The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Traffic signals installed on Overpass Road

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New traffic signals have been installed on Overpass Road at the Boyette Road and Old Pasco Road intersections, according to a news release.

Motorists should be prepared to stop in all directions.

They also should be alert to workers, as construction continues to open turn lanes, adjust signal timings, and many other work activities along Overpass Road and at these two intersections.

Also, Overpass Road was switched to new traffic alignments, as of Aug. 13, from Old Pasco Road to just east of Boyette Road.

Eastbound and westbound Overpass Road traffic is now on a divided roadway, with one lane open in each direction.

Additional lanes in each direction will open later this year. Motorists are advised to be alert to these changed conditions and watch for workers as construction continues to complete the project.

Also, ramps to and from the new interchange at Interstate 75 are not open. The interchange is projected to open to traffic in November or December of this year.

Published August 24, 2022

Celebrating the start of the 2022-2023 school year

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Whether they were heading to preschool, private school or public school, everyone in these photos has something in common: They’re smiling as they start a new school year.

Here’s a shoutout to our readers who shared their photos with us, so we could continue our yearly ritual of publishing these pictures —an annual tradition in many families to record a moment in time.

We hope you enjoy seeing them as much we enjoy sharing them.

We, at The Laker/Lutz News, also extend our best wishes to everyone heading into the academic year, for a year of fresh beginnings, new discoveries, friendships, fun — and, learning, too, of course.

Wesley Lorton attends ninth-grade at Steinbrenner High School, Megan is a sixth-grader at Lutz Preparatory School; Abigail is a third-grader at Lutz Preparatory; and, Madelyn is a kindergartner at Lutz Preparatory. (Courtesy of the Lortons)
Daphne Fread is in fifth grade at Pine View Elementary in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Jennifer Fread)
Luna Stoltz, 3, attends preschool at Mary’s House, in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Jan Crawley)
Nine-year-old Nykolus Di Roma is a fourth-grader at Denham Oaks Elementary, in Lutz. (Courtesy of Sabrina Di Roma)
Five-year-old Kaiden Hay is in kindergarten and his 6-year-old sister Kaiya is in first grade at Denham Oaks Elementary School, in Lutz. The family lives in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Kara Hay)
Oliver Butler attends kindergarten at Lake Myrtle Elementary in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Laurie Butler)
Julia O’ Connor is a fifth-grader at Sand Pine Elementary. Her family lives in Meadow Pointe, in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of George O’ Connor)
Rachel Kocsis attends third grade at Denham Oaks Elementary, in Lutz and lives in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Shelley Roth)
Camden Meyer, 5, is in kindergarten at Learning Gate Community School, in Lutz. (Courtesy of Maura Lanoue)
Five-year-old Luna Mistretta is ready for her first day of kindergarten at Dr. Kiran C. Patel Elementary School.
Greg Lewandowski, Megan Lewandowski and Margaret Lewandowski. Greg is entering his 16th year of teaching at Sickles High School; Margaret is a third-grader at Chiles Elementary; and, Margaret is entering her 18th year of teaching at Freedom High School. They live in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of George O’Connor)
Nine-year-old Anora Smalls is a fourth-grader at Channelside Academy of Math and Science. (Courtesy of Marchele Smalls)
Thirteen-year-old Ivoryele Smalls, of Lutz, is an eighth-grader at Channelside Academy of Math and Science. (Courtesy of Marchele Smalls)

 

 

 

As school activities and sports ramp up, be sure to stay hydrated

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The beginning of a new school year is full of fresh starts.

It’s also a time when many school teams begin to kick into high gear — creating lots of opportunities to work up a sweat and get thirsty.

There are team tryouts, practices and, of course, games and tournaments.

By checking this chart, you can see that a piece of cheese and sunflower seeds, or peanut butter on a bagel, have more sodium and potassium than a sports drink. (Courtesy of Michigan State University Extension)

Sports drinks are a popular way to slake a thirst, and they do serve an important purpose. But most recreational athletes and exercisers don’t lose the level of electrolytes that warrant drinking a sports drink.

Most of us are better off with water.

Sports drinks were designed primarily to help elite athletes to stay hydrated and to improve their performance.

Of course, cool packaging, notable flavor names and bright colors do make them appealing to youths.

Just remember, the purpose of sports drinks is to replenish electrolytes as they are lost through perspiration, and this electrolyte depletion happens at an extreme level.

In some circumstances, sports drinks are the better choice.

For instance, if your child is outside in intense heat for an hour or more while doing vigorous activity, such as long-distance running or soccer, sports drinks will provide hydration faster because the glucose and sodium they contain help the body absorb water faster than just the water on its own.

But, if your child is active outside for less than an hour and is doing intermittent physical activity, or is simply riding a bike, they are better off with water.

Sports drinks are mostly water, with the addition of carbohydrates, sodium and potassium.

Food sources have these, too.

So, to replace carbohydrates after an intense workout, you can eat a piece of fruit instead, such as a banana or orange, which gives additional nutrients as well, and doesn’t have added sugar.

A Yale study found that more than one in four American parents considered sports drinks to be healthy for kids. But they actually are considered a sugar-sweetened beverage, a category that is shared with soda, energy drinks and flavored coffees.

A 20-ounce bottle of a sports drink has about 34 grams of added sugar.

Therefore, sports drinks are not meant to be a substitute for water unless the circumstances call for it — again, consider the intensity of the exercise and the time in the heat.

Remember, healthy snacks, without so much added sugar, can replace electrolytes, too.

By Shari Bresin

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Published August 24, 2022

East Pasco cleanup yields nearly 12 tons of trash

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Pasco County’s code enforcement and solid waste teams conducted a cleanup in the Lock Street area of East Pasco and collected nearly 12 tons of trash.

Those county teams joined forces with the community to complete the gargantuan cleanup, according to a news release.

The cleanup included 561 pounds of hazardous materials and 11.74 tons of solid waste debris, the release says.

Commissioner Ron Oakley, whose district includes the area where the cleanup occurred, expressed his appreciation of the effort.

“The Lock Street Community Cleanup got rid of nearly 12 tons of trash and other debris, keeping our community clean for everyone to enjoy,” Oakley said, in the release. “This event, like others we’ve hosted, ensures Pasco County is an exceptional place to live, work and play.  I extend my gratitude to the many volunteers who work so hard to ensure a clean and healthy county.”

Pasco County hosts community cleanup events to give customers a convenient opportunity to get rid of trash, debris and hazardous materials that might otherwise lead to code violations or illegal dumping.

To report illegal dumping in Pasco County, call 727-847-2411.

Published August 24, 2022

Learns the ins and outs of securing grants

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The Hillsborough County Grants Collaborative is accepting registrations for its annual training conference.

The one-day training will include:

  • Presentations from top-tier grant writers who will share their knowledge and tips for developing winning grants
  • Hands-on sessions covering grant writing, building high-scoring financials and budgets, management, and latest in data mining for creating a highly competitive need section
  • Lunch provided during which a Funder’s Panel, composed of personnel who oversee grants to nonprofits, will be presented

The registration fee is $60.

The Hillsborough County Grants Collaborative is an all-volunteer group that provides opportunities for hundreds of grant writers, nonprofit leaders and their staff, and those interested in becoming grant writers in all types of nonprofits and governmental agencies to come together to learn, network, and share ideas and insights.

Its regular meetings are free and there is no cost to join and receive the group’s emails.

The session will be on Sept. 15, at the Children’s Board Hillsborough County, 1002 E. Palm Ave., in Tampa.

Those interested in attending can register online at hcgrantscollaborative.org
Revised August 24, 2022

In Loving Memory of Donald W. Warmke

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Donald W. Warmke passed away surrounded by family on 8/1/2022 after his battle with nasal-pharyngeal cancer. 

Don was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, loved retro video games and reading.

He worked at Redhills Powersports in Tallahassee, FL prior to moving to Pt. St Lucie, FL. He received an AA degree from PHSC and attended FSU for a short time prior to his illness. 

He was a 2013 graduate of Wiregrass Ranch High School where he was a member of the cross country team. 

Don is survived by wife, Ashlie Kraft, parents Daniel and Teresa Warmke, twin sister Danielle Warmke, brother Derek Warmke, grandmother Doris Sinnard and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services will be held Saturday, August 20, 2022 at Our Lady of the Rosary in Land O’Lakes at 10:30am. A celebration of life will follow at the Warmke residence.

Published 8/17/22

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation opens

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Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation had its first opening day of school, ever, ushering in a host of programs aimed to prepare students for myriad technical and professional careers.

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, the newest school in Pasco County Schools, welcomed its inaugural crop of 570 freshmen and sophomores on the first day of school, Aug. 10. The school’s official address is 32555 Innovation Way. It’s where Curley Road meets Innovation Way, in Wesley Chapel. (Fred Bellet)

Some of those work opportunities already exist.

Others are expected to emerge in the future.

In either case, this high school will provide a broad array of opportunities for students, offering technical training, as well as opportunities for advanced placement, dual enrollment and general classroom work.

The school, at 32555 Innovation Drive, is located at the intersection where Curley Road meets Innovation Way, in Wesley Chapel.

The magnet school represents the first technical school of its type on the eastern side of the county.

Housed in a building that has a modernistic architectural design, the school’s programs include: applied cybersecurity and computer science, automotive maintenance and light repair; diesel maintenance; biomedical sciences; building trades and construction technology; digital media and multimedia; applied engineering, robotics; welding technology; patient care technician; and, electricity.

The school opened with 570 freshmen and sophomores, but will add additional grades to create a school for ninth- through 12th-graders.

Students will be able to earn standard diplomas and industry certifications, as well as take Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment courses.

The school doesn’t have sports teams, but students will be able to play for the schools in which they are zoned.

The school will have clubs, with specifics determined by school and staff.

Published August 17, 2022

The school’s initials — KRAI — are on bold display on a base outside the main entrance of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation. Meanwhile, in the background, students are heading to classes on the school’s second floor.
Students arrive for the first day of classes in the inaugural school year at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation. The magnet school is beginning with just freshmen and sophomores, and will add grade levels to become a school for ninth- through 12th-graders.
Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation Principal Dee Dee Johnson greets students as they arrive for the first day of school. She also waves to cars near the drop-off point.
Fourteen-year-old Urijah Naughton, left, Pasco County Sheriff’s Deputy Bryan Mobley, 14-year-old Jayden Rivera and 14-year-old Joshua Barnes pause on their way to class, for the students to have their picture taken with Mobley, the new school’s resource officer.
Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning stands near rows of cameras, tripods and accessories in the Digital Media Multimedia Design class at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation. Browning took a brief tour of the school on opening day of the 2022-2023 school year in Pasco County Schools.
Jennifer Schwiegart, a learning design specialist at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, helps 16-year-old Malachi Miller find his classroom on a school map.

107 homes approved in Land O’ Lakes

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning that would allow up to a maximum of 107 homes on a 43.5-acre site in Land O’ Lakes.

The property is on the north side of Dogpatch Lane, about 390 feet west of Joy Drive, and abutting Joy Drive, about 690 feet north of Dogpatch Drive.

As a condition of approval, Attorney Barbara Wilhite said her client has agreed to install one 8-foot-wide sidewalk, heading north to south through the subdivision, to provide a safe place for students to walk to school. Normally, a 5-foot-wide sidewalk would be required.

The rezoning, approved unanimously by the county board at its Aug. 9 meeting, changed the zoning from agricultural and agricultural-residential designations to a master-planned unit development.

County planners and the Pasco County Planning Commission had recommended approval of the request, deeming it to be consistent with the county’s long-range plan and land development code.

The county board’s approval came despite objections from area residents who raised concerns about potential impacts on wildlife and the prospect for additional traffic on Lake Patience Road.

Prior to the board’s vote, Debbie Moore, who lives nearby, told commissioners: “You guys don’t know this land at all. You haven’t walked it.”

She said she lives on 6 acres and her neighbors live on 20 acres.

“We have wetlands all around us,” she said. “You guys need to go see the area.

“You’re not considering the wildlife,” she added.

Cathryn Baxter Polonitza who lives in a nearby subdivision urged the county board to reject the request.

She said she’d gathered a petition with about 100 signatures of people opposing the proposed development.

She also noted that many area residents were unaware of the request.

Wilhite said the rezoning request was properly noticed.

Pat Rubrecht and other area residents raised concerns about adding traffic to Lake Patience Road, which they said is already dangerous.

Wilhite told the county board that this project is consistent with what the county envisions in its long-range plan.

The density also complies with the plan. The development also will be served by county water and sewer, the attorney said.

During the discussion, Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey told county staff that she’d like an update regarding the potential for adding a traffic signal at the intersection of Lake Patience Road and U.S. 41.

Published August 17, 2022

Hillsborough adopts rules to protect renters

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Hillsborough County has adopted new provisions aimed at protecting renters.

The new provisions, adopted by the Hillsborough County Commission, require residential landlords in unincorporated Hillsborough County to give at least 60 days’ notice for rent increases higher than 5% and must meet minimum notice requirements for terminating leases, according to a county news release.

Those provisions are included in the Tenants’ Bill of Rights ordinance, adopted by the Hillsborough county board earlier this month.

Provisions to the Tenant’s Bill of Right Ordinance expand the required notifications to include:

  • At least 30 days’ notice before termination of residential month-to-month leases
  • At least 60 days’ notice for the termination of all other residential leases
  • At least 60 days’ notice for residential rent increases of more than 5% for leases with a specific term

The ordinance changes took effect on Aug. 8.

Enforcement penalties for landlords begin on Oct. 1.

Violation of the ordinance is punishable by a $500 fine for a first offense and any subsequent offenses.

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners first approved the Tenant’s Bill of Rights Ordinance in March 2021, with its provisions going into effect July 1 of that year. The ordinance requires landlords to provide new tenants and those renewing their lease a copy of the Tenant’s Bill of Rights and Resources. Among other provisions, the ordinance bans discrimination based on lawful income, requires written notice of each late fee, and prohibits retaliation for tenants who report a health or safety violation or file a Fair Housing complaint.

Full details on Hillsborough County’s Tenant’s Bill of Rights Ordinance and how to report violations are available at HCFLGov.net/TenantRights.

Published August 17, 2022

Pasco High honors Gerald Newton

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Gerald Newton (File)

The Pasco County School Board has named the press box at W.F. Edwards Stadium after Gerald Newton, who was known as the “Voice of the Pirates.”

Pasco High School Principal Kari Kadlub and Athletic Director Dawn Wetherby submitted the request, which was approved during a July school board meeting.

In part, the letter of request notes that for 40 years, Newton “volunteered at Pasco High School—providing play-by-play coverage for the fans in the stands at football games and the voice of WDCF (local radio station).

“He loved coming to the games and helping create the electric atmosphere,” the letter adds.

“Additionally, he announced countless homecoming and senior nights.

“He wrote a local sports column in the Dade City Banner, Pasco News, and Dade City News from 1965 to 2012. He truly was the “VOICE” of the Pirates,” the letter says.

Newton worked for 40-plus years as a teacher, coach and athletic director.

Published August 17, 2022