The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Koa is a Hawaiian native

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Koa is a 2 ½-year-old Golden Retriever. He was born in Hawaii and moved to Florida when he was 6 months old. His Hawaiian name translates to ‘strong and fearless,’ which he is. Koa is a typical Golden: He loves everybody, especially his owner. Koa loves playtime at the dog park with his pals, Bailey and Lucky. He likes apples, bananas and oranges, but not pineapples. For dessert, Koa gets a marrow bone. Koa lives in Land O’ Lakes with his proud owner, Mike Rouhas.

These birds like to swim in the open, from time to time

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Brenna Hicks snapped this photo of a family of gallinules on East Lake in Lake Padgett Estates, in Land O’ Lakes. Common gallinules are swimming birds that frequently hold their wings up, so the wingtips stick up on the back. These marsh birds reside in freshwater or brackish marshes, ponds and lakes with a mix of submerged, floating and emergent vegetation and open water.

Health News 02/07/2024

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Behavioral health therapist Magda Murilllo sits at the Wellness Station in the St. Joseph’s Hospital-North atrium, to get her health numbers. The hospital’s station is used by visitors, team members, medical staff and others to do quick, convenient health self-checks. (Courtesy of BayCare Health System)

Make time for a blood pressure check
February is Heart Month, aimed at raising awareness about cardiovascular disease prevention.

BayCare’s St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz and BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel recommend regularly monitoring your own blood pressure. With the support of a health care team, you can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. 

Blood pressure can be checked at the doctor’s office, other medical locations, at home with a blood pressure monitoring device or for free at one of the BayCare Wellness Stations in Publix Super Markets in Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

The stations provide you with free, interactive screenings to give your personal health stats, including blood pressure, pulse, body weight and body mass index.

Bayonet Point Hospital honored
The Pasco County Commission included HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital in its group of honorees at a recent monthly meeting.

The commission passed a unanimous resolution that stated, in part, “Whereas, HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital is a promise of unwavering care and continuous advancement in health care, with a commitment to keeping our community healthy and thriving. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida that said Board hereby recognizes the importance of HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital and commends them for their dedication and professionalism,” according to a news release.

The hospital’s list of recognitions include: Accredited Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer; certified by DNV-GL as a Comprehensive Stroke Center; Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll by AHA, Statutory Teaching Hospital, Verified Level 2 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and the Healthgrades Patient Safety Award for two consecutive years.

New parents Brittany and Scott hold their son, Cash Charlton. (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

Hospital has ‘biggest’ day ever
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz can consider Jan. 9 as one of the biggest days ever in the facility’s labor and delivery and Mom and Baby units — literally and figuratively.

According to a hospital news release, Liam Luebben was born to parents Gina and William, of Odessa, at 8:13 a.m., on Jan. 9, weighing in at 11 pounds, 6 ounces, and 21 inches long.

Liam was the second biggest baby born in the 14-year history of the hospital, but only for a little more than two hours when Cash Charlton was born to parents Brittany and Scott, of Dade City, at 10:18 a.m. Cash weighed 11 pounds, 10 ounces and was 22.5 inches long.

The biggest baby born at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North was in 2019, at 11 pounds, 12 ounces and 22 inches long.

Dr. Lisa Barker

Chief medical director named
Gulfside Healthcare Services has announced the promotion of Dr. Lisa Barker from the position of medical director to the role of chief medical officer, according to a news release.

In Barker’s previous role as medical director, “she played a key role in advancing the quality of Gulfside hospice and palliative care. She demonstrated a profound dedication to enhancing patient outcomes, fostering a collaborative and supportive medical team, and implementing innovative health care solutions tailored to the unique needs of our community,” the release says.

As chief medical officer, Barker will continue to shape the medical strategy at Gulfside Healthcare Services with a focus on hospice, palliative care and home health services. She will be instrumental in ensuring the highest standards of patient care, furthering Gulfside’s commitment to providing comfort and support to individuals and families during challenging times.

Chalk Talk 02/07/2024

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(Courtesy of Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

January Student Citizens of the Month
The East Pasco Chamber Foundation in partnership with The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce recognized 10 students from local schools as Greater Zephyrhills Student Citizens of the Month. Students are chosen by the teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. Those honored were: Michael Barnes, Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Chase Sheffler, Children’s Educational Services Elementary Campus; Kayleigh Skinner, Children’s Educational Services Secondary Campus; Rosalinda Sosa, Chester Taylor Elementary School; London du Mont, Heritage Academy; Cheyanna Warren, Raymond Stewart Middle; Gabriel Rivera, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Ava Robinson, Woodland Elementary; Michael Smith, Zephyrhills Christian Academy; and Joseph Stosh, Zephyrhills High.

Dollar Book Fundraiser
The Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road in Tampa, will host a Dollar Book Sale Fundraiser through Feb. 14. All donations will benefit the Tom Jones Tuition Assistance Fund, which helps families send their kid(s) to camp. For information, call 813-922-8167.

Turnaround Event
Pasco County Schools will host a Turnaround event on Feb. 8 at 9 a.m., at the PHSC Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

Each year, the school district celebrates students who have overcome obstacles to discover success in education and life. The event will recognize one student from each middle school and each high school.

Also, PHSC (Pasco-Hernando State College) recruiters will be on site waiving application fees for the day.

For information, contact Ramon Suarez, supervisor of the Graduation Enhancement Program, at or 813-794-2709.

Homeschool Pottery
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host “Homeschool Pottery for Beginners” on Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon, for homeschool students ages 9 to 15.

Participants can learn the basics of throwing on the wheel. No experience necessary. All supplies will be provided. A signed safety waiver and closed-toe shoes are required. Waivers will be available to fill out before class begins. Part 2 of the class is on Feb. 23 at 10 a.m., to glaze the pieces.

Registration is required. Call 727-815-7126.

The importance of reading habits
In recognition of the Florida Department of Education’s Literacy Week, Jan. 22 to Jan. 26, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative took a look at 2023 reading habits to help raise awareness about the importance of daily reading.

Library customers borrowed a record 8.5 million library materials last year, according to a news release. That amount of books, when placed end to end, could reach from Tampa to Boston, Massachusetts. Customers checked out more than 3.6 million books, movies and audiobooks from library branches and borrowed more than 4.9 million digital items like e-books and e-magazines.

The Jimmie B. Keel Public Library branch had the highest circulation last year with a total of 412,604, the release said. 

Library customers also attended more than 7,500 events at library branches in 2023 and more than 48,000 new customers signed up for library cards.

These are the top books checked out in 2023 in the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library branches and online:

Top Five Adult Fiction: “Desert Star” by Michael Connelly; “The Boys from Biloxi” by John Grisham; “Long Shadows” by David Baldacci; “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus; and “No Plan B: A Jack Reacher Novel” by Lee Child.

Top Young Adult Fiction: “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson; “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han; “The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Barnes; “Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo; and “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins.

To apply for a library card, visit HCPLC.org/account/get-a-card.

Love Symposium
Pasco-Hernando State College East Campus will present its annual Love Symposium on Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at 36727 Blanton Road, Building A, Room 240, in Dade City.

The theme will be “Love Over Time” and will feature presentations by faculty and staff exploring “Love in the Age of Social Media,” “Love in the 80s,” “Love Yourself!” and others. There also will be light refreshments, a dedicated art show and raffle prizes.

For information, contact Danielle Knight at 352-518-1206 or .

Chinese artist exhibit
Pasco-Hernando State College will exhibit the artistic talents of Nan Liu through March 1, at the West Campus, Rao Musunuru M.D. Art Gallery, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.

Liu began to study Chinese brush painting and calligraphy at a young age in Tianjin, China. At 16 years old, he was given the title of “Young Artist of Tianjin” by the Cultural Committee of Tianjin City. The artist brings cross-cultural perspectives on contemporary America through a variety of art forms, such as drawings, watercolors, tempera, ink and oil paintings.

The event is free and open to the public.

Staff Hall of Fame
Land O’ Lakes High School marked a significant moment in its history with the unveiling of the inaugural Staff Hall of Fame, a tribute to the educators and staff members who have played a pivotal role in shaping the institution.

The Hall of Fame features the portraits and accomplishments of 34 staff members. These individuals, selected for their exceptional service and positive influence on generations of students, represent the foundation upon which the school’s legacy is built, according to a news release.

The evening festivities on Jan. 24 included a presentation at halftime of the school’s basketball game, during which time each inductee was honored and introduced to the community.

Land O’ Lakes High School remains committed to celebrating its history and fostering an environment where learning and excellence thrive, the release says.

The individuals recognized to the Staff Hall of Fame are: Diane Baraket, Frederick Beauchamp, Vanie Benedetto, John Benedetto, Nancy Browning, Allen Claggett, Patrick Connolly, Maureen Dieffenwierth, Bill Gebauer, Rebecca Gleaton, Terri Granger, Vicky King, Ingrid Lachotta, Joan Lilly, Cindy Little, Charlie McBride, Caryn McDermott, Douglas O’Brien, Kathy O’Connor, Mark Pearson, Yvonne Perkins, David Puhalski, Romona Quave, Rock Ridgeway, Mark Rulison, Paul Russell, Joan Saperstein, Annemarie Schunemann, Katherine Sims, Amy Smith, Doris Souto, Terry Stanley, Kurt Sturm and Mary Jane Walker.

Sticker design challenge
The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer is challenging high school students to design a new “I Voted” sticker for Hillsborough County voters. Three finalists will be selected and one will be named the grand prize winner.

The first-place winning design will be reproduced as a 2-inch round sticker and given to voters who vote early or drop off their mail ballot during the two weeks leading up to Election Day for the 2024 Primary and General Elections.

This year’s contest is sponsored by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Busch Gardens. All of the finalists will be recognized at a school board meeting and receive prizes from the sponsors. 

Artwork must be two-dimensional, nonpartisan and original. Submission deadline is March 8.

To read more about the rules and submission requirements, students should visit VoteHillsborough.gov/VHContests.

For information on voting and elections in Hillsborough County, call 813-744-5900, visit VoteHillsborough.gov, or follow @HillsboroughSOE on social media.

Victory High enrollment
Victory High School in Pasco County is now enrolling for the 2024-2025 year. The nonprofit, private school is for teens in recovery from substance-use disorders or co-occurring disorders.

Students can earn their diploma away from the pressures and temptations of traditional high school. Academics are delivered in a safe, healing-centered environment, and all staff and volunteers are trained in trauma responsive services and mental health first aid, according to Victory’s website.

Scholarships are accepted at the school. To refer a student, visit www.refertovictory.com.

For information, visit https://www.floridarecoveryschoolsoftampabay.com/schools/,  call 813-444-7766, or email .

Spectrum Scholars applications
Charter Communications Inc., has opened applications for Spectrum Scholars, the company’s annual scholarship program for underrepresented college students with financial need.

Each of the rising college juniors selected for the 2024-2025 program will receive a $20,000 scholarship, a Charter mentor and the opportunity for a paid internship with the company.

In its fourth year, Charter has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships through Spectrum Scholars, but the benefits for students of participating in the program extend far beyond financial assistance.

The selected students for the new class of scholars will have the opportunity to complete the two-year professional development program, designed to introduce them to new career paths and expand their networks, with the potential for full-time employment with Charter post-graduation. Students also get unique access to networking and professional development opportunities including the Scholars Summit, a three-day event hosted at Charter’s corporate headquarters in Stamford. Fifteen students will be selected for the 2024-2025 Spectrum Scholars class.

For more information on how to apply, as well as program eligibility and selection criteria, visit https://apply.mykaleidoscope.com/scholarships/SpectrumScholarsApp2024.

The deadline for applications is March 1. Winners will be announced in May and scholarships will be awarded in August.

Scholarship applications
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian E. Corley is now accepting applications for the Florida Supervisor of Elections (FSE) Scholarship.

The association will award four $1,200 scholarships statewide to a political science, public administration, business administration or journalism/mass communication major and be at least a junior in college. Students must be enrolled or accepted as a full-time student in a senior college or university in Florida and have at least a C average or above for the previous year.

Additional requirements, guidelines and eligibility information can be found at PascoVotes.gov, by selecting the 2024 FSE Scholarship Application under the Noteworthy tab on the homepage. Applicants will be personally interviewed by Corley, who will then select one finalist from Pasco County for consideration.

Applications are due by March 8.

Scholarship opportunity
Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer invites college students to apply for a scholarship provided by the Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE). The FSE is offering three $1,200 scholarships to eligible Florida residents who are accepted or enrolled as full-time students in a senior college or university in Florida.

Students also must be at least a junior in college, or have enough credits for enrollment as a junior prior to the application date.

Hillsborough County residents must apply through the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office. Students who apply must be either a political science, public/business administration, or journalism/mass communications major.

The application deadline is March 8.

To learn about the full list of requirements and how to apply, visit VoteHillsborough.gov/Scholarship, or email .

Jorge and Henry are mama’s boys

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Jorge is 10 years old (all black) and Henry is 7 years old (black and white). Jorge loves his mama’s socks and Henry is obsessed with plastic and anything fluffy. Both felines live for ‘cookie time’ — their Temptations treats. Jorge loves to play hide-and-seek and Henry loves to do anything Jorge does. They both love to cuddle with their mama any chance they get. Jorge also is 7 months cancer-free! Henry’s nickname is ‘teefies’ because of his little vampire fangs. These two felines live with their proud owner, Dianna Pinkerton, in Land O’ Lakes.

Henry
Jorge

These cranes are known for their dancing skills

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Stephanie Flater caught this sandhill crane meandering through her yard in Zephyrhills. These tall, gray-bodied, crimson-capped birds breed in open wetlands, fields and prairies across North America. Mates display to each other with exuberant dances, with a gangly grace. Sandhill cranes are similar in plumage across their range, but they vary in size. The ‘Lesser’ Sandhill Crane that breeds in the Arctic is the smallest; the largest form, the ‘Greater’ Sandhill Crane, breeds in the northern U.S.; and the nonmigratory ‘Florida’ Sandhill Crane is intermediate in size.

500th thrombectomy performed

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The HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital team includes, from left: Vice
President of Operations Marcus Smith, Interventional Registered Nurse (RN) Amber McCoy, Interventional Radiology RN Michaela Colson, Interventional Radiology RN Britni Egyed, CEO Sally Seymor, Supervisor of Interventional Radiology Erin Rona, Interventional Radiologic Technologist Jamie Perlowski, Lead Interventional Radiologic Technologist Tim Deweerd, Director of Imaging and Noninvasive Cardiology/Neurology Services Alison Fowler and Interventional Radiologic Technologist Brittany Ruffino. Not included in the picture: Interventional Radiologic Technologist Eva Hunniford and Interventional Radiology RN Brita Fershleiser. (Courtesy of HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital)

HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital in Hudson performed its 500th thrombectomy, according to a news release.

The National Institute of Health defines a thrombectomy as “a mechanical interventional procedure by which a blood clot or thrombus is removed under image guidance using endovascular devices. Thrombectomy is most commonly used in acute cerebral ischemic stroke, although it is also a procedure used for clot removal in acute myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. Mechanical thrombectomy utilizes various techniques. Most commonly, it uses different catheter-based therapies, including stent-retrieval, direct aspiration or a combination of both.”

In layman’s terms: It is the removal of a blood clot that is restricting blood flow to a portion of the brain, and that’s where Bayonet Point Hospital’s Neuro-Interventional Services team comes in, the release said.

The hospital team expects the need to grow as a thrombectomy becomes the standard treatment for strokes.

Bayonet Point is a Comprehensive Stroke Center accredited by DNV since June 2018. The hospital has achieved the highest DNV stroke certification due to its ability to diagnose, treat and care for emergent stroke patients.

 

 

Chalk Talk 01/31/2024

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A ribbon-cutting was held for Chef Jon’s Gourmet Nutrition at Café 36 on Jan. 16 at Saint Leo University. Café 36 is located on the lower floor of the Wellness Center at the university. (Courtesy of Renee Gerstein, Saint Leo University)

Café opens at Saint Leo
Saint Leo University’s Café 36 is now offering healthy dishes and meals created by Chef Jon’s Gourmet Nutrition, part of the SMARTstart Pasco Incubators, an initiative of the Pasco County Economic Development Council.

Menu items feature natural ingredients and are designed to provide balanced nutrition, with many gluten-free and vegan options available.

The dining venue is on the lower level of Saint Leo’s Wellness Center, 33701 County Road 52 in St. Leo, and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Guests do not have to be members of the Wellness Center to stop in for a grab-and-go bite.

The café is open to the public, as well as students, faculty and staff of Saint Leo.

Gospel Chorale Concert
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) will kick off Black History Month with the Bethune-Cookman University Concert Chorale on Feb. 1 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the PHSC Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel. More than 50 undergraduate students will perform a variety of choral literature in a musical journey.

Tickets are free and required for the event. For a registration form, email Nathaniel Brown at . The printed out confirmation email page will serve as the ticket.

Pasco graduation rates are tops
With a 91.1% graduation rate, Pasco County Schools surpasses its regional counterparts and exceeds the state average of 88% for all student population graduations, according to a news release. This accomplishment reflects the district’s commitment to providing quality education and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

In addition to this achievement, Pasco County Schools has made notable strides in supporting Exceptional Student Education (ESE).

The district also leads the Tampa Bay Area with the highest percentage of ESE graduates, with a 90.9% ESE student graduation rate, surpassing the state average of 85%.

“This milestone is a direct result of our collective commitment to educational excellence and our belief in the potential of every student. Our educators, staff, students and the community have worked tirelessly to create an environment where learning thrives, and every student is prepared for success beyond graduation,” Superintendent Kurt Browning said in the release.

The district’s achievement in graduation rates reflects its innovative educational strategies, high-quality teaching, and robust support systems catering to its student body’s varied needs, the release says.

The district is looking forward to building on this success and setting new benchmarks in the years to come.

Social Studies update
Pasco County Schools is engaging in a K-12 Social Studies adoption process for instructional materials to be implemented during the 2024-2025 school year, according to its website.

The resources have been narrowed and schools will spend the month of January and February trying the resources within the classroom and voting on the resource they recommend to move forward for School Board approval.

Parent input is being sought and are asked to visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/oll_documents/current-adoption to find the narrowed resources and digital access login information. Click on the input form at the bottom of the page to provide feedback by Feb. 20.

There also will be a Social Studies Vendor Night on Feb. 1 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To RSVP, visit https://ryu.pasco.k12.fl.us/oll-mform/view.php?id=257079.

Dollar Book Fundraiser
The Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road in Tampa, will host a Dollar Book Sale Fundraiser from Feb. 3 to Feb. 14. All donations will benefit the Tom Jones Tuition Assistance Fund, which helps families send their kid(s) to camp. For information, call 813-922-8167.

 

National Compliment Day is Jan. 24

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National Compliment Day on Jan. 24 offers a wonderful way to brighten someone’s day or to give credit for a job well done.  A compliment has a powerful effect. It can instill confidence in a child, or validate someone’s hard work. A compliment not only improves the receiver’s mood, but it also says something about the giver. It tells them you noticed. Whether we recognize someone’s achievement or their classic style, a compliment can go a long way. Give an extra compliment on Jan. 24 or any time one is deserved!

 

Ruby is a wonderful companion and protector

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Ruby is between 7 years to 9 years old and was a serendipitous rescue when her owners (who had been looking for a perfect-fit pet) found her at a tiny house show where rescue dogs were available for adoption. Ruby enjoys constant attention and petting, belly rubs, and the occasional human food treat. She also loves to go for walks around the neighborhood and sniff her heart out. Ruby does not like the mean ol’ v-e-t (don’t say it out loud!), nail trims, the doorbell, and when you stop petting her. She is the ‘cleanup crew’ expert and will lick the floor and pick up any food droppings. Ruby is the nicest, low-riding, brindle ‘baked potato’ on legs you could ever meet. She lives in Land O’ Lakes with her proud owner, Alison Nocturne.