The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Living the good life

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Peanut and Daisy celebrated their first birthday on Jan. 18. They are both rescues from The Humane Society of Tampa Bay. They are amazing, smart, caring and loving, and look after one another. Peanut and Daisy live with their parents, Dianne and Fred Rodriguez, in Land O’ Lakes.

Health News 02/24/2021

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Hospice donation exceeds $9,000
The Bay Area Bassmasters, a B.A.S.S. Nation “Buddy” Team Tournament Trail Bass Fishing Club, set a new record with its annual donation to Gulfside Hospice for $9,129.21.

From left: Tom Craigshead, Carla Armstrong, Pamela Hardy, Carol Mahoney and Tom Mahoney. (Courtesy of Gulfside Healthcare Services)

The funds were raised during the group’s 2020 fishing season through the Ina Mahoney Hospice Challenge, an annual tradition that began when Ina Mahoney passed away on Gulfside’s services in October 2009.

Afterward, the fishing club members rallied around Ina’s husband, Tom, president of the Bay Area Bassmasters, to start the challenge to raise money for Gulfside, as a way to say thank you for the care provided to Ina and the family.

To date, the Ina Mahoney Hospice Challenge donated more than $51,250 to Gulfside.

The club also hosts an annual fundraiser at its meeting each year in November, to raise additional funds through prize drawings.

For information about donating to Gulfside Hospice or the Bay Area Bassmasters, contact Carla Armstrong, director of philanthropy, at 727-845-5707.

 Resiliency Clinic
Veterans and active-duty military members who receive care from SOF (Shield of Faith) Missions’ Resiliency Project recently attended a Resiliency Clinic Program at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel.

The five-day clinic focused on the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of each of the military warriors in attendance.

The participants also receive a one-week telemedicine follow-up, a 30-day re-evaluation, and a 90-day follow-up with SOF Missions Medical Director Dr. Marissa McCarthy.

Dr. McCarthy said in a news release that addressing the suicide epidemic within the veteran and active-duty community requires an intradisciplinary whole-health approach.

The warriors receive care from an array of medical experts, including cognitive, mental health, recreational, strength and conditioning, and spiritual fitness, as well as massage therapists, social reintegration coaches, a nutritionist and an acupuncturist.

The program also focuses on sleep hygiene and nutrition to improve overall brain health.

For more information on SOF and the Resiliency Project, visit SOFMissions.org.

Chalk Talk 02/24/2021

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School resource officers care about the community

Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Greene sponsors the J.W. Mitchell High SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and helped the students to prepare a PSA (public service announcement) video for their upcoming ‘Battle of the Belts’ competition. Greene also coaches the offensive linemen on the football team and spends time in the weight room with the students. (Courtesy of Pasco Sheriff’s Office)
Pasco Sheriff’s Cpl. Stevenson, SRO officer at Marchman Technical College, helped Cpl. Ziegler at Chasco Middle School with a clothing drive before the winter holidays. One the most requested items was socks, so Stevenson provided those, along with food items, to aid families over the winter break.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

College/Career Fair
Pasco County Schools will host a virtual College and Career Fair on Feb. 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., to share information with families across the district as plans are made for college entry and/or careers after high school.

To learn more and to register, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/oll/page/college-and-career-fair.

Revised spectator rules
Pasco County Schools announced a revised set of rules that went into effective as of Feb. 15, to allow for more spectators at school sporting events and more audience members at performing arts events.

The new rules will allow for 50% capacity at all outdoor events, including both athletic and performing arts events.

Indoor athletic events would be limited to four spectators for each athlete, and indoor performing arts events will be limited with up to four audience members per performer.

Mask rules will remain the same: Outdoor spectators and audience members are required to wear masks while entering and leaving the venue, and when leaving their seats to visit the concession stand or restroom. Masks are not required while spectators are seated at an event.

Spectators and audience members are required to maintain appropriate social distance with one another, other than direct family members.

The revised rules were established after Pasco County experienced a decrease in local COVID-19 cases and infection rates, and after consulting with the Pasco Department of Health.

Academy at the Farm
Academy at the Farm, 9500 Alex Lange Way in Dade City, is open for enrollment through Feb. 28.

The charter school is “designed to meet the needs of all students by promoting academic excellence, developing productive citizens through character building, and incorporating the advancement of technology in the curriculum,” according to its website.

The academy serves preschool through eighth grade.

For more information and to apply, visit AcademyAtTheFarm.com.

Coco has tons of personality

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Coco is a female, tortoise shell (‘tortie,’ for short). She loves to follow her owner around all day, especially now that her ‘mom’ works from home. Affectionate yet reclusive, Coco is a quiet girl that prefers a small circle. Her favorite activities are chasing lizards on the porch, napping, and playing with her catnip toys. Coco lives with Mary McElwee in Wesley Chapel.

Looking for a great catch

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Gary Owens snapped this incredible shot of an osprey on Lake Heron, where he lives. Ospreys search for fish by flying on steady wingbeats and bowed wings or circling high in the sky over relatively shallow water. This bird of prey often will hover briefly before diving, feet first, to grab a fish. An osprey’s wingspan is about 5 feet.

Hospital adds another noteworthy award

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Hospitalists (doctors caring for hospitalized patients) at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North celebrate the Florida Stroke Registry honor. (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has earned an award from the Florida Stroke Registry for its ability to rapidly determine the severity and possible location of a stroke.

The hospital received the Stroke Registry’s Certificate of Achievement “for the successful achievement of Most Completeness for NIHSS,” according to a news release.

The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is an assessment tool and quantitative measure used in stroke care.

The Stroke Registry also notified the hospital that it ranked as the best among 121 Florida Stroke Registry hospitals that submitted “Most Completeness” data. The data was compared from 2018 to 2019.

The registry’s aim is to improve quality of care and health outcomes in stroke through partnerships, research, intervention and policy advocacy.

The Stroke Registry award was St. Joseph’s Hospital-North’s second award in 2020 for the treatment of strokes and heart attacks.

Last year, the hospital received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline STEMI Receiving Award for meeting and exceeding specific standards of performance for quick and appropriate treatment of patients suffering heart attacks.

Chalk Talk 02/17/2021

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Aubriella Chiarell will represent Land O’ Lakes in Hometown program. (Courtesy of Florida’s Hometown USA Program)

Elementary student garners recognition
Florida’s Hometown USA Program Inc., is a nonprofit educational youth organization for students in Florida that helps to educate the young on the values of volunteer work, and to inspire them to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors. The focus of the volunteer work is with children, youth and the elderly.

Five students, elementary through college, are selected each year to represent their hometown throughout the state. Aubriella Chiarell was selected as the program’s elementary school representative for 2021. She attends Veterans Elementary School, and is the daughter of Sarah and Vince Chiarell.

Students are being recognized for their volunteer and community service work, and will visit and entertain at nursing homes, children’s hospitals, veterans hospitals, charity events, and other scheduled activities. The program is partnered with 27 facilities throughout Florida.

Florida’s Hometown USA Program has received Disney’s Helping Kids Shine Award, Disney’s VoluntEAR of the Year, the Governor’s Points of Light from former Gov. Jeb Bush, and the national President’s Daily Points of Light Award from former President George W. Bush for volunteer work with youth.

St. Anthony open house
St. Anthony Catholic School, 12155 Joe Herrmann Drive in San Antonio, is scheduled to open a new VPK program in August. Enrollment for new families will begin on Feb. 23.

St. Anthony is a private K-8 school founded in 1884 and dedicated to providing students with quality and Christ-centered education that addresses a child’s needs spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally and physically.

For information and to learn more about the school’s VPK program, K-8 openings, or to schedule a tour, call 352-588-3041, or visit StAnthonySchoolFl.org.

College/Career Fair
Pasco County Schools will host a virtual College and Career Fair on Feb. 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., to share information with families across the district as plans are made for college entry and/or careers after high school.

To learn more and to register, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/oll/page/college-and-career-fair.

Student achievements
James Cook, of Lutz, has been named to the Dean’s List at College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts. Cook is majoring in history.

These area students were named to the Dean’s List at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa: Kaylynn Butts, Odessa; Austin Cambas, Lutz; Jennifer Clifford, Lutz; Jack Houser, Odessa; and Emily Ymiolek, Lutz.

Kelly McDermott, of Lutz, was recognized to the President’s List at the University of Alabama.

Leia Randall, of Land O’ Lakes, was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Black History contest
All Hillsborough County students and teachers are invited to enter HART’s Black History Month Contest with a video, essay or drawing entry. The theme is the representation, diversity and identity of “The Black Family.”

Participants must first visit YouTube.com/HARTtransit and watch the “HART Celebrates the Black Family” video.

Then, students can create a video, write a short story, or draw an illustration that covers these three topics:

  • One thing you learned about the Black family from the HART video
  • Describe your own family
  • How your family uses HART (or take a trip on HART together and share your experience)

For entry forms, visit GoHART.org, email , or visit one of HART’s transit centers in Tampa.

The deadline to enter is Feb. 28. All entries will be entered into a raffle to win a 31-day HART Pass. Four winners will be chosen.

Academy at the Farm
Academy at the Farm, 9500 Alex Lange Way in Dade City, is open for enrollment through Feb. 28.

The charter school is “designed to meet the needs of all students by promoting academic excellence, developing productive citizens through character building, and incorporating the advancement of technology in the curriculum,” according to its website.

The academy serves preschool through eighth grade.

For more information and to apply, visit AcademyAtTheFarm.com.

Essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano is accepting entries for an essay contest, open to high school students.

Students of Pasco’s public/charter, private, parochial, nonpublic and home-schools are asked to answer the question, “When unexpected events occur, such as COVID-19 or a devastating storm, people are often negatively impacted. Some may lose their jobs, their homes or experience other setbacks in their lives. Keeping in mind that funds expended by government (local, state or federal) must come from somewhere, what do you think government should do to assist people to get through these challenges?”

Entries will be judged by a panel of directors from the tax collector’s office, and will be reviewed on how well the student communicates his or her response to the question, as well as overall essay structure, appearance and readability.

Students in public/charter schools should submit their essays to their principal.

For entries from private, parochial, nonpublic or home-schools, essays should be sent directly to Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526.

Entries also can be dropped off at the New Port Richey office, 4720 U.S. 19, or sent by email to .

For information and questions, call 727-847-8179.

The deadline to enter is 5 p.m., March 12.

Online security
Students should be aware of the financial risks that accompany social media activity, according to the Kentucky High Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA).

Each new social media platform — Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others — present criminals with the opportunity to steal from unsuspecting people. Students should be cautious of any unsolicited messages asking them to open a file or click on a link.

Criminals exploit vulnerabilities in social media software in the hope that users won’t realize they are being phished. One of the most common ways is to send a link to what appears to be a legitimate website.

Students should not click on a link without first ensuring it is real by checking with the company that is the supposed sender.

The KHEAA also advises social media users to be wary of any kind of online survey that asks them to fill out a long list of information, such as their favorite car or where they were born. The answers can give scam artists what they need to steal someone’s identity.

SAT School Day
The District School Board of Pasco County will provide the SAT School Day free of charge to all juniors on March 24, according to the Pasco County Schools Facebook page.

The district will register all juniors for the test; it is not necessary for students to register on the College Board website.

For more information, students should contact their respective school counselor.

Office closures set for county services

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Pasco County government offices and the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s Office will be closed Feb. 15 for a Staff Development and Appreciation Day.

Departments will be performing staff development and appreciation activities focused on team building, and improving services for area communities and neighbors.

All Pasco County libraries also will be closed that day.

Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) will be in service, but will run on the COVID-19 modified service schedule on all fixed routes and paratransit. Its administrative offices will be closed to walk-in customers; however, phone lines will be open. To learn more about the route schedule, visit tinyurl.com/p66vg3d6.

In addition, these offices also will be closed on Feb. 15:

  • Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources’ offices, recreation complexes and community centers; however, the parks and beaches will be open to the public, from dawn to dusk
  • Pasco County Animal Services’ administration office, adoption center, intake/reclaim shelter and field services; an animal control office will be available for emergencies only

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III and the East Pasco Transfer Station will remain open to the public and to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers.

Other county government constitutional offices, including the tax collector’s office and the courts, will be open on Feb. 15.

All government offices will return to regular hours on Feb. 16.

For information, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Published February 10, 2021

Water safety is a top priority

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will be collecting donations in February for the YMCA of the Suncoast’s Swimming Lesson Program.

Water safety is a high priority of the YMCA, and it is a mission that is shared by the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office.

Certified swim instructor Teddy Sandoval, left, and 6-year-old student Haya Autabachy, of New Tampa, warm up during one of the water safety classes at the New Tampa Family YMCA. (File)

In a county that is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, and neighborhoods that have swimming pools and myriad lakes, preparing young people to navigate safely in the water is of great importance.

“The YMCA of the Suncoast serves more than 7,000 children annually in our mission to eliminate drownings by providing life-saving swim skills in all counties, including Pasco, served by our Y,” Julio Vega, district vice president YMCA Suncoast, said in a news release.

“With drowning the leading cause of death in children between the ages of 1 and 4, it is vitally important that they receive water safety lessons as soon as they are able. “Unfortunately, Florida ranks as one of the highest states in the nation for infant and toddler drownings. We must do all we can to bring this number down,” Fasano said.

The funds raised through the campaign will help to provide swimming and water safety lessons to children whose families may not otherwise be able to afford them.

Cash donations can be made at any of the five tax collector offices in Pasco County.

For information about the YMCA of Suncoast, call Vega at 727-375-9622, or visit YMCASuncoast.org.

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

Donations also can be mailed to Tax Collector Mike Fasano, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526. Note “YMCA” on the check’s memo line.

Published February 10, 2021

Loud and Proud for the Bucs

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club stopped for lunch after a recent outing and were delighted to find ‘Tom Brady’ in their midst. The club cheered for its hometown team in Super Bowl LV. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9. From left: Joan Nordin, Dee Knerr, Deb Cardona, Annette Bellingar, Madeline McCulloh and Elayne Bassinger.