The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Justin Vick

Pasco County moves closer to data center moratorium

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NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco County commissioners are scheduled to discuss approving a  moratorium on data centers on July 14. 

Commissioners received a presentation from staff, listened to more than an hour of public comment and discussed the issue during the board’s June 16 meeting. 

“This is something that we feel strongly about,” Chairman Jack Mariano said. “I think we’ve anticipated it well. We’ve listened to a lot of feedback from citizens. We’ve also got a lot of other emails from other sources as well.”

The ordinance would impose a 12-month moratorium on accepting development applications for data centers, large-scale data centers and other large load customers within unincorporated Pasco County. This would include building permits, site plans, rezonings and comprehensive plan amendments.

The moratorium would give county staff time to research the impact data centers would have on the community and develop regulations. 

“The proposed moratorium would likely result in a number of potential revisions to the land development code to regulate data centers within Pasco County,” said Amandla Hill, of Pasco County Planning, Development and Economic Growth. “Existing conditions within our code do not specify data centers as a use within any zoning district, nor are there any standards that would regulate such a use.”

The moratorium wouldn’t apply to a server or computer room used to house IT or network equipment that are incidental to a site’s primary use. The ordinance specifies that the board may deem it public necessity to amend or adopt a development agreement for a data center that isn’t a large load customer. The data center would have to meet conditions that address things like water use, energy consumption, noise and other factors. 

“Sounds a little loose,” Commissioner Seth Weightman told staff. “I’m not so sure for the 12 months that that’s the catch-all language.”

Weightman and other commissioners were concerned about applicants finding loopholes within the moratorium ordinance.  

Commissioner Lisa Yeager threw out the idea of someone slipping a project through for a data hub or colocation facility. 

“If it meets the definition that you put in your ordinance, they can’t get it through no matter what the name,” County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder advised. “Even if they try and call it something else.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano left the discussion comfortable that the language of the ordinance, specifically “data center” and “large-scale data center,” was all-encompassing. 

“We’ve got everything blocked, so we’re in control,” he said. 

Sebring man’s story highlights prostate care awareness 

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Photo courtesy of Advent Health

SEBRING – Millions of men are living with an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. For some, like Edward Daughtry, the condition can lead to serious complications.

“I got to the point where I couldn’t urinate at all, and my bladder was full and it was painful,” Daughtry said.

The Marine Corps veteran said he also developed blood clots in his bladder, which led him to seek emergency care at AdventHealth Sebring. There, he was treated by Dr. Aravindh Rathinam, a urologist, who recommended he undergo a Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate procedure, a minimally invasive treatment that removes excess prostate tissue causing urinary blockage.

Rathinam said the procedure can provide long-lasting relief with fewer complications and shorter recovery times, while preserving normal sexual function.

“It’s a safe procedure that allows for more complete removal of the tissue causing the problem and reduces the risk of it coming back,” Rathinam said. “Recovery is typically faster, and in many cases, we can remove the catheter the same day or within 24 hours, compared to several days with other procedures.”

Daughtry said he has recovered well and has not experienced side effects. He also expressed appreciation for the care he received.

“I’m glad I had it done because I feel great now,” Daughtry said. “Dr. Rathinam is one of the best doctors I have ever had. He broke everything down for me, and I’d recommend anybody to him if they wanted to have that surgery or needed it done. He, the nurses and everybody from the sign-in point on the day of the surgery to the release date were great.”

Rathinam added that the procedure can also help detect other serious conditions.

“Because this procedure removes a large portion of the prostate, we can examine the tissue and sometimes identify cancer cells early,” he said.

With benign prostatic hyperplasia, some men may experience sleep disruption due to frequent nighttime urination, along with difficulty emptying the bladder. Without timely treatment, the condition can lead to more serious health problems, including permanent bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones and incontinence.

According to the American Cancer Society, men should begin prostate cancer screening at age 50. Those with a family history of prostate cancer should consider screening starting at age 45.

“We often hear from men who put off getting checked because they feel fine or don’t want to deal with it,” Rathinam said. “But taking a few minutes for a prostate exam can make a meaningful difference. It gives us the opportunity to catch issues early, provide reassurance when everything is normal or begin treatment before problems become more serious.”

 

Want to learn more?

Learn more about urological care available through AdventHealth in Sebring, Lake Placid and Wauchula at adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-sebring/urology-care.

Tampa Bay Sun FC announces 2026 fall season schedule

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Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Sun FC

TAMPA – Tampa Bay Sun FC has unveiled its 2026 fall season schedule, featuring seven home matches at Suncoast Credit Union Field as part of the Gainbridge Super League’s sprint fall campaign. 

The 2026 fall season serves as the league’s transition to a spring-to-fall calendar, which will begin in 2027.

Featuring 14 matches (seven home and seven away), every 2026 fall season match will carry added significance in the race for the Players’ Shield. The top four clubs in the final standings will advance to the playoffs, with the semifinals scheduled for Dec. 5 and the Final set for Dec. 12.

The Tampa Bay Sun open the fall campaign on the road against Dallas Trinity FC on Aug. 15 before continuing their season-opening road swing against Brooklyn FC on Aug. 28 and Lexington SC on Sept. 5.

The Sun return home on Sept. 12 for their home opener at Suncoast Credit Union Field against Fort Lauderdale United FC in the first Florida Derby of the season.

October features a slate of home matches, beginning with reigning Gainbridge Super League champion Lexington SC on Oct. 4 followed by Carolina Ascent FC on Oct. 10. The Sun then travel to Sporting Club Jacksonville on Oct. 16 before returning home to host DC Power FC on Nov. 1.

The final month of the regular season is packed with playoff implications as Tampa Bay hosts Dallas Trinity FC on Nov. 14 and Brooklyn FC on Nov. 21 before closing out the regular season at home against Sporting Club Jacksonville on Nov. 28.

Fans can view the complete schedule and buy tickets at tampabaysunfc.com.

 

A taste of 1776: What was on the menu 250 years ago?

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While many of us will be at a Fourth of July barbecue, have you ever wondered what was on the menu 250 years ago? Obviously not hamburgers and hotdogs, as those dishes weren’t invented yet, nor was refrigeration. Slaughtering and butchering an animal in the summer was not feasible due to flies and faster rates of spoilage. Meat was dependent on whatever wild game or livestock was available, but animals were typically slaughtered in the fall so they could then be salted or smoked to preserve it throughout the winter. By the summer, after eating the same thing for so many months, fresh and pickled vegetables were preferred, according to WBUR News. Similar to the present day, it was common to have alcohol and desserts at gatherings 250 years ago. Dessert was usually a cornmeal flatbread, molasses cookies or an apple-based dessert.

And of course, by 1776, coffee became the preferred hot beverage. Tea was favored until 1770, when the British Parliament refused to repeal the tea tax. In retaliation, the colonists boycotted tea, and it was seen as unpatriotic and controversial to drink it. As a result, they replaced it with coffee, and it’s been woven into American culture ever since. To think, if they had just done away with the tea tax, all of these coffee shops today could have been tea shops.

The diets of colonists were also dependent on region (New England, Middle Colonies or Southern Colonies), as well as race and class, while the cuisine was heavily influenced by the British, French, Africans and Native Americans.

The Native Americans taught the colonists their farming practices so they could grow the “three sisters” crops: corn, squash and beans. They quickly became staples in the American diet, as the colonists learned how these crops grow well together in close proximity, from retaining soil moisture to suppressing weeds.

The Southern Colonies (Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia) grew a lot of rice, sweet potatoes, peas and corn. Pork was the predominant meat for the affluent, while the poor and enslaved mostly ate squirrel, rabbit and opossum. The region’s cuisine had a lot of influence by Africa, the Caribbean, English and Native Americans. The enslaved introduced okra and black-eyed peas.

The Middle Colonies (Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania) were known as the “breadbasket” and grew large amounts of grain such as wheat, barley and rye thanks to their fertile soil. Cornbread, porridge, bread and cereal were common back then. Food was influenced by the Dutch, English and Germans that immigrated there.

The New England colonies (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire) had rocky soil that made farming more challenging. They consumed more seafood, dairy and maple syrup.

Even though our barbecues may not have pigeon or rabbit, some parts of the American diet from 250 years ago are still seen today. Of course, diet-related illnesses had more to do with foodborne illness or vitamin deficiencies back then and less to do with metabolic diseases, but the core parts of the diet are still the same: produce, grains, protein and dairy, while indulging in dessert, alcohol and coffee.


Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County, An Equal Opportunity Institution.

 

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 

By

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.