The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Dana McKinney Tyre, 63,

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passed away May 22, 2022

Born in Kokomo Indiana & survived by husband Michael Tyre,

twin brother Mark Tyre and Friend Troy Lopez.

Children Nora Tolbert, Jerry McKinney, and Ruby Mae Cottrell.

9 grandkids and 1 great grandchild. Burial will be in Kokomo Indiana.

A special tour, for special veterans

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club joined in welcoming home a recent Honor Flight, at the St. Pete-Clearwater Airport. The Honor Flight takes veterans to Washington D.C., to tour the war memorials. The women were there to honor the veterans and present them with unique flag stars to commemorate their service. Woman’s club member Dolores Tarafa stands alongside a patriotic Santa veteran.

Dispatching annual Zephyrhills Police awards

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The Zephyrhills Police Department (ZPD) held its annual awards and recognition ceremony on May 12 at the Zephyrhills City Hall Council Chambers. Chief of Police Derek Brewer handed out awards to spotlight the feats and accomplishments of members of the police department from 2021. Here are the recipients:

Zephyrhills Police Officer Pedro Milliano, right, is given the annual Officer of the Year Award from Police Chief Derek Brewer, left. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills Police Department)

Officer of the Year: Officer Pedro Miliano
This award recognizes a sworn police officer who has displayed professionalism, courtesy, proficiency and continuous exemplary service. Miliano, a one-year officer, has a positive attitude that has been infectious. He also has remained committed to his daily responsibilities.

Employee of the Year: Lisa Jones
This award honors non-sworn personnel who have displayed professionalism, courtesy, proficiency and continuous exemplary service. Jones, who has been with the department a year and a half, is considered a model employee because of her work ethic and her desire to constantly seek additional knowledge on how to improve at her job.

Lisa Jones is awarded the Zephyrhills Police Department Employee of the Year and is seen here, from left to right, with City Manager Billy Poe, Chief of Police Derek Brewer and Mayor Gene Whitfield.

Volunteer of the Year: Gwendolyn Beasley
This award honors a volunteer who has displayed professionalism, courtesy, proficiency and continuous exemplary service. As a crossing guard at the busy school zone of West Zephyrhills Elementary, Beasley, or ‘Aunt Gwen,’ as she is known, helps students and pedestrians cross safely twice a day.

Life-Saving Award: Officers Steven Chimeri and Rocco DeSio
This award honors an employee or employees whose actions are directly responsible for saving or prolonging human life. On Nov. 25, Officers Chimeri and DeSio found a person discolored and with no pulse hanging over the guardrail by Zephyr Park. They performed chest compressions and helped the person resume breathing. The individual fully recovered once transported to a hospital.

Sandra Waters, center, receives the Chief’s Award from Zephyrhills Chief of Police Derek Brewer, right, and Mayor Gene Whitfield, left.

Distinguished Performance Award: Sgt. John Oleson
This award honors an employee who has performed a specific duty, action or assignment at a level that demonstrates exceptional professionalism and commitment to duty. On Aug. 25, Olsen was dispatched to the railroad tracks by Chancey Road where a suicidal subject was armed with a gun. Olsen diffused the situation and persuaded the subject to relinquish the firearm.

Chief’s Award: Stephanie NelsonThis award honors members in special recognition solely from the Chief of Police. Nelson was recognized for her extensive experience and knowledge that has been passed on as a mentor within the agency.

Chief’s “Lifetime Achievement” Award: Sandra Waters
Waters has been with Zephyrhills Police for 23 years, and is considered the ‘Google’ of the agency, given her knowledge and experience. She has worked for five police chiefs and has been a part of the evolution of the agency in her tenure.

Other Zephyrhills Police personnel were recognized, as well, with awards in Assignments, Tenure, Safe Driving, Perfect Attendance, Employee Recognition, Unit Citation SRT/CID and Communications.

Published May 25, 2022

Letter carriers food drive restocks local pantry

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This food was delivered from the Zephyrhills Post Office to Atonement Lutheran Church, in Wesley Chapel. The food was collected as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, conducted annually on the second Saturday in May. (Steve Vinik)

Steve Vinik, who often contributes photographs of wildlife to The Laker/Lutz News, turned his camera to another topic last week.

He recorded the work of volunteers at Atonement Lutheran Church, 2961 State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel, who sorted food that had been collected through the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 2 were stationed at the Zephyrhills Post Office, where they received, weighed and loaded the food onto trailers for delivery, to stock the Helping Hands Food Pantry at the church, according to Vinik.

At times, the pace was so brisk, it was like watching a colony of ants, hard at work. (Steve Vinik)

Fifty-four volunteers — ranging from teenagers to retirees — sorted out the 14,535 pounds of food that had been donated by people throughout the community and collected by the letter carriers on their routes.

The items have been added to the pantry’s food supply.

Carla Haberland, director of the food pantry, said, “It took an entire community to accomplish this. This will help us get through the summer. God bless you all for remembering those less fortunate.”

Throughout the year, food is sorted into family portions and distributed each Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., to the nearly 400 folks who are signed up for the food program, Vinik reported.

Published May 25, 2022

A new public access is planned for Starkey Wilderness Park

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The Pasco County Commission has approved an agreement that will provide public access to J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park from the Starkey Ranch residential community, next door.

Visitors to J.B. Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., in New Port Richey, can hike and bicycle through gorgeous Florida scenery. (File)

The park, at 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., is owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and managed by Pasco County. People across the county visit the park for its recreational opportunities and beauty.

The action taken by the county board allows TSR CDD, the owner of the Starkey Ranch residential development next to the park, to provide recreational access to the general public at two access points.

At the access points, TSR CDD will construct gates, and provide informational signs with park hours, a map, and allowed uses.

It also will maintain liability insurance and assume all risks related to use of the access points, according to the agreement.

Also, at one of the access points, TSR CDD will construct a foot bridge crossing over the South Branch of the Anclote River.

The agreement also calls for TSR CDD to pay for engineering and construction as well as for future maintenance, repair and/or replacement of the foot bridge, subject to approval by the county and the Southwest Florida Management District.

Pasco County Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey said efforts to create these access points began a long time ago and she’s happy that people will finally be able to get access the lower portion of the park.

Published May 25, 2022

There’s more than books to check out at New River Branch Library

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Patrons at the New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, can enjoy a free visual arts display — courtesy of the Zephyrhills Art Club.

The library has partnered with the art club, and the club’s president Joann Weatherbee curates the display, according to Danielle Lee, branch manager of the New River Branch Library.

Alla Prima Donna, by artist Sally Yoder, is an 8-inch by 10-inch oil painting. (Courtesy of New River Branch Library)

This month’s exhibit features artist Sally Yoder.

That exhibition is slated to come down on May 25, but a new one, featuring the works of Joyce Owens, also of the Zephyrhills Art Club, will open on June 1.

A new artist or group of artists will be featured each month.

Even though the Yoder exhibit is expected to come down this week, Lee shared information from Facebook, regarding the artist.

“Sally Yoder is an oil, acrylic and watercolor painter whose portraits, plein air works and boldly colored, large studio pieces offer surprising interpretations of the everyday ordinary.

“Having studied mostly oil painting classical realism, Sally ‘began to wonder why I’m copying great photos. So tight, and no creativity! Through happenstance, I realized old, black and white photos lend themselves to creative interpretation. So, I asked friends to send me fun, old pics I could try to paint. The watercolor of my friend Deb is a happy result of this practice.’”

Lee also shared information about accolades Yoder has received.

Those honors include: second place for a Myakka River watercolor at Zephyrhills Art Club’s 2017 annual show; wins in several categories at the monthly Venice Art Experience; first place in oil and acrylic at the North Tampa Arts League’s 2018 annual show with a Hillsborough River scene, and honorable mention for a Rembrandt inspired self-portrait at North Tampa Arts League’s 2019 show.

Yoder co-owns the Million Souls Mine and recently added lapidary arts to her creative repertoire. For more information, visit MillionSoulsMine.com.

Published May 25, 2022

This painting, called Preening, is a 12-inch by 16-inch oil, by artist Sally Yoder.
This oil painting, called Morris Bridge Plein Air, is an 11-inch by 14-inch oil, by artist Sally Yoder.
This painting, called Elephant’s Bath Time, is a 30-inch by 30-inch oil, by Sally Yoder.

Pasco County hires new utilities director

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The Pasco County Commission has confirmed the selection of David F. Allen, as the county’s new utilities director.

Allen begins in his new role June 6.

He arrives in Pasco County with more than 30 years of experience in technical, management and leadership in local government and utility business operations, according to information in the county board’s agenda packet.

His experience includes serving for the past 15 years as an assistant city and county manager, and utilities director for the city and county of Broomfield, Colorado.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Colorado State University, and a Master of Science in water resources from the University of Southern California.

He is a licensed professional engineer in Colorado and California, and intends to apply for reciprocity in Florida.

This is a new role in the county. The position was necessitated by the increasing size of the department to address the county’s expanding needs, assistant county administrator Mike Carballa told the board, during Allen’s confirmation by the board on May 17.

Published May 25, 2022

Hillsborough tax collector collects delinquent toll payments

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Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy C. Millan has partnered with the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) to provide a convenient way for customers resolve vehicle registration holds due to unpaid tolls.

To reduce red tape, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector will collect payment for the unpaid tolls along with the registration renewal transaction — streamlining the process for customers.

The arrangement allows vehicle owners to pay delinquent toll-by-plate invoices while renewing their vehicle registrations at all Hillsborough County Tax Collector locations, according to a news release.

In the past, the Tax Collector’s Office was forced to turn away customers with a hold on their registration due to unpaid tolls. Customer would have to pay the Expressway Authority first, then come back to the Tax Collector’s Office to renew their registrations.

“My top priority is to provide convenience and exceptional customer service to the taxpayers we serve,” Millan said in the release.

Her office processes close to 1.4 million motor vehicle transactions annually.

The Tax Collector’s Office provides this service at no additional cost to taxpayers.

The office also can collect unpaid tolls and clear vehicle registration holds for the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX).

Published May 25, 2022

Environmental lands committee reappointments

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Pasco County’s Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program purchases environmentally sensitive lands throughout the county, using funds provided through the taxpayer-supported Penny For Pasco program. (File)

Pasco County has an Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program, which has a volunteer committee made up of 11 members.

Five of the board members have at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree in the natural and/or environmental sciences. They make up the scientific subcommittee.

Four other members shall have expertise in at least one of the following fields: real estate, business, or finance. One member shall have expertise in governmental affairs (with an emphasis in funding sources). One member shall be a layperson with interest in the program and the committee.

No more than three members of the volunteer committee may live outside of Pasco County’s boundaries.

The Pasco County Commission on May 17 reappointed these five members to that committee:

  • A one-year reappointment of Patricia Fesmire, an environmental scientist from Tampa Bay Water
  • A two-year reappointment of Joanne Hurley, a retired Pasco County School Board member
  • A three-year reappointment of Eva Bailey, a wetlands scientist and retired professional from Cardno Entrix, with a background in ecological assessments and habitat restoration
  • A three-year reappointment of Clark Hull Jr., principal owner of Clark Hull and Associates LLC, a multi-disciplinary professional association of scientists and engineers serving private and public sector clients in various aspects of environmental permitting
  • A three-year reappointment of Dr. Chris Miller, professor of biology and ecology with specializations in tropical forests and mangrove forests with the School of Arts & Sciences at Saint Leo University.

Published May 25, 2022

Affordable Living At Club Wildwood

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Older adults in central and east Pasco County are discovering the charming manufactured home community of Club Wildwood in Hudson, which boasts affordable homes, first-class amenities and a five-minute drive to the beach.

Club Wildwood is the largest retirement community in north Pasco County, with close to 500 homes. Living in a large community means there is always someone to share things with, including swimming in the resort-style heated pool, taking your pup to the friendly dog park, enjoying crafts and potluck dinners at the clubhouse, and even fishing in a well-stocked lake. Residents are friendly, and welcome newcomers to the community’s many clubs and activities.

There are several resale homes available in Club Wildwood, very affordably priced from $48,500 to $69,900. Most resale homes in the community have been updated with the latest designs and flooring, and are a tremendous value for a single-family home in terms of cost, amenities and location.

For folks moving from Land O’ Lakes, Lutz and Wesley Chapel, living at Club Wildwood costs less than renting an apartment. The community’s monthly lot rental fee is less than $700, and includes trash, landscaping and full use of all recreation facilities.

Club Wildwood’s location on U.S. 19 gives residents quick access to major roadways, shopping and dining, and area attractions. In addition to its Olympic-size heated pool, amenities include a picnic area, shuffleboard courts, a bocce ball court and horseshoe pits. A spacious clubhouse has recently been remodeled, and boasts a fully equipped kitchen and large meeting room, small library, pool tables, fitness room and card tables.

Regular activities include bingo, karaoke, potluck dinners, coffee hours, dart tournaments, happy hours, pancake breakfasts, line dancing and bridge games. During the social distancing requirements of COVID-19, some of these activities have been suspended, but all will be back when it is safe to gather together again.

Outside of the park, many Club Wildwood residents participate in special interest clubs, including bowling and golf leagues, the Red Hat Society, and volunteering at nearby Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point.

The 290-bed hospital, which is less than 10 minutes from Club Wildwood, is the only Level II Trauma Center and Comprehensive Stroke Center in Pasco County, and its renowned Heart Institute provides comprehensive cardiac care and an open-heart surgery program.

Make Club Wildwood your next home by contacting Community Manager Sean Terris for a private tour at 866-799-6707or .

Published May 25, 2022