The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Local cheer team wins national title

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(Courtesy of Jennifer Catalanotto)

The Cypress Creek cheer program has two competition teams: Game Day and Traditional. The  latter won the prestigious America’s Cheerleading Cup Championship, while the Game Day team placed second in the nation. The national competition is held at Universal Studios Orlando and attracts teams from coast to coast. The Cypress Creek team has made school history by winning the Best of Pasco, placing second at FHSAA Regionals — securing its spot in the State Finals, and now winning its first-ever national title.

Little League celebrates opening day

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Land O’ Lakes Little League celebrated its opening day on Feb. 24, at its headquarters at the fields of the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Collier Parkway. More than 600 families registered for the event, which included games, concessions, food trucks, a parade of all stars and an opening day ceremony.

Bricks of Hope campaign

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A rendering of the future home for A Safe Haven for Newborns. (Courtesy of A Safe Haven for Newborns)

The Gloria M. Silverio Foundation 501c(3) dba A Safe Haven for Newborns has assisted more than 6,000 young women in their time of crisis; and has saved 391 newborns from the danger of abandonment, according to a news release.

In order to continue expanding the services and reach the women who are facing an unexpected pregnancy, the organization plans to buy an existing structure or plot of land in 2024, in Miami.

The vision for the new home is to have a permanent, functional space where Safe Haven personnel will continue to grow the programs and create new projects, offer more services, grow the outreach program and increase awareness, as well as a dedicated space to house the 24/7 confidential multilingual referral helpline operators.

Plans also call for a thrift store of baby items and a designated rental space with a separate entrance.

The Bricks of Hope Capitol Building Campaign’s goal is to raise $1 million.

For more information or to be part of the mission to end infant abandonment, visit https://asafehavenfornewborns.com/building-fund-campaign/.

Chalk Talk 02/28/2024

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Students from across 38 schools were honored with Project Turnaround awards during Pasco County Schools’ 36th annual event. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Resilience and hard work on display
Pasco County Schools recently celebrated its 36th annual Project Turnaround Awards at the Cypress Creek IPAC Center in Wesley Chapel. More than 200 community members attended the showcase, highlighting the journey of students across 38 schools who have risen above challenges to achieve excellence.

These area students were honored with a Project Turnaround Award:

Group 1: Zaylee Waldroupe, Angeline Academy of Innovation; Austin Smith, Centennial Middle School; Nicolas May, Rushe Middle School
Group 2: Jillian Horn, Cypress Creek High; Logan Stiles, Cypress Creek Middle; Zaine Martin, East Pasco Education Academy
Group 3: Zachary Thomas, John Long Middle School
Group 4: Isaiah Robles, J.W. Mitchell High; Jayden Sullivan, Kirkland Ranch Academy; Arianna Hernandez, Land O’ Lakes High; Damian Rezaj, Pasco eSchool High; Matthew Denton, Pasco eSchool Middle
Group 5: Hector Moreno, Pasco High; Brittany Crisp, Pasco Middle; Lena Marcellus, Pine View Middle; Viviana Farr, R.B. Stewart Middle
Group 6: Laila Ponshock, Starkey Ranch K-8; Monica Benavides, Sunlake High
Group 7: Lenine Point DuJour, T.E. Weightman Middle; Kalyn Kuberski, Wendell Krinn Technical; Ben-Oni Charitable, Wesley Chapel High; Timothy Steele Jr., Wiregrass Ranch High; Keyshawn Gardner, Zephyrhills High

As supporters, the Pasco Education Foundation received the 3D award for its commitment to student success and the Suncoast Federal Credit Union was honored as a World Class Partner, a nod to its financial support. Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning was presented with a lifetime achievement award for his dedication to Pasco County families.

To view all the honorees, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/pascoschools/albums/72177720314667203/.

Hebrew Academy extravaganza
Hebrew Academy Tampa Bay (HATB), 14908 Pennington Road in Tampa, will host a Purim Sunday Funday on March 3 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring a bounce house, Kosher food truck, robotics, STEAM Express, face painting, make-and-take Shalach Manos, Hamentashen decorating, popcorn, cotton candy, and more.

The event is open to the community and celebrates the holiday of Purim commemorating the saving of the Jewish people in ancient Persia.

The Hebrew Academy is an accredited Jewish Day School that imparts a personalized, meaningful and empowering Judaic and general studies education to Jewish children of varied backgrounds, according to a news release.

Guests also can tour the school and experience the HATB difference in the facility’s Montessori classrooms.

Women of Social Work event
Saint Leo University will host its third annual Women of Social Work event on March 5 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the university’s Wellness Center and online. The recognition and award ceremony will honor members of the public, area organizations, and the university community who are making contributions to women in social work and devoting their careers to helping others.

The honorees are: Dr. Cindy Lee, Dr. Rhondda Waddell, Dr. Marguerite McInnis and the late Dr. William Day.

The keynote speaker will be Dawn Brown, executive director for the National Association of Social Workers Florida and Virgin Islands Chapter, member of the NASW-FL PACE (Political Action for Candidate Election) and part of the NASW National Delegate Assembly.

In addition, four scholarships will be awarded to Saint Leo students pursuing Bachelor of Social Work degrees.

Boxed lunches will be provided for those who attend in person; virtually, there will be a break for lunch.

Admission is free. Guests are asked to register online at tinyurl.com/4ufxr3es.

For more information, call Dr. Yvonne Kelly Montell at 813-364-2665.

Virtual College Fair
Students can “visit” with representatives from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) on March 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., during a virtual college fair. For a list of participating institutions and virtual access, visit CollierSchools.com/HBCUCollegeFair.

Achieva scholarship program
Achieva Credit Union has announced its 2024 Scholarship Program with $55,000 in awards. High school seniors and students currently enrolled in college or trade school can apply for a $2,500 scholarship through March 8. The credit union will award 22 scholarships this year.

“At Achieva, we believe that giving back to our local communities, especially to our youngest members who are trying to further their educations, is profoundly important,” said David Oak, chief marketing officer at Achieva Credit Union, in a news release. “To date, we have raised over $405,000 for local schools. These scholarships are another way we invest in the future and plant the seeds of opportunity for the next generation.”
To qualify for a scholarship, applicants must be an Achieva Credit Union member in good standing, a graduating high school senior, or currently enrolled in an accredited college or trade school.  Applications will be accepted until March 8, 2024, at fs26.formsite.com.
For more information and a list of full rules and regulations, visit achievaacu.com/Events.

Residents offered opportunity to do some spring cleaning

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A free community cleanup is scheduled for Feb. 24, from 8 a.m. at Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.

The cleanup is being hosted by the City of Zephyrhills and Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), according to a news release.

The city is encouraging residents to take advantage of this opportunity to declutter and enhance the community’s overall appearance.

Crews and dumpsters from the city’s Public Works Department will be on-site, adjacent to the park’s tennis courts, to assist with the disposal of appliances, electronics, furniture, mixed debris, tires and other items.

Participants should keep the following in mind:

  • This is a mobile drop-off-only event; alley sweeps and pickups will not be a part of this initiative.
  • To ensure the safety of all participants and the environment, hazardous materials and chemicals will not be accepted.
  • Proof of City of Zephyrhills residency will be required to participate.

For additional information, contact the City’s Public Works Department at 813-780-0022.

Published February 21, 2024

Pasco tax collector announces new mobile unit

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A Pasco Tax Collector Mobile Unit is now available to remotely process identification card and driver license services for Florida residents who live in a Pasco County nursing home or assisted living facility, according to Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano.

Those who are unable to travel to any of the five tax collector offices can now schedule a visit to their facility/home to have the relevant document renewed, Fasano said, in a news release.

“This is a service we envisioned for quite a long time,” the tax collector said. “We understand that there are many of our customers who are unable to travel but still need a valid license or ID card. With this new service, we come to the customers, not the other way around. We can offer same-day service in most cases, with the renewed document being delivered to the customer in their place of residence.”

Renewing a license or identification card should be simple, especially for those with transportation or health issues, the release says.

For more information or to schedule a visit, or if you are a facility administrator who would like to schedule multiple renewals, contact Vicki Stroup at 813-929-2731 or

Published February 21, 2024

Manatees return to Florida waters

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Squirrel, a rescued manatee, is prepared to be released back to Florida waters. (Courtesy of Save the Manatee Club)

The Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), in collaboration with SeaWorld Orlando and six other zoological and manatee care organizations, released five orphaned manatees to Blue Spring State Park in Florida after a years-long journey of rehabilitation by multiple members of the partnership, according to a news release.

MRP is a cooperative group of nonprofit, private, state and federal entities who work together to rescue, rehabilitate, release, and monitor sick and injured manatees. The manatees originally were rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and MRP Partners between 2020 and 2021.

Every animal returned will be fitted with a GPS tracking device that will allow researchers the ability to monitor their movements and ensure their acclimation to their natural habitat for the next year.

Manatees that were transferred back to Florida waters are:

  • Squirrel: originally weighed 116 pounds and was released at 960 pounds
  • Lizzie: 63 pounds, released at 855 pounds
  • MaryKate: 107 pounds, released at 815 pounds
  • Clank: 128 pounds, released at 725 pounds
  • TinkTank: 124 pounds, released at 840 pounds

Published February 21, 2024

Medina and Abruzzi = joy and sunshine

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Medina (Mimi) and Abruzzi (Brewski) are both 17 years old and were found on their owner’s doorstep at 3 weeks old and scared. They both have brought much joy and they radiate sunshine when a family member is ill. Unfortunately, Brewski passed away recently due to diabetes, and his sweet little sister Mimi is very needy now. Their owner, Sharon Cantrell of Land O’ Lakes, said there are just no words for a pet’s love.

A portrait of serenity

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Christopher Horton, of Thonotosassa, captured this photo of a mourning dove at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park in Tampa. The mourning dove’s soft call, which gives the bird its name, is a sad-sounding ‘cooOOoo-woo-woo-woooo,’ and one of the most familiar bird sounds. Those unfamiliar with this plaintive, hooting vocalization often think they are hearing a Great Horned Owl or other owl species.

Health News 02/21/2024

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This is a rendering of a patient room at the new Hospice Care Center in New Port Richey. (Courtesy of Gulfside Healthcare Services)

Gulfside opens new care center
With 35 years in service in Pasco County, Gulfside Healthcare Services has announced the groundbreaking of its new Hospice Care Center in New Port Richey. The ceremony marked the beginning of construction and the hospice care center is expected to open its doors in January 2025, according to a Gulfside blog.

The new facility will feature 24-hour patient care, unrestricted visitation hours and 24 private home-like rooms. The cost of care is entirely covered by insurance, ensuring no financial burden for patients, the website says.

Types of care provided include:

  • Compassionate health care providers in a calming environment, without the stress-inducing sounds that can be heard in a hospital
  • Clinical care for complex pain control and symptom management
  • Weaning of non-invasive ventilation
  • Short-term ventilation support
  • Completion of antibiotics
  • Respite care when caregivers needs some time to rest while their loved ones receive care
  • Medication management, titration of medication for maximum comfort for the loved one

To learn more, visit tinyurl.com/mrypmxhn.

National Eating Disorders Week
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) designates Feb. 26 through March 1 as National Eating Disorders Week. NEDA uses this week to promote awareness of eating disorders and spread hope for those in recovery and their families. This year’s theme is “Healing in Community,” according to a news release.

The American Psychiatric Association states there are these types of eating disorders: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders, the release says.

These illnesses are significant health conditions that affect both physical and mental health, and if not treated correctly, they can become long-term problems and, in some cases, can cause death.

As many as one-third of people with eating disorders are men and boys. The Child Mind Institute says that girls with the disorders are typically obsessed with being thin. While boys experiencing anorexia have a similar motive, they more often focus on achieving a muscular physique.

These health conditions can commonly occur with other mental health issues like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. Eating disorders can be a risk factor associated with suicide.

To learn more about eating disorders, and for some of the signs and symptoms to look out for, visit JasonFoundation.com/eating-disorders.

The Jason Foundation is dedicated to the prevention of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs that equip young people, educators/youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth, the release says.

Museum launches dementia initiative
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg has unveiled “Art in Mind,” an innovative initiative developed in collaboration with the University of South Florida’s Judy Genshaft Honors College. The program is aimed at providing an accessible arts experience for adults with dementia, according to a news release.

The collaboration marks a step forward in the museum’s commitment to foster inclusivity and community engagement through the transformative power of art, the release says.
Art in Mind focuses on training museum docents and students to facilitate gallery tours for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well as their caregivers. 

Participants engage in non-biased, non-judgmental, discussion-based tours modeled after and based on the research-backed Meet Me at the MoMa, the first program for adults with dementia developed by The Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the release says.
The program’s multigenerational approach also involves USF students who completed the Healing Arts course, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for both students and participants.

To learn more, visit TheJamesMuseum.org/artinmind/.