The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Ashley’s ‘smile’ says it all

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Two-year-old kitty Ashley was ‘rescued’ by her brother Sagan, after Sagan spotted her in the backyard. Ashley not only is a purr-fect kitty, but she came with a smiley face on her side! Now, Sagan and Ashley spend a lot of time cooing and playing together. Ashley talks constantly and gives kisses. These kitties’ owners, Sheri and John Thrasher, of Wesley Chapel, spend a lot of time smiling at the two of them. Sheri said Ashley is the best thing that happened to them in 2020.

What a beauty

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This white-tailed deer was in Sharon Thompson’s backyard in Country Walk in Wesley Chapel. She snapped the photo when the deer stopped to look at her. White-tailed deer are herbivores, feeding primarily on twigs and leaves, but their diet also includes acorns, fruits and mushrooms. Plants attractive to deer include cross vines, Hercules club, persimmons, sourwood, redbud, buttonbush, ash, tupelo, gum trees and beautyberry.

Health News 01/27/2021

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Equipment grant
Florida Medical Clinic and the Florida Medical Clinic Foundation of Caring presented a $20,900 grant to the Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) West Campus in New Port Richey, for health care training equipment at PHSC.

The college will use the funds to purchase innovative airway management simulation units, which will help to prepare students to provide excellent health care to the residents of the community.

For information on making a gift in support of the PHSC programs, contact the PHSC Foundation at 727-816-3410 or .

Lung cancer stats
LawnStarter, an outdoor services provider and clean-air advocate, released a report on the Best and Worst States for Lung Cancer Patients.

LawnStarter compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 32 key indicators of lung cancer risk, prevalence, prevention, treatment accessibility and treatment affordability.

Here is Florida’s rank in each category (1=Best)

  • Risk: 17th
  • Treatment Accessibility: 27th
  • Prevention: 44th
  • Prevalence: 46th
  • Treatment Affordability: 48th

Chalk Talk 01/27/2021

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Food insecurity grant
Centene/WellCare Health Plans made a $5,000 grant to support the Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) Foundation Support Our Students (SOS) Emergency Fund.

The funds will help to provide relief for PHSC students who are experiencing hunger or food insecurity.

The partnership also will assist PHSC in serving students at the campus food pantries.

For information on how to support campus hunger initiatives, contact the PHSC Foundation at or 727-816-3410.

Student achievements

  • Jose Bautista, of Lutz: Dean’s List at Avila University, Kansas City, Missouri
  • Jaelyn Evans, of Odessa: President’s List at Mississippi College, Clinton, Mississippi
  • Angelica C. Gonzalez, of Lutz: Dean’s List at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
  • Iuliana Shyova, of Land O’ Lakes: Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois

Free English workshops
Saint Leo University is offering a free, five-week, drop-in English writing workshop beginning on Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m., via Zoom. Additional dates are Feb. 8, Feb. 15, Feb. 22 and March 1.

The sessions are designed to help anyone who is looking to start college, pass the English placement exam, or advance their writing skills. The workshop is open to community members, current students and prospective students – anyone who wants to improve their communication skills.

Participants may attend one or all of the free sessions.

“We hope to offer those attending new confidence and insight before taking the English placement exam,” said Alaina Plowdrey, Key West Education Center director. “We also want to offer current students a quick, yet thorough crash-course or refresher, and everyone will benefit from some one-on-one time with Saint Leo University writing experts.”

When looking for potential employees, managers say they value effective communication and actively look for this skill. Saint Leo University is offering this free workshop to aid those who may be considering obtaining a degree or who just want to brush up on their writing in order to grow in their careers.

Registration is available at SaintLeo.edu/worldwide-virtual-events.

For more information, email , or call 305-293-2847.

Virtual summit
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) will host a virtual “Linking in Faith and Education (LIFE), Spirit, and Wellness Support and Resource Summit: Equity and Advancement of Minority Males in America” on Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon.

The summit will bring together individuals, behavioral health communities, career resources and congregations to discuss social justice and equality issues as they relate to Black and brown underrepresented populations.

There will be a panel discussion on equity and advancement of minority males in America, followed by breakout sessions on leadership/mentoring; politics, policing and civic responsibility; life skills; and, mental health and spirituality.

The event will be presented by PHSC LIFE and Success Academy, and cohosted by Eastern Florida State College and the Florida African American Student Association.

The first 200 registrants will receive a free lunch from Grubhub, sponsored by Humana Bold Goal.

To register, visit PHSC.edu/about/events.

Early release days
During the second semester, Pasco County Schools will implement a two-hour early release day every month, each day falling on a Wednesday. There will be no early release day in May.

The early release days, which were implemented for the first time last school year, provide teachers with an opportunity to complete professional development and experience training that will help increase effective instruction and ultimately will benefit students.

Students who are registered in the district’s PLACE program will be able to stay the extra two hours with no additional charges. School buses will operate two hours earlier during early release days. The routes and bus stops will not change.

Upcoming early release days are Feb. 3, March 3 and April 7.

The bell times, including the early release times for each school, can be found at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule, or on the Pasco County Schools’ Facebook page.

Free webinar
Saint Leo University’s Tapia College of Business will present “Re-Imagine Your Future Under Subchapter V: A Chapter 11 Survival Tool for Small Businesses” on Feb. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The free webinar will explore Subchapter V as an option for small businesses severely affected by the current pandemic.

Dave Jennis, a bankruptcy attorney, will discuss key considerations for bankruptcy and lead participants through the process, from filing to when companies emerge from bankruptcy.

Small business owners and the general public can attend the webinar.

The registration link can be found at SaintLeo.edu/business-events under the Webinars-Surviving the Pandemic category.

St. Anthony open house
St. Anthony Catholic School, 12155 Joe Herrmann Drive in San Antonio, is scheduled to open a new VPK program in August. Enrollment for new families will begin on Feb. 23.

The school will host an open house on Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon. Small tours will be given due to the current COVID-19 health and safety circumstances.

St. Anthony is a private K-8 school founded in 1884 and dedicated to providing students with quality and Christ-centered education that addresses a child’s needs spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally and physically.

For information and to learn more about the school’s VPK program, K-8 openings, or to schedule a tour, call 352-588-3041, or visit StAnthonySchoolFl.org.

Saint Leo opens in Tampa
Saint Leo University is relocating its Tampa Education Center to the building formerly known as the Berriman-Morgan Cigar Factory, 1403 N. Howard Ave., in Tampa, according to a news release. The fully renovated building is located off Interstate 275.

Saint Leo’s Tampa location will offer 32,000 square feet of space across four floors.

The basement and first floor will be home to the Tampa Education Center; the second floor will house Center for Online Learning Student Advising, Student Financial Services, and executive offices; and the third floor will host the Center for Online Learning enrollment team.

The center, which currently serves more than 300 students, will offer eight classrooms, one of which is a computer lab, student and employee lounges, and a Military Resource Center.

The relocation will allow Saint Leo to offer students a wider variety of academic programs, state-of-the-art technology, and more opportunities.

“We know this new location in Tampa will serve our students well and provide more engagement with the community,” Jeffrey D. Senese, university president, said in the release.

“We want to be a partner to the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County, and we want Saint Leo students to have the opportunities for internships and careers, and build a great workforce for the area,” Senese added.

For information about the Tampa Education Center, email or call 813-226-2777.

For admissions information, call 877-622-2009.

Celebrating a new baby, from a distance

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(Mary Rathman)

Toni and Jack Swoboda, of Land O’ Lakes, decided against a small-gathering baby shower for their son, Cody, and his wife, Brittany, of New Tampa, due to the spike in COVID-19 numbers after the holidays. Instead, the celebration was arranged, complete with decorations and party favors, on the Swoboda’s front lawn, for family and friends that wanted to ‘drive by’ to chat with the couple, if only for a short time. Cody and Brittany stand behind the celebratory yard sign to welcome well-wishers.

Burgess discusses pandemic response

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Florida State Sen. Danny Burgess undoubtedly has a full plate of responsibilities as he settles into his new legislative role representing District 20, which spans parts of Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties.

Most notable for the 34-year-old Republican from Zephyrhills is tackling existing and lasting effects of the coronavirus pandemic. He is chairman of the newly created Select Committee on Pandemic Response and Preparedness — a role appointed by Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby.

Florida State Sen. Danny Burgess was the featured guest speaker at The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce’s Jan. 7 business breakfast meeting. The newly elected Zephyrhills Republican also is serving as chairman of the recently created Select Committee on Pandemic Response and Preparedness. (Kevin Weiss)

The first-term Senate member discussed COVID-19 response and other topics as the featured guest speaker at The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce’s Jan. 7 breakfast meeting at Golden Corral in Zephyrhills.

Burgess didn’t mince words regarding the magnitude of short- and long-term issues that need to be tackled by the 10-member pandemic committee.

“It’s a big responsibility ahead of us,” Burgess told the room of local business leaders. “We’re still learning as we go. We’re building this plane as we’re flying…because this is a new world we’re in and this (virus) has never existed before.”

The committee, Burgess said, will examine “every area that’s been impacted,” particularly in the way of business issues related to the coronavirus, including restaurants, retail, entertainment establishments and so on.

One such example is introducing liability protections if someone claims they contracted COVID-19 at a particular locale, he said.

Burgess explained: “As you’re opening up (businesses) again, you don’t need to be looking over your shoulder wondering if you’re going to get sued because this person said they got COVID at your place or your hand sanitizer machine was empty, right? That’s the kind of stuff that we’re looking at there.”

He continued with pro-business sentiments, adding “there should be a presumption that businesses should be open” through the pandemic going forward.

“You should be able to operate in an environment and not be told to shut down,” said Burgess, an attorney partnered in a full-service practice in Dade City.

“As long we we’re taking the appropriate (health and safety) steps and doing what you need to do as a business, you should not have to shut your doors because there are devastating impacts that could be just as bad as the virus, if you think about it.

“We have to make sure that people can earn a living, that people can stay on their feet and make a wage and not cripple our economy, and so there’s gotta be that balance.”

Aside from business impacts, surging mental health problems amid the pandemic will be a heavy focus for Burgess and other Senate leaders, too.

The lawmaker pointed out regional mental health crisis intervention calls “are up like 200%  routinely” in parts of the state, and suicide rates already “are really high, but that’s going up, too.

“I think all of us are extremely worried about the second- and third-order effects of the pandemic,” Burgess said. “I believe there’s things that are coming down the road that we haven’t fully realized yet, and a lot of it has to do in the world of mental health, some of the economic fallout that we’ve seen from people who don’t have a job anymore or lost their business, maybe lost their home, so I’m really concerned about homelessness, and I’m really concerned about mental health.”

Youth educational disruptions because of COVID-19 figures to be another boiling point for the committee, Burgess said.

“There’s going to be a lot of kids left behind potentially because of what we had to do with barriers of being able to go to school,” said Burgess, who also noted COVID-19 school closures have inhibited the reporting of child abuse and neglect cases.

Burgess said the state legislature also will be navigating tough 2021 budget sessions because of unforeseen cuts and shortfalls from the pandemic. Despite that, he said, “we have to continue to push for our priorities and things that are important to us, and just work within the means, right?”

COVID-19 vaccine clinic in East Pasco
Furthering on the COVID-19 topic, Burgess said he’s been in communication with the Florida Department of Health to secure at least one vaccine clinic at an East Pasco location.

Since Burgess’ talk, a drive-thru vaccination site has been set up at Saint Leo University.

There also is a drive-thru vaccination clinic in Pasco, and it’s on the west side —  at Sears in the Gulfview Square Mall, at 9409 U.S. 19, Port Richey.

Meantime, the senator said he and other state leaders are pushing for legislation to eventually make COVID-19 vaccines available at pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS, similar to how the flu vaccine is administered by a trained pharmacist at those respective locations.

Zephyrhills resilient through pandemic
Elsewhere, Burgess commended his hometown and surrounding areas for their resilience during the pandemic.

“I think the thing that always stands out to me about Zephyrhills and the East Pasco community is how much you support the community, and you would think in a time like this we’re all facing very financial constraining challenges you wouldn’t be able to do that as much, but it’s really incredible to see, despite the inward challenges that we’re facing that we didn’t stop supporting the greater community as a whole.”

Burgess made a point to praise growth and development of the city’s downtown main street corridor, and the varied activities and experiences the area now offers.

Those new attractions are drawing day-trippers from surrounding areas, such as Plant City and Tampa, he said.

He also tipped his hat to businesses popping up along Fifth Avenue, such as the microbrewery, axe throwing, billiards hall, a board game café, vintage crafts and furniture store, to name a few.

And all of this happening, despite the pandemic.

“I mean, I grew up downtown. I’ve been getting Slurpee’s at the 7-Eleven my whole life and it’s never been like this,” Burgess said. “It’s got like a life now, so this is becoming a little bit of a unique destination, so we need to capitalize on this.”

Published January 20, 2021

Lulu has a great memory

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Lulu is a charcoal Shih-Poo, with a knack for making friends. If you meet Lulu and you rub her belly, she will remember you forever. She also is a bit of a tracker when she puts her head to the ground to seek out family and friends. It’s impossible to hide from Lulu! Besides traveling well, Lulu is a very loving and personable companion. She’s always ready to play and to make herself at home anywhere. Lulu resides with her mom and dad, Tim and Rita Koral, in Wesley Chapel.

Drilling for a snack

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Betsy Crisp, of Land O’ Lakes, said she usually sees pileated woodpeckers on the dead trees around Treasure Lake when she walks her dogs. But this time, her home security camera doubled as a wildlife camera and she spied a red-bellied woodpecker in the backyard. These woodpeckers usually can be found in woodlands, but often venture from the forest to appear at backyard feeders.

New technology

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BayCare is utilizing Aiva technology in 2,500 hospital rooms across 14 Tampa Bay area hospitals, according to a news release.

(Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

Patients will experience smart rooms that allow them to connect with their care team and control devices, like the TV – all hands-free.

The technology is being deployed at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz before being implemented system-wide by BayCare into other hospitals. BayCare hopes to have the technology in place across its entire system by the end of 2021.

BayCare uses a health care-specific platform known as Aiva to handle patient requests. These requests are immediately sent to the correct support person based on what a patient tells Aiva via an Alexa device installed in their room.

The care team member receives the request on their BayCare iPhone specifically deployed for communications.

The technology was piloted at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa and Winter Haven Hospital in 2019, before being put to use at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North late last year.

Patients were highly satisfied with the Aiva technology in surveys during the pilot, said Craig Anderson, BayCare director of innovation, in the release.

Covid-19 vaccine

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers this information on “What to Expect after Getting a Covid-19 Vaccine,” on its website, CDC.gov/coronavirus.

Common side effects are: On the arm — pain, swelling; throughout the body — fever, chills, tiredness, headache.

These side effects may affect the person’s ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.

If you have pain or discomfort, talk to a doctor about taking over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

To reduce pain or discomfort in the arm, apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area, and use or exercise the arm. To reduce discomfort from a fever, drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly.

Contact your doctor or health care provider if the redness or tenderness increases after 24 hours, or if the side effects are worrisome or do not seem to be going away after a few days.

If you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical care by calling 911.

For information about the second Covid-19 shot, visit CDC.gov/coronavirus.