The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH- Pasco) Breast Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program has partnered with AdventHealth to provide free breast cancer screenings to women in the community on April 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Florida Department of Health-Pasco, Summit Professional, 7509 State Road 52 in Hudson.
Eligible Requirements:
• A Florida resident.
• Has no health insurance or insurance will not cover the cost of mammogram.
• Household income that is less than or equal to 200% to the federal poverty
guidelines.
• Has no breast symptoms (e.g., pain, discharge, lump).
• Has not had a mammogram in the past year. This will be considered their annual
wellness screening mammogram.
• Women under 40 years of age require a prescription from their doctor.
• If you need diagnostic imaging, you will be unable to use this mobile unit as the
bus provides a 3D screening mammogram.
• You are not eligible to be screened on the mobile unit if you are currently
pregnant or have not stopped breastfeeding for five months.
To make sure you are eligible for this screening, and to schedule an appointment, email at , or call 727-619-0369 or 727-619-0371.
Public input session seeks feedback
Pasco County’s Department of Public Works is launching a major project to update its Stormwater Master Plan, which will identify stormwater areas of concern, as well as strategies and projects to help reduce flooding and improve drainage across unincorporated areas in Pasco County.
An Eastside Public Input Session is scheduled for April 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City, in the second-floor boardroom.
“It’s important we receive thorough feedback from the public on our Stormwater Master Plan,” said Public Works Director Jason Mickel, in a news release.
“We’re working hard to improve stormwater quality and reduce flooding, and these input sessions allow us the opportunity to fulfill that endeavor through community member concerns and suggestions,” said Mickel.
For those on the west side of the county and for those who cannot attend in person, ideas can be submitted online at MyPasco.net/swmp.
Published April 17, 2024
Practice Earth Day, every day
Since the first observance of Earth Day in 1970, the designation has grown into the largest civic observance in the world, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) website. The day is an opportunity to think about how lives are impacting the environment.
This Earth Day, April 22, join the DEP to recognize Florida’s efforts in sustaining our air, water, land and ecosystems. The department’s theme for 2024 is “Clean is Green: Preserving Florida’s Future,” its website says.
The DEP offers these ways to practice Earth Day, every day:
- Volunteer. Find Florida State Park volunteer opportunities and other volunteer opportunities near you.
- Practice Florida-Friendly Landscaping.
- Sign the pledge and Rethink. Reset. Recycle.
- Use Green Lodging when you travel.
- Help your favorite school achieve a Green School designation.
- Practice clean boating habits and use a Clean Marine Program for boating needs.
- Increase awareness of Florida’s natural resources by exploring its state parks, aquatic preserves and national estuarine research reserves.
- Help protect Florida’s coral reef.
The DEP works year-round to protect and restore Florida’s natural resources by:
- Providing recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy Florida’s natural resources through the Florida State Parks
- Conserving the state’s natural and cultural history by acquiring environmentally sensitive lands
- Using science to identify impaired water bodies and work with local communities to implement restoration and pollution prevention projects
- Investing in water quality protection and restoration projects
- Regulating air emissions sources to protect air quality
- Working with communities to identify and implement projects to improve resilience
- Communicating real-time water quality status to Florida residents and other interested parties
- Enforcing the state’s environmental laws
For more information and links to programs, visit https://floridadep.gov/comm/comm/campaign/earth-day-2024.
See The Laker’s What’s Happening section this week for Earth Day events and activities.
Published April 17, 2024
Juvenile Choice Program opens to ages 11 to 17
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) has announced its Juvenile Choice Program is now open to anyone ages 11 to 17, according to a news release.
The program is geared toward mentoring youth by highlighting the real consequences of bad decisions and encouraging kids to make strides toward a positive future, the release says.
Youth in the program learn through classroom instruction and participation in exercises. PSO members also give a virtual tour of Pasco County’s Corrections Center, a walk through the booking process, and review scenarios to teach the importance of making informed choices.
In addition, participants will discuss the challenges they see today such as peer pressure, substance abuse and involvement in criminal activities, and how those challenges influence their paths.
The interactions between PSO members and those in the program focus on empowerment and education. Both law enforcement and the kids can build trust during the program, which opens the lines of communication and, in turn, keeps our community safe.
Students also can reflect on their goals for the future and how they can achieve them.
The Juvenile Choice Program meets in person at various locations across Pasco County and lasts three hours.
The first meeting is open to all ages 11 to 17 on April 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at 7601 Little Road in New Port Richey.
For more information about times and locations, or to sign up a youth for this program, email the participant’s name, age and parent contact information to .
Published April 17, 2024
Anglers reel in Saltwater state catch records
Two Catch a Florida Memory anglers had a record-setting spring, reeling in three new Saltwater State Records this year, so far.
In January, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Marine Fisheries Management launched three new Saltwater State Records Categories: Adult and Youth Length categories for catch and release records and a Youth All-Tackle Weight category.
Julia Bernstein logged a 20-pound, 15-ounce cobia and a 1-pound, 8-ounce mangrove (gray) snapper to land her two new state records in Youth All-Tackle Weight.
After a strong release, Joseph Ingold’s 36.25-inch red drum earned him the new state length record in Adult Length.
Visit CatchAFloridaMemory.com/Records to see open categories and applicable rules.
Published April 17, 2024
04/20/2024 – Local author fest
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a free Local Author Fest on April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for all ages.
The opening speaker will be Jarod Rosello at 10:30 a.m., followed by an author talk with Joshua Pearson at 11:30 a.m. Pearson is a Tampa-based visual artist best known as the founding member of the creative studio Pep Rally Inc., specializing in murals, visual identity and immersive art for groups like the Tampa Bay Lightning and downtown Sparkman’s Wharf. He will discuss art in the social media age, the journey through artist burnout, and finding support within the creative community.
There also will be a Next Gen Writers’ Showcase: YouthBeats where guests can meet student authors, read published work and attend a workshop. YouthBeats is a student organization at J.W. Mitchell High School. Other activities include:
- Children’s Drawing Workshop: Diary of a Wimpy Kid at 11:30 a.m.
- Sci-Fi and Fantasy Panel: Our World and Beyond – Voice of Imagination, 11:30 a.m.
- Young Writers Workshop: Plot like a Pro, for ages 12 to 17, 11:30 a.m.
- Author Talk: Kelly Coon, 1 p.m.
- Children’s Authors Panel: Stories to Spark Imagination, 1 p.m.
- Kids Korner: Read-a-Loud with Karl and Gunner, 1 p.m.
- Young Writers Workshop: YA by the Bay, for ages 12 to 17, 1 p.m.
No registration required. Additional parking will be in the Starkey Ranch K-8 School parking lot. For information, call 727-815-7126.
04/19/2024 – Earth Heroes!
The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., will host “Earth Heroes!” on April 19 at 10 a.m., to celebrate Earth Day with sensory activities and crafts. The program may be messy, so wear clothes that can get dirty. Space is limited, but registration is not required. Call 813-780-0064 for information.
04/19/2024 – Vinyl record art
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a tween/teen ‘crafternoon’ on April 19 at 3 p.m. Participants can celebrate National Record Store Day by customizing their own vinyl record. CDs and other materials will be used to create colorful mosaic art. All materials will be provided. Registration is required. Call 727-815-7126.
04/19/2024 – Harvester movie night
Harvester Community Church, 2432 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, will host a movie night on April 19 at 6:30 p.m. The main feature will show clips of Christian comedians, including Tim Hawkins, Mark Lowry, Chonda Pierce, Jeanne Robertson and Ken Davis. A kids’ movie also will be available for the little ones.
04/20/2024 – Earth Day 2024
UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension will host its Earth Day 2024 Celebration on April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at its One Stop Shop, 15029 14th St., in Dade City. The event will include a plant sale; gardening; water conservation; electronics recycling collection; kids zone; free bag of produce (while supplies last, one bag per family); health checks; and SMARTstart vendors. Representatives from various Pasco County departments and state agencies also will be available to help guests become better Earth ambassadors by sharing information on a variety of free and low-cost county and state services. For information, call 352-518-0156.