Mark Stefanos

Business Digest 04/17/2024

April 16, 2024 By Mark Stefanos

Speed networking event
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a Professional Speed Networking event on April 26 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Each round will last 6 minutes, with each business/organization talking one-on-one with another for 3 minutes each about what they do and how they serve their community. Get to know more than 20 other local businesses in the area. Pens and paper will be provided if needed. Refreshments also will be provided.

This event is for individuals who own, or work at/with/for a local business, organization or nonprofit in the Greater Pasco area.

Registration required. Call 727-815-7126.

Zephyrhills Career Fair
A career fair for the City of Zephyrhills will be held on April 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Zephyrhills City Hall, 5335 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills. The city’s hiring team will be on-site — attendees will be able to complete applications, and are encouraged to bring resumes and wear proper attire, according to a news release.

For more information, call the Zephyrhills Human Resources Department at 813-780-0013, or email .

Open positions can be found online at https://www.ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/Jobs.aspx.

Suncoast Credit Union expands partnership with Rays
Suncoast Credit Union has reintroduced the “Every Hit is a Win with Suncoast” program. For every base hit by a Tampa Bay Rays player during games, Suncoast will donate $90 to honor its 90th anniversary, with donations capped at $10,000 per month, according to a news release.

Two nonprofit organizations will compete monthly for votes via a Facebook poll to receive a percentage of the total donation, at Suncoast.com/Rays. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay and ZooTampa are the first nonprofits eligible for donations.

Additionally, Suncoast will donate $590 to the Randy Arozarena International Foundation for every base hit by Randy Arozarena during Friday home games, with the amount doubling to $1,180 for home runs. The Randy Arozarena International Foundation supports youth in underserved communities through sports, education, and wellness, aligning with Suncoast’s mission.

Employers invited to career fair
Hernando and Pasco County employers are invited to the Pasco-Hernando State College/CareerSource Job Fair on April 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the PHSC Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Building B-303, Conference Center, in Wesley Chapel.

Employers must register, and space is limited. For more information, contact Marianne Brawer 352-587-4388 or .

NTBC Precision Health Tampa Bay ribbon-cutting
Precision Health Tampa Bay celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting on April 11. The new location is at 17523 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz.

Greater Pasco Chamber brochure exchange
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce (GPCC) will host its next Land O’ Lakes brochure exchange on May 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at New Beginnings, 18935 Michigan Lane, which is located one-fourth mile north of State Road 52, along U.S. 41.

This is an in-person business card and brochure exchange and networking event, with barbecue lunch from Hungry Harry’s. It’s held on the second Thursday of each month. The event is sponsored by Architectural Signage & Printing. The event is free for GPCC members and $10 for non-members. The cost of food is additional.

More information can be found at https://members.greaterpasco.com/events/details/land-o-lakes-brochure-exchange-05-09-2024-14399.

Pasco’s conservation area expands

April 3, 2024 By Joe Potter

More than 300 acres of property in southwest Pasco County have been designated as a conservation area.

The zoning of the nearly 318-acre parcel near Lutz was changed from RES-1 (Residential-1 Du/Ga) and AG-R (Agricultural/Rural) to CON (Conservation Lands) by a 3-0 vote of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners on March 26.

The vote, made by commissioners Jack Mariano, Kathryn Starkey and Seth Weightman, was unanimous.

Mariano, who represents District 5, was appointed as the acting chairman of last week’s meeting in Dade City. He is the longest serving member of the board. The designation was necessary because both Ron Oakley, the chairman who represents District 1, and vice chairman Gary Bradford, who represents District 4, were reportedly unable to attend the meeting due to illnesses.

The nearly 318-acre parcel newly designated conservation area contains approximately 50 acres of Category 1 wetlands.

Funds from the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program (ELAMP) were used to purchase the property that is north of State Road 52 and between the Suncoast Parkway and U.S. 41.

Starkey praised the board’s decision, saying this represents an addition of 318 acres to Pasco County’s Wildlife Corridor. She represents District 3 in which the new conservation property is located.

This is in addition to the approximately 6,255 acres of property that had been purchased by the ELAMP program since it was created in 2004 by Pasco County.

A decision on whether to opt out of the Live Local Act was continued until the board’s April 10 meeting in Dade City.

The act would grant tax exemptions to units in multifamily projects that are used to house natural persons or families whose annual household income is between 80% and 120% of the median annual adjusted gross income for households within Pasco County.

The county is within the Tampa- St. Petersburg- Clearwater metropolitan statistical area.

Officials previously said the county could lose out on $38 million in tax revenues over a 35-year period if a pair of properties that was considering using the Live Local Act received tax breaks.

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder recommended the continuance because he said Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, had not signed the measure into law as of the date of last week’s meeting.

In other business, commissioners:

Approved a zoning amendment requested by Ja-Mar Palms MPUD Master Planned Unit Development and Caleb and Angela Miller that will allow for the maximum development of 250 platted townhomes and villas on approximately 42.8 acres located on the east side of U.S. 19 south of Krysher Lane. Some area residents were concerned about the development of town homes on this parcel.

Dr. Marc Yacht, the former director of the Pasco County Health Department, told commissioners he was opposed to the zoning change. “This project will ruin the rural nature of our community. There will be a significant increase of traffic in the area because the 250 townhomes/villas could result in a population increase of 1,000 people in the area,” said Yacht, who is an area resident.

Before the zoning was changed the property could have been used for a mobile home park containing a maximum of 499 units according to county records.

“This will be an improvement over what could have been there,” Starkey said. “I think this is a good plan.”

Approved a zoning amendment that allows a homeowner association in Beacon Woods to use 25 acres of property as a park or for other passive purposes. The property that was gifted to the HOA is part of the former Links Golf Course that closed in June 2019. Several people representing the HOA spoke to commissioners prior to the 3-0 vote in favor of the zoning amendment. The HOA will now be responsible for the maintenance of the property.
Also, commissioners agreed 3-0 to have six plats recorded, provided that the developers or property owners provide letters of credit to the county to cover the expenses of infrastructure, landscaping and other requirements that had not yet been met. Four of the plats were in District 1, Oakley’s district. The four plats are:

An application by CR Pasco Development Company LLC and CRCG Two LP for a 143-lot residential subdivision in Mirada Parcel 8C on 33.28 acres on the Northeast Corner of Tyndall Road and Teak Follow Boulevard.
An application by CRCG Two LP for Mirada Active Adult Phase 2G consisting of 44 residential lots for single-family detached housing units on 37.44 acres on the southwest corner of Mirada Boulevard and Teak Follow Boulevard, approximately 1.45 miles south of State Road 52.
An application by ICI Homes of Tampa LLC for the proposed development of West Hill Estates consisting of 55 residential lots on which single-family detached housing units could be constructed on 68.67 acres on the south side of St. Joe Road, approximately 1.15 miles north of State Road 52, by Promenade Retail LLC. The applicant wants to be able to use four nonresidential lots for commercial purposes. The property is located on approximately 4.322 acres in Promenade Business Centre North Parcel 1B on the northeast corner of Overpass Road and Curley Road, approximately 2.62 miles east of Overpass Road.
An application by Promenade Retail LLC to permit the use of four lots for commercial purposes. The property is located on approximately 4.322 acres in Promenade Business Centre North Parcel 1B on the northeast corner of Overpass Road and Curley Road, approximately 2.62 miles east of Overpass Road.

Two additional plats were recorded in other districts:

In District 4, commissioner Bradford’s district, made by Burcom LLC for the proposed Hidden Ridge development that would consist of 70 single-family residential lots on 63.841 acres on the north side of Ridge Road. approximately 2.5 miles east of Little Road
In District 5, commissioner Mariano’s district, made by State Road 52 Industrial LLC for the development of five nonresidential lots in an industrial park located at Crossings at Sunlake. The property is on the north side of State Road 52, approximately 1.25 miles east of the Suncoast Parkway. The applicant plans for the lots to be used for commercial purposes.

Published April 3, 2024

DeSantis signs ban on social media for children under age 14

April 3, 2024 By Andrew Powell

(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a controversial new bill into law on Monday that will prohibit the use of social media platforms by children.

House Bill 3 requires that social media platforms be regulated to prohibit minors under age 14 from having a social media account if the platform allows users to upload content and view content from other users, uses algorithms and has certain addictive features to keep young children scrolling.

According to the bill, adult websites that have adult content that is sexually explicit or pornographic would also be required to use age verification before someone can access the website.

“One of the things I know a lot of parents have concerns about is the role that the internet and social media play in the upbringing of young kids,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis added that before the rise of the internet, parents only had to worry about their children if they were out of the house and noted that now the danger comes into the home via the internet.

“Now, with things like social media and all this, you can have a kid in the house, safe seemingly, and then you have predators that can get right in there into your own home,” DeSantis said. “You could be doing everything right, but they know how to manipulate these different platforms.”

DeSantis said that social media has created huge problems and mentioned that last session, the Legislature passed a bill to ban the use of cellphones in classrooms and further noted that the legislation has been successful.

“Ultimately, you know, trying to help parents navigate this very difficult terrain that we have now with raising kids,” DeSantis said. “So, I appreciate the work that’s been put in… but we have done an awful lot in the state of Florida over these last many years.”

Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, made it a priority for greater online protections for children in the Sunshine State and said that problems can go deeper than children being at the mercy of predators.

“The internet has become a dark alley for our children where predators target them, and dangerous social media leads to higher rates of depression, self-harm and even suicide,” Renner said. “I am proud of the work of all our bill sponsors, Representatives Tyler Sirois, Fiona McFarland, Michele Rayner, Chase Tramont and Toby Overdorf, for delivering a legislative framework that prioritizes keeping our children safe.”

Published April 3, 2024

Traffic from proposed Hudson subdivision won’t have access to Hazel Avenue

April 3, 2024 By Joe Potter

After more than two hours of discussion, the Pasco County Planning Commission decided at its March 21 meeting to not permit vehicular access onto Hazel Avenue from a proposed subdivision in Hudson.

The commissioners agreed by a vote of 4-2 to approve a rezoning request by Gary L. Blackwell Investments Inc., with conditions, and to send it to the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The Planning Commission (PC) acts as an advisory board to the BOCC.

If approved by the BOCC at a future meeting, the zoning of approximately 107.24 acres north of Hudson Avenue and east of Hazel Avenue will be changed from A-R Agricultural-Residential District and A-C Agricultural District to an MPUD Master Planned Unit Development. This will allow a maximum of 321 single-family detached units to be developed on the site.

Several area residents spoke against the proposed traffic interconnection with Hazel Avenue that had not been originally planned.

Members of Pasco County’s department of Planning and Development had recommended the interconnection after reviewing information they had been provided, said attorney Kamala E. “Kami” Corbett who was representing the applicant.

“We don’t need that extra traffic on Hazel Avenue. We don’t need it and we don’t want it,” William A. Kromer said.

“I am totally opposed to them opening that road on Hazel and using it for more traffic. It’s not safe,” Kathy Kromer said.

“That connection to Hazel Avenue is not something that should be allowed,” Alisha Juanis said. She added it wouldn’t be a good thing to do even if county staff had recommended it.

“The majority of people driving down Hazel Avenue are not area residents,” Amber Tucker added. She also asked planning commission members to either deny the rezoning request outright, or to approve it with a lower density than the applicant had requested.

Planning commissioners briefly considered letting part of Hazel Avenue to only be used as an emergency access to the proposed subdivision. They decided to instead permit a 5-foot-wide sidewalk to be installed on Hazel Avenue. A crosswalk at the intersection of Hazel Avenue and Cobra Way would give students a safe place to walk when they were going to area schools.

It also was proposed that emergency access to the subdivision be provided by means of nearby Edwards Road.

Robert “Bob” Waldo told planning commissioners he owned the property on Edwards Road that Blackwell planned to use and that he wouldn’t grant an easement for that purpose.

Attorney Corbett, of the Clearwater office of the law firm Hill Ward Henderson, said she thought that part of Edwards Road could be used for emergency access since it was on county records as being for public access.

In other business last week, planning commissioners:

Approved a conditional use request for a Group Living Arrangement in an A-C Agricultural District for 471.40 acres in Northwest Pasco County made by Word of Life Fellowship/Word of Life GLA. If approved by the BOCC, Word of Life, which is an adult and youth religious camp and facility, will be able to have nine buildings constructed that can be used as dormitories for up to 440 people. This would increase the number of buildings on the property to 52 and the number of people who could stay in the dormitories to 1,237.
Approved a special exception requested by Hope Youth Ranch Inc., to be able to have a private school serving up to 60 special needs students in an R-2 Low Density Residential District on approximately 1 acre in northwest Pasco. This needs to be approved by the BOCC.
Approved a zoning amendment requested by Sandra Marie Brown, Stefanie F. and Derek L. Pontlitz for 19.841 acres on the north side of Dusty Lane to be a conditional use request, changed from an A-C Agricultural District to an R-4 High Density Residential District. If approved by the BOCC, this would allow 47 single-family residential units to be built on the property in southwest Pasco.

Published April 3, 2024

Report: New technology could assist growth in Florida’s manufacturing sector

April 3, 2024 By Andrew Powell

(The Center Square) — A recently released report has shown huge growth in Florida’s manufacturing sector, which is responsible for almost half a million jobs in the Sunshine State.

Florida TaxWatch has released the Unleashing Digital Transformation: 2023 MakeMore Manufacturing Summit Summary Report, which focused on how Florida’s manufacturing industry can create greater value and increase profits by deploying new technologies en masse.

FloridaMakes, a statewide, industry-led, public-private partnership operated by Florida’s regional manufacturer’s associations and partner organizations, has a single goal to strengthen and advance Florida’s economy by following three main principles: technology adoption, talent development and business growth.

FloridaMakes further represents the Manufacturing Extension Partnership in Florida, a program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

FloridaMakes’ Executive Vice President Zoraida Velasco said in the report that in order for Florida’s manufacturing sector to grow, the industry must communicate with each other to enhance dialogue and begin brainstorming solutions to correct what is not working and enhance what is.

Currently, Florida’s gross domestic product is approximately $1.5 trillion. Manufacturing makes up roughly 5% of the Sunshine State’s annual total economic output, and according to the report, Florida has over 25,000 manufacturers.

The report also notes that the average number of employees per manufacturing company is 17 because most manufacturing companies are small. However, these companies play a pivotal role and are considered “foundation” or supplier companies that support larger companies to keep moving forward.

In total, there are more than 426,000 high-wage manufacturing jobs in Florida, producing goods including aerospace products, food and beverages, communications, and equipment, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, semiconductors and boats.

Around 4.4% of the state’s workforce is employed in manufacturing, with an average wage of $74,575.2 per year. Recent employment data shows that Florida is one of the top ten states in the nation for manufacturing employment.

Experts have recommended that Florida does several things to continue manufacturing growth. This includes manufacturers stepping up marketing and messaging efforts; putting more recruitment efforts into high schools to show students that they have opportunities in manufacturing employment; and further adding that Florida’s 14 regional manufacturer associations need to be put to better use.

Published April 3, 2024

Report: State officials closed more than 1,300 Medicaid fraud cases in 2022

April 3, 2024 By Andrew Powell

(The Center Square) — According to a recent report, the Florida Legislature’s research arm found that state officials closed more than 1,300 Medicaid fraud cases in 2022.

The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) released its biennial review of the Agency for Health Care Administration’s oversight of fraud and abuse in Florida’s Medicaid Program in late January.

The agency provides health care for low-income families and individuals while assisting those living with disabilities and the elderly with care costs for nursing facilities, and long-term expenses.

OPPAGA noted in its report that the Office of Medicaid Program Integrity is responsible for fraud and abuse monitoring within the program and collaborating with state and federal entities to detect, prevent and deter fraud.

During fiscal 2021-22, the agency closed 1,397 fraud and abuse cases — 48.8% were identified as overpayments and providers — with the majority being the fee-for-service program and amounted to $22.5 million. The report also said that the agency handled more than 13,000 abuse and fraud complaints.

The Legislature appropriated $41 billion for Medicaid program operations in fiscal year 2023-24.

Statewide, 65% of Medicaid’s total expenditures came from Medicaid Managed Care accounts, while the remaining 35% of expenditures came from the fee-for-service program.

According to the report, Medicaid enrollment in the Sunshine State grew substantially after the COVID-19 pandemic because of federal legislation. Between March 2020 to April 2023, total Medicaid enrollment increased by 54% or from 3.8 million to 5.8 million.

However, after new legislation ended the changes, federal funding was decreased and states returned to previous eligibility and enrollment operations, Florida began this redetermination in April 2023. By October, the agency reported that Florida had the ninth-lowest termination of coverage rate among states.

The report states that the program serves approximately 4.4 million people each month as of October, and the agency states that 4.6 million recipients will have their cases redetermined by the state Department of Children and Families over a 12-month period ending March 2023.

By August, 2.2 million enrollees had their cases redetermined, 67% or 1.5 million recipients were deemed eligible, while 32% or 746,000 recipients were disenrolled after being deemed ineligible. Fifty-five percent of those disenrolled were done so for procedural reasons, while 45% were terminated due to eligibility.

In February 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General estimated that $6.9 million had been paid in Medicaid, for recipients enrolled in Florida and residing in another state.

Published April 3, 2024

State unemployment rate continues to trend below national average

April 3, 2024 By Andrew Powell

(The Center Square) — Recently released statistics show that Florida’s unemployment rate remains below the national average.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of February 2024, the Sunshine State has an unemployment rate of 3.1%, an increase of 0.3% from February 2023. The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate currently sits around 3.9%.

Preliminary data shows that Florida has a labor force of just over 11 million with 345,000 Floridians out of work. While Florida’s seasonally adjusted total nonagricultural employment reached nearly 9.89 million in February, jobs decreased by -0.1% or 5,500 jobs over the month.

Florida is also outpacing the national average for job creation after gaining 226,200 jobs over the past year, an increase of 2.3%, while national job numbers only rose by 1.8%. Miami-Dade County had the lowest unemployment rate at 1.6%, while Citrus County had the highest unemployment rate in Florida at 5.2% in February 2024.

Over the past year, there has also been growth in nine out of 10 major industries, with education and health gaining the most jobs adding over 57,000 jobs, an increase of 4%. Trade, transportation and utilities had an increase of 2.5% and added 48,300 jobs, while leisure and hospitality added over 35,000 jobs, a 2.7% increase.

Florida’s information industry was the only industry to take a significant hit, losing around 900 jobs, a decrease of 0.6%.

The Bureau further reported that North Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate in the nation at 2%, while South Dakota followed closely behind with a rate of 2.1%. California now has the highest unemployment rate at 5.3%, eclipsing Nevada slightly which has a rate of 5.2%.

Alabama saw its labor force increase over the past year, rising from 2.2 million to 2.32 million by February while the overall unemployment rate rose from 2.3% to 3%. Georgia’s workforce increased from 5.26 million to 5.33 million within a year, while its unemployment rate dropped from 3.2% to 3.1%.

Texas has an overall labor force of 15.1 million, having increased over the year from 14.95 million. The Lone Star State also has an unemployment rate of 3.95, a slight improvement from 4% a year ago.

Published April 3, 2024

EoS Fitness opens in Hudson

April 3, 2024 By The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report

EoS Fitness opened its doors to its Hudson facility, 8924 State Road 52, in the Plaza of the Oaks shopping center.

The 44,000-square-foot full-service gym features high-end smart technology, top-of-the-line cardio equipment, state-of-the-art strength training machines and innovation recovery options, according to a news release.

Some of its signature offerings include: an outdoor workout space; the MOVEos Cinema; certified personal trainers; cycle studio; Kids’ Club; locker room and showers; indoor pool, saunas, hot tub; Evolt 360 Body Composition Scanner; and more.

For additional information, visit EoSFitness.com.

License-free fishing weekend

April 3, 2024 By The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) spring license-free fishing weekend is on April 6 and April 7. Residents and visitors can explore the many recreational freshwater fishing opportunities Florida has to offer, from serene lakes to winding rivers.

There will be two family fishing events during the weekend:

Tenoroc Fish Management Area, 3829 Tenoroc Mine Road in Lakeland, on April 6 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pre-registration closes on April 5. A free lunch will be provided. Bait and a limited number of loaner rods and reels will be provided for free to youth age 15 and younger. A parent or guardian must accompany youth participants. Call the FWC at 863-648-3200 to register.
Florida Bass Conservation Center, 3583 County Road 788 in Webster, on April 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees must bring fishing gear and bait. A free lunch of hotdogs and hamburgers will be provided.

Visit MyFWC.com to learn where to go freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, or how to find a boat ramp or pier.

To renew or purchase a fishing license, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

Chalk Talk 04/03/2024

April 3, 2024 By The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report

Sunlake Academy unveils improved playground
Sunlake Academy of Math and Science announced with the monies raised the past two years through its Raise Craze fundraiser, along with funds from Charter School Associates, the school was able to renovate and improve its playground area.

Raise Craze encourages students to pay it forward with acts of kindness to raise money for the school. Acts of kindness could be individual things, like inviting another student to join them at lunch or reading to a younger sibling.

There were also school-wide projects including a donation drive for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, a donation drive of new socks and underwear for a foster closet, and this year, 75 students with family members sorted donations at Feeding Tampa.

The students completed 3,603 acts of kindness this year, 3,063 last year, and raised $52,948 this year, $56,503 last year.

The playground was officially opened to students after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 19.

The project included:

Removing over 5,000 square feet of mulch
Cleaning and refurbishing current playset
Adding new artificial turf surface
Adding four new pieces of play equipment

Five new playground musical pieces are expected to be installed in the coming weeks. The area is used daily for all (500+) elementary students during recess.

STEMapalooza in Lakeland
The Girl Scouts of West Central Florida’s annual STEMapalooza will take place on April 6 at Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, for girls of all ages and their families.

The event is an opportunity for girls to learn about the world of science, technology, engineering and math, as well as discover what Girl Scouts has to offer. Guests can explore STEM careers, chat with leading women in the STEM field, and take part in hands-on activities.

Any girl with an interest in STEM can attend. Tickets are $5. Attendees can pre-register online at GSWCF.org/stemapalooza, or register at the event. Walk-ups are welcome.

Head Start ribbon-cutting
Hillsborough County Head Start and Early Head Start had a ribbon-cutting on March 25 for the new state-of-the-art early childhood education center at Church Park Head Start and Early Head Start Center, 5657 Webb Road in Tampa.

The new facility is equipped with the latest technology, including computers and smart boards. It has two Head Start classrooms, two Early Head Start classrooms, and an outdoor classroom where children will be able to explore math, science and reading with nature as the backdrop, to help stimulate brain development and build motor skills, according to a news release.

The center also features a playground with educational activities that will be used for exercise and learning.

The new center has capacity for 40 preschoolers and 16 infants and toddlers.

Early Head Start is for children 6 weeks to 3 years old; Head Start is for children ages 3 to 5. Classrooms have a teacher-to-child ratio of one teacher to 10 children in Head Start and one caregiver to four infants or toddlers in Early Head Start.

Head Start programs also provide medical, dental and mental health services; nutrition; parental involvement opportunities; and family support services specific to men, women, relationships and expectant mothers.

For more information, visit HCFL.gov/HeadStart, or call 813-272-5140.

Career & Tech Expo
Pasco County Schools will present a Beyond Career & Tech Expo on April 16 from 9 a.m. to noon for high school seniors and juniors, and from noon to 1 p.m., for middle school students, at Hudson High School, 14410 Cobra Way in Hudson.

The event aims to connect Pasco County graduating seniors with certificate programs, apprenticeship programs, one-the-job training opportunities, employment opportunities and armed services opportunities.

For more information, email Jennifer Batchelor at or Jesy Rodriguez at .

Saint Leo casino fundraiser
The Saint Leo University Athletics Department will host a Casino Night fundraiser on April 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at its Wellness Center, on the west side of the campus at 33701 County Road 52 in St. Leo, for guests ages 21 and older.

Proceeds will benefit the school’s athletics department so its programs can provide a great experience for student-athletes and allow them to compete at the highest level of the Sunshine State Conference and NCAA Division II.

Tickets are $70 and include playing chips, hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets for beer or wine. Guests can “dress to impress” in cocktail attire. There also will be a live DJ for dancing, a raffle and silent auction, as well as a photo booth.

Casino games include blackjack, roulette, slot machines, craps, Texas Hold’em, and a Big Money Wheel.

For tickets, visit SaintLeoEvents.totalcamps.com/shop/EVENT.

For more information, email Dawn Boltin, associate athletic director of Business & Finance/SWA, at .

Honor Society scholarships
The National Honor Society (NHS) is awarding $2 million in scholarships to 600 NHS students, according to a news release.

The program is supported by NHS’ parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, which also administers the National Association of Student Councils.

The scholarships recognize students who exemplify the four pillars of NHS membership: scholarship, service, leadership and character.

One national winner will receive $25,000 and four others will receive $10,625 for embodying each pillar. In addition, 20 finalists each earn $5,625 scholarships, and 575 semifinalists receive $3,200 scholarships.

To view the list of finalists and semifinalists, searchable by state, visit NationalHonorSociety.org/advisers/the-nhs-scholarship/most-recent-winners/.