness initiatives and 90% of direct donations received to the mission. Its Giving Policy explains how those commitments work and how the remaining portion supports operations. 

“I want someone to see the message on a bike, a sticker or a shirt and realize it is OK to say they are not doing well,” Gradillas said. “Sometimes the first win is simply giving somebody a reason to start the conversation.”

 

Chick-fil-A Dade City gives back from the start

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Chick-fil-A Dade City makes a big donation to Meals on Wheels of Pasco. Photo courtesy of Chick-fil-A

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 operates both Chick-fil-A Dade City and Chick-fil-A Zephyrhills. The new Dade City restaurant will create about 80 jobs.

Since 2021, his Chick-fil-A Zephyrhills restaurant has supported Meals on Wheels of Pasco with surplus food through Chick-fil-A Shared Table. The program has helped provide nearly 7,000 meals, including more than 2,000 in 2026. 

Chick-fil-A Dade City will also participate in the program, allowing Amole to expand this support and help provide meals for homebound members of the community. 

“Over the years, I’ve learned that caring for a community starts with understanding how you can best care for its people,” Amole said. “It’s getting to know those we serve, showing up when there’s a need and finding ways our restaurant can help. Working with organizations like Meals on Wheels is one way we can provide food to neighbors in need, and I’m grateful this new restaurant gives us the opportunity to do even more for Dade City in the years ahead.”

Amole and his team surprised Meals on Wheels of Pasco volunteers with breakfast and a $10,000 donation to support their work.

“It takes a community coming together to make sure our neighbors don’t go without a meal,” said Beth Aker, executive director of Meals on Wheels of Pasco. “We’re truly grateful to have partners like Scott and Chick-fil-A who share that commitment and help us continue to make a difference in Pasco County.”

 

Hungry?

The new restaurant will serve guests Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with extended hours until 11 p.m. on Fridays at 12645 U.S. 301. It offers dine-in, drive-thru, carry-out, third-party delivery and mobile pickup.  

 

PHSC gets $850,000 to train future health care workers

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Pasco-Hernando State College continues to receive investment from the Florida Legislature. Photo courtesy of PHSC

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 the third straight year lawmakers have funded the Institute for Nursing & Allied Health Advancement, which was formed to close the region’s health care staffing gaps.

PHSC established the institute with a $1.5 million appropriation secured by Rep. Randy Maggard and Sen. Danny Burgess in 2024. With an additional $750,000 last year and $850,000 this year, the state has now committed roughly $3.1 million to the effort.

PHSC has begun directing the state’s investment into the following initiatives:

  • $800,000 to expand the college’s simulation center, providing students with realistic clinicals using advanced manikins, virtual reality and actors without risking real patient safety.
  • $150,000 to provide 12 additional seats for prospective students in a future dental hygiene cohort.
  • $300,000 to increase enrollment in nursing programs.
  • $5,000 in scholarships for 25 students in grades 6-12 to attend health care career camps at no cost to their families.

These initiatives will assist in training the people who staff the exam rooms, operating rooms and emergency vehicles across Pasco and Hernando counties: registered nurses, radiographers, surgical technologists, medical assistants and phlebotomists. Most finish training to graduate in two years or less and go to work locally.

“It is inspiring to come together with health care leaders from across our community, recognize the challenges we share and partner with an institution so deeply committed to workforce development,” said Sally Seymour, CEO of HCA Florida’s Bayonet Point Hospital. “Together, we are helping build the systems and talent pipeline needed to ensure our communities continue to receive the care they need for years to come.”

PHSC President Eric Hall said the state’s continued investment allows the college to respond to one of the region’s most pressing workforce needs. 

“By expanding access to high-quality nursing and allied health education, we are creating more opportunities for students to enter meaningful careers while ensuring our local health care providers have the skilled professionals they need to serve a rapidly growing community,” Hall said. 

 

Saint Leo University selected for Partners in Peace Initiative 

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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 Oslo, Norway.

Saint Leo is part of the third cohort of institutions to receive the distinction, joining about 50 universities in the United States and Europe selected from more than 700 eligible honors programs and colleges.

“Being named a Partner in Peace is an incredible honor for our Honors Program and places Saint Leo in prestigious company,” said Jim Burkee, president of Saint Leo University. “It strengthens our commitment to global engagement, reflects the kind of scholarship we want our students to pursue and reinforces the core values embedded throughout our academic programs.”

The university’s selection was based on a new Honors course, HON 361: Democracy, Technology, and the Nobel Peace Prize, proposed and taught by Dr. Dan DuBois, associate professor of history and international studies and director of the Honors Program. The course will be offered for the first time in spring 2027.

“The Partners in Peace designation brings formal affiliation with one of the most consequential international organizations in history to Saint Leo. Honors students are now positioned to engage in topics of global significance through a structured educational exchange with the Nobel Peace Center and with the backing of the National Collegiate Honors Council,” said DuBois. “As Honors Director, I am humbled to oversee this new partnership and grateful for the opportunity to embed the ideals of Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Peace Prize in the curriculum of our Honors students.”

Through Partners in Peace, participating honors programs develop curricular and co-curricular projects inspired by the work of Alfred Nobel and Nobel Peace Prize laureates. At Saint Leo, HON 361 will focus on 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado and examine the intersection of democracy, technology and civic resistance in her efforts to advance free and fair elections in Venezuela.

As part of the course, Saint Leo students will conduct a community oral history project with members of Tampa Bay’s Venezuelan diaspora, documenting firsthand accounts and perspectives that have shaped the region’s Venezuelan community. This work will allow students to put their study of democracy, civic engagement and political change into practice by connecting classroom concepts to lived experiences.

Saint Leo University will receive formal recognition as a Partner in Peace at the NCHC Annual Conference in November 2027, following the completion of HON 361 and its associated project.

Learn more about Saint Leo’s Honors Program at saintleo.edu/academics/honors-program.

Tampa Funeral Home plans Dolly Parton celebration

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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 stop by anytime during the event. 

At the heart of the event will be Dolly Parton’s music. Guests can expect a fun, welcoming atmosphere to enjoy some of Dolly’s most memorable songs while celebrating the woman behind the music. Dolly’s music will set the tone for a morning filled with laughter, memories and a little Southern sparkle.

Guests can also enjoy Folgers coffee, inspired by Dolly’s famous “cup of ambition,” along with old-fashioned Southern banana pudding, a dessert inspired by Dolly’s childhood.

The celebration will also feature Dolly Parton trivia, fun facts, stories and memories, giving fans an opportunity to share what Dolly’s music and legacy have meant to them.

“We wanted to create something that is fun, welcoming and a little unexpected,” said Laura Holland, funeral director at Blount & Curry Funeral Home-Carrollwood. “Dolly’s music has brought joy to generations of people, and her story is one of perseverance, family, humor, generosity and following your dreams. We thought, what better way to celebrate Dolly than by filling the room with her music, enjoying a cup of coffee, sharing some banana pudding and having a little fun?”

 

Golisano gives $40M to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

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Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital celebrated a $40 million gift. Photo courtesy of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
The hospital is scheduled to open in 2027. Rendering courtesy of 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 as Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Golisano Children’s Medical Center at Wesley Chapel.

The center also became part of the Golisano Children’s Alliance, a growing national network of 21 children’s hospitals advancing pediatric care.

“We are grateful to Mr. Golisano for seeing the promise of this investment, the strength of the Wesley Chapel and All Children’s communities, and the potential of what we can create together,” said Alicia Schulhof, president of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. “His generosity will be felt not only in the physical building, but in the young lives and healthier futures that unfold within it for generations.”

The five-story, 56-bed hospital is part of a more than $300 million investment on a 112-acre property near Interstate 75 and Overpass Road in Pasco County. The new campus is expected to open in fall 2027.

“As a father and grandfather, I’ve seen firsthand what it means for a family to have a great children’s hospital close to home in a difficult moment,” Golisano said. “My hope is that no family, no matter where they live or what they can afford, has to travel far or wonder if their child will get the best care available.”

Jenine Rabin, executive vice president of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, said the goal was to fund a large portion of the campus through philanthropy.

“This transformational donation is going to help accelerate the additional fundraising that’s needed to bring expert medical care to the Wesley Chapel area and surrounding communities,” Rabin said. 

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Golisano Children’s Medical Center at Wesley Chapel will feature a 17-room emergency department, four operating rooms, an infusion center, sleep laboratory, gastroenterology procedures suite and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. The second floor will include 25,000 square feet of outpatient care space with 36 rooms. 

Construction on the campus began in 2025 and is currently on budget and on schedule to open in fall 2027. Exterior walls, windows and the roof are in place. Drywall, electrical work, plumbing and other interior work are underway. Johns Hopkins All Children’s has also started hiring staff for the new hospital.

“We will be able to weave the Golisano Children’s Alliance into the DNA of what we do in Wesley Chapel, and we are grateful that Mr. Golisano’s support will help us bring the pediatric expertise that this community needs,” said Joseph Perno, chief administrative officer for the new hospital. “We are excited to make the community and the Golisano organization proud.”

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Golisano Children’s Medical Center at Wesley Chapel is part of a broader era of expansion for the organization. Other projects underway include a 28,000-square-foot expansion of the Emergency Center and surgery suites at the St. Petersburg campus, expanded urgent care services in Tampa, obstetrics and gynecologic care and additional outpatient care along Florida’s west coast.