The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Behavioral urgent care earns national award

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PASCO COUNTY – The National Community Development Association recognized Pasco County Community Development as a winner of the 2026 Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award for its collaboration with BayCare on the Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center.

The Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center bridges the gap in services for urgent substance use and mental health care for vulnerable and low-to-moderate income customers by providing immediate access to services.

“This facility is a game-changer with essential mental health care for our customers,” said Jack Mariano, chair of the Pasco Board of County Commissioners.

Key features of the center include:

  • Outpatient care with extended hours
  • Behavioral health alternative to ER
  • Voluntary walk-in and hybrid services
  • Access for anyone transitioning from jail/inpatient setting

Over $1.4 million in funding from a Community Development Block Grant secured infrastructure and renovation needs at the facility, leading to more funding for operations for the next several years.

Pasco will be honored during the 57th NCDA Winter Legislative Conference on Feb. 6 in Washington, D.C.

The award recognizes local projects and programs funded through the HUD Community Development Block Grant program and other HUD Office of Community Planning and Development funding. 

Pasco County Community Development also received the Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

On the web: ncdaonline.org.

 

MOSI unveils new name, expansion 

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MOSI used chemical reactions Jan. 27 to transform a sign bearing its former name (Museum of Science & Industry) into its name of the future: Museum of Science & Innovation. Photo courtesy of MOSI

TAMPA – MOSI has unveiled a new name and a massive expansion of its space.

The institution will continue to be called “MOSI” but those letters will stand for the Museum of Science & Innovation.

“Our new name, Museum of Science & Innovation, captures the trajectory and energy of MOSI as we look to the future,”  President and CEO John Graydon Smith said. “We’re in a rapidly changing world, and Tampa Bay can count on MOSI to help make sense of what’s happening now and what’s coming next.

MOSI has changed names before during its 64-year history. It began as the Museum of Science and Natural History in 1962 before becoming the Museum of Science & Industry in 1982.

The new name aligns with the focus of the museum and its surrounding area as significant investments in Tampa Bay’s innovation economy continue to transform the Uptown area.

“Beyond understanding innovation, MOSI is here to help harness it,” Smith said. “We’re here to inspire the thinkers of tomorrow with learning outside the classroom, and we’re here to be a crucial partner in making sure the jobs of the future will be coming to Tampa Bay.”

The Center for STEAM Learning unlocks new science camp offerings, with MOSI now set to debut camps for high school students in astrophysics, advanced coding and video game design. Photo courtesy of MOSI

Campus expansion

MOSI also unveiled its expanded Center for STEAM Learning, adding 30,000 square feet of new classroom and lab space and allowing MOSI to serve four times the number of field trip visitors and school break campers each year.

The expansion features classrooms, a cooking lab, three computer labs and a makerspace with advanced hands-on tools like 3D printers.

“MOSI is the key anchor of an exciting redevelopment project coming to North Tampa, bringing in fresh opportunities for science, sports, entertainment, and more,” said Chris Boles, Hillsborough County commissioner and MOSI board member. “The concept of innovation will be at the core of this effort. Seeing MOSI take on a new name that matches this mission is a fantastic fit.”

The MOSI Digital Content Lab is packed with tools to create enormous 360-degree movies that can be shown in planetariums around the world. Photo courtesy of MOSI

MOSI also opened the doors to the new MOSI Digital Content Lab, where students will create immersive movies for giant dome screens like the one inside Saunders Planetarium. 

Developed with significant support from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Digital Accelerator for Arts and Culture, the lab will give students in MOSI science camps the power to bring their ideas to life.

Through a collaboration with the University of South Florida, the lab’s tools will be shared with USF students studying subjects ranging from film and art to medicine and engineering.

The Center for STEAM Learning expansion reactivates a portion of MOSI’s campus that was closed in 2017 when the museum made strategic changes to ensure financial sustainability.

“We’re not getting bigger simply for the sake of getting bigger. MOSI is evolving and growing strategically because we’re seeing the demand in our community for a first-class partner in science and innovation,” Smith said. “Our attendance has continued to climb, jumping up by nearly 35% with the opening of the Saunders Planetarium. The message is clear: MOSI is here to stay in North Tampa.”

 

The Fulfillment Lab expands to Pasco County

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The Fulfillment Lab is an eCommerce logistics business that calls Pasco County home. Photo courtesy of Pasco EDC

 

The new Pasco County location serves as The Fulfillment Lab’s headquarters. It has an additional location in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo courtesy of Pasco EDC

LUTZ – The Fulfillment Lab, an advanced technology and logistics company specializing in proprietary fulfillment software, has expanded its operations and relocated its headquarters to Pasco County, according to the Pasco Economic Development Council.

The company’s investment includes more than $2 million in new equipment and racking systems. 

The Fulfillment Lab initially leased 35,000 square feet in Sunlake Business Center in 2025 and has already expanded another 10,000 square feet.

“The Fulfillment Lab has always been driven by technology, and this expansion allows us to further develop our proprietary systems and bring smarter, more efficient fulfillment solutions to our clients,” said Rick Nelson, founder and CEO. “Thanks to the compliance and regulatory support provided by Pasco County and Pasco EDC, we were able to secure our certificate of occupancy and serve our customers through the busy holiday season. We couldn’t have gotten where we are today without their assistance.”

The Fulfillment Lab’s proprietary software platform integrates with TikTok, Shopify and Amazon, providing end-to-end dropshipping, data-driven fulfillment and quality control solutions. Its platform empowers online sellers to customize every stage of the customer experience from order creation to delivery while maintaining full visibility and operational efficiency.

“The Fulfillment Lab’s decision to grow in Pasco County underscores the region’s strength as a hub for advanced technology,” said Bill Cronin, president and CEO of Pasco EDC. “Their proprietary software and integration capabilities set them apart in the fulfillment industry, and we’re proud to see this level of innovation happening right here in our community.”

The Fulfillment Lab also supports local charities by providing fulfillment assistance for donation drives and care package initiatives.

“This is the kind of forward-thinking investment that keeps Pasco County on the rise,” Pasco County Commissioner Lisa Yeager said. “We’re excited to welcome The Fulfillment Lab and the momentum they bring to our tech economy.”

 

Hillsborough County Public Schools celebrates top staffers

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TAMPA – The Hillsborough Education Foundation and Hillsborough County Public Schools honored those who represent the very best of public education at the 2026 Excellence in Education Awards. 

This year’s theme, Hillsborough’s Treasures, recognized educators and support staff whose efforts shape student success across the district.

Selected from 690 nominations, 13 finalists were recognized for their contributions. 

The event culminated with the announcement of one winner for each of three categories: Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year, Instructional Support Employee of the Year, and Teacher of the Year.

 

Ché Counce

Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year

Ché Counce is an Access Points teacher who has served Hillsborough County Public Schools for seven years. 

Counce is passionate about expanding opportunities for her students through grant writing, securing funding for sensory rooms, cooking lessons, science equipment, schoolwide inclusive events and a school garden.

She has served on the board of a nonprofit supporting individuals with Down syndrome and has also worked with Metropolitan Ministries in an after-school program. She also taught English in South Korea for a year. 

Counce is dedicated to community service and to empowering students with cognitive disabilities. Her students’ growth and increased inclusion continue to inspire her work each day.

 

Mary Torres-Cerezo

2026 Instructional Support Employee of the Year

Mary Lynn Torres-Cerezo has worked for Hillsborough County Public Schools for 21 years. She spent 14 of those years as a nurse for Willis Peters Exceptional Center. 

One of Mary’s passions is raising awareness for childhood cancer. Along with her church group, they adopt a family each Christmas who care facing childhood cancer. They do this in xmemory of her youngest daughter, Sierra.

Sierra is her biggest motivation in her role as a nurse. Sierra had Down Syndrome and passed away at age 9 from leukemia. 

Her other motivation is her students. She considers working with students with special needs to be an honor and a blessing. 

 

Christi Atkinson

2026 Teacher of the Year

Christi Atkinson has been teaching in Hillsborough County for 14 years, nine years at Wharton High School, with the last four years as the science department head. She is an active sponsor of Science National Honor Society and SPLASH Club and is a member of the Florida Marine Science Educators Association.

Atkinson has participated in training offered by Guy Harvey, the Florida Aquarium and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

She has been awarded grants from Guy Harvey, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Hillsborough Education Foundation and Target to finance student field trips and equipment purchases. 

Atkinson is motivated by watching students relate their classroom learning to the ocean and environment. She also challenges her students to discover creative and innovative solutions to environmental issues.

Pigz in Z’Hills brings back mouthwatering BBQ 

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Pit Master Lamar Marshall, of Lakeland, grilled ribs, chicken and sausage for event-goers at the 12th Annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival. The 16th annual event returns Feb. 28. Fred Bellet/File photo

ZEPHYRHILLS – Competitive barbecue is returning to the 16th annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival with the introduction of an FBA-sanctioned Backyard BBQ Competition on Feb. 28 in downtown Zephyrhills. 

Previously a professional-level competition, organizers are relaunching the contest with a Backyard division as they reintroduce competitive cooking to the festival. The competition will be sanctioned by the Florida Barbecue Association, ensuring official rules, certified judging and a structured competitive experience. 

The Backyard BBQ Competition is open to amateur and backyard pitmasters and will feature competition in pork, ribs and chicken. The People’s Choice, sponsored by Effie Mae’s Kitchen, will allow attendees to sample and vote for their favorite entries. 

The 16th Annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival is a signature East Pasco County event, drawing thousands each year for award-winning barbecue, live blues music, and family-friendly entertainment. 

2026 music performers will include LC Williams and The Driver, The Nightbumpers, Thunderbolt Brown and All Star Band featuring Chuck Riley, Ephraim Lowell, RJ Howson & Kid Royal

The event is sponsored in partnership with Florida’s Sports Coast, Suncoast Credit Union, AdventHealth, the City of Zephyrhills, Sonny’s BBQ, The Laker/Lutz News and Tampa Bay Times. 

Proceeds benefit the Greater East Pasco Chamber of Commerce and its foundation, which supports scholarships for Pasco County students. 

Team spots are limited and expected to fill quickly. More information and registration details are available at www.eastpascochamber.org/pigz-in-zhills-bbq-blues-festival/.

 

SMARTstart showcases entrepreneurs at Food Vendor Fair

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Bee Ready 4 Anything, which specializes in honey, participated in last year’s SMARTstart Food Vendor Fair. The company will “bee” back this year. Photo courtesy of Pasco EDC

PASCO COUNTY – The UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County and Pasco Economic Development Council will present the sixth annual SMARTstart Food Vendor Fair on Jan. 29. 

The family-friendly food event shares incubator business opportunities and supports food entrepreneurs’ businesses. The community can buy food and arrange event catering or gifts. 

“Events like the SMARTstart Food Vendor Fair highlight the incredible talent and diversity of Pasco County’s small business community,” said Jack Mariano, chair of the  Pasco County Board of County Commissioners. “Supporting these entrepreneurs strengthens our local economy and showcases the innovation happening right here in our own backyard.”

The East Pasco Incubator Kitchen features an incubator where budding food entrepreneurs can produce food in a licensed commercial kitchen and then use the packaging and labeling station to create nutrition fact labels for their products. Members of the East Pasco Incubator Kitchen get access to business coaching through the SMARTstart Program. This center is co-located with UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County and features a community garden where SMARTstart members can grow their own ingredients.

“Every year we are excited to see the new culinary creations coming out of the East Pasco Incubator Kitchen and would be honored if the public were to join us to see what’s cooking,” said  Dan Mitchell, assistant vice president of entrepreneurship for Pasco EDC.

 Participating SMARTstart Incubator members include:

  • Bee Ready 4 Anything: Sells honey and bees and provides bee removal services and pollination services.
  • Bean Buggy and Co.: Mobile coffee trailer serving espresso, desserts, bagel sandwiches and craft drinks for events and catering across Tampa.
  • Blue Crow Espresso: Pours delicious espresso from their mobile coffee bike.
  • Boots on the Grind Catering by Chef Jasmin: Veteran-owned catering and private chef business based in Wesley Chapel specializing in authentic Puerto Rican cuisine and other culturally inspired dishes.
  • Da Flava Spot: Serves Jamaican cuisine, specializing in jerk chicken and more.
  • Edenesque: Specializes in homemade beef jerky and freeze-dried fruits and vegetables.
  • Finga Lickin Ting: Offers authentic Jamaican patties and other traditional pastries.
  • Maggie’s Snow Shoppe: Mobile Shave Ice business specializing in making syrups from scratch using fresh fruit.
  • Peppa & Thyme Provisions, LLC: A Jamaican-inspired food truck and catering service bringing bold island flavors to the Tampa Bay area.
  • Pucker and Pop: Serves specialty lemonade and old school dirty sodas.
  • Son’ni Boi & Petal, Inc: Specializes in creating sweet treats for company events, parties or family gatherings, offering their signature cashew brittle and more.

 

Want to go?

The sixth annual Food Vendor Fair will be held Jan. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the SMARTstart East Pasco Incubator Kitchen, 15029 14th St., Dade City. Admission and parking are free. Vendors’ item prices will vary.

Health & Wellness (01/21/26): AdventHealth breaks ground on ER

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AdventHealth, Auburndale and community leaders joined together to break ground on the future AdventHealth Auburndale ER. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth

AdventHealth breaks ground on new ER

AUBURNDALE – AdventHealth has broken ground on a new emergency room in Auburndale, expanding access to lifesaving care for residents in Polk County.

The AdventHealth Auburndale ER, located at 1052 U.S. 92 W., will feature 12 private exam rooms, advanced imaging (X-ray, CT and ultrasound), a full-service lab, pediatric emergency care, pharmacy services and respiratory therapy.

The more than 13,000-square-foot facility is expected to create over 35 jobs and open later this year as a department of AdventHealth Heart of Florida. 

The project is designed by HuntonBrady and constructed by Robins & Morton, continuing a long-standing partnership.

 

BayCare earns Press Ganey awards

CLEARWATER – BayCare has earned 17 Press Ganey Human Experience Awards for 2025.

Press Ganey surveys patients from more than 41,000 health care facilities, asking about safety, quality and overall experience of care to come up with the rankings. 

“BayCare continues to set the standard for clinical excellence and compassionate care,” said Stephanie Conners, president and CEO of BayCare. “These awards reflect the dedication of our incredible team who ensure every patient feels welcome, safe and supported when they walk through our doors.”

The Pinnacle of Excellence award honors locations that rank in the top 5% nationally for three consecutive years in delivering exceptional experiences. 

The Guardian of Excellence award recognizes locations that rank in the top 5% for an entire year, celebrating consistent excellence in patient care.

Below is a complete list of BayCare’s 2025 Press Ganey awards:  

Pinnacle of Excellence – Patient Experience Award Winners

  • BayCare Laboratories (Palm Harbor)
  • BayCare Laboratories (St. Anthony’s Hospital Medical Arts Building)

Pinnacle of Excellence – Physician Experience Award Winners

  • Physicians at St. Anthony’s Hospital
  • Physicians at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North

Guardian of Excellence – Patient Experience Award Winners

  • St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital
  • BayCare Outpatient Imaging (Bloomingdale)
  • BayCare Outpatient Imaging (Land O’ Lakes)
  • BayCare Outpatient Imaging (Wesley Chapel)
  • BayCare Laboratories (Bloomingdale)
  • BayCare Laboratories (Cheek-Powell)
  • BayCare Laboratories (Mease Dunedin Hospital Physician Office Building)
  • BayCare Laboratories (New Port Richey)
  • BayCare Laboratories (Palm Harbor)
  • BayCare Laboratories (South Tampa)
  • BayCare Laboratories (St. Anthony’s Hospital Medical Arts Building)  
  • BayCare Laboratories (Sunset Point)
  • BayCare Laboratories (Trinity)

 

Hospital offers support for new moms

LUTZ – St. Joseph’s Hospital-North offers free in-person breastfeeding support groups and newborn care classes during February. 

Events are open to all no matter which hospital you delivered or plan to deliver your child. The events will be held in classrooms at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, 4211 Van Dyke Road, Lutz.

  • Breastfeeding Support Group: For breastfeeding mothers, their babies and one support person (grandmother, aunt, etc.) The group provides a place where breastfeeding mothers receive support from other breastfeeding mothers and certified breastfeeding consultants. Dates and times: Feb. 5 and 19, 10 to 11 a.m.
  • Understanding Your Newborn: Provides information to the expectant mother and one support person about many aspects of safe infant care, including feeding, diapering, bathing, signs of illness and cues and communication. Dates and times: Feb. 5 and 19, 1 to 5 p.m.

Register by phone by calling 855-314-8352 and pressing the number “2” at the prompt. Or, register by visiting BayCareEvents.org and choosing “St. Joseph’s Hospital-North” in the “Facility/Location” filter and scrolling to the group or class you are interested in attending.

 

Get answers on Medicare

  1. PETERSBURG – SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas. 

Specially trained volunteers can assist with Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information.

They’ll answer questions at the following Medicare programs: 

  • Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. at the Pinellas Park Library, 7770 52nd St. N., Pinellas Park. 727-369-0669
  • Jan. 21 at 1 p.m. at the Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S., Gulfport. 727-893-1073
  • Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hugh Embry Library, 14215 4th St., Dade City. 352-567-3576

SHINE services are free, unbiased and confidential. Counselors do not sell anything. They can be reached by calling 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.

 

Chalk Talk (01/21/26): PHSC welcomes board members 

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Toni Zetzsche

PHSC welcomes board members 

NEW PORT RICHEY – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Toni Zetzsche and the reappointment of Gino Collura and Marilyn Pearson-Adams to the Pasco-Hernando State College District Board of Trustees.

Zetzsche will serve as a Pasco County representative. She is the chief communications and community engagement officer for Pasco County Schools. She is a member of the Greater Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Council for Exceptional Children, and the Pasco County Commission on the Status of Women. 

Gino Collura

Collura is the founder of Big Guava Management. He serves on the Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises Board of Directors and is an advisory board member for the University of South Florida College of Education, the Saint Leo University College of Arts and Sciences and Heroes Adapt. Collura has served on PHSC’s board since 2024.

Pearson-Adams is the owner and broker of Century 21 Alliance Realty in Spring Hill. She is a member of the National, Florida and Hernando County Associations of Realtors and was inducted into the National Association of Realtors Hall of Fame in 2020. Pearson-Adams has served on the board since 2014.

 

College students can apply for scholarship

TAMPA – Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer invites college students to apply for a scholarship provided by the Florida Supervisors of Elections. 

The FSE is offering three $1,200 scholarships to eligible Florida residents who are accepted or enrolled as full-time students in a senior college or university in Florida. Students must also be at least a junior in college, or have enough credits for enrollment as a junior prior to the application date.

Hillsborough County residents must apply through the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office by March 6. Students must be either a political science, public/business administration or journalism/mass communication major. Visit VoteHillsborough.gov/Scholarship or email to learn requirements and how to apply. 

 

Howard joins Victory High Schools

TAMPA – Victory High Schools welcomed Amelia Howard to its team. 

Howard will be providing individual and group therapy at the Tampa School. 

She is a licensed mental health counselor, qualified supervisor, addictions professional and founder of Soul Purpose Counseling & Consulting PLLC. 

She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. She has worked in community-based, nonprofit, managed care and private practice settings.

Her background includes work with the University of South Florida, Metropolitan Ministries and Phoenix House.

 

Quick Hits

  • Denisa Varda, of Lutz, graduated this fall from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. 
  • Elanah Hardeen, of Odessa, made the president’s list at Young Harris College in Young Harris, Georgia. Students must earn a 4.0 grade point average or better.
  • Odessa residents Jillian Abarca, Nicholas DelNegro and Gennaro Scarfogliero made the dean’s list at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia. They earned a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
  • Lutz residents Blake Boles and Dylan Heck made the dean’s list at Nazareth University in Rochester, New York. They earned a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher. 
  • Riley Hall, of Wesley Chapel, made the president’s list at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. Riley is a senior in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
  • Evelyn Randall, of Dade City, made the dean’s honor list at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. Evelyn is studying in the School of Human Ecology.

 

EggBred hatching a Land O’ Lakes location

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LAND O’LAKES – EggBred will celebrate the grand opening of its newest location in the Hub at Bexley. The weekend-long celebration on Jan. 24 and 25 will feature free food, free coffee and giveaways. 

Located at 16916 Focus Loop in Land O’Lakes, the new EggBred location will deliver a fresh breakfast experience centered around high-quality ingredients and bold flavors. Every dish is made from scratch and cooked to order using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. 

Doors open at 7 a.m. Jan. 24. Guests can take advantage of several grand opening specials. The first 100 customers will receive a free breakfast sandwich, with their choice of the Scramble Me Softly or Bacon, Egg & Cheese. The next 100 guests will receive a free sandwich on their next visit. 

Free coffee will be served all day Saturday and Sunday to celebrate the opening weekend.

Guests can expect EggBred’s signature menu offerings, including breakfast sandwiches, burritos and fresh coffee.

“We’re thrilled to open our doors in Land O’Lakes and introduce the community to the EggBred experience,” said Albert Shim, CEO of EggBred. “From the food to the atmosphere, everything we do is centered around quality, creativity and connection. We’re excited to become part of the neighborhood and serve breakfast worth waking up for.” 

On the web: eggbred.com/landolakes  

 

News Briefs (01/15/25): Pasco offices to close for MLK Day

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Pasco County offices to close for MLK Day

NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco Board of County Commissioners offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources’ Offices, Recreation Complex buildings and Community Centers will be closed; however, parks and beaches will remain open to the public from dawn to dusk.

Pasco County Public Transportation (GoPasco) will provide regular transportation services (fixed-route and demand response); however, GoPasco administrative offices will be closed.

All Pasco County Libraries will be closed.

Pasco County Animal Services Administration Office, Adoption Center, Intake/Reclaim Shelter and Field Services will be closed. An Animal Control Officer will be available for emergencies only.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III and the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to the public; however, they will be open to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers.

BCC government offices will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 20.

 

Church hosts Tampa March for Life

TAMPA – The Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg will host its second annual Tampa March for Life on Jan. 17 to advocate for the protection of life and an end to abortion.

Event highlights include:

  • 9 a.m. – Mass celebrated by Bishop Gregory Parkes and local priests. The Mass is the central worship service of the Catholic faith and its highest form of prayer.
  • 10:10 a.m. – The half-mile march begins, escorted by the Tampa Police Department. Participants will follow a diocesan banner and a special float adorned with bright flowers and an image of Mary.
  • 11 a.m. – Rally at Perry Harvey Sr. Park featuring music, speakers, games, food trucks and family-friendly activities, along with information about life-affirming resources offered through Catholic Charities, including pregnancy centers and support services for women, children and families.

The event begins at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 509 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, and concludes at Perry Harvey Sr. Park, 1000 E. Harrison St., Tampa.

 

District aims to reduce risk of wildfires  

BROOKSVILLE – Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District will conduct prescribed burns now through March on Starkey Wilderness Preserve and Conner Preserve.

Starkey Wilderness Preserve is located east of New Port Richey, west of the Suncoast Parkway, north of State Road 54 and south of State Road 52. Approximately 500 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Conner Preserve is located south of State Road 52 and west of Ehren Cutoff. Approximately 300 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:

  • Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
  • Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants.
  • Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat.
  • Maintaining access for public recreation.

The district conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year.