The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mike Camunas

No expense spared at this dino park

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Life, uh, found a way — to New Port Richey.

The Museum of Archaeology, Paleontology and Science (MAPS) has brought an interactive, educational — not to mention — fun attraction from the past, right into Pasco County.

A velociraptor greets guests at Dino & Dragons, an interactive and educational attraction at Schwettman Education Center, 5520 Grand Blvd., in New Port Richey. The attraction, which runs through Feb. 26, allows visitors to get an up-close experience with nearly 100 life-size thunder lizards. The traveling exhibit was brought to Pasco County by the Museum of Archeology, Paleontology and Science (MAPS), as a fundraising effort. (Mike Camunas)

Dino & Dragons will be on display at the Schwettman Education Center, until Feb. 26. It features nearly 100 life-size dinosaurs and a few dragons.

The creatures move. They roar. They amaze. And, they educate.

This all happens along a trail designed to entertain the entire family.

So, grab your courage, and your Dr. Alan Grant hat, and get ready to go back in time to the Jurassic period that’s absolutely worth the trip.

They’ll show you
“Dinosaurs are synonymous with ‘Jurassic Park.’”

Those are the words of Director of MAPS Charles Zidar, who organized having the trail through Dinosaur Land and Mystical World on the old athletic fields at Schwettman.

Although they can’t exactly play up the 1993 blockbuster that spawned five sequels — and a massive amount of merchandise that keeps dinosaurs in pop culture even to this day — Zidar admits it’s hard not to think about walking through that park while exploring the attractions at Dino & Dragons.

Director of MAPS (Museum of Archeology, Paleontology and Science) Charles Zidar, left, helps Carlie Jarosz hold a baby dino in preparation for the opening of the Dino & Dragons exhibit in New Port Richey.

“Dinosaurs are nothing without ‘Jurassic Park,’” Zidar added. “But we played out the reality for educational purposes and we also played out the fantasy aspect of it, with dragons and a fairy and unicorn garden — and we’ll still make that as educational as possible, talking about the stories behind those mythical creatures and more.

“We’re educating people while having fun.”

Zidar expects visitors can spend up to two hours at the exhibit, especially if they spare no expense and grab some of the additional add-ons to the original ticket price.

The “extras” include taking the tour in a replica of the Ford Explorers from ‘Jurassic Park,’ which comes with an embryo to keep. There’s also a Triceratops laying an egg (and keeping the egg), a dinosaur-infested maze where visitors need to find a key card necessary for escape, and exploring the dinosaur nursery with giant eggs.

Don’t sleep on this captured T-Rex at Dino & Dragons, an interactive experience in New Port Richey until Feb. 26. Visitors to the ‘dinosaur park’ will get to see nearly 100 life-size dinosaurs, and a few dragons, and learn what life was like on this planet 65 million years ago, when dinosaurs ruled the earth.

Hold onto your butts
While it may not be the jungles of Costa Rica, Dinosaur Land and Mystical World won’t fail to impress.

The trail is well done, lengthy without spoiling the next station, and interactive, as each dinosaur will move, thanks to sensors. Visitors will gawk at the towering Brontosaurus that stands three stories high or jump when a Velociraptor appears out of nowhere.

Or they’ll marvel at a mama T-Rex, with its babies, as it moves and roars and delights, behind an “electrified fence” that looks remarkably like a baseball field backstop.

And all the money is going to the MAPS, a nonprofit museum at Wendell Krinn Technical School in New Port Richey.

“We’re trying to show we’re doing big things,” Zidar said. “Hopefully this will become our event site and maybe move into the building here, with our very extensive collections.”

Additionally, MAPS took over the basketball courts at Schwettman, and their visitors, for a little extra, can ride dinosaurs and even explore a “dig site” for bones and fossils.

“I rode the dinosaurs and had a great time, and I’m an adult,” Zidar said. “Kids, they’re going to love it.”

Before extinction
Indeed, this international traveling exhibit that has never been east of the Mississippi River, and required 12 semi-trucks to bring in, won’t be around forever.

Just like the dinosaurs, its time is limited, and Zidar expects plenty of visitors to come see a one-of-a-kind attraction, especially with its first appearance in the area.

It’s not just the Jurassic era visitors will see, but also creatures better associated with Westeros and King’s Landing, as there are several dragon exhibits to see, as well.

“Daily capacity is limited, but we hope as many visitors we can entertain come out to experience education and have some fun,” he said.

Come to enjoy some prehistoric fun — more than 65 million years in the making.

Dino & Dragons
Where: Schwettman Education Center, 5520 Grand Blvd., in New Port Richey
When: Exhibit runs through Feb. 26. Open Tuesdays through Sundays, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Tickets start at $20 each
Details: Get up close and personal with nearly 100 life-size dinosaurs, and a few dragons. This interactive and educational experience gives visitors a chance to walk through a creature-infested maze. Additional experiences can include a dig pit, baby dino nursery experience, even a ride in a Ford Explorer, just like a certain dinosaur movie. The attraction is a fundraising effort by the Museum of Archeology, Paleontology and Science (MAPs), located on the campus of Wendell Krinn Technical School in New Port Richey.
Info: Visit DinoAndDragonsNPR.com. To learn more about MAPs, visit MapsMuseum.org.

Published December 28, 2022

Standing nearly three stories tall, this Brontosaurus towers over the Dino & Dragons exhibit, in New Port Richey. The attraction will be there until Feb. 26.
Expect these creatures and more when exploring the Dino & Dragons exhibit in New Port Richey.
Watch your step: Dinosaur Crossing at Schwettman Education Center in New Port Richey.
A mama T-Rex protects her young as an ‘electrified cage’ protects visitors to Dino & Dragons. The interactive and educational exhibit will be in New Port Richey until Feb. 26.

Brothers at the corners

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David Harris never had to push his sons.

In fact, Dylan, Dustin and Dakota were always pushing him.

From left, it’s the Harris men: Dustin, Dakota, David (their dad) and Dylan, with the three siblings running a baseball camp at Wesley Chapel District Park from Dec. 19 through Dec. 21. Each of the brothers had successful high school careers at Land O’ Lakes High. Each also has found success at the collegiate and professional levels. (Mike Camunas)

“They were always coming to me and like, ‘Dad, let’s go shag balls or come throw us BP (batting practice),’” the patriarch Harris recalls. “So it’s fun to be around that and to see them out here (coaching) — all the years coaching them, it’s now great to see them do a little coaching, too.” 

The Harris brothers had a three-day baseball camp at Wesley Chapel District Park, with about 45 youth, middle school and high school-aged players in attendance. The three ball-playing brothers brought a wealth of knowledge they each have gained, both collegiately and professionally, since being standout players at Land O’ Lakes High.

“Just having the three of us in town, we don’t really have that anymore,” said Dylan, the oldest brother. “Even our dad being able to take off work and help out — it’s been a great three days having us all out here.”

“It is rare for us all to be together, but it was great to work together and bring what we know about baseball to some of these local kids,” added Dustin, the middle brother.

Dakota Harris, a former Land O’ Lakes Gators baseball player and current University of Oklahoma shortstop, gives out some directions during the Harris Brothers Baseball Camp at Wesley Chapel District Park.

“I think having the kids out here and teaching them what our dad taught us, there’s nothing like it,” concluded Dakota, the youngest brother. “It’s where you’re quote unquote working, but it doesn’t feel like work when you’re doing what you love — baseball.”

Each Harris brother has found his own level of success since graduating from Land O’ Lakes. Dylan (2013) went on to play in college at Nova Southeastern and Saint Leo University, before spending a few years in the Cincinnati Reds minor leagues.

Dustin (2017) is now an outfielder on the Texas Rangers 40-man roster, meaning he will be headed to their Spring Training Camp in 2023. He’s coming off an incredible season that included 17 homers for the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate for the Rangers. He also went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the MLB Futures game: the all-star showcase for the top prospects in the minor leagues.

And Dakota (2020) is headed to the University of Oklahoma as switch-hitting shortstop after a stellar year at Polk State. He was named the National Junior College Athletic Association co-Defensive Player of the Year and earned a Rawlings Junior College Gold Glove thanks to a .973 fielding percentage, committing just four errors in 150 chances and assisting on 28 double plays.

Dustin Harris, a Texas Rangers outfielder, signs a camper’s shirt following a camp led by him and his brothers at Wesley Chapel District Park.

Dakota also had a .347 avg., 36 RBI, nine doubles and five homers at the plate and stole 15 bases.

What makes all this even more impressive is that while being scouted and recruited at Land O’ Lakes, the three brothers had very little in the way of college offers or draft potential.

“Well,” said David, a former minor league ballplayer for the then California Angels, “it was partially (late) growth spurts and partially hard work and then the competition between brothers didn’t hurt either. Dylan started it off and the other two wanted to emulate that.”

“I’ve been fortunate to have the year I had,” said Dustin, who was drafted in the 11th round by the Oakland A’s in the 2019 draft and acquired by the Rangers in 2020 for a player to be named later. “I was undersized (coming out of high school), but that just left a chip on my shoulder. After that, I just put in the time and work, and it paid off.”

Dakota definitely wanted to emulate a brother.

“Once Dustin got drafted out of a junior college, I knew that’s what I wanted to do — sign with a juco (junior college),” Dakota said. “That way I was able to play right away out of high school and that paid off, too.”

Dylan Harris, a former Land O’ Lakes High and Cincinnati Reds minor baseball player, is all smiles, as he hosts a skills camp with his brothers.

For now, the Harris brothers will enjoy being together in their hometown, before Dustin heads to Arizona to start preparing for Spring Training and Dakota heads to Norman, Oklahoma, to start his first season for the Sooners in February.

They considered the camp a success. They were able to pass on their collective baseball knowledge, but didn’t have to push the kids too hard.

“We have the knowledge, combined, from different schools and organizations that we can pass on,” Dylan said. “Baseball is definitely my passion and I’m still around it even though I’m not playing anymore. … It was 100% very cool to be around (my brothers) again.”

“We’d been talking about something like (this camp) for a while,” Dustin said. “I think it was a good showing. I learned a lot about coaching, too, and about how to teach kids the way to do things in baseball.”

“I mean, it’s baseball, and we love it,” Dakota added. “Dad has always been hitting us ground balls and pitching us BP, but it’s also brothers helping each other out. It’s great to be able to get either of them on the phone and just talk baseball for advice to the next at bat.

“That’s how it is for brothers in baseball.”

The Harris Brothers High School Career Batting Stats
Dylan Harris – Class of 2013
.397 avg., 89 hits, 76 runs, 41 RBI, 21 doubles, three triples, five home runs

Dustin Harris – Class of 2017
.415 avg., 68 hits, 50 runs, 28 RBI, 10 doubles, five triples

Dakota Harris – Class of 2020
.304 avg., 55 hits, 50 runs, 34 RBI, 13 doubles

Published December 28, 2022

Gym dedicated to longtime coach

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(Courtesy of Heather Wall)

Land O’ Lakes High Athletic Department had a dedication ceremony on Dec. 17 to name its gym in honor of one of longest-tenured and most-decorated coaches in Pasco County sports history.

The Gators’ gym is now the David Puhalski Gymnasium, an honor bestowed upon the basketball coach who guided the Gators for 31 years.

After taking over the Gators program in 1988, he compiled a 479-349 career mark before retiring in May 2021.

Land O’ Lakes High Principal Ric Mellin brought the idea to the Pasco County School Board in June, which unanimously approved the request.

“For just over 30 years, Coach Puhalski served as the head coach of the boys’ basketball team, winning nearly 500 games, earning six conference and six district championships, and taking 15 teams to the playoffs,” Mellin said in June. “Very few, if any, coaches ever reached that level of success.”

Making a splat, in Sunlake

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These students are going to get unruly.

At Sunlake Academy of Math and Science in Lutz, the public charter school has brought in a new learning tool, one that is gaining popularity and proving, through fun and games, to be quite productive and valuable.

Ann Louis, a fourth-grader at Sunlake Academy of Math and Science in Lutz, stomps on an Unruly Splat floor button, making it light up and keep a score on a nearby iPad. Students at the school are using the first STEM learning tool that combines coding with active play, as students code the rules to create games like whack-a-mole, relay races and dance competitions.

“Just sitting down and learning, that can sometimes be boring for them,” Sunlake STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) Program teacher Manjiri Jakhadi said. “So, it’s nice to get them something that is pretty engaging and fun. Movement is a big thing for them, but the goal is to get more technology in lessons, and that’s the focus of the school and the STEAM lab.

“Getting them up and moving as a way to learn is working out great so far,” the teacher said.

Sunlake recently invested in Unruly Splats, which are programmable floor buttons students can code to light up, make sounds and collect points when stomped on. Using block-based coding on an iPad, students code the rules to create games such as whack-a-mole, relay races and dance competitions.

Brandy Lee, the school’s EdTech coach, brought in the new “toys” about a month ago and is slowly implementing the 24 splat pads into different classes including math, reading and others.

“At first, it was kind of like, ‘What is this?’ and once I saw how it put them in front of the iPad and using the program, it was pretty cool,” Sunlake fourth-grade teacher Amber Hicks said. “Plus, it gets them out of their seat, gets them moving and that can work better than them just sitting there and reading and trying to get them to comprehend what they are learning.

“They are learning this way 10 times better than the traditional way of learning. This is a whole new way of getting them to learn and engage in the material than they would be just reading it to themselves or out loud to the class,” Hicks said.

For sure, students are having fun.

In fact, Unruly Splats’ goal is “to build ridiculously fun learning tools that empower teachers to incorporate STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) into any classroom.”

Which is exactly what Lee and Jakhadi are trying to do with STEAM classes at Sunlake Academy.

“We want to expand it across campus and get teachers excited about it,” Lee said. “And it’s really going to be focused on the coding part, but it is so engaging with the students, who are so excited about it and to use the Splats.”

Sunlake Academy of Math and Science STEAM Program teacher Manjiri Jakhadi, right, is surprised to see how well Kaylianis Beltre did while using a program she and her fellow students coded with Unruly Splats and an iPad.

“We just showed it at the last faculty meeting to the teachers and how it can be used for a multitude of lessons,” Jakhadi added. “The students keep experimenting and learning more each time, learning how to improve its usage and the coding each time, so it’s been pretty obvious from the start that it’s been a great learning tool for them and for us.”

Lee added: “And, they pick up on tech very easily! We practiced five to ten times before we got it, but they got it right away, so maybe we should just let them show us how to teach the lesson! (laughs)”

The students appear to be completely engaged when using the new technology, and they’re learning more than coding.

“I think it’s really fun and it’s a good way to cooperate with other kids,” 9-year-old Leila Dehoyos said. “I like being able to jump around and stomp on them. We have learned to code and let other kids take a turn and not get mad.

“We’re learning a lot by working together as a team.”

So, in the end, the students are keeping to the rules of Unruly Splats.

“I like it a lot,” said 9-year-old Hudson Faedo. “We’re learning how to cooperate and take turns, which is important, because if someone didn’t get a turn, you can make sure they get a turn and share (using the splats) with them.

“Plus, we’re learning to code by stomping on them — a lot! — which is pretty cool.”

Unruly Splats
Details: Programmable floor buttons that students code using an iPad or Chromebook to tell Splats when to light up, make sounds, or collect points when stomped on. Using block-based coding, students code the rules to create games like whack-a-mole, relay races and dance competitions.
Info: Visit UnrulySplats.com.

Published December 21, 2022

Zephyrhills mayor to step down after three terms

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Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield announced on Dec. 16 he will step down from the position in April.

“I have been blessed and honored to serve Our Little City as Mayor for eight and half years, and will finish my third term in April,” Whitfiled posted via the city’s social media channels in a statement titled, ‘From the Desk of Gene Whitfield, Mayor of the City of Zephyrhills.’

Mayor Gene Whitfield (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

“This has been a truly awesome experience, and I thank you all.”

He added, “Zephyrhills has a great future on the horizon and as we move forward, there will be the need for new ideas and new leaders, all the while keeping our Hearts well centered on preserving Our Great Little City.

“Yes, we are growing rapidly with residential, commercial, and industrial expansion. However, we are not alone, Florida is growing and expanding at record numbers.

“The spread of growth is all around us and upon us.”

Since 2014, when he was elected after running unopposed, Whitfield has overseen Pasco County’s largest municipality, including seeing the population rise over 18,000, the addition of thousands of home units and the completion of some major projects, such as the opening of the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center.

“It is not an easy task to grow and provide all the things our citizens want, yet keep our City a hometown community,” Whitfield said in the post. “It takes all of us to help provide that Hometown atmosphere we treasure! … Our City Council and staff work every day to manage our growth as best they can with the goal of preserving our hometown heritage.

“Zephyrhills is truly a Great Little City, and we should all feel blessed to call this our home.”

Whitfield, owner of Whitfield Funeral Home and Cremation Services on Gall Boulevard, succeeded Danny Burgess in 2014 to become the city’s 20th mayor.

The mayor position is largely ceremonial, with no voting power. The city council chooses a board president — in this case, Jodi Wilkeson — to run meetings. Lance Smith is the council’s vice president, while members Ken Burgess, Alan Knight and Charles Proctor round out the council.

However, Knight’s council term is up and his seat is available in the upcoming municipal elections, which are April 11, 2023. Zephyrhills voters also will decide on a new mayor in that election.

Additionally, the city recently revised its town charter, with one of the changes moving the mayor’s and city councilors’ terms from a three-year span to four years.

Published December 21, 2022

Lighting up the holidays — through fun and décor

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Dozens of Land O’ Lakes boaters took to Lake Padgett on Dec. 17 for the neighborhood’s annual boat parade around the body of water.

It’s that time of year again, when local communities are brimming with holiday spirit — evident through the lighted displays and decorations on homes, storefronts and in town squares, throughout The Laker/Lutz News region.

There have been plenty of celebrations, too, with festivals, gatherings and events — some being held for the first time in about two years due to COVID restrictions.

The Old School House in Lutz reopened for its Christmas Celebration. The Golf Cart and Boat Parades resumed in Land O’ Lakes.

Other festivities have included the Christmas parades in Dade City and Zephyrhills and, of course, the Symphony of Lights, a nightly display at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.

Here’s a collection of images we gathered of holiday displays and celebrations around Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

Consider this our seasonal greeting to you.

Also, as we approach the New Year, we want to extend our very best wishes to you for a happy and healthy 2023.

Published December 21, 2022

 

Downtown Dade City had its annual Christmas Stroll on Dec. 3, featuring vendors, shops and entertainment — up and down Seventh Avenue. There also were Clydesdale-drawn carriage rides.
The City of Dade City decked out a massive Christmas tree outside the historic courthouse at 37918 Meridian Ave.
Jo-Jo Tompkins, left, and Benjamin Robinson, right, pose with Santa and The Grinch, while Andrea Tompkins takes a photo before the Lake Padgett Annual Golf Cart Parade began on Dec. 10.
‘Snow’ falls during the Symphony of Lights night show at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, as the hundreds in attendance watch and film with their smartphones.
Three-year-old Maya Ditmar, an All That Dance performer, poses at the end of a Christmas routine at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel. The seasonal event has featured nightly shows from dancers and the Symphony of Lights show.
The Old Lutz Schoolhouse once again was open to the public with its Christmas display. The building had been closed for a two-year hiatus, due to COVID restrictions. It reopened, with its Tree Room, Train Room and Nutcracker Room. It also hosted its Breakfast with Santa and showed Christmas movies on a projector in a small tent outside.
Members of the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team perform a Christmas show on Lake Padgett in Land O’ Lakes on Dec. 17.
Hundreds of golf carts rolled down Parkway Boulevard in Land O’ Lakes during the Lake Padgett annual Golf Cart Parade on Dec. 10. The route went through the neighborhood. Both residents and parade participants tossed out candy, beads and other trinkets.
Lyla Jarrett, left, and Bev Jarrett, right, enjoy the Dade City Christmas Parade on Seventh Avenue on Dec. 9.

Thirteen-year-old musician Nikki Lang, of Dade City, plays the piano for people passing by on Seventh Avenue during Downtown Dade City’s Christmas Stroll on Dec. 3.
The Pasco High Marching Band makes its way down Seventh Avenue at the center of Downtown Dade City at Meridian Avenue during the town’s Christmas Parade on Dec. 10.
All That Dance instructor Corina Gallego holds up one of her students, Sophia Landeros, while posing for a fun Christmas picture at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.
AdventHealth Zephyrhills put up its annual Christmas Tree Display and Stroll in front of the main building at 7050 Gall Blvd.

Still the champs, after 30 years

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To this day, Perry Brown still can’t believe it.

He can’t believe it happened, and the Hall of Fame football coach can’t believe it’s still the only time it happened.

“Back in 1991,” the former Pasco High Football coach said, “when we made a good run, but lost to Santa Fe, (myself and the coaches) would go to coaching clinics and they would say, ‘Perry, you did a great job, but you won’t win a state championship — because Pasco County is just not a football county.’

The trophy awarded to the 1992 Pasco High Football State Champion Team. (Mike Camunas)

“And you get butterflies, just thinking about something of that magnitude — an undefeated team, with the fear of letdown, that if you don’t get this one, well, what a season it was, but you’re still second best.”

Brown paused, then said, “If I remember anything about that game, it’s the final score. … I really thought someone, if not Pasco (High) again, would have (a state title) by now.”

On Dec. 18, the 1992 Pasco Pirates football team celebrated its 30th anniversary of the school’s, and county’s, only state football title.

There was no parade down Seventh Avenue or special ceremony at a home game at W.F. Edwards Stadium.

Instead, players and coaches — many with deep ties and still living in the Dade City community — reflected on that fateful night in Gainesville when the Pirates (14-0) defeated Tampa Jesuit 28-16 for the AAA state championship.

“How can I explain it? — one of the best things of my life. One of the best things I’ve ever accomplished and the one thing I honestly know I started and finished all the way,” said Jackie Tucker, a former nose guard who graduated in 1994. “I’m getting butterflies now just thinking about it and the community love from then — that’s what I got out of it.

“And there should have been more (state titles). Could have been three — a dynasty. It’s still crazy that there hasn’t been another one.”

Crazier still is that Pasco (491-360-20), as the most successful postseason team (19-17) in the county, is the only other county team to even come close to winning a state title.

Brad Starling, an assistant coach on the 1992 team, holds up his ring awarded to him, the players and the rest of the coaching staff for winning the state title.

In fact, no other Pasco County football team has made the state tournament, or the final four teams in their classification. Mitchell and Land O’ Lakes have both come close, but fallen in the region final round. Even 9 Mile War rival Zephyrhills has joined that fray, losing in the region final this season 26-9 to Lake Wales on Nov. 25.

“It’s — how can I say? — bragging rights in a way,” Tucker said. “The only one that did it all. You think in 30 years someone would have, but it’s nuts no one has.”

In 1983, the Pirates were 12-1, but fell one game shy of the state final, losing to Palatka 18-13. And in 1991, prior to the championship run, Pasco was handed a 35-16 loss by Santa Fe, ending in another 12-1 season.

“When I went (to Pasco), of course, it was starting from scratch, and we struggled the first year — the second year, we won eight games, so it was a process,” said Brown, who went 58-22 from 1989 to 1995 as the Pirates head coach. “In 1992, we pushed those kids pretty hard.”

It was just 11 years ago that Pasco was in the midst of another storybook season, as a dominating, undefeated team that looked destined for, at least, a state final appearance. The team was led by former head coach Tom McHugh and incredible all-around player Janarion Grant, but it lost a heartbreaking, triple-overtime game to Wakulla.

“I was rooting for that team,” Brown said. “I was even at that game. … Those kids, they’re trying to win a state title, too, and you want them to succeed.

First-year Pasco High Football coach Alphonso Freeney, who guided the Pirates to a 9-2 record and a return to the postseason this season, holds up a framed photo of the 1992 state team that will be hung in the team’s fieldhouse on campus.

“But someone tried to tell me (the 2011) team could beat our (1992) team … and I was like, ‘I don’t know about that. Maybe.’ I like to think we had more grit.”

That grit came in the form of the coaches holding players accountable, even if it meant literally dragging them from bed for early-morning practices.

“You, as a player and teenager, wanted to sleep in,” Tucker said. “But sometimes you’d wake up and coach would be standing over you in bed. … Whenever we did have adversity, it was easy to overcome because the coaches, who had been with us through PAL and middle school, were like uncles.”

There certainly was adversity, most notably right before the state championship game. Just days before the game, quarterback Isaac Johnson, who would pass for 124 yards and a touchdown, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for assault.

Johnson spent the night at the Land O’ Lakes detention center and was released just 12 hours before the game. He was rushed to Dade City, just as the team was headed out on the bus through downtown, with nearly every resident and citizen sending them off in style.

“With Isaac getting arrested, it kind of rallied us together,” said Pasco 1994 grad and the team’s kicker and punter, Brent Lockliear. (He went on to play for Ball State and lives in Indianapolis to this day).

“It was the us-against-everyone-else mentality, where they’re even trying to take our quarterback and shut us down.

“But all the way to Gainesville, we would see banners they had put up on I-75 to support us. … It was just incredible, with an incredible team,” Lockliear said.

The Pirates and the county’s other high school teams share the collective desire to bring home another state championship to the county, but for now — after 30 years, the only champs remain in Dade City.

The historic 1992 Pasco Pirates.

“I was fishing once, with one of my coaches, and he got a call and said he was with one of the players from the 1992 championship,” Lockliear said. “So, 25 years later, you’re still referred to as a player on the state championship — that’s a big honor. “For the guys who still live in Dade City, every day they are looked on as part of the only state championship.”

“Everyone wanted (the title) bad, as bad as us, even former players (at the time),” Tucker added. “We’re looked at as the legacy, which will always mean something in this city.”

Even so, Brown said: “It would not break my heart to see another team, especially Pasco, win a state championship.”

Published December 21, 2022

Fall hockey champs crowned

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The Fall Recreational Hockey Season at AdventHealth Center Ice, in Wesley Chapel, came to an end during the weekend of Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, with three local teams coming out on top in their respective divisions.

In the Under 10 division, the Yetis were victorious, while Grape Crush won in the Under 12 division. The Trash Pandas rounded out the championship teams, taking home honors for the Under 14/16 crown.

U10 Yetis (Courtesy of AdventHealth Center Ice)
U12 Grape Crush
U14/16 Trash Pandas

Diverging Diamond sparkles in Central Pasco

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The seemingly never-ending Diverging Diamond Interchange Project has wrapped up construction and is operating with its new traffic pattern at the intersection of State Road 56 and Interstate 75 (I-75).

Starting back in January 2019, the $33.6-million Central Pasco project hit not only delays, but fell behind schedule and faced management hurdles.

Three eastbound lanes on State Road 56 lead through the Diverging Diamond Interchange at Interstate 75 (Mike Camunas)

However, the traffic is now flowing through seven lanes. The project also features crosswalks and bike lanes, as well.

“The roadway is in final configuration — converted to the Diverging Diamond Interchange traffic pattern on May 1, 2022 and is functioning as intended,” Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials told The Laker/Lutz News. “With the opening of the final westbound State Road 56 thru-lane and a third northbound exit ramp left-turn lane on Oct. 31, 2022, all capacity improvements were completed throughout the project.”

Officials from FDOT also said the entirety of the project will be completed mid- to late January, with “some final paving and pavement markings to be completed that are weather-dependent activities (rain and cooler temperatures must be avoided). Other remaining work mostly involves final cleanup and completion of minor repairs/deficiencies.”

An overhead shot of the Diverging Diamond Interchange at Interstate 75 and State Road 56 shows the new traffic patterns at the intersection in Central Pasco. (Courtesy of Florida Department of Transportation)

The new pattern diverges, or crosses, State Road 56 traffic to the left side of the road through the interchange, and then crosses vehicles back over to the right side of the road on the opposite side of the interchange.

This pattern reduces vehicle delays by allowing traffic to enter the interstate without waiting at a left-turn signal. To accomplish this, traffic is redirected from the right side of the bridge to the left side.

Signalized crossovers are positioned at each side of the interchange, and are designed to cross eastbound and westbound State Road 56 traffic with no turning movements at these two intersections. This design allows for more efficient signal timing, which reduces delay times, minimizes conflict points and enables the interchange to efficiently handle higher volumes of traffic while eliminating more serious crashes associated with a conventional interchange.

Crosswalks and sidewalks through the Diverging Diamond Interchange allow pedestrians to cross over Interstate 75, traveling both east and west on State Road 56. (Mike Camunas)

The project was completed by Superior Construction Company Southeast LLC.

That wasn’t the construction management company that began the project.

Work was halted in June 2021, when D.A.B. Constructors notified FDOT it was demobilizing from the project. The state transportation department then defaulted D.A.B., on July 1, 2021.

D.A.B. Constructors, which had told the county in November 2020 it was behind schedule on the project, had seven projects in FDOT District 7, including three in Pasco County. After D.A.B. was defaulted on the Diverging Diamond project, it self-defaulted on the other Pasco projects, which are on State Road 52 and State Road 54.

It would take another two months before Superior Construction would restart the work in September 2021 on the first diverging diamond in District 7.

Two clearly marked lanes at the Diverging Diamond Interchange at State Road 56 tell drivers these lanes lead to southbound Interstate 75. (Mike Camunas)

Florida’s first diverging diamond opened at University Parkway at I-75, in Sarasota, in 2017.

Nearby businesses, restaurants, hotels and attractions are ecstatic the project is up and running. Especially since when the project was first proposed, the start date was in 2024. Former County Commissioner Mike Moore advocated for the project to be started sooner.

“I’m very happy that we were able to work very closely with our legislators and FDOT to get that diverging diamond moved up from 2024 — when it originally was going to start — to now, almost being completed,” Moore told The Laker/Lutz News in November.

“That’s huge. It really is huge.”

Chris Durant, general manager at Tampa Premium Outlets, is delighted by the project’s completion, noting: “It has greatly improved our shoppers’ experience.

The westbound lanes of State Road 56 leading into the Diverging Diamond Interchange at Interstate 75 are now open, with six lanes: four that continue westbound and two other lanes that take drivers southbound onto I-75. (Mike Camunas)

“The updated traffic pattern makes it easier than ever for our guests to access our property, and the timing was perfect for Black Friday and holiday shopping.”

Those at AdventHealth Center Ice, the five-rink, 150,000-square-foot arena at the northwest corner of State Road 56 and I-75, are glad that after five years at its location, to see the project complete. They know it will help with the thousands of visitors and skaters the arena welcomes annually.

“I know (the interchange) well because I drive it every day,” said Jim Charos, vice president of sponsorships and affiliations at the facility.

“So far, it’s working very well; it has made our lives a lot easier, as well as the lives of our customers, and our skaters,” Charos said.

The project also added sidewalks, crossing signals and bike lanes for pedestrians and riders to cross over I-75, going both east and west. However, walking from attractions, such as from Center Ice to Tampa Premiums Outlets and its restaurants and attractions could be up to more than 2 miles in distance one way.

Charos appreciates that visitors of Center Ice who are staying at nearby hotels have the option of walking, but he doesn’t expect many to make the trek.

“It’s great they can go enjoy all the amenities across the bridge, but I’ll be very surprised if anyone does (that walk),” he said. “It’s too imposing, too scary — I wouldn’t walk it. I know that capability is there, to walk it from our place, but it’s not short and it’s not easy.

“Realistically, that’s a drive for anyone that’s on our side of I-75.”

Published December 14, 2022

An aerial view of the Diverging Diamond Interchange at Interstate 75 and State Road 56 shows the new traffic flow. (Courtesy of the Florida Department of Transportation)
The Diverging Diamond Interchange at State Road 56 that crosses over Interstate 75 also features bike lanes. (Mike Camunas)

Senior Games in Pasco County

By

Jeff Winkler, of St. Petersburg, returns a shot during a tennis match played at the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center in Zephyrhills as part of the 2022 Florida Senior Games from Dec. 3 to Dec. 11. (Mike Camunas)
Carol Teel, of The Villages, makes a roll during a bowling match at Pin Chasers in Zephyrhills as part of the 2022 Florida Senior Games from Dec. 3 to Dec. 11.

The 2022 Florida Senior Games took place at various locations throughout Pasco County, from Dec. 3 to Dec. 11, with thousands of athletes participating in multiple events.

According to Florida Sports Coast, the Florida Senior Games featured 2,350 total athletes, 428 pickleball players at Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center, 84 athletes from Pasco County, athletes from 36 different states and 15 athletes over 90 years old.

Events included basketball, volleyball, table tennis, bowling, powerlifting, racquetball, track and field, tennis, archery, cycling, pickleball, swimming, bowling, shuffleboard and more.

Events were held at such places as the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center in Zephyrhills, the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus in Wesley Chapel, Cypress Creek High School in Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills Shuffleboard Club.

Pasco County also will host the Senior Games in the first two weeks of December in 2023 and 2024, and previously did so in 2020, as well.

Pasco is the ninth community in Florida to host the games for more than one year, since the games began in 1991.