The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

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.

A family outing

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Frank Smith snapped this photo of a family of deer out for a stroll in the Grand Oaks community, in Land O’ Lakes.

Health News 01/24/2024

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Mike Irvin, CEO, HCA Florida Trinity Hospital, left, and Sally Seymour, CEO, HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital, listen to a staff member during a tour of The Volunteer Way hydroponic farm. (Courtesy of HCA Florida Trinity Hospital)

Hospitals partner for The Volunteer Way
HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital and HCA Florida Trinity Hospital partnered to support The Volunteer Way. The hospitals’ Chief Executive Officers Sally Seymour and Mike Irvin, respectively, met with its leadership, toured the facility and presented The Volunteer Way with a $10,000 donation, according to a news release.

The organization primarily supports Pasco County residents who need assistance getting enough to eat. That food support can come in one of four ways: through the Congress Street food pantry, the Moon Lake soup kitchen, fresh fruit and vegetables from their hydroponic farm and a brown bag lunch program for seniors.

The leaders who toured the hydroponic farm were impressed with the effort toward being self-sufficient. 

“Nothing goes to waste here,” said Irvin in the release. “I never thought of a food bank actually growing their own food. I always thought about it more in terms of donations of canned and dry goods. But here with the hydroponic garden, they are able to give those they support fresh fruit and vegetables.

The Volunteer Way distributes millions of pounds of food every year, free of charge, to food pantries, soup kitchens, residential programs, seniors, homeless people, families, and other charitable organizations, the release said.

Gulfside calendar available
Gulfside Healthcare Services’ 2024 calendar, featuring local photography, is now available at all Gulfside thrift shop locations. The purchase of a calendar supports local photographers and contributes to the Gulfside mission of providing care to hospice patients. For a list of shop locations, visit Gulfside.org/thrift-shoppes.html.

Stay focused during fitness
Building a workout routine is an excellent way to improve and maintain good health. In addition to building good wellness habits, strong safety routines are important, too. Gym safety can prevent injuries, but it can also protect your valuables and prevent crime. The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) offers these tips to stay safe while focusing on fitness:

  • Park in a well-lit and highly visible area.
  • When exiting your car, take a minute to properly secure your valuables before entering the gym.
  • Always close your windows, lock your car doors and enable any available safety features, such as a car alarm.
  • Take your keys and wallet out of your car and into the gym with you.
  • Avoid leaving keys at public key hangers.
  • If available, secure appropriate valuables in a locker with your own lock.

The PSO wants everyone to stay safe and be well in Pasco County.

The Leadership Tampa group gathers in the St. Joseph’s Hospital-North atrium. (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

Leadership Tampa
More than 50 members of Leadership Tampa, a program of the Tampa Bay Chamber, were recipients of a presentation on Jan. 10 at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North (SJHN) in Lutz. The group learned about BayCare Behavioral Health and took a tour of the SJHN Unit for Psychiatry and Medical (UPM) Services, a 24-unit inpatient psychiatric and medical unit that opened in April 2023.

The presentation and group tour kicked off Leadership Tampa Health Care Day with visits to various health care facilities around Tampa Bay, according to a news release.

“Mental health needs and services are at the top of health care priorities and BayCare Behavioral Health leads that charge in the Tampa Bay area,” said Anthony Santucci, director of BayCare Behavioral Health Nursing Administration, in the release. 

“The new UPM program demonstrates an integrated care model that is busting the stigma of mental health needs and has set the stage for a new model of care within psychiatry,” said Antucci, who helped give the presentation and tour.

To learn more, tinyurl.com/3ksnep8r.

Chalk Talk 01/24/2024

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Rabbi David Maayan

Jewish-Christian Relations seminar
Saint Leo University’s Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies (CCJS) will present “Beyond Tolerance: How to Build Understanding and Respect in Jewish-Christian Relations.”

Matthew Tapie

This free, three-session discussion will help participants who want to understand other religions and want to build on relationships with those of other faiths. Sessions will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on Jan. 29, Feb. 12 and March 11, at Congregation Schaarai Zedek, 3303 W. Swann Ave., in Tampa.

The guest facilitators will be Dr. Matthew Tapie, director of Saint Leo’s CCJS and associate professor of religion and theology, and Rabbi David Maayan, Maureen and Douglas Cohn visiting chair in Jewish Thought and assistant director of CCJS.

The series will address:
How do Jews and Christians relate today?
How have they related in the past?
What are the challenges facing Jewish-Christian relations?

An RSVP is required for the event. Register online at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/gK6pVI1.

For information, contact Laurie Gens, CCJS administrator of programs and events, at 352-588-7711 or .

Literacy Week 2024
The Believe In Your “Shelf”! The Just Read, Florida! Office and the Florida Department of Education, in partnership with school districts, are highlighting Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! Pasco County Schools will host events and festivities scheduled for the week of Jan. 22 to Jan. 26, to celebrate literacy. Be on the lookout on your school’s website for more information. The goal of the campaign is to promote resiliency through literacy and excellent reading habits for students.

Dayspring information night
Dayspring Academy, 8337 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, will host a Dayspring Academy Lottery Information Night for pre-K through fifth grade on Jan. 25 — General Session No. 1 is at 5:30 p.m.; General Session No. 2 is at 6:30 p.m. These sessions are for the new Dayspring Angeline campus expected to open in 2024. The lottery opens on Feb. 1.

Dayspring is a tuition-free public charter school. For information, visit Dayspring.academy online.

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 those who are interested 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.

Electric buses grant awarded
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announced a $7.9 million federal grant awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for 20 new electric buses for Hillsborough County Public Schools, in a news release.

The project, “Schools Are Too Cool for Fuel,” is part of the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which awarded nearly $1 billion to 280 schools nationwide for electric and clean school buses — delivering cleaner air for kids on the bus and communities, the release says.

“This is a win-win-win for our communities: We are taking polluting school buses off the street, saving our public schools money and ensuring our children breathe clean air, keeping them healthy, safe and our public health strong,” said Castor in the release.

Student achievements

  • Jillian Abarca, of Odessa: Dean’s List, Valdosta State University
  • Landon Carter, of Lutz: Dean’s List, Valdosta State University
  • Colin Dempsey, of Lutz: Dean’s List, Lincoln Memorial University
  • Hannah Drielick, graduate of Sunlake High School: Dean’s List, Northern Illinois University
  • Maneesh Gorantala, of Lutz: Master of Science in Business Analytics, Trine University
  • Charles King, of Odessa: President’s List, Georgia Southern University
  • Gennaro Scarfogliero, of Odessa: Dean’s List, Valdosta State University
  • Josh Steele, of Odessa: President’s List, Plymouth State University

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 .

Science Festival
The 2024 St. Petersburg Science Festival is scheduled for Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus, 140 Seventh Ave., S., and Poynter Park, along the waterfront. Families can explore the wonders of hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

The event is held in conjunction with MarineQuest, the open house of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Guests can walk from one event to the other.

Admission is free to both the festival and MarineQuest.

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.

Canines earn retirement

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The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) announced the retirement of two of its K-9s — Brasko and Dobies — after their years of dedicated service to the county’s citizens.

K-9 Brasko, a German shepherd, has served Pasco County since May 2015. He was certified in both patrol work and narcotics detection, successfully keeping narcotics off Pasco streets, as well as locating those who were missing and apprehending dangerous suspects.

In both 2015 and 2017, the canine earned first place over 100 dogs in a narcotics detection competition. In retirement, he will remain with his partner, Dep. Adam Tellier, and Tellier’s current K9 partner, Flash.

K-9 Dobies, a labrador retriever born in Hungary, was certified in narcotics detection and began serving Pasco County in 2016, making him the PSO’s oldest serving K-9 at the time of his retirement.

The retriever served in many units throughout his career, including the School Resource unit, where he made frequent visits to schools throughout the county. He also served in the Community Engagement unit.

K-9 Dobies will continue to live in his retirement with his partner, Cpl. Christina Demas, and Dema’s current partner, Knox.

 

K-9 Brasko
K-9 Dobies

Duke Energy Foundation offers helping hand

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Duke Energy awarded monetary donations to food banks and organizations, to help keep families fed and healthy, especially during the holiday season.

Duke Energy has awarded $425,000 to more than a dozen Florida organizations that provide food assistance and other community resources to help seniors and families throughout the state. The funding, provided by the Duke Energy Foundation and Duke Energy Florida, helped wrap up the holiday giving campaigns of numerous organizations, with many including matching donations by private donors, according to a news release.

“Every bit of support to local and statewide food banks and community resources is helpful any time of year but particularly during the holiday season,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, in the release.

“We are proud to support these incredible organizations and the great work they do throughout the year to keep Floridians and their families fed, healthy and secure,” said Seixas.

This year’s holiday donations are in addition to $100,000 donated previously to Feeding Florida, a statewide organization dedicated to providing healthy, nutritious meals through its network of food banks.

The funding also allowed the Florida Council on Aging (FCOA) to distribute free holiday gift cards for seniors.

Some of the organizations that received funding include:

  • Feeding Florida
  • Florida Council on Aging, to be distributed through Seniors First, Orange County; Neighborly Care Network, Pinellas County; Council on Aging of Volusia County; NU-HOPE Elder Care Services; CARES, Pasco County; Citrus County Support Services; and Marion Senior Services.
  • 211 Tampa Bay Cares
  • St. Pete Free Clinic
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
  • Hope Partnership in Central Florida
  • Community Food Bank in Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties
  • Heartland Food Bank, Highlands County
  • Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida

To learn more about assistance programs, visit Duke-Energy.com/HereToHelp.

Published January 17, 2024

Help keep beads out of the bay, and protect the ecosystem

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The Florida Aquarium is encouraging the community to join its crew in helping to keep beads out of the bay during Gasparilla festivities.

(Courtesy of The Florida Aquarium)

Revelers are asked to drop off beads collected during the celebrations at the aquarium for recycling. Supporters of this Bead-Free Bay initiative will receive 50% off one adult general admission ticket for every 5-gallon bucket of recycled beads delivered to the aquarium, according to a news release.

The promotion is available Jan. 20 through Feb. 11.

As part of The City of Tampa’s Bead-Free Bay initiative, the effort aims to help protect the  marine ecosystem. Gasparilla beads are not only harmful to wildlife, throwing beads into the Bay also is illegal according to Florida Statute 403.413, the release says.

All beads collected will be donated to the MacDonald Training Center, a nonprofit organization that helps adults with disabilities prepare for the workforce through vocational training, employment pathways, residential supports and life-enrichment opportunities. Workers will sanitize and repackage the beads for reuse at future events.

Following this year’s Gasparilla activities, divers from The Florida Aquarium and other organizations will participate in a bead cleanup. Hundreds of pounds of beads and debris are removed from local waters each year, the release says.

To learn more about Bead-Free Bay, visit FlAquarium.org/upcoming-events/gasparilla-bead-recycling/.

Published January 17, 2024

Health News 01/17/2024

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Kerry Hipple, center (Courtesy of BayCare)

Nursing excellence award
Wesley Chapel resident and St. Joseph’s Hospital-North nurse manager Kerry Hipple was honored with the 2023 Florida Organization for Nursing Leadership (FONL) Excellence Award in the category of clinical practice. According to its website, the FONL ‘exists for nurse leaders who provide vision for the advancement of professional nursing practice and patient care. FONL promotes excellence in leadership to shape the future of health care delivery, education and health policy in Florida.’ Hipple received the award at the FONL’s 2023 annual conference and membership meeting in Orlando.

Express Care transition
Ten AdventHealth Express Care at Walgreens locations in the Tampa area became AdventHealth Primary Care+ at Walgreens clinics as of Jan. 1, according to a news release.

Primary care providers will continue to see walk-in patients seeking urgent care, but will expand services, including same-day primary care appointments, evening and weekend hours, mental health and nutritional counseling, and immunizations and annual wellness exams for children ages 18 months and older, adolescents and adults of all ages, the release said.

AdventHealth Primary Care+ is designed as a highly personalized approach to a patient’s whole health and wellness.

“It’s expert primary care that fits into our patients’ schedules,” said Jake McKelvy, vice president of AdventHealth Primary Care+, in the release.

“And, with the added convenience of the Walgreens pharmacy and retail store, we’re making it easy for busy families to checkup, check things off their shopping lists, and checkout!” said McKelvy.

Clinic services include: Annual wellness exams; chronic disease management; flu and COVID testing; immunizations and flu shots; medication management; mental health support; nutritional counseling; school and sports physicals; and sick visits.

For more information, visit AdventHealth.com/primary-care-plus.

Robin McGuinness (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Nursing board reappointment
Dr. Robin McGuinness, senior executive officer with the AdventHealth West Florida Division, has been reappointed to the Florida Center for Nursing Board of Directors. McGuinness brings vast experience and a deep dedication to nursing education and innovation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, a master’s degree from the University of Hartford, and a doctorate in nursing from Florida State University.

New clinic opens in Lutz
Cammie Acevedo and Stacy Pascarella, both nurse practitioners, have collaborated to offer direct primary care to the local community at Balance Wellness & Primary Care, 21754 State Road 54, Suite 102, in Lutz (located in the Full Life Chiropractic Clinic). Both women saw a need to offer quality health care to people who are uninsured or otherwise cannot afford it.

In addition to offering monthly health care for managing chronic illnesses and overall wellness, the clinic can negotiate discounts on some medication, bloodwork and diagnostic imaging to help reduce overall costs for patients.

Extended appointments and same- or next-day appointments are offered.

For information, call 813-291-3350, or visit BalanceForHer.com.

Chalk Talk 01/17/2024

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(Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

VPK sites for 2024-2025 school year
Pasco County Schools has released a list (subject to change) of the VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) school sites for the 2024-2025 academic school year. VPK is a state-funded, free, three hours per weekday early learning program designed to prepare children for success in kindergarten.

VPK sites for VPK students only: Kirkland Ranch K-8, Mittye P. Locke Early Learning Academy, San Antonio Elementary, Trinity Elementary and Veterans Elementary

VPK Inclusion sites for VPK & ESE (Exceptional Student Education) students: Bexley Elementary, Centennial Elementary, Chester Taylor Elementary, Connerton Elementary, Cotee River Elementary, Denham Oaks Elementary, Double Branch Elementary, Fox Hollow Elementary, Gulf Highlands Elementary, Gulf Trace Elementary, Hudson Primary Academy, James Marlowe Elementary, Lake Myrtle Elementary, Longleaf Elementary, Oakstead Elementary, Odessa Elementary, Quail Hollow Elementary, Seven Oaks Elementary, Seven Springs Elementary, Watergrass Elementary and West Zephyrhills Elementary

For more information on the early childhood programs and frequently asked questions, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/ecp/page/vpk.

School Choice ends Jan. 19
The Pasco County Schools school choice application window will close on Jan. 19 at 4:30 p.m. The Pasco Pathways Innovative Programs and School Choice application will be available via the myStudent parent portal.

The application window will be for all school choice options, including STEM and STEAM magnet schools, Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, Wendell Krinn Technical High School, Angeline Academy of Innovation, Kirkland Ranch K-8, International Baccalaureate (IB), and the Cambridge Programme.

The Notification and Acceptance Window will run from March 4 to March 13.

For more information, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/ed_choice.

Student achievements

  • Daniel Acosta, of Lutz: Dean’s List, Southern New Hampshire University
  • Emily Bentley, of Lutz: Chancellor’s List, Western Carolina University
  • Sean Corcoran, of Odessa: Chancellor’s List, Troy University
  • Riley Hall, of Wesley Chapel: President’s List, Mercer University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • David Hernandez, of Lutz: Dean’s List, Southern New Hampshire University
  • Mark Lucas, of Lutz: Provost’s List, Troy University
  • April Prier, of Lutz: Chancellor’s List, Troy University
  • Dylan Schaffer, of Lutz: Dean’s List, Rockhurst University
  • Chase Thurber, of Odessa: Chancellor’s List, Western Carolina University
  • Laura Vigna, of Wesley Chapel: President’s List, Mercer University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Tax Collector Essay Contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano is accepting entries in his 2024 high school essay contest, which runs through Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. The contest is for high school students (grades nine to 12), in public/charter, private, parochial, nonpublic and home-schools.

Students must answer the question, “What is the most important responsibility of the county tax collector and why?” in 500 words or less. Entries will be reviewed and judged on how well the student communicates his/her response to the question, as well as overall essay structure, appearance and readability.

All submissions must include the student’s name, school, grade and contact information.

Students in public/charter schools should submit their essays to their principal, who will forward them to the tax collector’s office. Private, parochial, nonpublic or home-school students should send their essays to: Jose Rodriguez Sierra, communications specialist, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526. Entries also may be delivered to the New Port Richey office, 4720 U.S. 19, New Port Richey, FL 34652, c/o Jose Rodriguez Sierra. Students can send entries via email to , too.

The winner will be notified by telephone no later than Feb. 29. For information or questions, call 727-847-8165, ext. 3826.

Science Festival
The 2024 St. Petersburg Science Festival is scheduled for Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus, 140 Seventh Ave., S., and Poynter Park, along the waterfront. Families can explore the wonders of hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

The event is held in conjunction with MarineQuest, the open house of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Guests can walk from one event to the other.

Admission is free to both the festival and MarineQuest.

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.

These Aussies bring great joy to their family

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Rowdy is a 9-year-old Aussie mix rescued eight years ago through Australian Shepherds Furever. He loves to play with his human siblings, being outdoors, and will do anything for a piece of cheese. Rowdy is great with kids and loves meeting new people. Ziva is a 10-year-old mini Aussie and has been with her family since she was a puppy. She’s been spoiled since Day One. These days, Ziva prefers to sleep on the couch or in mom’s bed, but when she’s feeling spunky, she loves to fetch tennis balls. Ziva is a total princess who loves her people, but tolerates everyone else (including Rowdy). Her favorite treats are anything the toddler in the house drops on the floor! Rowdy and Ziva live with the Weber family in Land O’ Lakes.

Rowdy
Ziva