The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Chalk Talk 09/23/2020

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Student achievements
• Kelly McDermott, of Lutz, was recognized on the President’s List at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
• Chase Memmer, of Odessa, was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
• Rachael Williams, of Odessa, received a Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

Faculty recital
Saint Leo University recorded its annual Fall Faculty Music Recital to share with the public.

The recital is about an hour long and features 12 pieces from a wide range of styles, including Western classical selections and others.

Those interested can watch the video for free on the Saint Leo University Music YouTube Channel.

Career workshop
University of South Florida Career Services will offer a virtual career development workshop, “How to Select Your College Major,” on Sept. 29 at 4 p.m., through Microsoft Teams for teens, grades eight to 12 only.

Registration is required.

For information, email .

Scholarship America
Scholarship America, a nonprofit scholarship and education support organization, is accepting applications through Oct. 15, for the 2021 Scholarship America Dream Award.

The program is open to any college student with financial need, who has overcome barriers and has successfully completed at least one year toward their college education.

The scholarships are inclusive of all types of students, from diverse backgrounds, seeking a two-year or four-year degree.

The scholarships are renewable and increase in amount each year.

Scholarship America has awarded more than $2.3 million to 108 students, with scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 based on financial need.

Eligible students can apply online at LearnMore.scholarsapply.org/dreamaward/.

Upon application, students also will be notified about additional scholarship programs that they may be eligible for.

Social justice series
Saint Leo University will present a “Courageous Conversations” series, examining social justice issues, through Zoom. These free, virtual discussions will look at topics included in Bryan Stevenson’s book, “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption,” from different perspectives across multiple disciplines.

The next session is set for Oct. 15, and will focus on social work/social justice. Upcoming conversations include:
• Nov. 19: criminal justice/ethics
• Jan. 21: business/nonprofit organizations
• Feb. 18: religion/spirituality
• March 18: education

All sessions are from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at SaintLeo.zoom.us/j/94551952591.

For information, email Nikki Heister, special programs manager, Department of Public Safety Administration, at .

Reaccreditation issued
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) has received official notice regarding the reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the southern states.

The reaccreditation committee, comprised of educators from throughout the association’s region of 11 states, visited PHSC in October 2019. The committee placed special emphasis on evaluating PHSC’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).

During the next five years, PHSC’s QEP, Bridge to Success: The College Readiness Experience, will improve student success by providing engaging, meaningful, and relevant learning experiences in four specific areas of college readiness: problem solving, intellectual openness, time management, and persistence.

Out of 79 standards, PHSC received no recommendations – a rare accomplishment with accreditation outcomes. The college received two recommendations on its QEP based on learning outcomes, which were addressed in the Response Report and accepted by SACSCOC. PHSC’s next reaffirmation of its accreditation will take place in 2030, unless otherwise notified.

Shoe & Sock Drive underway
The fifth annual Two Good Soles Shoe and Sock Drive is underway, as the Pasco County government and constitutional offices work together to collect footwear for kids in Pasco County schools, through Oct. 23.

Donations can be dropped off to the collection boxes at Pasco County Government locations, and the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller, Property Appraiser and Tax Collector offices countywide.

Last year’s record-setting drive resulted in 3,057 pairs of shoes and 13,285 pairs of socks.

Items collected will be donated to Pasco County Schools at the end of October, directly benefiting local students.

For information, visit PascoCountyFl.net/civicalerts.

WREC 2021 scholarships
The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) every year offers scholarships to high school students. The students are selected by local guidance counselors and WREC personnel.

Applications for the 2021-2022 school year will be available after Dec. 1, and must be postmarked no later than March 26, 2021.

To apply, students must:

  • be a high school senior and maintain a 2.0 GPA
  • be a dependent of a WREC member
  • be a bona-fide resident within the service area of WREC for at least one year prior to Dec. 31.
  • plan to attend an in-state college, university or technical school full-time (minimum 12 credit hours per semester)
  • keep a 2.0 GPA each semester (or higher if mandated by the institution) to maintain eligibility

Applications can be found at any local WREC office, high school guidance office or online at WREC.net.

Successful candidates will receive $1,375 per semester ($11,000 maximum) for undergraduate studies.

LifeLink thank-you

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LifeLink of Florida is celebrating National DMV Appreciation Week (Sept. 21 to Sept. 25) by thanking local motor vehicle departments (DMVs) and tax collector offices for their lifesaving work through organ, eye and tissue donor registration.

The week of appreciation was originally created in 2016 by Donate Life America to highlight driver license issuing offices and the employees who play an invaluable role in increasing the number of registered donors.

This year, the theme is “Lifesavers Like You!” and will focus on honoring lifesaving partners in donation.

Almost 90% of people who register to become donors do so when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license at local DMVs and tax collector offices, according to a LifeLink news release.

Last year, DMVs and tax collector offices across the state registered more than 546,691 Floridians as organ, eye and tissue donors, and together with organ recovering organizations have helped save more than 2,000 lives.

Registering as a donor can be done online at DonateLifeFlorida.org, or when getting or renewing a driver’s license.

Leia is a ‘princess’

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Leia is a 2-year-old miniature Australian Shepherd. She was the runt of the litter, born to her owner’s daughter and son-in-law’s dog, but is scrappy and keeps up with her brother, Clark, in backyard frolicking. Her name came from her preference for laying on a pink pillow, thus crowning her with the name Princess Leia. Leia likes long walks and dislikes being dressed in costumes, even Star Wars costumes. She anxiously awaits squirrel sightings in the backyard, while perched on the back of the sofa. Leia is a member of the Hamilton family in San Antonio.

A raptor on the lookout

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Sharon Thompson, of Wesley Chapel, snapped this photo of an osprey high atop a tree in Country Walk. Osprey wing beats are slow and deep; they flap more than they sail. Their call is a series of loud, clear whistles. They leave the U.S. after breeding season, but return early from wintering grounds in Central and South America.

Benjamin is a spunky boy

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The Cuchel family was devastated when their daughter lost her cat of 16-plus years in September 2017, and was not planning on getting another pet. But, one day, the family saw Benjamin Mittens on a cat rescue group’s page, and the rest is history. The woman who runs the rescue told the family that they were saving him but, as it turns out, Benjamin was the one saving the adopting family. The Cuchels, shortly after, even rescued a little sister to keep Benjamin company. Benjamin likes plenty of attention and is comfortable sprawling out with his belly exposed. He has a shoe fetish, and loves to wear shoes, when he can get his paws on/in them. Benjamin even celebrates birthdays, albeit, begrudgingly. Benjamin lives with Cathy Cuchel and family in Land O’ Lakes.

Keeping watch

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This red-shouldered hawk settled itself on the roof peak of Max Rathman’s home, in Wesley Chapel. Apparently it made for a good lookout, as these hawks hunt small mammals, amphibians and reptiles from perches or while flying.

Health News 09/16/2020

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Limited visitation resumes
BayCare Health System has resumed limited visitation at its hospitals, allowing most inpatients to have one visitor a day from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“Reductions in both COVID-19 hospitalizations and in the community’s decreasing infection rate has made it possible to provide visitor access,” said Glenn Waters, chief operating office for BayCare, in a hospital news release.

To ensure the safety of patients, visitors, team members and physicians, BayCare’s new policy continues to put a premium on infection control with these conditions:

  • Only visitors age 18 and older, who pass a COVID-19 screening, will be allowed entry, and must wear a mask during the entire visit.
  • Inpatients will be allowed one visitor per day, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., except as noted below.
  • Extended hours and provisions are allowed for pediatric, neonatal intensive care, labor and delivery, and mothers and newborns.
  • No visitors will be allowed for Behavioral Health or COVID-19 patients.
  • Patients arriving for surgeries and procedures will be allowed one visitor during pre-operation and recovery times.
  • Emergency Department patients, except for those presenting with respiratory symptoms, will be allowed one visitor once they are placed in their treatment room.
  • Special circumstances can be approved by hospital leadership on a case-by-case basis.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz is one of the hospitals where these visitation changes are in effect.

Sunrise of Pasco charity
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will be collecting donations in September to assist the Sunrise of Pasco County’s Domestic & Sexual Violence Center. The mission of Sunrise is to prevent domestic and sexual violence before it ever happens. If it does, Sunrise is dedicated to assisting victims to escape those conditions, and find safety and freedom in the community. In 2019 alone, over 13,600 individual shelter stays (overnights) were provided in Pasco County.

Sunrise is seeking donations specifically to increase the funding for its children’s programs, including school supplies, meals and recreational activities for kids in the shelter or outreach programs.

Cash donations can be made at any of the five tax collector locations in Pasco County.

For information about Sunrise programs and services, email Vicki Wiggins, director of development, at .

For more about the charitable giving programs at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, call Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

Chalk Talk 09/16/2020

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Lunch program changes
Due to changes in the rules governing the federal school lunch program, Pasco County Schools will make it easier for students, and children age 18 and younger, to receive free meals.

As of Sept. 14, students who attend class on campus still will be able to get meals in the school cafeteria, and now those meals will be free.

And, students who attend school remotely also can continue to receive free school meals on a drive-thru basis.

For students learning through mySchool Online or Pasco eSchool:

  • Sept. 14 through Sept. 17: Daily drive-thru meal distribution will continue at the designated locations and times listed online at tinyurl.com/yxn8ynzv.
  • Sept. 18: The school district will serve a week’s worth of meals (breakfast and lunch) curbside to mySchool Online students, quarantined students, and children in the community age 18 and younger, including Pasco eSchool students. The district will keep the same times already established for curbside feeding. This meal distribution will continue once a week, on Fridays.

Families that want to participate curbside must complete a Meal Reservation Form online at tinyurl.com/y452fbr8.

Parents/guardians no longer have to go to their child’s school; they can pick up meals from the site that is most convenient.

For more information on Pasco’s school meal programs, visit the Food and Nutrition Services  at ConnectPlus.pasco.k12.fl.us/do/fns/.

Grant writing webinar
Saint Leo University will host a free webinar entitled “Grants and COVID-19” on Sept. 18 at noon, through Zoom, for professionals working for human and social service agencies/nonprofits.

The guest speaker will be Jenenne Valentino-Bottaro, Ph.D., an instructor at the Saint Leo University Center for Alternative Pathway Programs.

Valentino-Bottaro will share strategies that can help grant seekers navigate the process in the current climate and locate pertinent information available now.

To register and receive a link for the webinar, visit tinyurl.com/y4olsgor.

Scholarship semifinalists
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The named high school seniors now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for about 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered in the spring.

National Merit Scholarship winners of 2021 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and ending in July.

These students in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area are semifinalists:

  • Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School: Faith Quinn and Grace Quinn
  • Freedom High School: Alisha Bhatia and Jack Gardner
  • Land O’ Lakes High School: Ziad El-Rady, Jason Jiang, Naomi John, Prayuj Tuli and Shreyas Varude
  • Mitchell High School: Tatiana Maher
  • Odessa Christian School: Yanni Mazza
  • Steinbrenner High School: Robert Cooper, Devin Deluna, Samuel Glickman, Haarika Gurivireddygari, James Harbour, Advika Jayanti, Elizabeth Kennedy and Emily Rogers
  • Wesley Chapel High School: Allen Felipe
  • Wharton High School: Andrea Molina-Dejesus
  • Wiregrass Ranch High School: Timothy Kovacs and Sara Olson

 

Cleanup volunteers needed

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Volunteers are needed to help with the International Coastal Cleanup in Pasco County.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the efforts are shifting to smaller groups at more sites, to encourage social distancing, according to a Pasco County news release.

Volunteers are encouraged to find a public area in their community that needs to be cleaned, and recruit a small team to assist.

Pasco is again partnering with Keep Pasco Beautiful in the effort to help clean public lands, roads and waterways.

The annual International Coastal Cleanup, presented by the Rotary Club of New Port Richey and Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc., will take place throughout Pasco on Sept. 19 from 8 .m. too noon.

Anyone who would like to volunteer must register at bit.ly/2020CoastalCleanup.

Face masks, disposable gloves, and trash bags will be provided, as well as Coastal Cleanup face buffs while supplies last.

“We’re thrilled to have the partnership and funding support of Withlacoochee River Electric, the Rotary District 6950 Foundation and our local Rotary Clubs – including West Pasco Sunset, New Port Richey, Trinity and Dade City Sunrise,” Keep Pasco Beautiful Coordinator Kristen King, said in the release.

The purpose is to clean up and track the trash collected.

Since 1986, the International Coastal Cleanup has captured more than 334 million pounds of trash with the efforts of more than 16 million volunteers.

Published September 09, 2020

‘Wear It’ for safety reasons

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has joined the Coast Guard to help raise public awareness on the use of life jackets, through a “Wear It Florida” campaign.
The campaign goal is clear and simple: to increase the number of recreational boaters who consistently wear a life jacket while on the water.

The most common misconceptions associated with wearing a life jacket, according MyFWC.com, are:

  • The person is a great swimmer and doesn’t need a life jacket.

Even the greatest swimmers aren’t always ready to be thrown overboard, and a look at boating safety statistics makes that evident. Typically, more than half of Florida’s boating fatalities each year are due to falls overboard and boaters entering the water unprepared.

  • The person is not a kid, but is an experienced boater and knows what he or she is doing.

Age and experience do not float. They also are not good indicators of whether survival is guaranteed in an unexpected fall overboard. On average, about one-half to two-thirds of Florida’s annual boating fatalities are men age 30 and older, with more than 100 hours of experience on the water.

  • It is too hot to wear a bulky, uncomfortable life jacket.

The availability of inflatable life jackets makes wearing a life jacket more comfortable, as it is less bulky and less constrictive. An inflatable life jacket has twice the buoyancy of a traditional orange horseshoe life jacket and is less than half the size.

Set an example for your family and others around you by practicing safe boating habits and by wearing a life jacket.

For information on life jackets, including where to get them, check out Wear It Florida at MyFWC.com/boating/safety-education/wear-it-florida.

Visit the National Safe Boating Council at SafeBoatingCouncil.org for more tips.

Published September 09, 2020