The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Input needed for New Tampa park

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Hillsborough County is asking residents for their input into what will become a regional destination park in the New Tampa area.

Branchton Park, 15504 Morris Bridge Road, currently includes a small parking area, shelter, playground and a basketball court.

The improvement plan will create new amenities for the community.

Depending on the suggestions from residents, features in the park could include small and large dog parks, multiple playgrounds, more shelters, a splash pad, walking trails, pickleball and multi-use courts, and gathering spaces.

The improvements would be built on land south of the park.

Enhancements will be implemented in phases, with work on the first phase expected to begin later this year.

An estimated 45,000 residents live within a 10-minute drive to the park.

Those interested in filling out the survey can visit PublicInput.com/BranchtonRegionalPark_Media.

Published July 07, 2021

Millie is very excitable

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Millie was born Jan. 15, 2020, and adopted from Best Friends Rescue in Georgia in April of last year. She is known for her ‘wiggle butt,’ as she gets so excited to meet new friends that her tail and whole body wiggle from side to side. She loves hunting lizards in the backyard, practicing agility, and hanging out at the Two Shepherds Taproom (and dog park), in Tampa. If she’s not doing any of those things, you can find her curled up in her bed, snoring very loudly. Millie lives with her owner, Kaylee Tegeler in Wesley Chapel.

Superb songbird

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The common mockingbird is a superb songbird and mimic. Its own song has a pleasant lilting sound and is, at times, both varied and repetitive. The mockingbird also is helpful to humans because it usually feeds on insects and weed seeds. In the summer and fall, it eats ripe berries. Sharon Thompson snapped this photo of a mockingbird perched atop the light pole in front of her home in Wesley Chapel.

Health alert

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The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco) has issued an alert to the public about the red tide bloom near Anclote River Park Beach.

Individuals may have mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms, such as eye, nose and throat irritation similar to cold symptoms. Some people with breathing problems may experience more severe symptoms.

DOH-Pasco recommends the following:

  • Do not swim around dead fish at this location.
  • Be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect breathing.
  • Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish from this location. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.
  • Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.
  • Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner.
  • If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially in windy conditions.

The Florida Poison Control Centers has a toll-free 24/7 hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide. Call 888-232-8635.

Chalk Talk 07/07/2021

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Timothy Beard, Ph.D.

High marks for PHSC president
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) president Timothy Beard earned near-perfect scores on his annual review by the college’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT), according to a news release.

The College Board of Trustees gave him an overall average score of 4.95 out of 5, noting Beard’s excellent communications with the DBOT and community stakeholders, as well as administrators on the college’s administrative leadership team.

Marilyn Pearson-Adams, DBOT chair, summarized the review comments in a letter to the trustees, noting in the release that “Dr. Beard’s personal and professional demeanor have positively impacted his performance as president and consequently facilitated the college being one of the premier institutions in the Florida College System.”

Beard exceeded performance standards in all areas of the evaluation.

He earned a 4.86 for board relations; a 4.88 for community, state and national relations; a 5.0 for fiscal accountability; a 4.99 for leadership; and a 5.0 for accountability.

Beard is starting the second year of a three-year contract awarded last year by the college trustees after he demonstrated his ability to grow as a leader, embrace a style of leadership that promotes transparency, collaboration and clear communication.

ABC Program
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will collect donations during the month of  July in support of the Pasco County Schools’ ABC (Assist, Believe & Care) Program.

The ABC program was created to provide financial assistance to students and their families who are experiencing economic hardship, especially when those needs interfere with the student’s ability to be academically successful.

All money collected will go into a fund that teachers can use when they see or learn of a need a child may have.

For information about the charitable giving programs at the tax collector’s office, contact Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

Free vaccinations
The Florida Department of Health – Pasco County is teaming up with Pasco County Schools and Health Hero to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations to Pasco County students age 12 and older.

The free vaccinations also will be made available to children’s eligible family members.

Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian to receive the vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine will be distributed at several school locations around the county.

Appointments are required to ensure a smooth and efficient experience.

July 12:

  • J.W. Mitchell High School, 2323 Little Road, Trinity – 8 a.m. to noon, in the cafeteria. Enter the school from Photonics Drive and park in the first parking lot on the right.

July 13:

  • Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes – 8 a.m. to noon. Park in the student parking area.

July 14:

  • Pasco High School, 36850 State Road 52, Dade City – 8 a.m. to noon. From State Road 52, pull in after the tennis courts and park in the staff or gym parking lot.
  • Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel – 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Park in the faculty parking lot and take the sidewalk between Building 300 and the main office.

Parents are encouraged to fill out the online registration available from the school district website (Pasco.k12.fl.us), and select from the available dates, times and locations.

An individual registration form must be completed for the student and every additional family member.

Back-to-School fundraiser
Pasco County Property Appraiser Mike Wells, and entrepreneur and philanthropist Jacques Hakim have partnered with the Pasco Sheriff’s Charities and the YMCA of the Suncoast James P. Gills Family Branch to launch “Step up for Pasco Students,” a back-to-school fundraiser, for students in Pasco County schools.

Every $10 donated can buy a new pair of quality shoes for a child in need.

The goal is to collect 5,000 pairs by July 18.

Sponsorship levels also are available.

To donate, visit bit.ly/PascoSheriffCharities or YMCASuncoast.org/stepup.

Employment Fair
Pasco County Schools will host its sixth annual Pasco Community Public Employment Fair on July 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., in Hudson.

Those in attendance can meet managers from Pasco County Schools, Pasco County Emergency Services, Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Pasco County Tax Collector, Pasco Board of County Commissioners, and more.

Register online at bit.ly/3vR7Kr8.

Summer food service
Pasco County School’s Summer Food Service program will continue through July 27, at selected school campuses and at bus stop locations around the county.

All school location meal packs will contain seven breakfasts and seven lunches, and will be provided curbside on Tuesdays only, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., to anyone age 18 and younger.

East Pasco school sites include: Cypress Creek High, Double Branch Elementary, New River Elementary, Pasco High, Quail Hollow Elementary, R.B. Cox Elementary, R.B. Stewart Middle, San Antonio Elementary, Sand Pine Elementary, Watergrass Elementary, Wesley Chapel Elementary, Wesley Chapel High, West Zephyrhills Elementary, Wiregrass Ranch High and Woodland Elementary.

In Central Pasco: Connerton Elementary, Lake Myrtle Elementary, Oakstead Elementary, Odessa Elementary, Sanders Memorial and Sunlake High.

Students attending PLACE (Pasco Learning and Activity Centers of Enrichment) or Extended School Year programs at the schools will receive their meals on campus and are not eligible to participate in curbside meal pickup.

School bus stops will distribute meal packs on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For bus stop locations and menus, and to participate in the meal pickups, visit tinyurl.com/3mp6x4dh.

For questions, email .

Unlimited bus rides
Students can ride Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) Department buses on regular routes all summer for just $20.

The special student rate is effective now through Aug. 31.

The Summer Haul Pass can be purchased at these locations:

  • Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Office, West and East Pasco Government Centers
  • Pasco-Hernando State College bookstores in Dade City, New Port Richey and Wesley Chapel
  • PCPT Administrative Office, 8620 Galen Wilson Blvd., Port Richey
  • All Pasco County Libraries

For information about the pass, bus routes and schedules, visit RidePCPT.com.

Hockey fan in the house

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(Courtesy of Melonie Monson)

Melonie Monson’s dog, Thor, is fan-ready to cheer on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Monson is the president/CEO of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

Dade City library closed for remodeling

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The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, as of June 26 is closed for remodeling.

The library’s new look will include a complete floor-to-ceiling renovation, with updated technology, new furnishings, high-efficiency air conditioning and high-speed internet.

The Hugh Embry Library in Dade City will get a new look, with extensive work expected to start soon. (Courtesy of Pasco County Libraries)

The modernized interior will offer new spaces for adults, teens and kids, meeting spaces, and a central service desk.

The extensive work is expected to begin soon.

To see a rendering of the proposed library updates, visit PascoLibraries.org/hugh-embry-library-remodel/.

“Most of the libraries were built in the 1980s, and we’re excited to completely reimagine the library experience for everyone in Pasco County,” said Bob Harrison, libraries program manager, in a news release.

The renovations are part of the General Obligation Bond (GO Bond) Referendum that Pasco County voters passed in November 2018.

The library is expected to reopen in the spring of 2022.

Patrons can continue to check out books and other materials at open library locations throughout the county, including the newly renovated New River and Centennial Park branches.

The South Holiday Library also remains closed for remodeling.

Published June 30, 2021

A trip to see family

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Bentley is a 4-month-old Maltipoo. He loves lots of hugs and kisses, but most of all he loves his treats. Here, Bentley is ready to visit his granny and gramps at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club. Bentley lives in Wesley Chapel with his owners, Bob and Debbie Gibson.

Raising a family, in Lutz

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Male and female bluebirds built a nest inside an old-fashioned metal pump in the backyard of Sue Forster’s home, in Lutz. Five little bluebirds were found inside the nest. As of June 7, all the babies had feathers, too. Forster said it’s been great fun to watch the babies as they were fed every day and to see them grow. The bluebird parents didn’t seem to mind the human interaction, as Forster said she checked the nest most days and it didn’t scare the birds away.

A comforting donation

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, under the direction of chair Linda Mitchell, have been busily knitting baby caps and blankets for the March of Dimes program, in support of the 2021 Baby Blanket Challenge for military new moms and their newborns. The women already have sent their first shipment and will continue knitting hundreds more items between now and the December program deadline. Barbara Booth, left, and Linda Mitchell showcase some of the handknitted baby items. For information about the woman’s club, visit LutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org, or visit its Facebook page.