Sharp shooter!

(Courtesy of Justin Dargahi)

Gaither High School girls varsity basketball coach Justin Dargahi now holds two Guinness World Records for his 3-point shooting skills after teaming up with Florida Gators legend Teddy Dupay to break the record for most basketball 3-pointers made by a pair in one minute — sinking 23 shots. The feat — held in March at Cambridge Christian School in Tampa — became official this month by Guinness World Record judges. Dargahi also is the current record holder for most basketball 3-pointers from NBA range made in one minute by an individual (26). That feat was accomplished in January 2016 at Land O’ Lakes High School.

Roads ‘finally coming’ to east Pasco

Ongoing road construction translates to “good things” for Pasco County — that was the message that Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley brought to The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce’s breakfast meeting.

Oakley was the chamber’s featured guest speaker on Sept. 19 at Bayfront Health.

Speaking to a crowd that numbered in the dozens, Oakley provided updates on several priority projects.

Among the projects he discussed:

  • State Road 56 extension: The $65 million four-lane project — which extends from Meadow Point Boulevard in Wesley Chapel, 6 miles east to U. S. 301 and State Road 41 in Zephyrhills — should be complete within the next 18 months to two years, Oakley said. “You can see that it’s already being worked through, and there’s already lime rock at U.S. 301.”
  • State Road 54 (Curley Road to Morris Bridge Road): This project involves the widening of State Road 54 from Curley Road to east of Morris Bridge Road. State Road 54 will be widened to six lanes from Curley Road to Foxwood Boulevard and to four lanes from Foxwood Boulevard to Morris Bridge Road. Oakley said utilities are underway, with the right-of-way acquisition process already complete.
  • Interstate 75 and State Road 56 interchange: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is slated to begin construction sometime next year on a $18.5 million diverging diamond interchange project for the 2.3-mile-long northbound exit. Such projects, according to the website DivergingDiamond.com, are designed to create fewer conflict points when traveling through them, have better sight distance at turns, shorter pedestrian crossings and wrong-way ramps that are extremely difficult to access. “They have one of those in Sarasota now, and it’s working very well,” Oakley said.
  • Eiland Boulevard: Eiland Boulevard, stretching to Handcart Road, will be repaved, beginning sometime in November. Traffic signals also are coming to the intersections of Eiland and Handcart, and Eiland and Geiger Road.
Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley was the featured guest speaker at the Dade City Chamber Breakfast on Sept. 19. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Oakley underscored the importance of ongoing road projects in one of the state’s fastest-growing counties, particularly for major events like the annual Kumquat Festival in Dade City, which draws more than 40,000 people.

“They have a hard time getting here, and once they get in here, they have a hard time getting out of here. It’s a fact. The roads don’t allow them to get out,” said Oakley, whose district includes the largest geographic area of the county, stretching from south of Zephyrhills to a portion of Shady Hills west of the Suncoast Parkway.

Pasco, which recently crossed the 500,000-population threshold, now has approximately 505,000 residents.

The figure is estimated to grow to 750,000 people by 2030, and more than 1 million by 2040.

Oakley pointed out the U.S. Department of Transportation has already allocated $350 million for countywide road spending.

“The road construction…is coming finally to our area,” Oakley said. “It’s been my entire lifetime we’ve been here waiting on four-lane roads on (State Road) 52 and other roads for a long time.”

He added: “Those roads are coming, and it’s going to be better, but the problem is we’ve got to walk through all this construction and bear with it for a little while longer.”

Oakley also tackled the ongoing traffic congestion at the intersection of U.S. 41 and State Road 54, in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.

The interim fix for the intersection, through which nearly 100,000 vehicles travel daily, calls for extending the length of turn lanes at a cost of about $1.5 million. The plan, for eastbound State Road 54 motorists, would extend the length of the right-turn lane from 215 feet to 1,050 feet; extend the inside left-turn lane from 350 feet to 750 feet; and extend the outside left-turn lane to 875 feet.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley addressed the ongoing traffic congestion at the intersection of U.S. 41 and State Road 54 in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes. ‘It needs 10 lanes,’ he said. (File)

The commissioner served up his own solution: “What needs to be done at (U.S.) 41 and (State Road) 54? It needs 10 lanes. Guess what it takes to get them? All four corners have to be bought in the future, to make that wider, handle that traffic.”

Besides road projects, Oakley updated chamber members on Connected City, a master-planned community in eastern Pasco County that promises the fastest Internet and Wi-Fi speeds in the nation.

At its 50-year build out, Connected City — encompassing about 7,800 acres bordered by Interstate 75, State Road 52, State Road 54, and Curley and Overpass roads — is expected to have more than 96,000 residents within multiple neighborhoods; 37,000 homes and apartments; as many as 7.2 million square feet of employment facilities; and, a role-model reputation for technology innovation.

Oakley said the first phase of Connected City, now being developed on the former Epperson Ranch by Metro Development Group, already has 120 lots finished and 25 families living there, with another 75 lots in the process of being closed.

The initial progress, Oakley said, unexpectedly translated to an additional $2 million in school impact fees for the county this past quarter.

“It’s booming already,” he said of the high-tech community.

“That’s a big infrastructure part of our county. That’s quite a push in the economy and quite a push in homes coming in,” he said.

Published September 27, 2017

Jewish community gears up for Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, considered to the most important holiday in the Jewish faith, this year runs from sunset on Sept. 29 through nightfall on Sept. 30.

Yom Kippur runs from sunset on Sept. 29 to nightfall on Sept. 30. It’s considered to be the most important holiday in the Jewish faith, and is observed with a 25-hour fast and a special religious service. (File)

Yom Kippur, meaning “Day of Atonement,” marks the culmination of the 10 Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Both are part of Judaism’s “High Holy Days.”

Yom Kippur is observed with a 25-hour fast and a special religious service.

Observance: The Torah (Jewish bible) commands all Jewish adults (apart from the sick, the elderly and women who have just given birth) to abstain from eating and drinking between sundown on the evening before Yom Kippur and nightfall the following day. The fast is believed to cleanse the body and spirit, not to serve as a punishment. Religious Jews observe additional restrictions on bathing, washing, using cosmetics and wearing leather shoes. The prohibitions are intended to prevent worshippers from focusing on material possessions and superficial comforts.

History: According to tradition, the first Yom Kippur took place after the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and arrival at Mount Sinai, where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Descending from the mountain, Moses caught his people worshipping a golden calf and shattered the sacred tablets in anger. Because the Israelites atoned for their idolatry, God forgave their sins and offered Moses a second set of tablets. Jewish texts recount that during biblical times, Yom Kippur was the only day on which the high priest could enter the inner sanctum of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and made atonement and asked for God’s forgiveness on behalf of all the people of Israel. The tradition is said to have continued until the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 A.D.; it was then adapted into a service for rabbis and their congregations in individual synagogues.

Traditions and symbols of Yom Kippur:

  • Pre-Yom Kippur feast: On the eve of Yom Kippur, families and friends gather for a bountiful feast that must be finished before sunset. The idea is to generate strength for 25 hours of fasting.
  • Breaking of the fast: After the final Yom Kippur service, many people return home for a festive meal. It traditionally consists of breakfast-like comfort foods such as blintzes (pancakes), noodle pudding and various baked goods.
  • Wearing white: It is customary for religious Jews to dress in white — a symbol of purity — on Yom Kippur. Some married men wear kittels — white burial shrouds — to signify repentance.
  • Charity: Some Jews make donations or volunteer their time in the days leading up to Yom Kippur. This is seen as a way to atone and seek God’s forgiveness. One ancient custom known as kapparot involves swinging a live chicken or bundle of coins over one’s head while reciting a prayer. The chicken or money is then given to the poor.

Local Yom Kippur services:

Where: Congregation Kol Ami, 3919 Moran Road, Tampa
Services:
Sept. 29: Kol Nidre at 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 30: Shacharit/Yizkor at 9 a.m.; Rabbi’s Teaching at 4:15 p.m.; Mincha at 6 p.m.; Neilah at 7 p.m.; Havdallah at 8 p.m.; and Break the Fast at 8:15 p.m.
For information, call (813) 962-6338, or visit KolAmi.org.

Where: Congregation Mekor Shalom, 14005A N. Dale Mabry Highway
Services:
Sept. 29: Erev Shabbat at 6: 30 p.m.; Kol Nidre at 6:45 p.m.
Sept. 30: Yom Kippur at 9 a.m.; and, Minha, Ma’ariv, Neilah & Shofar Blast at 5:30 p.m.
For information, call (813) 963-1818, or visit MekorShalom.org.

Where: Congregation Beth Am, 2030 W. Fletcher Ave.
Services:
Sept. 29: Kol Nidre at 8 p.m.
Sept. 30: Yom Kippur morning service at 10 a.m.; Junior Congregation at 11:30 a.m.; Children’s Service at 2 p.m.; Discussion Group at 3 p.m.; Yom Kippur afternoon, Yizkor, N’eila Final Shofar at 4:30 p.m.
For information, call (813) 968-8511, or visit BethAmTampa.org.

Where: Chabad at Wiregrass, 2124 Ashley Oaks Circle in Wesley Chapel
Services:
Sept. 29: Kol Nidre at 6:45 p.m.
Sept. 30: Yom Kippur morning service at 10 a.m.; Yizkor Memorial Service at 12 p.m.; Afternoon & Neilah Closing Service at 5:45 p.m., and Shofar Blast at 7:51 p.m.

For information, call (813) 642-3244, or visit ChabadAtWiregrass.com.

Published September 27, 2017

Sunlake keeps ‘Butter Bowl’ streak alive

It wasn’t easy, but the Sunlake Seahawks secured its first win of the season — and maintained its dominance over the Land O’ Lakes Gators in the 11th annual “Butter Bowl” rivalry game, with a 37-20 victory.

Senior running back Bryant Beacham helped guide Sunlake to a comeback victory over Land O’ Lakes High, rushing for 143 yards and two touchdowns. (Courtesy of Tom Ketchum)

The Sept. 22 road win marks the Seahawks’ (1-3) eighth straight victory over the Gators (1-2) since the series began in 2007.

Trailing 14-3 midway through the third quarter, the Seahawks battled back with a potent rushing attack and key special teams plays, rallying to a 27-0 run.

Sunlake entered halftime with a 3-0 lead, but quickly surrendered two straight scores early in the third quarter — both touchdown runs by Gators running back Kyle Leivas.

Undeterred, the Seahawks answered with four consecutive touchdowns, taking advantage of solid field position to set up scoring drives.

The tide of the game shifted once Sunlake fullback Grant Henderson ripped off a 37-yard kick return to create an easy scoring opportunity at the Land O’ Lakes’ 25 yard line.

Minutes later, Sunlake defensive lineman Trent Shorey blocked a punt that was recovered by tailback Bryant Beacham, setting up a 16-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Despite a 37-20 loss, Land O’ Lakes sophomore quarterback Ethan Forrester showed promise, throwing for 243 yards and two touchdowns.

The Seahawks didn’t trail again.

Besides a dominant first-half defense and timely special teams plays, the Seahawks combined for over 300 rushing yards and five touchdowns, including two apiece by Beacham and Henderson.

Though it wasn’t enough, the Gators received a standout performance from sophomore quarterback Ethan Forrester, who threw for 243 yards and one touchdown on just 11 completions. He’s thrown for 439 yards through three games.

Next up: Sunlake travels to Springstead (2-1), while Land O’ Lakes travels to Cypress Creek. Both games are Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Key Stats:
Land O’ Lakes
Quarterback Ethan Forrester: 234 yards, one touchdown, 44 percent completion percentage

Tailback Kyle Levias: 130 all-purpose yards, two touchdowns

Wide Receiver Taylor Winn: 87 yards, three receptions, one touchdown

Safety/Wide Receiver Nate Howard: 13 total tackles; 70 yards on three receptions

Sunlake
Quarterback Hunter Watts: 45 yards passing, 88 yards rushing, one touchdown

Tailback Bryant Beacham: 143 yards on 17 carries, two touchdowns

Fullback Grant Henderson: 61 all-purpose yards, two touchdowns

Kicker Grant Presson: 32-yard field goal, four-of-five PATs (Point-after touchdowns)

Butter Bowl series history
Sunlake leads 8-3
2017: Sunlake 37, Land O’ Lakes 20
2016: Sunlake 21, Land O’ Lakes 3
2015: Sunlake 34, Land O’ Lakes 0
2014: Sunlake 42, Land O’ Lakes 14
2013: Sunlake 38, Land O’ Lakes 21
2012: Sunlake 18, Land O’ Lakes 6
2011: Sunlake (Land O’ Lakes forfeit due to recruiting violations)
2010: Sunlake 29, Land O’ Lakes 21
2009: Land O’ Lakes 42, Sunlake, 14
2008: Land O’ Lakes 28, Sunlake 0
2007: Land O’ Lakes 26, Sunlake 0

-Stats compiled using Maxpreps.com-

Published September 27, 2017

Locals shining in college football

With the college football season in full swing, dozens of players from Pasco County can be seen showcasing their skills on Saturdays throughout the fall. Nearly 50 players from east Pasco are a part of various programs at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Series (FCS) levels, Division II, Division III National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and Junior College.

Three to watch:

(Courtesy of Rutgers University)

Janarion Grant; Rutgers University; senior wide receiver
The former Pasco High School star has proved himself a dynamic all-purpose playmaker at the Division I level ever since stepping foot on the Rutgers campus. Besides one of the program’s receiving leaders this season (12 receptions, 113 yards through three games), the fifth-year senior is tied for the NCAA all-time record for kick/punt return touchdowns with eight. At 5-10, 178 pounds, Grant is often praised for his elusiveness and straight-line speed — qualities that may make him a highly sought special teamer priority in the NFL.

The speedster was granted a medical redshirt for this season after he underwent broken ankle surgery last September and missed the final eight games of the 2016 season.

Grant had an illustrious career at Pasco High School, where he set the county record with 77 career touchdowns. In his final two prep seasons, Grant was part of Pirates squads that reached the Class 5A state final four in 2011 and made a regional final appearance in 2012.

(Courtesy of Samford University)

Shaheed Salmon; Samford University; senior linebacker
Salmon was one of 97 players selected in July to the STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team. Thus far, the sturdy 6-foot-2, 232-pound Land O’ Lakes High School product has lived up to the hype, ranking among the nation’s leaders in tackles per game (10.3).

That production has some outlets coining him a legitimate NFL prospect.

He had his breakout campaign last season, where he started 11 games at linebacker and finished second on the team with 93 tackles, including 50 solo stops.

Salmon graduated from Land O’ Lakes High in 2014. He led the Gators in tackles (117), tackles for loss (21.5) and sacks (8.5) as a senior, and earned third team All-State, and first team All-County and All-Conference honors.

(Courtesy of Charleston Southern University)

Shane Bucenell; Charleston Southern University; sophomore quarterback
Bucenell earned Charleston Southern’s starting quarterback out of camp after he went 6-2 as a starter last season, passing for 1,100 yards and a Big South Conference-leading 15 touchdowns. Besides arm talent, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder redshirt sophomore also is a viable threat with his legs — he rushed for 325 yards and four touchdowns in 2016.

In three games this season, Bucenell has passed for 396 yards and three touchdowns, with a 52 percent completion rate.

Bucenell graduated from Wiregrass Ranch High School in 2015. He became the school’s career touchdown passing leader, and set school records for passing yards and completions in a single game. He also was a standout in baseball and track throughout his high school career.

Here’s a running tally of known Pasco County players from The Laker/Lutz News coverage currently competing at the next level:

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School

  • Patrick Beatty (defensive back) — Luther College (Decorah, Iowa)
  • Scott Edwards (defensive back) – Luther College
  • Marc Herrera (linebacker) — Malone University (Canton, Ohio)
  • Joe Mastrino (wide receiver) – Lyon College (Batesville, Arkansas)
  • RJ Perciavalle (defensive back) — Washington and Lee (Lexington, Virginia)
  • William Potosky (tight end) — University of Southern Mississippi
  • Luis Valentin (wide receiver) – Ave Maria University

Land O’ Lakes High School

  • Joshua Brown (cornerback) – Warner University (Lake Wales)
  • Spencer Childress (quarterback) – Lyon College
  • Andy Dowler (punter/kicker)— Geneva College (Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania)
  • Jordan Ferrante (linebacker/defensive lineman) – William Jewell College (Liberty, Missouri)
  • Liam Heaney (tight end)— Black Hills State University (Spearfish, South Dakota)
  • Dylan Hothenthaner (kicker) – Indiana State University
  • Cedric Lowe (linebacker) – Huntingdon College (Montgomery, Alabama)
  • Shaheed Salmon (linebacker) — Samford University (Homewood, Alabama)
  • Larenz Scroggins (running back) – Jacksonville University
  • Quentin Smith (wide receiver/running back) – Malone University
  • Ethan Weilant (wide receiver) — William Jewell College

Pasco High School

  • Janarion Grant (wide receiver)— Rutgers University (Piscataway, New Jersey)
  • Jayvaughn Myers (defensive back) – Auburn University (Alabama)

Sunlake High School

  • Tommy Berrios (defensive back)—Southern Virginia University
  • Joseph Jean-Baptiste (defensive back) – University of West Florida
  • Tyler Peretti (wide receiver)—Southeastern University (Lakeland)
  • Chris Williams (defensive back)— Ohio Wesleyan University
  • Austin Yeloushan (linebacker)— Jacksonville University

Wesley Chapel High School

  • Ellrie Allen (safety)— Florida A&M University
  • Kyle Brown (defensive back) — Beloit College (Wisconsin)
  • Davon Henry (wide receiver) — Missouri Valley College
  • Angel Ramos (linebacker) – Missouri Valley College
  • Na’im Smith (offensive lineman) — North Park University (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Jacob Thomas (quarterback) — Mars Hill University (North Carolina)

Wiregrass Ranch High School

  • Taylor Bleistein (wide receiver) — Hanover College (Indiana)
  • Elijah Brooks-Davis (defensive lineman)—Sewanee University (Tennessee)
  • Dylan Bryan (wide receiver/linebacker) — Ave Maria University
  • Shane Bucenell (quarterback) — Charleston Southern University (South Carolina)
  • Chris Faddoul (punter) — Florida A&M University
  • Vinnie Haider (offensive lineman/defensive lineman)— Sterling College (Kansas)
  • John Harris-Scott (safety) — Trine University (Angola, Indiana)
  • Evan Hogan (offensive lineman)—Keiser University (Fort Lauderdale)
  • Mark Hutchinson (wide receiver) — Florida International University
  • Brandon Mosley (defensive back) — Feather River Community College (Quincy, California)
  • Jason Winston (defensive lineman) — Stetson University (Deland)

Zephyrhills High School

  • Jaylen Pickett (linebacker) — Eastern Michigan University
  • Antwione Sims (running back/safety)— United States Naval Academy (Annapolis, Maryland)

Zephyrhills Christian Academy

  • Serion Bellamy (running back) — Shorter University (Rome, Georgia)
  • Mykh’ael Chavis (running back) — Minnesota State College
  • Matt Iovine (quarterback) — Minnesota State College

Published September 27, 2017

Zephyrhills economic summit will focus on health care

An economic summit is coming to Zephyrhills next month, with a primary focus on offering solutions to the needs of the medical community — which represents the largest percentage of the city’s workforce.

The inaugural Zephyrhills Economic Summit — organized by the Zephyrhills Economic Development Coalition (ZEDC), in partnership with the City of Zephyrhills and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce — is scheduled for Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Scotland Yards Golf & Country Club, 9424 U.S. 301, Dade City. Registration is $8, with breakfast and lunch provided.

Representatives from Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, the city’s largest employer, will make presentations at the economic development summit. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

Representatives from Florida Hospital Zephyrhills — the city’s largest employer — will be delivering presentations, along with a number of medical practitioners from Zephyrhills.

Survey results of the 2017 ZEDC Medical BizWalk also will be announced and discussed throughout the summit.

The ZEDC collaborated with professors from University of South Florida’s School of Public Affairs on identifying needs of medical employers and employees in the city.

Melonie Monson, executive director of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, said one of the main outcomes from the BizWalk and economic summit is to address the issue of why many health care professionals work in Zephyrhills, but choose to live elsewhere.

Said Monson: “We want to know why they do not live here and what can we do (to address) what type of housing they need and what type of businesses they are looking for in the community…”

Besides addressing issues within the medical community, there also will be roundtable discussions on the city’s development and future growth opportunities in business, infrastructure and so on.

Other talking points will focus on how residents can become more involved in community affairs and additional amenities they prefer within city limits, Monson said.

“We would like to make sure that we’re informing the public of all of the great things that are going on around our community and any of the issues that might be affecting them that we’re working,” Monson said.

“We want everybody there that has any interest in what’s going on in the community,” she said.

The summit also will feature State Rep. Danny Burgess, Pasco County District 1 Commissioner Ron Oakley, Zephyrhills City Manager Steve Spina and Zephyrhills Planning Director Todd VandeBerg.

“We’re going to have the city’s planners…talk about the different things that we have coming into our community, and then we’re going to hit on the government side and how we can be better advocates in Tallahassee for our community,” Monson explained.

Some forthcoming projects that may come up include: construction of a new City Hall; development of a multi-million dollar, city-owned tennis center; various master-planned communities; and, restoring and reopening Hercules Park.

Monson said similar ZEDC-led summits will be held each fall, with a different spotlight each year, such as the education and industrial sectors.

The ZEDC was developed in 2012, partnering with city and local leaders in business, government, education and economic development, to create a sustainable and vibrant business and economic climate in Zephyrhills. Besides assisting the needs of the medical community, one of the ZEDC’s key initiatives is developing a vision for the city’s municipal airport for growth and expansion. Designing a comprehensive targeted jobs and barriers report is another.

For information on the summit, call The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce at (813) 782-1913, or email .

Published September 20, 2017