The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Clocks changed, so irrigation timers should too

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With the end of daylight saving time (Nov. 5), the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFMD) is encouraging residents to check the timers on their irrigation system controllers.

The time change (clocks fell back one hour) is a good reminder to make sure irrigation system timers are set correctly to ensure that the system operates consistently with year-round water conservation measures.

All 16 counties throughout SWFMD’s boundaries are on year-round water conservation measures, with lawn watering limited to twice per week, unless your city or county has a different schedule or stricter hours.  

Local governments maintaining once-per-week watering by local ordinance include Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Sarasota counties, and the cities of Dunedin and Venice.

Irrigation in Pasco County is day and time specific. For additional information regarding specific watering days, times and settings, visit bit.ly/PascoWatering.

Do not water your lawn just because it’s your day, but residents should know and follow local watering restrictions. The water management district suggests residents should irrigate their lawn when it shows these signs of stress:

  • Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on at least one-third of your yard
  • Grass blades appear blue-gray in color
  • Grass blades do not spring back, leaving footprints on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it

For more irrigation and water-saving tips, visit WaterMatters.org/Water101.

Published November 08, 2023

Health News 11/08/2023

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(Courtesy of Kevin Weiss, City of Zephyrhills)

A walk to support breast cancer awareness
The City of Zephyrhills Government Staff had a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk at Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., on Oct. 28, with dozens of employees, friends and family lacing up their sneakers and jumping right in for a meaningful cause: to raise awareness and show support for victims of the disease. Attendees listened to inspirational stories from colleagues who have faced breast cancer head-on with courage and determination. The gathering also featured a bake sale and jewelry sale, with proceeds going directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a nonprofit organization that addresses breast cancer on multiple fronts such as research, community health, global outreach and public policy initiatives.

Trinity is a top hospital
HCA Florida Trinity Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare, has been recognized on the 2023 Fortune/PINC AI 100 Top Hospitals list for excellence in patient outcomes and experience, operational efficiency, financial health and community impact. Thirty-two HCA Healthcare hospitals were recognized on the list this year, according to a news release.

The study used a balanced scorecard approach focused on clinical, operational, financial, and patient perception to evaluate 2,644 short-term, acute care, nonfederal U.S. hospitals. The program is strictly based on performance and publicly available data, including Medicare reports and patient satisfaction data.

In comparison to other hospitals, the study found the top 100 hospitals had better outcomes, including lower mortality rates, fewer complications, lower health care-associated infection rates and shorter lengths of stay, the release said.

HCA Florida Trinity Hospital’s awards and accolades also include an “A” Patient Safety Grade spring 2023 from the Leapfrog Group, 37 hospital quality awards from Healthgrades, which reflect the hospital’s dedication to delivering better-than-expected clinical outcomes, and the Get With The Guidelines Stroke Silver Plus award from the American Heart Association.

A surprised Kipper Connell at the Lighthouse Dining in the Dark event — ‘Even the most discerning diner could not always tell the difference between a grape and a tomato.’ (Courtesy of Matt Anselmo)

Learning to see differently
The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind hosted its eighth annual Dining in the Dark experience at the Heritage Pines Country Club in Hudson.

Guests experienced an interactive reception during which they wore blindfolds while doing different activities at various stations. The event also provided a performance by The Two Tenors of Tampa Bay and a speech by Rhonda Warren, Lighthouse’s newest board member.

The interactive stations included a dining area where guests tried to decipher their food using their sense of touch, smell and taste; a technology station where guests wore simulator glasses so they could try to read printed material using a video magnifier; a production and craft station that had guests try to pack batteries in boxes and make pumpkin crafts; and a station where those in attendance wore a blindfold while walking with a white cane with one of Lighthouse’s orientation and mobility instructors.

Proceeds from Dining in the Dark are used to help Lighthouse meet the need for programs and services provided to its clients and their families.

For more information, visit LVIB.org.

Chalk Talk 11/08/2023

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(Courtesy of Susan and Alan Lee)

Living an integrity-centered life
Skylar Lee, 18, a senior at Cypress Creek High School, has earned the highest recognition the American Heritage Girls (AHG) offers to members — the Stars & Stripes Award. The AHG is a Christian-based Scouting-like program dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.

Award recipients have completed these requirements to achieve the honor:

  • Earning a total of 16 merit badges
  • Having held a leadership position in their Troop for a minimum of six months
  • Planning, developing and providing leadership to others in a 100-plus hour service project
  • Writing a Life Ambition/Spiritual Walk essay and resume
  • Receiving at least three letters of reference
  • Passing a Board of Review

Lee chose to serve Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church (OLOR) by raising more than $17,000 to purchase and set up two custom-made votive stands and kneelers for the church —something the church never had and whose parishioners asked for them.

She has served as flag ceremony coordinator for four years and announcement leader for one year. Lee also has received the President’s Volunteer Service Award six years in a row, including five Gold awards for volunteering more than 1,230 hours over the last five years.

She has earned 29 merit badges, as well as faith-based medals and awards.

During the OLOR project, Lee also served as a teen leader and altar server captain, completed in high school golf (2nd Team All-Conference, ranked 86th in state high school golf), and became a member of the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars.

She also is a Best Buddies volunteer for special education peers.

Lee is the daughter of Alan and Susan Lee, lives in Lutz and is a member of Our Lady of the Rosary. 

She will be recognized in a Court of Honor Ceremony on Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m., at the Hillside Community Baptist Church in Brooksville.

Pasco Pathways Expo
Pasco Pathways Innovative Programs and School Choice will host its Pasco Pathways Expo 2023 at two locations:

  • Nov. 14, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
  • Nov. 16, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Cypress Creek High School, 8701 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel.

For information, to see a list of attending schools, and to register, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/expo/.

(Courtesy of Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

Students honored as Citizens of the Month
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has recognized its Student Citizens of the Month for October. Students are chosen by the teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. Back row, from left: Jeremiah Simpkins, Suncoast Credit Union; Lucy Huber, Zephyrhills Airport; Jaxson Nichols, Chester Taylor Elementary; Katie Frier, Zephyrhills Christian Academy; Hailey Dester, Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Mayor Melonie Monson; and Ashley Breaux, AdventHealth Zephyrhills and Dade City. Front row, from left: Chick-fil-A cow; Sophia Longsdale, Woodland Elementary; and Daisy Hagler, Heritage Academy. Not pictured: Evan Nicholas, CES Elementary; Rain Pierre, Children’s Educational Services; Liela Villanueva, Stewart Middle School; Brodie Dykes, West Zephyrhills Elementary; and Dylan Fleshood, Zephyrhills High School.

A Taste of OLLI
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of the University of South Florida (OLLI-USF) will host “A Taste of OLLI” on Nov. 16 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel, 4501 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Ground Floor Classrooms A-C. This is a free event for individuals ages 50 and older residing in the suburban north Tampa communities to learn more about OLLI-USF and to sample its lifelong learning courses and lectures.

The guest instructors will be Sheryl Long and Robert Jacob, who will present condensed versions of their lectures about “Women Inventors Who Didn’t Make the History Books” and “Florida Pirates: Truth, Legend, Myths,” respectively. Free refreshments also will be offered.

To reserve a spot, call 813-974-5848, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Educator grants
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has awarded $108,304 in grants to 51 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program, according to a news release.

The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities, as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness campaigns.

Each school district allocates a portion of their annual youth education funding provided by the District to support the Splash! grants in their county.

The following schools/teachers in Pasco County were awarded grants:

  • Dr. Mary Giella Elementary School, Meagan Brinkman
  • East Pasco Education Academy, Dr. Jose Olmo
  • Hudson High School, Shamsher Lamba
  • J.W. Mitchell High School, Dennis Koslin
  • Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, Megan Jungferman
  • Zephyrhills High School, Catherine Sutton

Grants are available to support water education programs and activities that are focused on water cycle basics, freshwater or estuarine ecosystems, water quality and water conservation.

For more information, visit WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.

Sir Winston is a fluffy bundle of joy

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Sir Winston is a loving, smart and sassy Pembroke Welsh Corgi who goes to college — he attends Florida Southern College as an emotional support animal for Madison Meisenbach. While Sir Winston had a bad case of the puppy bites and didn’t like school, he has now learned to love college life. He enjoys walking around the lake, meeting new people, and doing tricks for kibbles. Sir Winston and Meisenbach both will graduate this December. Who knows where their journey will take them, but in Winston’s mind, it will be a place with lots of people, more kibbles and a big backyard! Sir Winston lives in Lutz.

Satisfying a thirst

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Will Kuhns snapped this crow taking a dip in the Ballantrae neighborhood in Land O’ Lakes. American crows are large, intelligent, all-black birds with hoarse, cawing voices. They are common sights in treetops, fields and roadsides, and in habitats ranging from open woods and empty beaches to town centers. They usually feed on the ground and eat almost anything.

Full services resume at tax collector’s office

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The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office at the West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive in New Port Richey, has fully reopened as of Oct. 30. All services provided prior to the renovation once again will be available to customers, including driver license and birth certificate services.

The renovations were performed to make the office more efficient and better able to serve its valued customers.

“We are excited that these important improvements to our West Pasco Government Center Office are being completed in time for the busy tax season, which begins Nov. 1,” said Tax Collector Mike Fasano in a news release.

“Our goal as an organization is to make a visit to our office as easy and as simple as possible. The upgrades made during this remodel will make the customer experience even more streamlined. We appreciate the understanding of residents who live in New Port Richey, Port Richey, Hudson, and the other communities that generally utilize this office to meet their various needs,” said Fasano.

For detailed information about this office or any of the other tax collector locations in Pasco County, contact the centralized call center at 727-847-8032, 813-235-6076 or 352-521-4338, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

Published November 01, 2023

Help make a dream a reality with a mini-grant

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Hillsborough County is now accepting applications for its 2024 Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program, which provides up to $5,000 to eligible organizations to help foster healthy, safe and engaged neighborhoods through innovative and creative projects, according to a news release.

Established in 1988, the mini-grant program is focused on encouraging neighborhoods to invest in their future and create a legacy. Applicants can submit projects that are impactful and unite neighborhoods.

Neighborhood, condominium and homeowner associations in Hillsborough County are eligible to apply. Neighborhood organizations must be registered in the county’s Neighborhood Listing before applying for a mini-grant (sign up at: tinyurl.com/2j95jka2).

The three categories are: Healthy Neighborhood, Safe Neighborhood and Engaged Neighborhood.

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m., on Nov. 15. Mini-grants will be awarded in January.

To learn more about the grant application process, view the requirements and complete the application, visit HCFLGov.net/MiniGrant.

For information and assistance with the application, contact Neighborhood Relations at , or call 813-272-5860.

Published November 01, 2023

Health News 11/01/2023

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(Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Health Resource Center opens
The Hudson Community Health Resource Center has opened its doors to Pasco County students and the community, at 14540 Cobra Way, on the Hudson High School campus.

The facility offers free medical, mental health, and dental services, as well as provides a food bank, clothing bank, and access to computers and printers. 

The services are dedicated to local residents, but are free to all visitors, with no eligibility requirements. The only information collected includes names, zip codes, family size, and the number of children in the household.

Community partners such as Premier HealthCare, Feeding Tampa Bay, Metropolitan Ministries’ NeighborHope Project, Molina Healthcare and Saint Leo University have joined forces to provide residents with the tools they need to address the root causes of poverty.

For more information, visit hpa.pasco.k12.fl.us/hudson-community-health-and-resource-center/.

Melissa Proctor was named an AdventHealth Goal Getter. (Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

Breast cancer survivor honored
Melissa Proctor, a nursing educator at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and a survivor of breast cancer, was recently celebrated and honored by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an AdventHealth Goal Getter, at Raymond James Stadium. The recognition is the culmination of Proctor’s journey of resilience, spreading awareness and inspiring hope in the face of adversity.

The honoree consulted her doctor in June 2021 and underwent tests, leading to a stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis. A month later, she faced a mastectomy and began chemotherapy, according to a news release. 

The care team at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel guided her through her journey from diagnosis to reconstruction, providing support and compassionate care.

Today, Proctor stands cancer-free for two years, attributing her positive outcome to the care she received from Dr. Nicole Figueredo and the entire team at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.

She now advocates for regular screenings and self-breast exams, emphasizing their life-saving potential. She firmly believes in being a voice for others, spreading awareness about early detection and the importance of timely health care.

Premier benefits from donations
Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices featured Premier Community HealthCare as its charity of the month in September and raised a total of $5,013.61 for the organization. Premier is the primary nonprofit agency that provides health care to the uninsured and under-insured of Pasco County. The money raised will benefit Premier’s expansion of medical services across the county.

For information about Premier, call Cheryl Pollack, community engagement officer, at 352-518-2000, ext. 9012, or visit PremierHC.org.

For more on the tax collector’s office promotional and charitable giving programs, contact Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, at 727-847-8179 or PascoTaxes.com.

A ‘company that cares’
BayCare has been ranked nationally among the 2023 People “Companies That Care” list for the third year since 2020. Great Place To Work and People magazine highlighted BayCare’s efforts to support the well-being of its team members, expand behavioral health services and partner to build healthier communities.
The People Companies That Care list is based on over 1.3 million employee survey responses and data from companies representing the experience of more than 7.5 million employees. Of those surveys, 1.1 million came from employees at companies eligible for this year’s list and these rankings are based on that feedback.

BayCare ranked 75th on the list of 100 companies and was the top-ranked health care system in Florida. BayCare is the parent of two local hospitals — St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz and BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel.

Companies also submit essays that are validated by employee survey data to give a complete picture of the way an organization cares for its employees, its community, and the planet. To be considered for the list, companies must be Great Place to Work Certified and have at least 10 U.S. employees.

Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine named BayCare one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For from 2018-2021, one of the Best Workplaces in Health Care & Biopharma 2019-2021, and one of the 2022 Best Workplaces in Health Care.

Happiest states
The personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on 2023’s Happiest States in America. To determine where Americans have the highest satisfaction with life, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 30 key indicators of happiness. The data set ranges from the depression rate and the share of adults feeling productive to income growth and the unemployment rate.

Florida ranked eighth overall, with these results (1=happiest; 25=average):

  • Second — percentage of depressed adults
  • Ninth — income growth
  • 14th — share of adults feeling active and productive
  • 15th — suicide rate
  • 17th — percentage of civilian labor force unemployed 15 weeks or longer

For a full report, visit WalletHub.com/edu/happiest-states/6959.

A leader in robotic surgery
HCA Florida Trinity Hospital is a leader in robotic-assisted surgeries for the community, as more than 7,500 robotic-assisted procedures have been performed for thoracic, colon-rectal, gynecologic oncology, urology, gynecology, urogynecology, bariatrics and general surgery, according to a news release. 

“With seven robots and a comprehensive panel of surgeons experienced in robotic-assisted surgeries, we are able to provide our community with minimally invasive options, which may result in less pain, shorter hospital stays and recovery,” said Mike Irvin, CEO HCA Florida Trinity Hospital, in the release.

“We are honored to provide these advanced surgical options to our community and the Tampa Bay area,” said Irvin. 

HCA Florida Trinity Hospital continues to focus on technology and developing programs that allow the community to stay close to home for health care. Key services include 24/7 emergency care, obstetrics including NICU and maternal fetal medicine, advanced surgical oncology, spine and orthopedics, minimally invasive surgical specialties, and women’s imaging center with comprehensive breast care.

Best of the Best
AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills top the Tampa Bay Times “Best of the Best” list in 2023, voted on by the Tampa Bay community. More than 410,000 votes were cast, according to a news release. The awards are a celebration of excellence and a recognition of the businesses and organizations that have gone above and beyond to meet the needs and expectations of the Tampa Bay community, the release said.

AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills topped not just one, but three categories:

  • Diagnosis Excellence. This category is a testament to the hospitals’ state-of-the-art technology and expertise in providing accurate and comprehensive diagnostic services.
  • Cardiology Care at its Finest. This recognition underscores the hospitals’ attention to cardiovascular health, with a team of experienced cardiologists, advanced treatment options and a patient-centric approach.
  • Orthopedic Excellence. This win reflects the hospitals’ commitment to musculoskeletal health, with a focus on precision, innovation and personalized care orthopedic surgeons give to help patients regain mobility and quality of life.

Chalk Talk 11/01/2023

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(Courtesy of Pasco County)

A campaign good for the ‘sole’
Pasco County government and constitutional offices collected more than 9,000 pairs of shoes and socks for kids in Pasco County schools, during the 2023 Two Good Soles Shoes and Socks Drive. This year’s drive resulted in 3,198 pairs of shoes and 5,939 pairs of socks. The community effort helps students put their best foot forward. Since 2016, the campaign has collected 18,340 pairs of shoes and 45,685 pairs of socks, which social workers distribute to students enrolled in Pasco County Schools.

Sunlake Ravenfest
The Sunlake Academy of Math & Science PTSO (Parent Teacher Student Organization), 18681 Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz, will host a Ravenfest fundraiser on Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fall festival will include inflatable games, vendors, bubbles, food trucks, lawn games, a goat petting zoo, raffle, and face painting. Admission is $5; children age 2 and younger are free. For tickets, visit SunlakePTSO.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/260279.

Robotics Rumblerama
Middle and high school robotic teams will battle it out with their bots at the 2023 Over-Under VEX Robotics Rumblerama Competition on Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey, in the gymnasium. For information, contact Aaron Ellerman at 727-816-3259 or .

Florida Bar competition
The Florida Bar announced its annual High School Appellate Brief Writing & Moot Court Competition, an event that provides a unique experience in the world of law and advocacy.

The opportunity offers high school students the chance to gain a firsthand understanding of the appellate process by engaging in brief writing and oral argument exercises based on a fictitious case, according to a news release.

The competition, sponsored by The Florida Bar’s Law Related Education Committee, is open to high school students across Florida. Students work in teams of two, coached by a teacher or qualified sponsor, to draft a brief for either the petitioner or the respondent, using only the cases, citations, and legal authorities provided in the case problem.

District competition winners will advance to the State Finals in Tallahassee, where they will present their arguments before a panel of appellate judges. The highest-scoring teams will proceed to the Final Round, in which they will argue before the Florida Supreme Court. In addition to an overall winner, awards will be presented for the Best Brief and Best Oralist, recognizing both individual and team achievements.

For more information and registration details, visit FloridaBar.org/flmootcourt.

Outstanding youth recognized
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners recognized six outstanding young people on Oct. 18, as the board presented its Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards) during its meeting. The YEA! Awards recognize three middle school and three high school students in Hillsborough County who display initiative, innovation, and commitment to themselves and others, while pursuing leadership excellence. This year’s recipients are: 

  • Success Despite Difficult Odds — Gavin Shreeve, Randall Middle School; Caitlin Conrad, Steinbrenner High School
  • Leadership — Nathaniel Freeman, Williams Middle IB School; Hunter Anderson, Durant High School
  • Volunteer or Community Service — Gabrielle Lee, Farnell Middle School; Jayen Patel, Hillsborough High School

For more information, visit HCFLGov.net/YEA.

Free essay review
CollegeConfidential.com, an online platform that leverages the power of community to provide unfiltered guidance on college admissions and higher education, has launched a free essay review service for the 2024-2025 academic year college applicants, according to a news release. The online platform provides the largest college forums in the world, access to thousands of schools (including virtual campus tours), and the collaborative strength of students, families and experts, the release says.

The essay review service is designed to help college-bound students confidently tell their unique stories and convey their personalities, strengths, accomplishments, and the contributions they will make on campus. Key features of the service include:

  • 100% free and accessible to students
  • Essays are reviewed by select community member volunteers who possess decades of experience helping students refine college essays.
  • Essay feedback is secure, private and confidential.
  • Access to additional college application resources
  • Exclusive decision date calendar and helpful college lists

Students interested in using the free essay service should follow these steps: Visit CollegeConfidential.com and register or log in if you have an existing account; join the Students Essay Reviews private group and access the Essay Feedback private community; and follow the instructions to submit an essay help request.

To learn more, visit CollegeConfidential.com.

Shealina is loving and sweet

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Five-year-old Shealina was adopted from Pasco County Animal Services a few years ago. She loves playing with her toys and lives with her proud parents, Frank and Nicole Magazu, in Land O’ Lakes.