The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Morris Bridge Road, at State Road 54, to close temporarily

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Morris Bridge Road will be temporarily closed at State Road 54, from Sept. 17 through Sept. 22.

An around-the-clock detour of Morris Bridge Road is scheduled to begin after midnight on ay, Sept. 17.

Motorists are asked to follow the detour signs along State Road 54, U.S. 301, State Road 56, and Morris Bridge Road, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Transportation.

Weather permitting, the detour is expected to be active from Sept. 17 to Sept. 22.   Detour Map

The closure is needed for the contractor to construct the southern side of the intersection of State Road 54 and Morris Bridge Road.

Published on Sept. 14.

Pasco County has redesigned its website

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Pasco County has redesigned its website and invites the public to check it out.

The website has been upgraded, with the aim of creating a user-friendly experience, as well as improved navigation and functionality, according to a county news release.

Here are some of the changes:

  • The site has been consolidated from more than 1,500 pages to 650 pages
  • The drop-down menu features popular web pages and customer tools
  • There’s a department director with contact information
  • The county’s social media icons are prominently displayed on the website’s homepage
  • The news, videos and spotlight sections are in one location

The Pasco County Commission meetings are streamed live on the website’s homepage.

The county calendar has been redesigned, too.

Pasco County Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey offered this assessment of the new website, in the county’s news release: “This is our first website upgrade in five years, and we couldn’t be happier with our new look. Our customers can easily find information on services, events and news items – with a simple click.  We wanted to make the site faster, with an intuitive layout, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

Pasco County’s information technology and media relations teams collaborated to design the new layout.

To check out the new site, visit MyPasco.net.

Published on Sept. 14.

The Lutz Branch Library reopens

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The Lutz Branch Library has reopened, with limited services, after being closed for a month because of plumbing problems.

The Lutz Branch Library reopened on Aug. 30, after being closed a month due to plumbing problems. However, the new library now needs minor repairs and is without restroom services to patrons. (File)

The library, at 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, reopened on Aug. 30.

It was closed temporarily after experiencing septic tank and plumbing problems on July 27.

The problems caused a backup of sewage into the library, causing a small amount of damage and leaving the facility without working plumbing.

The library posted to its social media and on its website that limited service will be available Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and that restrooms will be unavailable.

During that time, the library still had curbside service available, and will continue to offer that to patrons.

In the meantime, the Hillsborough County Library System suggests the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, at 2902 W. Bearss Ave.

All of this comes after the Lutz Branch Library underwent a six-month, $790,000 renovation that gave the interior a fresh, bright new look — from more natural lighting, to new flooring, to new paint and walls, and even new furniture and installations. Those renovations, which also featured new glass walls and a self-checkout hub, were finished in late 2021.

Additionally, the library announced in July that its Friends of the Lutz Branch Library book collection program had returned to providing an array of affordably priced books for patrons’ reading pleasure. The Friends were inactive for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and hiatus during the six-month renovation.

Published September 07, 2022

Billy Brown to receive special Pasco EDC honor

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Billy Brown, known for his philanthropy and leadership, will receive a special honor at the Pasco Economic Development Council’s 34th annual awards ceremony on Sept. 8. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) is honoring Billy E. Brown with its Leadership Award this year.

The economic development organization always singles out one person who has made extraordinary contributions and this year, it chose Brown, according to a news release.

Brown began his employment with Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) in 1956 as a lineman making just $1.10 an hour, the news release says.

Over the years, Brown’s leadership skills were recognized and he rose through the ranks, being promoted into supervisory positions, executive vice president and general manager — a position he has held for 49 years.

During his half-century of leadership, he has contributed to the community in myriad ways.

Brown has made an impact on many local charitable projects including the Boys and Girls Club, the Lacoochee Project, and the Vincent House Project, as well as being instrumental in the development of One Pasco Center, which has served as a catalyst economic development project and provided pad-ready sites for companies looking to locate to Pasco County, the release says.

Under Brown’s leadership, WREC has awarded over $15 million in local scholarships, provided lighting for college baseball fields, and funded equipment and technology for the local school system, release adds.

“Mr. Brown’s footprint is forever embedded in Pasco County; he has touched thousands of lives and made a lasting impression on our community. We are privileged to honor Mr. Brown with the 2022 Leadership Award,” Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC president/CEO, said in the release. “He is an exceptional example of a leader and philanthropist making a difference in the local community.”

Brown will be honored with this award at the Pasco EDC’s 34th annual awards, accompanied by a tribute from family and friends.

The event is set for Sept. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Pasco-Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC), 8657 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

Tickets are available online, at PascoEDC.com.

Published September 07, 2022

Pasco cleanup needs volunteers

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Keep Pasco Beautiful is gearing up for its annual cleanup and is seeking volunteers to help out.

The annual countywide event aims to pick up debris before it has a chance to enter the area’s waterways.

Volunteers will work to pick up litter on roadways and in public spaces all around Pasco County, according to a county news release.

An estimated 80% of the trash that ends up in the county’s waters started out on land, so the cleanup efforts help to prevent pollution from entering the county’s stormwater system, which often leads to waterways and the Gulf of Mexico.

Here are the event details:
When: Sept. 17, from 8 a.m. until noon
Where: Various Pasco County locations.
Info: Visit KeepPascoBeautiful.org.

Registrations are being accept through Sept. 9.

Disposable gloves, trash bags and Keep Pasco Beautiful Cleanup T-shirts will be supplied while supplies last, the news release says.

“We’re excited to have the support of so many community organizations,” Keep Pasco Beautiful Coordinator Kristen King, said in the release.

She also expressed gratitude to Rotary District 6950, in partnership with West Pasco Rotary Clubs of New Port Richey, Holiday, Hudson, Seven Springs, Trinity and West Pasco Sunset for providing grant funding to support this year’s event.

This event is part of the International Coastal Cleanup coordinated by Ocean Conservancy.  The worldwide event has collected more than 348 million pounds of trash with help from around 17 million volunteers – since 1986.

Published September 07, 2022

Pasco Fire Rescue employee named ‘public educator of the year’

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Lisa Brekke, an employee of Pasco County Fire Rescue, has been the focus of attention lately — in a good way.

Lisa Brekke was honored during the Aug. 24 Pasco County Commission meeting. She received a resolution from the county board, recognizing her contributions and for being named the 2022 Public Educator of the Year by the Florida Fire Marshal and Inspector Association. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Most recently, she received a resolution applauding her work from the Pasco County Commission, during its Aug. 24 meeting.

The board acknowledged Brekke for her recognition from the Florida Fire Marshal and Inspector Association, which named her as the 2022 Public Educator of the Year.

The state association’s award recognizes “leadership for superior life safety strategies through inspection, investigation, public education, and code management,” according to the board’s resolution.

The distinction “signifies dedication and leadership in preventative risk education and fire safety,” the resolution adds.

Brekke joined Pasco Fire Rescue in 2018.

She has served as the lead contact for Pasco County’s Prom Promise, a program that educates high school students throughout Pasco County on the dangers of driving under the influence.

She also coordinates both Pasco County’s smoke detector installation program and the Knox Box program, which allows firefighters quick access into citizens’ homes during emergencies.

Brekke also is a program instructor for the Juvenile Fire Starter Intervention Program, according to the resolution.

The county’s commendation also notes that “Lisa does not hesitate to assist her coworkers in whatever way she can. She will do whatever it takes to ensure her team’s success, even if it includes working early in the morning, late at night, or on the weekends.”

The resolution goes on to credit Brekke’s “work ethic and spirit of cooperation” for bringing her team together, and it notes that beyond her work on countless safety events and programs, she also serves as “a preventative safety instructor in Pasco County Fire Rescue’s Community Risk Reduction division.”

Published September 07, 2022

Family gets warm reception, and a mortgage-free home

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National homebuilder PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program, in partnership with the national nonprofit Building Homes for Heroes, turned over the keys to a new, mortgage-free home last week to 22-year-old Nazeraeh Montrond and her three younger siblings at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to a news release.

The celebration was held on the morning of Aug. 25, in the Centex community of Wesley Reserve at Chapel Crossings, 5369 Elmview Crossing in Wesley Chapel.

Sean Strickler, PulteGroup division president for West Florida, helps Kevyn and Nazeraeh Montrond and their younger siblings, Arabella and Bentley, cut the ribbon outside their brand new townhome in Wesley Chapel. The family lost father Army Sgt. Alberto Montrond in February 2006 when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated near his Humvee while he was serving in Afghanistan. (Courtesy of Building Homes for Heroes)

Nazeraeh Montrond lost her father, Army Sgt. Alberto Montrond, in February 2006, when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated near his Humvee. He was serving in Afghanistan with the Group Service Support Company in the new Group Support Battalion (GSSC, GSB) for the 7th Special Forces Group, the release says.

Sgt. Montrond deployed at least four times in support of the Global War on Terror, supporting Special Operations forces in Iraq, Jordan and Afghanistan.

The children’s mother, Christl, passed away in March 2021, after suffering with several health issues, leaving Nazeraeh to care for her three younger siblings. Kevin is 18, Arabella is 15 and Bentley is 10.

Today, she manages the demands of a full-time job and a full-time college schedule, while raising her two brothers and sister. Nazeraeh currently is completing her bachelor’s degree in health sciences, according to the release.

The date of the ribbon-cutting holds a special place for the family, since it’s their mother Christl’s birthday.

The Montrond family’s new 1,762-square-foot, two-story townhome features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a one-car garage. Located in the master-planned community of Chapel Crossings, residents will soon enjoy several state-of-the-art amenities including a community pool with lazy river, clubhouse and fitness center.

“The story of Nazeraeh and her siblings has touched all of us,” said Sean Strickler, president of the West Florida Division of PulteGroup, in the release. “Everyone involved in this project knows what having this new home means for the family. We’re so proud to be involved, and we hope Naz, her brothers and sister make many new memories in their new home.”

Founded by Andy Pujol, after he volunteered in the search-and-rescue in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Building Homes for Heroes is a national nonprofit organization that builds and modifies homes and gifts them, mortgage-free, to veterans and their families. The organization averages one home gifted or modified every 11 days. In September, the organization will reach its milestone 300th home.

This is the fifth Built to Honor home delivered in Tampa Bay since 2016. Earlier this year, PulteGroup celebrated awarding its 75th mortgage-free home through the program in Dallas, Texas, according to the release.

Published August 31, 2022

Lutz scouting leaders to be honored at breakfast

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(Courtesy of Boy Scouts of America, Greater Tampa Bay Area Council)

Lutz residents Fifi and Mark Rose will be honored at a breakfast, open to the public, on Sept. 8 at 9 a.m., at Busch Gardens, at the Gwazi Pavilion.

The event will raise funds for Scouting programs, through the Boy Scouts of America, in the Tampa Bay area.

Mark and Fifi have been involved with Scouting for decades, and have volunteered at the unit, District, Council, Area, Region, National, and International levels.

They are being recognized for their work with disadvantaged youth and are being awarded the Whitney M. Young Award, according to a flier detailing the event.

Mark and Fifi have generously decided to match donations up to $35,000 for this event, and every dollar the event raises will support Scouting.

To RSVP, go to the Boy Scouts of America, Greater Tampa Bay Area Council’s website. For more information, call 813-872-2691.

Published August 24, 2022

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)