The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Tourist council seeks industry professional

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Pasco County’s Destination Management Organization, Florida’s Sports Coast, is seeking a hotel/motel industry professional to become the newest member to serve on the Tourist Development Council (TDC), according to a news release.

The TDC is an advisory council to the Pasco Board of County Commissioners, which is made up of elected officials and tourism industry professionals who provide recommendations to the staff of Florida’s Sports Coast on promotional/partnership proposals, marketing opportunities and oversight to tourism tax expenditures (also known as the “Bed Tax”).

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These are the position details:

  • The opening must be filled by an owner/operator of a motel, hotel, recreational vehicle park or other tourist accommodation in the county that is subject to the tourist development tax.
  • TDC members serve staggered, four-year terms.
  • Positions are voluntary, with no financial compensation.
  • The TDC meets monthly — alternating between New Port Richey and Dade City. Applicants must live and be registered to vote in Pasco County.

Applications are being accepted online through May 15, at Pasco.rja.revize.com/forms/7182.

For more about the Pasco TDC, including members and the 2024 meeting schedule, visit https://www.pascocountyfl.net/government/advisory_boards_and_committees.php#collapselinks-58-21b14.

Published May 08, 2024

Girl Scouts celebrate 112th birthday

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Girl Scouts, alumni and members of the Zephyrhills community joined in the birthday celebration that included games and a market. (Courtesy of Michelle Lucas)

The Zephyrhills community helped to celebrate the Girl Scouts’ 112th birthday and West Wind’s Girl Scouts through the decades with an event at Zephyr Park’s Alice Hall.

Admission was free and the event featured a girl-preneur market, games and guest speakers. Girl Scouts alumni were invited to attend and asked to bring their uniforms.

“This was such a fun day and so fantastic to see so many generations and the community come together, remembering the troop that started in 1957. Girls got to complete a Journey in a Day, learn how to be safe from Zephyrhills local police officers, hear fun and interesting stories from ER nurse Natalie, hear from the YMCA and Code Ninja, as well as be empowered to use their voice by the mayor, and so much more. West Wind sure knew how to end Girl Scout Week with a real GREEN party!” said Courtney Neal, community manager, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida (GSWCF), in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

Published May 08, 2024

From left, back: Courtney Neal, community manager, GSWCF; Hailey Burgos, membership and wellness director, YMCA; Hailey Davidson, aquatics director; and front, Tricia Smith, manager, West Wind Service Unit.

Pasco Corrections Facility earns reaccreditation

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The Pasco County Corrections Facility in Land O’ Lakes has announced it has again earned accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) by demonstrating outstanding compliance with NCCHC’s nationally recognized standards of care for correctional health services in jails around the country, according to a news release.

The Pasco facility first was accredited in 2019 and has maintained its commitment to meeting the requirements described in NCCHC standards. The reaccreditation recognizes Pasco County Corrections’ dedication to provide quality health services to its approximately 1,400 inmates.

To maintain the accreditation, the corrections facility underwent a rigorous professional assessment earlier this year, during which a team of experienced physicians and experts in correctional health care surveyed the jail for compliance in areas including:

  • Patient Care & Treatment
  • Health Promotion
  • Safety & Disease Prevention
  • Governance/Administration
  • Personnel/Training
  • Special Needs & Services
  • Medical Legal Issues

The Land O’ Lakes facility houses men and women charged or sentenced on misdemeanor and felony crimes, as well as juveniles who have been adjudicated for treatment as adults.

Published May 08, 2024

This pest transforms into a beautiful moth

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Caitlyn Porter, of Zephyrhills, snapped this photo of a tobacco hornworm. The tobacco hornworm is a common pest of plants in the Solanaceae family, which includes tobacco, tomato, pepper, eggplant, and various ornamentals and weeds. Despite their alien appearance, these hornworms are native insects that contribute to local food chains and eventually transform into beautiful Carolina sphinx moths. These large-bodied moths have five-inch, coffee-colored wings that enable them to hover over flowers like hummingbirds

Health News 05/04/2024

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(Courtesy of Deborah Erdahl)

Raising awareness of child abuse prevention
In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, members of the GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club ‘planted’ blue pinwheels and signs at the Historic Old Lutz School, painted one finger on each hand with blue nail polish, and made a point of wearing blue and denim to their monthly meeting to represent their stand against domestic violence and sexual abuse. For more information about the club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org or its Facebook page.

Chris Angilella signs one of his books during a special event at Marchman Technical College. (Courtesy of Corey Dierdorff/Pasco County Schools)

Storytelling and the human spirit
Marchman Technical College in New Port Richey hosted “Meet the Author,” a special event that celebrated the power of storytelling and the human spirit. 

Chris Angilella, a 25-year-old author with autism and Asperger’s syndrome, shared his journey and the stories he’s crafted in his children’s books.

Angilella told jokes, took the audience on a tour of his daily life, and discussed his challenges and strategies to overcome them.

The author also talked about his five published books, including his first, “Dotty’s Freckles,” and his latest, “Speckle Delivery.” The stories often feature animated characters and are not just tales, but lifelines of self-discovery and acceptance. All the books’ illustrations are drawn by a close friend of Angilella.

Marchman Technical has been a supportive home for the author over the past seven years.

Chalk Talk 05/08/2024

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(Courtesy of Corey Dierdorff/Pasco County Schools)

New bike safety initiative launched
Pasco County Schools on April 19 at Rushe Middle School in Land O’ Lakes announced the launch of a new biking safety initiative and community partnership designed to enhance the well-being of its young riders. As part of the program, Pasco Schools has collaborated with professionals from Johns Hopkins Hospital to create a comprehensive safety video tailored specifically to students. Additionally, new safety signs will be installed at each school’s bike area to serve as a visual reminder for children to wear helmets while biking.

Citizens Helping Citizens Scholarship available
Citizens Bank and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) announced the establishment of the first-ever Citizens Helping Citizens Scholarship to build accessible pathways, providing opportunities of cultural awareness, understanding, and leadership nationally for high school students who are pursuing postsecondary education, according to a news release.

The program provides $50,000 in need-based scholarships to 10 high school students from underserved and historically underrepresented communities entering a two- or four-year accredited college, university or trade school in fall 2024.

Scholarship application is now open and students are encouraged to apply by midnight Eastern Time on May 13.

To learn more, visit https://tinyurl.com/4jrwvstz.

Local student wins service award
Chase Hartman, a senior at Walter L. Sickles High School, has been chosen from nearly 17,000 applicants to win the $10,625 National Honor Society Service Award.

Hartman is an entrepreneur and civic-minded leader passionate about educational equity and the environment, according to a news release.

He was inspired to serve his community after his chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society ran a book collection drive. The student co-founded an award-winning book distribution project — read.repeat. — when he was 10 years old, the release says.

The project evolved into the nonprofit Eco Brothers.

Hartman has focused on improving literacy rates and has distributed 220,000 books to 64,000 students in Hillsborough County and in all 50 states. He advocates for more diverse and dual-language books in schools and has spoken to the local board of education about the need for these books. 

He also has raised $120,000, mobilized hundreds of volunteers and provided 10,000 service hours to teens.

An Eagle Scout and Senior Patrol Leader in Troop 46, Hartman ran Scouting for Food for three years and donated 7,000 food units to a local pantry.

He also designed, planted and maintained a butterfly garden for his elementary school. 

Hartman is student body president, swim team captain, a Congressional Award Gold Medal recipient and a four-time gold-level honoree in the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Members of the winning Jesuit High School team are: Nicolas Miranda, Jacob Judson, Diego Tobon (captain), Daniel Dewey, Rhys Marriott and Hendrix Bromberg. (Courtesy of Caroline Jorgensen, Saint Leo University)

Students compete in Brain Bowl
Saint Leo University hosted its annual Brain Bowl, sponsored by the College of Arts, Sciences, and Allied Services. The competition pitted area Catholic high schools and one local private school against each other.

Topics ran from the Seven Deadly Sins to Tallest Building Throughout History, and categories from “Don’t Breathe in the Poisonous Gasses” to “No Such Thing as a Free Lunch.” 

Team members’ knowledge of languages, the arts, popular culture, physics, math, biology, history and more were tested.

Competing teams were: Santa Fe Catholic High School, Lakeland; Clearwater Central Catholic High; Jesuit High, Tampa; Trinity Catholic High, Ocala; St. Petersburg Catholic High; Bishop McLaughlin High, Shady Hills; Tampa Catholic High; and Academy of the Lakes, Land O’ Lakes.

Jesuit High claimed victory with a score of 315; Academy at the Lakes was runner-up with 210 points.

RAISE tutoring program
Hillsborough County Public Schools’ RAISE High School Tutoring Program is accepting applications for the summer. The goal of the program is to train, equip and support juniors and seniors as they work with kindergarten through third-grade students to support literacy acquisition, according to a news release.

The Summer 2024 tutors will work within the HCPS’ Summer Learning Academy classrooms in June and July.

Students can earn volunteer service hours and a New Worlds Scholar award from the Florida Department of Education (with 75 verified tutoring hours).

Requirements are: 

  • Completion of 10th grade or higher
  • 3.0 district GPA or higher
  • Two letters of reference from teachers or school staff
  • No history of expulsions or out of school suspensions
  • Own transportation to elementary site

For more information, email .

Habitat for Humanity expands to Spring Hill, opens new office in New Port Richey

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Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has partnered with low- to moderate-income families to provide a hand up toward affordable homeownership. In the last decade, the organization has experienced record-breaking and sustainable growth, with 81 families served this year, according to a news release.

(Jens Behrmann/Unsplash)

This summer, Habitat will dedicate its 900th home build in the Pinellas and West Pasco region. More than 600 of those homes have been built in partnership with local deserving families and individuals in the last 10 years, the release says.

Habitat for Humanity builds and sells homes at 0% interest to households not qualifying for a traditional mortgage. The program prepares homeowner partners through an education curriculum of 36 classes, from budgeting to home maintenance. Homeowners purchase their home from Habitat and earn a 0% interest mortgage, never paying more than 30% of their household income for housing expenses. This helps to keep monthly payments affordable and homeowners can build equity in their home from their first payment.

Habitat currently is under contract for 5 acres, which will provide homeownership opportunities to 24 families in Spring Hill. Plans for the development will be released soon, the release states.

The home organization also will open a new office space at 7237 Little Road in New Port Richey and will celebrate with an open house and ribbon-cutting on May 3 at 10 a.m.

The new Habitat office is approximately 2,500 square feet and features staff workspaces and an education room for future Habitat homeowners.

Published May 01, 2024

Slow down, move over for storm season roadwork

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As the 2024 storm season approaches, Duke Energy is reminding the public to move over and slow down as they approach utility crews working along the roadside.

During the season, Duke Energy crews may be on the roads to repair damaged power lines or infrastructure, and speeding and distracted driving are the leading contributing factors in vehicle accidents, according to a news release.

(Robert So/Pexels)

These tips are offered for driving safely in work zones:

  • Stay alert and minimize distractions. Don’t text, talk or adjust controls.
  • Expect the unexpected. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed and workers may be nearby.
  • Slow down. Speeding is the major cause of work zone crashes.
  • Don’t tailgate. The most common work zone crash is the rear-end collision.
  • Maintain traffic flow by merging as soon as possible.
  • Pay attention to signs. Warning signs help keep you and other drivers safe.
  • Obey road crew flaggers. The trained flagger knows what is best for traffic safety.

“We expect to see an increase in the need for our crews to be out responding to storm repairs and with that comes risk. Every single driver can reduce that risk by paying close attention and reducing distractions while on the road,” said Jessica Bednarcik, senior vice president of Enterprise Safety and Generation Services, in the release.

“At Duke Energy, we have a comprehensive safety program to protect our crews working along the road, but cones and signs won’t stop a distracted driver. We’re reminding motorists to approach roadside workers with caution. It could save a life,” said Bednarcik.

Published May 01, 2024

Leadership program graduates class of 2024

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The Youth Leadership Pasco Class of 2024 celebrated its graduation in March, at Timber Greens Country Club. More than 100 sponsors, school officials, parents and Leadership Pasco board members attended.

The organization is a leadership development program that informs, motivates and increases the awareness of selected high school-aged students (sophomores and juniors) through issue-oriented seminars and interaction with community leaders, according to a news release.

Sessions include Orientation and Team Building, Law Enforcement, Health Care/Community Services, Government/Economic Development, and Education.

Youth Leadership Pasco Class of 2024 (Courtesy of J. David Wright)

The program’s graduating Class of 2024 included: Colt Blancher, Angeline Academy of Innovation; Katarina M. Boglino, Gulf High School; Isabella C. Bowling, River Ridge High; Thomas Celotto Jr., Hudson High; Noah J. Downey, Sunlake High; Vincent J. Farides, River Ridge; Dominic Fusco, Wesley Chapel High; William C. Gantt, J.W. Mitchell High; Jake Giber, Genesis Preparatory High; Nadama N. Gilkerson, Pasco High; Sophie M. Giri, Wiregrass Ranch High; Nathan M. Grimes, J.W. Mitchell; Luiza Guryeva, Wesley Chapel; Allan Guzman, Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation; Elissa A. Hill, J.W. Mitchell; Liam C. Hornung, J.W. Mitchell; Melodi Kazazi, Sunlake; Calina M. Levy,Wiregrass Ranch; Alina Manadyel, Dayspring Early College Academy; Ethan A. Mendez, Cypress Creek High; Alyssa B. Mintrone, Land O’ Lakes High; Montana T. Montayre, Wendell Krinn Technical High; Morgan T. Montayre, Wendell Krinn Technical; Alfonso E. Nava, Dayspring Early College Academy; Victoria Ogundeyin, Cypress Creek; Xiomig N. Ozorio Matias, Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation; Trinity Perry, Wesley Chapel; Justyce P. Rice, Anclote High; Ethan Rubin, Hudson; Lilliana E. St Aubin, Hudson; Paul L. Steele, Land O’ Lakes; Hailey J. Suggs, Anclote High; and Gianna Walsh, Fivay High.

“The Youth Leadership Pasco program is truly one of a kind. Throughout the program, I have made lifelong friendships, restored old ones, and got a much deeper grasp of what happens in Pasco County. My favorite part of the program was the sheriff’s department. We got to see just how big the department truly is and the amazing technology they are incorporating into their line of work. I used to only want to leave Pasco County, but throughout this program, I have found a new love for it and all of the amazing opportunities it has to offer…,” said Noah J. Downey, of Sunlake High School, in the release.

The student fee is kept at $35 due to the support from its sponsors.

Applications for the Class of 2025 will open for sophomores and juniors at the beginning of the school year.

For more information, visit LeadershipPasco.com/Youth_Leadership_Pasco_Program.

Published May 01, 2024

Maggie Mae is a good citizen

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Maggie Mae is a 7-year-old Cavachon female who considers herself the mayor and primary greeter in Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club — saying hello with a furious tail wag and lots of conversation. Always a good citizen, Maggie Mae is seen here ‘reading and heeding’ the community dog park rules. A cart ride, lots of socializing, and a good chase of the ever-elusive lizard are a few of her favorite pastimes. Maggie is the home-run hit of Don and Diana Christman’s first attempt with a dog as a pet.