The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Sea turtle nesting season arrives

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(Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the reminder that sea turtles are starting to nest on our beaches.

Residents and visitors can play a big part in helping to protect vulnerable nesting sea turtles this spring and summer while visiting Florida’s coastal habitats. Because our state’s shorelines provide important nesting habitat for several species of threatened and endangered sea turtles, beachgoers can have a significant impact on their nesting success. To help nesting sea turtles, people can take easy steps to protect them, including giving them space, minimizing disturbances and keeping beaches clean and dark.

Sea turtles typically return to nest in March along Florida’s southeast Atlantic coast from Brevard County south to Broward County, while nesting begins on Gulf Coast or north Florida beaches in April or May.

For more information about nesting sea turtles and how you can help, visit MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle. Other ways to help sea turtles include reporting those that are sick, injured, entangled or dead to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Pasco County opens new Fire Rescue station

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Pasco County Fire Rescue celebrated its new Land O’ Lakes Fire Rescue Station 28 with a grand opening on Feb. 23. Fire Rescue leaders and Pasco County officials took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Pasco County officials and Fire Rescue leaders took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at new Fire Rescue Station 28 in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The station, at 21709 Hale Road, is centrally located and will house EMS supervisors who will provide direction and oversight for field operations in emergency situations, according to a news release.

The station includes a “Decon Depo,” where firefighter gear and equipment are inspected and cleaned to get rid of cancer-causing carcinogens.

The facility also will be home to a fire engine providing advanced life support to the community, the release says.

The same morning, Pasco Fire Rescue hosted a push-in ceremony at Station 16, 35801 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills, to unveil its newest engine serving the Zephyrhills community. 

“The health and safety of our fire crews is the main focus of each new station we build,” said Pasco County Fire Rescue Chief Anthony Perez, in the release.

“And this location will help shorten response times in the Land O’ Lakes community, adding an extra layer of protection for the people who live here or come to visit,” said Perez.

Published March 27, 2024

 

‘Building’ a home

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John Black snapped this photo of a male and female Eastern bluebird in his backyard, in Land O’ Lakes. Nesting season has begun and Black has two bluebird boxes in his yard. This pair has already started building a nest in one of the boxes.

Health News 03/27/2024

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

Bringing awareness to colorectal cancer
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the endoscopy team at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz wore special T-shirts and decorated their area to show support and enthusiasm for life-saving colon and rectal cancer screenings. Blue is the color for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is highly treatable if diagnosed early, and a colonoscopy is one of the tests for cancer diagnosis and screening. St. Joseph’s Hospital-North encourages talking to your doctor about colorectal cancer risk and the right time for a screening. The endoscopy team at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North is shown here in an endoscopy suite where colonoscopies are performed.

New heart technology
Dr. Deepti Bhandare, vice chair in the Department of Cardiology at AdventHealth Sebring, recently helped in the development of Keno AI, a first-in-market medical device used to automatically detect heart murmurs, according to a news release.

Dr. Bhandare, who is also the director of the hospital’s Heart Failure Program, partnered with Keno Health, a Florida-based startup, to run a study to help improve detection of valvular heart disease (when one or more of the valves in the heart do not work properly). 

“Early detection of abnormal heart murmurs, especially prior to the onset of severe symptoms, is a vital component in screening for valvular heart disease,” Dr. Bhandare said in the release.

The doctor and Keno Health developed an innovative medical device called Keno AI. 

(Courtesy of AdventHealth)

“Keno AI allows physicians to automatically detect heart murmurs easily and quickly without impacting their clinical workflow,” Dr. Bhandare said. “Our innovative device is attached to a stethoscope, does not require any phone or app and could enable early intervention and treatment for patients with undiagnosed valvular heart disease.” 

During this feasibility study, cardiologists used the device to validate the heart murmur accuracy of Keno AI. Cardiologists tested more than 175 people of all different ages, genders, races and variations in body mass index (BMI).
The device had a sensitivity of 93%, showing the device has the ability to detect abnormal heart murmurs. The study also revealed that Keno AI has a 96% specificity, which is the ability to confirm patient’s normal heart sounds.

The study and abstract were accepted into the American College of Cardiology (ACC) journal. The teams also presented results at the ACC conference. 

Keno AI is intended to be used by physicians focused on early screening, heart auscultation, and specialized cardiology treatment, including primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, cardiologists and internists.  

Dr. Bhandare and Keno Health support AdventHealth’s mission to provide exceptional, innovative and viable care to patients.  

Keno Health is launching Keno AI in 2024 and is ready to partner with early adopters at AdventHealth who are interested in utilizing the innovative technology.

Chalk Talk 03/27/2024

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Yvenie Desrosiers, left, Student of the Year-Nature Coast, with instructor Christina Cazanave. (Courtesy of Caroline Jorgensen/SaintLeo University)

Influential women recognized
Sponsored by Saint Leo University’s Undergraduate Social Work Department, the school recently celebrated National Social Work Month as well as Women’s History Month. This year’s event honored students, agencies and members of the community for the work they do to promote social work and aid the community.

The National Association of Social Workers Florida (NASW-FL) honors went to:

  • Yvenie Desrosiers — Student of the Year-Nature Coast
  • United Way of Pasco County — Rising to the Challenge Award
  • Cheryl Pollock, chief advancement and community engagement officer at Premier Community HealthCare — Public Citizen of the Year Award-Nature Coast
  • Christina Cazanave — Social Work Educator of the Year

The Influential Women of Social Work recognized four “visionaries” who helped grow, promote and influence social work education:

  • Dr. Cindy Lee, director of Saint Leo’s Center for Alternative Pathway Programs (CAPP)
  • Dr. Marguerite McInnis, former chair of Saint Leo’s Social Work Program
  • Dr. Rhonda Waddell, former associate dean and assistant professor of social work at Saint Leo
  • the late Dr. William “Bill” Day, various roles including positions at Florida State Hospital and University Hospital in Jacksonville, and program manager of the Counseling and Human Services Program at Hillsborough Community College for 25 years

Three scholarships were awarded during the event to Saint Leo students pursuing Bachelor of Social Work degrees: Emily Hernandez, $2,000; Jalessa Murray, $1,000; Wendy Smith, $500.

Saint Leo social work students also were recognized for being No. 1 in the nation in the VOT-ER student-led voter registration competition. The Why Vote effort by the Saint Leo students resulted in 553 voter registrations in two months.

Saint Leo spring concerts
Saint Leo University will host its Spring Concerts featuring Faure’s “Requiem” on April 3 — one at 4 p.m., at the chapel at Holy Name Monastery, 12138 Wichers Road in St. Leo, and another at 7 p.m., at Saint Leo Abbey Church, 33601 County Road 52 in St. Leo. The concerts will feature the Saint Leo Chamber Singers and guest instrumentalists.

Admission is free. Donations can be made online at OnTheStage.tickets/saint-leo-university/campaigns/music-and-arts-funderaiser-3183.

Homeschool sewing
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will offer “Homeschool Sewing for Beginners: Book Sleeve” on April 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for homeschool students ages 9 to 17. Participants will practice using pins, sewing on a machine, ironing and more, to create a book sleeve. A signed waiver, registration and closed-toe shoes are required. Call 727-815-7126 for more information.

Foundation scholarships
The Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) Foundation provides more than $1.3 million in scholarships each year, according to a PHSC newsletter. Current and incoming PHSC students can now apply for a foundation scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. The priority deadline is April 12; however, applications are accepted and reviewed throughout the year.

Students can access the application at Foundation.phsc.edu/scholarships/apply.

For more information on how to apply or to make a gift to support student scholarships, contact Michelle Bullwinkel, director of alumni and donor relations, at 727-816-3212 or .

School leaders address Congress
Nearly 400 school leaders met with more than 300 members of Congress and legislative staff to ask for support for policies to address the mental health and educator shortage crisis, during the National School Leaders Advocacy Conference, hosted by the National Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (NAESP), according to a news release.

“….School leaders are advocates by nature, and now, more than ever, we must ensure policymakers and the public hear their stories, understand the impact of their work, and support them in building a better future for every student,” said L. Earl Franks, executive director of the NAESP, in the release.

Legislators are being asked for their support on the following:

  • The Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act
  • Educators for America Act
  • Preparing and Retaining Education Professionals (PREP) Act
  • Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act
  • Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act
  • Increasing Access to Mental Health in Schools Act
  • Mental Health Services for Students Act
  • Increased funding for schools serving high-needs students, educator recruitment and retention, and Career and Technical Education

Academy at the Farm opens market
Academy at the Farm in Dade City has opened a Farmer’s Market on its school campus.

The market is open to the public and carries fresh produce and eggs, local honey, sourdough bread that is made and delivered daily, plants, and other snacks and drinks. It is located at 9500 Alex Lange Way, right off of Handcart Road near the Pasco County Transfer Station, in Dade City (look for the large Farmer’s Market sign or the sign for the school).

The hours of operation are: Mondays, noon to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m.

Visit the market and you may be greeted and waited on by a middle-school student who is learning customer service and business skills. Twenty-six students in grades 6 to 8 applied, interviewed and were selected to “work” at the market where they count, stock and track inventory, provide service to customers and learn about the aspects of running a business. 

Students spend one of their elective class periods at the market each week and some of the students volunteer after school as well.

Academy at the Farm is an A-rated, high-performing charter school. In its 21st year, the Academy currently has 727 K-8 students and 90 preschoolers, as well as more than 140 livestock animals on campus. While agriculture is a main focus of the school, its mission is to build character in students by teaching and reinforcing six core values: respect, responsibility, citizenship, fairness, caring and honesty.

For daily updates and market specials, like and follow AATF Farmers Market on Facebook. 

For more information about the school, visit AcademyAtTheFarm.com.

Business Digest 03/27/2024

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Women-n-Charge Meeting
The next Women-n-Charge meeting will be on Wed., March 27 at the Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Doors are open at 11:15 a.m. for registration, vendor shopping and networking. Attendance is $21 for members and $25 for guests, and attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for donation.

Three $2,000 grants will be awarded to women business owners. 

Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of every month at noon.

Attendees can register online at women-n-charge.com/meetings, or email for more information.

Zephyrhills Dollar General adds produce
The recently remodeled Dollar General at 34838 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills will now carry produce in addition to their regular items, according to a news release. The store will sell 80% of the fresh fruits and vegetables sold at most grocery stores, including “tomatoes, onions, apples, strawberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, lemons, limes, salad mixes, and more,” the release states.

Career Resources Workshop
The UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension is offering a Career Resource Workshop on April 11 at 3 p.m., at its One Stop Shop (formerly the Stallings Building), 15029 14th St., Dade City. The workshop is free and offered every second Thursday of the month. For more information and to register, visit Eventbrite.com.

Greater Pasco Chamber brochure exchange
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce (GPCC) will host a Land O’ Lakes brochure exchange, set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on April 11, at New Beginnings at 18935 Michigan Lane, which is about one-fourth mile north of State Road 52, along U.S. 41.

This is an in-person business card and brochure exchange and networking event, with barbecue lunch from Hungry Harry’s. It’s held on the second Thursday of each month. The event is sponsored by Architectural Signage & Printing. The event is free for GPCC members and $10 for non-members. The cost of food is additional.

More information can be found at members.greaterpasco.com/events/details/land-o-lakes-brochure-exchange-03-14-2024-14397.

Honoring the service of military heroes and canines

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Hillsborough County Consumer & Veterans Services, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 787 and the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County will host its annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans & War Dogs remembrance event on March 28 at 10 a.m., at Veterans Memorial Park, 3602 U.S. 301 in Tampa.

The event precedes National Vietnam War Veterans Day, which marks the final departure of U.S. troops from South Vietnam on March 29, 1973.

Paulette Wooten/Unsplash

The theme of this year’s remembrance is “Still Serving” and will feature keynote speaker Rolfe Arnhym, retired U.S. Army officer and business leader, who served multiple tours in Vietnam.

The occasion also will include:

-Commemorative lapel pinning for all veterans of the Vietnam War era and their surviving spouses
-Salutes to local military heroes and the canines who served in the war
-Patriotic music, rifle salute and playing of taps
-On-site resources to assist veterans, including the Agent Orange Registry, caregiving, counseling, suicide prevention, and veteran benefits
-Authentic Southeast Asian cuisine and entertainment

The Vietnam War Memorial at the park features a war dog memorial and a pair of U.S. Army helicopters: the American Bell UH-1 Huey and AH-1 Cobra.

The event and parking are free. For information, call Hillsborough County Consumer & Veterans Services at 813-635-8316.

Published March 20, 2024

Interactive wildlife recreation finder unveiled

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Florida has one of the nation’s largest systems of state-managed wildlife lands, which are managed primarily for wildlife conservation and nature-based public use. Options for experiencing wild Florida can be difficult to narrow down, with more than 6 million acres of state-management conservation lands.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced the WMA (Wildlife Management Areas) Recreation Finder, an interactive virtual map for Florida residents and visitors looking to find the perfect outdoor experience on public lands, according to a news release.

(Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

Key features in the WMA Finder include:

Location-based search: Find local WMAs by entering your zip code.
Recreational experiences: Filter by activities such as boating, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, wildlife viewing and more.
Trail types: Explore different types of trails, including nature trails, paddling trails and scenic boardwalks.
Amenities: Find WMAs equipped with amenities like picnic areas, viewing structures, campsites, fishing piers and boat launches.
Accessible facilities: Identify WMAs with accessible trails, boat ramps, paddle launches, viewing structures, picnic areas and hunting blinds.

The map also includes details on how to plan a visit, including hours of operation, entrance fees, directions, links to the WMA website and regulations.

The FWC maintains, enhances and restores native natural habitats for the benefit of plant and animal populations, as well as for the people of Florida.

The Recreation Finder map can be found at tinyurl.com/zcbknz7b.

To view a video tutorial, visit youtu.be/ORZ9NgRZf-c.

Published March 20, 2024

Photo contest ‘captures the real Florida’

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The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service announced the winners of the 2023 Florida State Parks Photo Contest. This year’s contest had three competitive divisions: Professional/Hobbyist, Student and Mobile Phone.

‘Morning Glow,’ John Hootman (Courtesy of Florida State Parks)

The contest provides an opportunity for people to explore their favorite parks and win prizes for future adventures, as well as create memories in Florida’s state parks. Winners receive prize packages including outdoor gear and Florida State Parks merchandise.

“We received thousands of outstanding photos this year, making it challenging to select just three winners. What makes Florida State Parks so special, our diversity of wildlife, flora and geography, has been captured perfectly in these photos,” said Chuck Hatcher, director of the Florida Park Service, in a news release.

Florida’s 175 state parks, trails and historic sites offer beautiful backdrops for recreational and nature-based photos. The 2023 contest asked residents and visitors to “Capture the Real Florida” and nearly 3,800 high-quality photos were submitted, the release says.

These are the first-place winners for the 2023 contest:

Professional/Hobbyist: “Morning Glow” by John Hootman. Photo taken at Manatee Springs State Park near Chiefland.

Student: “It Never Ceases” by Hope Bartlin, student at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Photo taken at Hillsborough River State Park.

Mobile Phone: “Reflection” by Tiffany Grandstaff. Photo taken at Honeymoon Island State Park.

To view all the finalists and winners, visit FloridaStateParks.org/PhotoContest-2023.

The 2024 photo contest will open this summer.

Published March 20, 2024

‘Reflection,’ Tiffany Grandstaff
‘It Never Ceases,’ Hope Bartlin

Health News 03/20/2024

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(Courtesy of West Pasco Sertoma Club Inc.)

Sertoma Club commitment on display
The West Pasco Sertoma Club Inc., announced it is a recipient of the 2023-2024 Sertoma Club Grant, marking the club’s continued commitment to volunteer service, charitable support, and community leadership in the New Port Richey area. Funds from the grant will go to benefit the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida Inc., in support of hearing needs of the adults of Florida, which include hearing screenings, hearing aids and other hearing-related needs. Harvey Rhinehart, secretary/treasurer, presents the $2,000 grant to Deborah Golinski, president/CEO of Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida. To learn more about the Sertoma club, email , or visit Facebook.com/darrell.huling/.

Tampa General receives donation
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) received a $65,000 donation from Aetna Better Health of Florida, part of Aetna and the CVS Health family, to support the new TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy, according to a news release.

The community hub, built on the concept that “food is medicine,” will enable patients at the TGH Family Care Center Healthpark greater access to nutritious foods and the opportunity to learn how to grow healthy produce in a sustainable way.

TampaWell, activated by TGH in partnership with the City of Tampa, is a “revolutionary health and wellness initiative focused on preventive health to reduce chronic disease and repeated hospitalizations, while supporting the city’s most at-risk residents by addressing underlying social factors that impact health,” the release says.

(Courtesy of Premier Heart and Vascular Center)

New PET/CT technology
During American Heart Month (February), Premier Heart and Vascular Center announced it is one of the first cardiology practices in the Tampa Bay area to offer PET/CT imaging, according to a news release.

The PET/CT Scanner combines state-of-the-art PET and CT technology, allowing cardiologists to detect conditions such as coronary heart disease and damaged heart muscle earlier, with higher accuracy and efficiency, and with reduced radiation.

PET imaging uses very small amounts of radioactive tracers to detect decreased blood flow through the heart. It also can be used to detect less-common diseases such as cardiac amyloid and cardiac sarcoidosis.

The CT imaging creates high resolution pictures of the heart and its blood vessels.

Combined, the PET/CT scan produces extremely detailed 3D images of the heart and surrounding structures, detecting specific conditions, their location, and causes, the release says. The test can be performed in one 45-minute exam.

“We are proud to bring this cutting-edge technology to improve the care of our patients. This technology allows us to accurately diagnose conditions early and initiate important treatment to improve and save lives,” said Dr. Chetan Khamare, interventional cardiologist and partner at Premier Heart and Vascular Center, in the release.

For more information, visit PremierHeartAndVascular.com.

Crisis Center wins award
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay received the Community Catalyst Award at the State of Uptown event. The award is presented annually by Soaring City in partnership with the University Area CDC (UACDC) and has a focus on organizations emerging in community leadership, inclusion and growth, according to a news release.

The Crisis Center operates TransCare Medical Transportation, which provides 911 basic life support ambulance service, interfacility transports and emergency behavioral health transports. The award recognizes TransCare’s partnership with Ultimate Medical Academy in operating an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) apprenticeship program, the release says.

Through the apprenticeship program, students attend classes at Ultimate Medical Academy while receiving on-the-job training and experience working as a behavioral health attendant at TransCare.

Due to grant funding provided by CareerSource, qualifying students are able to have tuition costs covered.

For more information about the EMT apprenticeship program, visit CrisisCenter.com/transcare-uma/.