The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Catching a breeze

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Karen Whitenton sees Great Blue Herons on a regular basis on the pond behind her house in Lutz, but this one caught her eye as it was drying its wings. The bird would shift and change position every 30 seconds or so.

Health News 09/15/2021

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(Courtesy of Shantel Meyer)

Supporting those in crisis
The GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Club welcomed guest speaker Katie Rockman, from The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, to a recent meeting. Rockman, assistant director of development, spoke about the different ways the center helps people in need, including veterans speaking with veterans who suffer from PTSD, and assisting victims of violent crimes. Anyone in need of help can dial 211 on the phone and reach someone at The Crisis Center. The woman’s club also made a $500 donation to help with the center’s mission. From left: club treasurer Kim Hanscel, club president Cindi Nalon, and Katie Rockman.

NAMI Pasco seeks donations
NAMI Pasco (National Alliance on Mentall Illness) is asking for donations of the following items, for its office:

  • School supplies
  • Fall décor
  • Holiday décor
  • A couch (it would need to be delivered)
  • Things on its Amazon Wish List

For more information, email .

Brain aneurysm awareness
The Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation announced that Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a proclamation recognizing September as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month.

The mission of the foundation is to raise awareness, and support and fund neurological research, training and treatment for brain aneurysms, strokes, and other cerebrovascular conditions in honor of Trinity Love Hoblit who passed away in 2015 at the age of 14 from a ruptured brain aneurysm.

“We are honored that Governor DeSantis has issued the proclamation,” said Olivia Hoblit, president and founder of the foundation, in a news release.

“Compared to other conditions like cardiac arrest and stroke, most people have little awareness about the signs and symptoms of a brain aneurysm. Just like a heart attack or a stroke, a ruptured brain aneurysm is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Awareness is the beginning of prevention, and we are tremendously grateful to Governor Ron DeSantis for his support in spreading awareness across Florida,” said Hoblit.

For the full proclamation and additional information, visit tinyurl.com/fv9srckx.

Medical center recognized
The Medical Center of Trinity has been recognized by Healthgrades for:

  • 2021 Labor and Delivery Excellence Award
  • 2021 for Superior Performance in Labor and Delivery
  • Among the Top 10% of Hospitals Evaluated for Labor and Delivery in 2021
  • Five-Star Recipient for Vaginal Delivery for Seven Years in a Row (2015-2021)
  • Five-Star Recipient for C-Section Delivery for Seven Years in a Row (2015-2021)

“We are proud to offer expectant moms in the Tampa Bay area quality women’s services, which keep them close to home,” said Dr. Corbi Milligan, chief medical officer, in a news release.

“From Labor and Delivery, Level II Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), Maternal Fetal Medicine and the continuation of these five-star awards, families can trust Medical Center of Trinity for the birth of their baby,” said Milligan.

To help consumers evaluate and compare hospital performance, Healthgrades analyzed patient outcomes data for hospitals across 16 states that provide all-payer state data for years 2017 through 2019. Healthgrades found that the variation in hospital performance makes a significant difference in terms of clinical outcomes.

St. Joseph’s Hospitals in top 100
The group of five St. Joseph’s Hospitals, including St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Luz, was named among the nation’s Top 100 hospitals by Fortune/IBM Watson Health.

This is the fourth consecutive year that St. Joseph’s Hospitals has earned the honor, and the fifth time overall.

The four other hospitals included in the recognition are St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, all in Tampa, and St. Joseph’s Hospital-South in Riverview.

“It is an honor to be recognized as one of the Top 100 hospitals in the U.S.,” said Tom Garthwaite, president of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in a news release.

“This award speaks to the dedication of our medical staff and team members who work to improve the health care for our North Hillsborough and East/Central Pasco communities. The Top 100 award recognizes quality care, great patient outcomes as well as our patient’s experience. By focusing on our patients, we provide true patient-centered care in a pleasant, healing environment,” said Garthwaite.

For the first time, this year’s ranking of top hospitals also introduced a measure of hospitals’ contributions to community health with a focus on equity developed by a team of experts at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Equity and the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

In BayCare’s most recent annual report, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North contributed approximately $12.1 million that went to charity care, unreimbursed care and direct community services. St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has also provided essential items and holiday gifts to families at the San Jose Mission in Dover.

For more information on the Top 100 hospitals, visit 100tophospitals.com.

Chalk Talk 09/15/2021

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High school fishing program
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) 2021-2022 High School Fishing Program offers high school fishing clubs or teams the opportunity to teach fisheries conservation, practice fishing skills and apply for the Florida R3 Fishing Grant Program.

The program is focused on recruiting new anglers to ensure the future of fishing in Florida.

The Florida Sport Fish Restoration R3 Fishing Grant will award up to 30 high school fishing clubs or teams $500 to assist with club expenses and the purchase of fishing licenses or gear for participants.

Participating clubs and teams will receive an updated educational curriculum comprised of lessons and activities on fisheries conservation and resource management, plus a chance to win prizes by completing a conservation project.

The grant program is open to freshwater or saltwater fishing clubs or teams at public, private and charter high schools throughout Florida.

To be considered for the grant, clubs or teams must have a minimum of five members and be represented by a school faculty member or parent who will follow the provided instructor’s manual.

The application can be found online at MyFWC.com/HSF, under “Florida’s R3 Fishing Grant Program.”

The deadline to submit an application is Sept. 17 at 5 p.m.

Fee adjustments review
Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider the approval of proposed adjusted course-related fees at its Sept. 21 board meeting, at 6 p.m., via Zoom.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, program directors, faculty and staff.

Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories, and program testing.

Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants.

For details regarding proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu/policies-and-procedures/public-disclosure.

Magnet schools recognized
Three Pasco County schools have been recognized as nationally certified magnet schools, which means they have met the rigorous standards that define high-quality magnet programs.

The schools are Bayonet Point Middle and Centennial Middle, both of which are STEM magnet schools, and Sanders Memorial Elementary School, a STEAM magnet school.

Magnet Schools of America, the national association of magnet and theme-based schools, created the national certification process to recognize the nation’s exemplary magnet schools and to help them continue providing high-quality magnet programs, according to a press release.

Magnet schools are those that offer specialized courses in themes that are designed to attract students from outside the traditional school boundaries.

“This is a tremendous honor for our magnet schools,” said Pasco County Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning, in the release.

“The staff at each school should be very proud, and I know parents will be pleased to know that their schools have met the highest standards of excellence,” said Browning.

Student achievements

  • Austin Cambas, of Lutz, received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce & Business Administration from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
  • Shane McBride, of Wesley Chapel, was named to the summer Dean’s List at Columbia College of Missouri.

Working while in college
Working while going to college can pay off in several ways, according to The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA).

The KHEAA states, in a news release, that earning money while in school, building a resume and learning to work well on a team can help a student after graduation.

One benefit is learning the importance of time management by having to juggle classes, study time, work and other parts of life in general.

Being employed can help to build a network of contacts and references that can aid in a future job search, too.

However, there can be possible drawbacks.

Working and going to school, especially if a student has a full-time job and a full schedule of classes, can cut into study time. The combination of work and school also can reduce downtime, which is needed to stay healthy — an important part of being a good student and employee, as well.

Before signing up for additional work hours or additional classes, a student should make sure there is still time to take care of one’s self.

For more information on KHEAA services, visit KHEAA.com.

Early release days
Pasco County Schools again will utilize a monthly, early release time to allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned with student needs, and district and school priorities.

Upcoming early release dates are: Oct. 6, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 2, March 9 and April 13.

On each of these days, students will be released two hours early.

The bell times, including the early release times for each school, can be found online at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule.

Education award
The Center for Education Reform (CER) will accept applications for and award a $1 million prize to an education provider, exceptional group of people, or organization that demonstrated accomplishment during COVID-19 and seeks to expand its work throughout the coming year, in the U.S.

The STOP Award for Education will reward education that is Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless.

The application window is open now and closes on Oct. 6 at 11:59 p.m., EST.

“We are on the hunt for great, successful entrepreneurs and innovators who have been educating our kids during COVID, and didn’t skip a beat to give parents what they want and children what they need during the pandemic,” said Jeanne Allen, CER founder and CEO, in a news release.

In addition to the $1 million prize, CER also is supporting several new micro-schools in underserved communities.

For more information, visit StopAward.com.

Mr. Cat is a real ham

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When Mr. Cat sees a camera or cellphone pointed in his direction, he will stop and pose, acting as if he is the top cat in Hollywood. He lives with his proud owner, Leigh Love, in Wesley Chapel.

Cottonmouths sometimes venture on land

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Randi Grainger sees a lot of wildlife on his property in Wesley Chapel, including the recent sighting of a cottonmouth. Grainger said he wanted to get a better shot of its head because when the snake opened its mouth, its head just seemed to disappear and it became ‘all mouth!’ A cottonmouth also is known as a water moccasin, as the snake is semi-aquatic.

Health News 09/08/2021

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Thyroid cancer awareness
The Medical Center of Trinity is bringing attention to one of the fastest-growing incidences of cancer during national Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month (September).

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped small gland at the base of the neck that produces hormones to regulate metabolism.

Although symptoms vary, in addition to feeling or seeing a lump in the neck, the five signs of a thyroid condition include fatigue, weight changes, high cholesterol, hair loss, and neck discomfort.

Thyroid nodules are lumps or growths within the thyroid gland, and are more common in women, and increase in prevalence with age.

Not all nodules are cancerous.

During Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, the medical center encourages women to do neck checks and to make sure it is part of an annual medical exam If a person thinks symptoms are present, a thyroid evaluation with a doctor should be scheduled.

Preventive screenings
It’s important to make your health a priority.

When life gets busy, sometimes taking the time to schedule an appointment takes a backseat to just about everything else.

AdventHealth offers this list of important preventive screenings for women:

  • Annual Well Visit. Women of all ages should make a point to keep their annual well-woman visit, where a primary care provider can screen for a variety of diseases, assess the risk for future problems, discuss lifestyle habits, and make sure vaccinations are up to date.
  • Mammogram. Depending on risk factors and family history, annual mammograms likely will start between the ages of 40 and 50. Speak with a primary care provider to determine the screening schedule. Expect to undergo a yearly mammogram until age 75. The test can identify possible early signs of breast cancer.
  • Colonoscopy. In most cases, women should undergo regular colonoscopies (once every five to 10 years), starting at age 50 (possibly sooner based on personal risk factors and/or family history). The outpatient procedure, performed under sedation, can identify precancerous polyps or early cancerous cells so they can be removed.
  • Dental Exam and Cleaning. Dental exams are recommended for all individuals every six months, with X-rays once per year. Professional dental cleanings remove plaque and bacteria that can lead to tooth and gum disease. The dentist also checks for signs of tongue and mouth cancer. Problems with dental health can be an indication of other health problems, such as osteoporosis.
  • Cholesterol Screening. Most women should undergo regular cholesterol screenings starting at the age of 45. Screenings should start at age 20 if the person is a smoker, is obese, or has diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension) or heart disease. These screenings should be done every five years.
  • Pap Test and HPV Test. Most women should undergo an annual pap and HPV test until the age of 65. These tests screen for abnormalities that may indicate pre- or early cervical cancer. Testing positive for HPV can identify women who may be at risk to develop cervical cancer later on in life.
  • Skin Exam. Speak wih a primary care provider or dermatologist to determine a screening schedule. Undergoing regular skin exams enables the health care provider to track worrisome moles, lumps or bumps, along with identifying and treating early signs of skin cancer.

AdventHealth encourages women to talk to a trusted health provider about scheduling all necessary screenings.

Chalk Talk 09/08/2021

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Saint Leo University’s ‘For Those Who Serve’ sculpture, to honor the U.S. military, is in Dempsey Plaza, next to the Student Activities Building. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Saint Leo recognized
U.S. Veterans Magazine (USVM) has named Saint Leo University as one of the nation’s Best of the Best 2021 Top Veteran-Friendly Schools.

USVM polled hundreds of Fortune 1000 companies for this year’s Best of the Best evaluations, which in addition to educational institutions, also lists top veteran-friendly employers, initiatives, and government agencies. More than 375 companies and institutions participated, according to a news release.

Saint Leo University served as a military college in its past, and in 1973, the then-college began offering courses on military bases in Avon Park and at MacDill Air Force Base.

Saint Leo welcomed military students and student-veterans who were returning from Vietnam, at a time when other colleges shunned them.

The school offers a variety of programming for these students, including Mindful Monday (guided meditation via Zoom) and Transition Tuesday, which provides information about making the transition from being in the military to being a college student.

Saint Leo designs veteran-specific activities to support student-veterans.

In addition to more than 6,000 veterans currently being served by Saint Leo University, many of the faculty and staff are military-affiliated.

Education award
The Center for Education Reform (CER) will accept applications for and award a $1 million prize to an education provider, exceptional group of people, or organization that demonstrated accomplishment during COVID-19 and seeks to expand its work throughout the coming year, in the U.S.

The STOP Award for Education will reward education that is Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless.

The application window will be open Sept. 8 and closes on Oct. 6 at 11:59 p.m., EST.

“We are on the hunt for great, successful entrepreneurs and innovators who have been educating our kids during COVID, and didn’t skip a beat to give parents what they want and children what they need during the pandemic,” said Jeanne Allen, CER founder and CEO, in a news release.

In addition to the $1 million prize, CER also is supporting several new micro-schools in underserved communities.

For more information, visit StopAward.com.

Homeschoolers info
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host “Homeschoolers Destination: Information” on Sept. 14 at 1 p.m.

Every other week, the center will use activities related to different content areas to discover monthly themes.

The theme for September will be “Great Growers,” and will include fruits and vegetables to explore the world of growing.

Registration is required. Masks are recommended, but not mandated.

To register, visit PascoLibraries.org.

For questions, call 727-815-7126.

Academic honors
These local students have been named to the Dean’s List at the Florida Institute of Technology:

Theodore Martin, Hudson; Jacqueline Figueredo, Lutz; Max Martino, Lutz; Andrew Ekblad, New Port Richey; Ian Ragan, New Port Richey; Zachary Watson, Trinity; Alexis Clark, Trinity; and Tyler Vermillion, Trinity.

New board members
Victory High School, in New Port Richey, has added new members to its board of directors.

Dr. David Barzelay was named the board chair. He brings more than 49 years of teaching, grant writing, leadership and chaplaincy to the position.

Barzelay has experience in writing curriculum, preparing and conducting training sessions for staff, and planning budgets and maintaining fiscal responsibility.

His contributions also include fundraising efforts in securing federal, state and local grants.

Dean Chung is now a board member. He has more than 30 years of experience in the corporate and nonprofit management sectors.

From IBM to volunteering with Pasco-Hernando SCORE, Chung brings his leadership, consulting and fundraising efforts to the board of directors.

He has been a supporter of Victory High School since its beginning.

Apprenticeship program
Pasco-Hernando State College (PSHC) has increased opportunities for students seeking a nontraditional college experience and looking to pursue a certification in the workforce.

Through its Workforce Education department, and in partnership with the Bay Area Apartment Association (BAAA), PHSC now offers an Apartment Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Program.

The program is registered by the state for veterans training under the GI Bill, and is designed for varying groups of individuals, including those leaving the military, graduating high school or college, or switching careers due to COVID-19.

Through the apprenticeship program, students will be placed with a property management company, where they can receive paid on-the-job training, as well as classroom and hands-on training.

The apprentices will gain skills in electrical, cabinetry, HVAC diagnosis and repair, punch skills, basic plumbing, appliance repair, exterior maintenance, and more.

For additional information on the program, visit PHSC.edu/apprenticeships, or contact Karen Strouthopoulos at 727-816-3123 or .

A return to the open sea

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(Courtesy of The Florida Aquarium)

Three juvenile green sea turtles on Aug. 19 were reintroduced into the Atlantic Ocean on the Palm Coast by The Florida Aquarium. The turtles originally stranded off the East Coast of Florida in March, as a result of a large cold-stun event. After five months of specialized care from the staff at the aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center, the trio was returned to the open ocean by biologists Jessica Sandelli and Alyssa Fessett.

Charity aims to put food on the table for kids

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The featured charity for the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office in September will be One Community Now’s annual Hunger Walk.

“I applaud One Community Now and the organizers of the Hunger Walk for their commitment to fighting hunger and food insecurity for students in our county,” said Tax Collector Mike Fasano, in a news release.

“Since its inception, we’ve been blessed to field a large team of staff and friends of our office to be a part of ‘Team Tax Collector’ to raise funds for this important charity. We encourage members of the community, who are already so generous in their giving to our charitable programs, to consider donating to this important program as well,” Fasano said.

The Hunger Walk is scheduled for Oct. 2 at 10 a.m., at Sims Park in New Port Richey, and directly funds The Pack-a-Sack 4 Kids Program — the keystone of the food relief efforts of the One Community Now organization.

Children who live in danger of not having food on their dining room table are given a backpack full of healthy meals each Friday, to ensure that they have food to eat over the weekend.

The students return the empty backpack to their school on Monday, at which time it is then refilled for the following weekend.

It is estimated the Pack-a-Sack 4 Kids Program feeds more than 1,600 children each weekend. Since the advent of Covid, the number of kids in need has grown to the point where one out of four Pasco children does not have enough to eat, according to the release.

A majority of those students also qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program.

To donate to the Hunger Walk or to join Team Tax Collector, visit OneCommunityNowHungerWalk.org/taxcollector.

For more information about the charitable giving programs at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, call Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

For details about One Community Now’s Pack-a-Sack 4 Kids Program, call Executive Director Patti Templeton at 727-900-6280, or visit OneCommunityNow.com.

Published September 01, 2021

Opal is a rescue

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Opal is a 10-month-old Lynx Siamese. She was 6 weeks old when she was adopted from a shelter in October 2020. She is a beautiful taupe color with darker ears and an extra-long tail. Siamese cats have a habit of being ‘Velcro’ cats, and Opal is no exception — turn around and there she is. Opal lives with her proud owner, Elsie Rehberg, in Wesley Chapel.