The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Freshman wrestler to compete for world title

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Mia Parker (Heather Bossowski/Southern Cross Photography)

Mia Parker, a freshman wrestler at Sunlake High School in Land O’ Lakes, has been selected to represent the USA Girls 17U National Team and travel to Bahrain to compete for a world title in late October. Parker is a four-time All-American, competed on the first-ever Florida 14U Girls National Team that placed second in the nation, and placed at the Florida High School Athletic Association Girls State Wrestling Tournament as an eighth grader.

National Shooting Sports Month

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is celebrating National Shooting Sports Month in August, in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The event promotes participation in shooting sports and emphasizes firearm safety, according to a news release. Roger Young, FWC executive director, highlighted the conservation contributions of target shooters through taxes on archery and firearms equipment. The FWC encourages participation in the #RangeChallengeSM, a series of shooting activities designed to promote safety and mentorship. The FWC manages 11 public shooting ranges across the state. To find one, visit MyFWC.com/Ranges.

NBA Scholastic Coach of the Year

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Jessica Hontz (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools/Facebook)

Jessica Hontz, a Starkey Ranch K8 teacher and Special Olympics basketball coach, has been named the 2024 Orlando Magic Jr. NBA Scholastic Coach of the Year, according to a post on the Pasco County Schools Facebook page. She won the award for her role in “the development of young people on and off the court, and providing a safe and positive basketball experience for them,” per the post.

Become a Florida angler

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is inviting the public to become a Florida Friendly Angler by completing a free online course at flseagrant.org/fisheries/florida-friendly-angler-certification-program. This self-paced program teaches new and experienced anglers about the best fishing practices, protecting fish habitat and marine fisheries management, according to a news release. Those who complete the course will receive an electronic certificate and a mailed weatherproof  Florida Friendly Angler decal, the release says. The course also is offered in Spanish.

Business Digest 05/22/2024

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Fazoli’s to open on May 21
Fazoli’s — a fast, fresh, Italian restaurant, according to its website — will open to the public on May 21, at its new location, 24971 State Road 54 in Lutz.

The restaurant “starts with fresh, quality ingredients, making everything to order,” according to a news release. Among Fazoli’s offerings are: signature garlic breadsticks, signature pasta, pizza, salads and oven-baked subs.

Best and worst places to start a career
The personal finance website WalletHub released its report “2024’s Best & Worst Places to Start a Career,” to help recent graduates, according to a news release. The report compares over 180 U.S. cities and evaluates 26 key indicators — from availability of entry-level jobs to monthly average starting salary to housing affordability — to determine their ranking.

Tampa ranks fourth, and three Florida cities are in the top 10 of the best places to start a career:

  1. Atlanta, Georgia
  2. Orlando
  3. Salt Lake City, Utah
  4. Tampa
  5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  6. Portland, Maine
  7. Charleston, South Carolina
  8. Austin, Texas
  9. Miami
  10. Knoxville, Tennessee

Two Florida cities made the list of worst places to start a career: Cape Coral and Pembroke Pines.

For the full report, visit wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-to-start-a-career/3626.

U-Hauls available at APR Fuel
The APR Fuel Management gas station at 34301 Blanton Road in Dade City will now offer U-Haul trucks, trailers and towing equipment rentals, according to a news release. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday; and 10 a.m. to  6 p.m., on Sunday.

U-Haul products can be reserved at the station, by calling 352-521-0300, or by visiting uhaul.com/Locations/Truck-Rentals-near-Dade-City-FL-33523/037610.

Business Digest 05/15/2024

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Sarah Alway, winner of the Dan Webster Young Innovator Scholarship Award. (Courtesy of Pasco EDC)

EDC team member wins scholarship
Sarah Alway, a Pasco EDC team member, was awarded the Dan Webster Young Innovator Scholarship Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements and professional aspirations, according to a news release. She received the award during the Florida Economic Development Council’s Diamond Jubilee Awards Dinner in April by Florida High Tech Corridor CEO Paul Sohl,  the release says.

NTBC Lunch and Learn
The North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) will host a “Lunch N Learn” session with lawyers from Spinner Law Firm, who will be presenting on the different types of Florida Businesses and how to form and maintain them, according to a news release. The session will be on May 16 at 11:30 a.m., at the NTBC Signature Workspace, 28210 Paseo Ave., #190, Wesley Chapel. Attendance costs $15 and seating is limited. For more information, visit northtampabaychamber.com.

Women-n-Charge meeting
Women-n-Charge will meet on May 22, at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The guest speaker will be Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles who will share her insights regarding her position and empowering women in general.

Doors open for registration, early networking and vendor shopping at 11:15 a.m., followed by the meeting at noon. Attendees can meet new business contacts and learn about businesses who may become valuable Referral Partners.

The cost for members is $21, guests are $25. Payment should be made by May 20. Register online at Women-n-Charge.com/meetings/. For more information and to RSVP (required), email .

Suncoast names new CFO
Suncoast Credit Union announced Ben Lemoine as its new chief financial officer and senior vice president. Lemoine has 18 years of experience in the industry, formerly serving as a CFO of a Virginia Beach credit union. He will lead Suncoast’s financial strategy; oversee its finance, accounting and information technology functions; and manage all budgets and financial operations in the new role, according to a news release. Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in Florida and Lemione will be based at their Tampa headquarters.

Weichert announces new team members and training grads
Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, a real estate franchiser, announced new team members: Pablo Casado Nunez, Kiranbir Hundal and Angelica Duran. The new arrivals join the team at Weichert, Realtors – Exclusive Properties, 11734 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. For more information, contact Hector Contreras at 727-344-9325 or .

Weichert also announced two agents who completed its fast track training program: Brenda Rodas and Brian Rader, both from the Florida Tropics office in Spring Hill. The training program brings agents up to speed on the latest information resources and technology available to real estate agents, according to a news release.

Business Digest 05/08/2024

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Home Theater building acquired
Main Street Zephyrhills has acquired the historic old Home Theater building at 38521 Fifth Ave., in downtown Zephyrhills. The theater, which closed in 2007, was opened in 1948 and was billed as one of the most modern movie theaters in the South, with comfortable seats, a wide stage and a glass-enclosed “crying room” for cranky babies, according to a news release. Funding for the purchase came in-part from the state during the 2023 Legislative Session. Main Street Zephyrhills will preserve and revitalize the building.

Healthy Steps ribbon-cutting
Health Steps to Fitness will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 9 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 118 Flagship Drive, Lutz. Kidney bean chili, and cupcakes will be offered at 5 p.m., at this free event.

SBCD Business Awards
The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBCD) at the University of South Florida will recognize businesses from the 10-county Tampa Bay region at the 2024 Florida SBDC at USF Business Awards Celebration Luncheon on May 15 at the USF Marshall Center, 4103 USF Cedar Circle in Tampa, on the second floor, according to a news release. The keynote speaker will be Andrea Gonzmart Williams, great-great-granddaughter of Casimiro Hernandez Sr., founder of the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City in 1905, who now is part of the family business. The event costs $50 to attend. For more details, visit https://bit.ly/2024-sbdc-usf-awards.

Networking group meeting
The East Pasco Networking Group will hold its next meeting on May 14 at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301, in Dade City. The speaker will be Madonna Wise, retired educator and author. For more information, contact the Chair Nils R. Lenz at 813-782-9491 or . 

Rodizio Grill groundbreaking
Rodizio Grill’s founder and ownership team is inviting the public to a free groundbreaking ceremony for Rodizio Grill on May 14 at 2 p.m., at 2082 Grand Cypress Drive in Lutz. It will be the brand’s 24th location, according to a news release. 

Chamber Coffee Social
The North Tampa Bay Chamber  will host a Coffee Social on May 15 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at 4&Co., 16703 Early Riser Ave., Land O’ Lakes, in the Collaboration Area. The networking event is complimentary and open to the public. For more information, contact .

National Archery Tournament winners

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The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament was held on April 6 at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center in Gainesville, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). NASP is an in-school program sponsored by the FWC that is designed to teach international-style target archery in physical education classes for grades four to 12, according to a news release.

The top-scoring male and female received a $5,000 scholarship from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and NASP. They were Daniel Thompson from Choctawhatchee High School who scored 286 and Adrienne Rambis from Tampa Bay Home Education Activities Team who scored 289, per the release.

USF’s new stadium

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A rendering of the planned new stadium for the University of South Florida. (Courtesy of University of South Florida)

The University of South Florida will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its new on–campus stadium during the university’s Homecoming Week, Oct. 14 to Oct. 19, according to a news release. The university has selected Manhattan Construction Company, H.J. Russell & Company, and DuCon LLC to oversee the construction. The new stadium is expected to open in time for the fall of 2027.

Tennis and pickleball courts to be resurfaced

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The city of Temple Terrace has passed a resolution to spend $71,000 to resurface the public tennis courts at 10901 Richlyne St. All six courts will be resurfaced for tennis, while three will additionally have lines for pickleball, according to a news release. The resurfacing is expected to begin sometime later this month or in May and will take a few weeks to complete.