The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Hillsborough residents can still weigh in on redistricting

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Hillsborough County residents still have time to share their thoughts on the redistricting process, according to a county news release.

Redistricting is the constitutionally mandated redrawing of local, state and federal political boundaries, which occurs every 10 years, after the U.S. Census is conducted.

Redistricting is done to account for changes in population during the previous decade.

The final map for Hillsborough County Commission districts is decided by the county board, but it invites public input.

There are currently three proposed maps that apportion the four single-member commission districts.

Residents are encouraged to go to HCFLGov.net/Redistricting and study the three maps, and provide feedback at the upcoming public hearings.

Residents can participate in person or virtually at the two public hearings listed below.

  • Nov. 8 at 6 p.m., at County Center, second-floor boardroom, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., in Tampa
  • Nov. 16 at 6 p.m., at County Center, second-floor boardroom, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa

The public can sign up to speak virtually or in person at the redistricting public hearing, or can submit written public comment.

Speaker signup forms open 48 business hours before the start of each hearing.

Visit the county’s website to learn more.

Published October 20, 2021

Parking lot upgrades planned at rec center

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Florida Parking Inc., doing business as Yellow Dawg Striping of West Central Florida, has been awarded a bid to repair and resurface the existing parking lot at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center Complex, off Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

The bid was awarded in an amount to exceed $249,516, according to agenda backup materials in the Pasco County Commission’s Oct. 12 meeting.

The county sent automatic email notices to 142 vendors, including 19 from Pasco County.

Additionally, 20 manually searched for and downloaded the solicitation, including two from Pasco.

The parks, recreation and natural resources department requested the bid be awarded to Yellow Dawg, and the purchasing department concurred.

There was no discussion by commissioners, who approved the bid award as part of the county board’s consent agenda.

The project will be paid for with parks, recreation and natural resources budget for fiscal year 2022.

Published October 20, 2021

Status of Women appointment confirmed

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The Pasco County Commission has confirmed Julie Rockwell as the United Way of Pasco County’s appointment to the Commission on the Status of Women for a three-year term, effective Oct. 12.

The Commission on the Status of Women serves as an advisory body to the county board, the county administrator and the community, on all matters pertaining to women, according to backup materials in the board’s agenda.

The Commission on the Status of Women is made up of representatives from 10 agencies, as well as an appointee from each county board member.

Summer Blevins had been representing the United Way of Pasco, but stepped away from the post in January. Rockwell was nominated by United Way to replace Blevins.

Published October 20, 2021

A new addition to the family

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In late July, my mom came across a post on Facebook about an adoptable 8-year-old Rottweiler at Pasco County Animal Services named Bear. Without any hesitation, she brought up the conversation into our family group chat about adopting him. Even though it was an easy yes for my mom, simply because she’s wanted a Rottweiler for over 20 years, she knew that she’d have to get approval from not only me, but from my dad and sister.

My family is the definition of crazy animal people. I have a hedgehog, my parents have one dog, and my older sister has a cat and two dogs. We love animals to say the least and adding another pet to the mix wasn’t necessarily in the plan, but my mom couldn’t help but feel bad for Bear whose owner recently passed away.

After getting a yes from all three of us, my mom immediately called to try and book a meet and greet at the shelter, and to her surprise they told her she could come in on the same day. Without a doubt in her mind, she and my dad headed over to Pasco County Animal Services and, a few hours later, quickly fell in love with this gentle giant.

It’s been about two months since we first adopted Bear and he has been nothing but a great addition to our home. Despite a Rottweiler’s reputation, Bear is the sweetest, friendliest, and cuddliest dog you’ll probably ever meet. His age has nothing on him and he still acts like a puppy, constantly playing with our other senior dog and his endless supply of toys.

By Nicole Sanchez
Digital Content Assistant, The Laker/Lutz News

Interstate 75 traffic to be detoured, Oct. 15 through Oct. 17

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One direction of Interstate 75 traffic in the Wesley Chapel area of Pasco County will be detoured to local roads each night between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., beginning on Oct. 15 and finishing up on the morning of Oct. 17, according to officials from the Florida Department of Transportation.

The detours are needed to set concrete beams for one of two new Overpass Road bridges, FDOT officials say.

Southbound traffic will be detoured Friday night, Oct. 15, and northbound traffic will be detoured Saturday night, Oct. 16. Here are the details and detour routes:

  • Southbound I-75 traffic will be detoured off the interstate between State Road 52 (Exit 285) and State Road 54/County Road 54 (Exit 279) between 9 p.m. Oct. 15 and 9 a.m. Oct. 16.

Detour route for southbound I-75: Traffic will be directed off at Exit 285. At the bottom of the ramp, turn right onto State Road 52 and continue for approximately one-half mile. At the next traffic signal, which is Old Pasco Road, turn left and go south on Old Pasco Road for approximately 6.75 miles to County Road 54/State Road 54. Turn left at the traffic signal onto State Road 54/County Road 54 (which also is known as Wesley Chapel Boulevard) and continue east about seven-tenths of a mile to re-enter southbound I-75.

  • Northbound I-75 traffic will be detoured off the interstate between State Road 54/County Road 54 (Exit 279) and State Road 52 (Exit 285) between 9 p.m. Oct. 16 and 9 a.m. Oct. 17.

Detour route for northbound I-75: Traffic will be directed off northbound I-75 at Exit 279. At the bottom of the ramp, turn left onto State Road 54/County Road 54/Wesley Chapel Boulevard and continue west about eight-tenths of a mile to Old Pasco Road. At the traffic signal for Old Pasco Road, turn right and go north for approximately 6.75 miles to State Road 52. Turn right at the traffic signal onto State Road 52 and go east about three-quarters of a mile. After passing under I-75, turn left onto the entrance ramp to re-enter northbound I-75.

Motorists should be aware that Old Pasco Road is a two-lane road — with one lane in each direction. It is expected to be very congested during the hours of the detour. The posted speed limit along Old Pasco Road must be observed.

Motorists are urged to plan plenty of extra time to drive the detour and return to the interstate, or to consider alternate routes.

Law enforcement officers and traffic management personnel will be active along the detour route to assist with traffic flow.

Detour signs and message boards will be placed along the detour route for guidance.

Detour maps and directions are posted on the project web page, tinyurl.com/usysjbx6.

Published October 13, 2021

Retired Land O’ Lakes pastor receives special diocesan honor

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Monsignor Ron Aubin, retired pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, has received the 2021 Father Luis de Cancer Distinguished Priestly Service Award.

The distinction was presented by Bishop Gregory Parkes during the annual convocation for priestly renewal, according to an item published by Gulf Coast Catholic.

Every year, since 1998, the Diocese of St. Petersburg, has honored one priest who best exemplifies selfless and dedicated service to the people of God.

Retired pastor Monsignor Ronald Aubin — or Father Ron, as he was known around Our Lady of the Rosary parish — recently received a special distinction from Bishop Gregory Parkes, of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. This photo shows Aubin celebrating mass to mark his 40th anniversary. Aubin said he was raised in an environment ‘where Christ was the center of our lives.’ (Courtesy of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church)

This year, Aubin’s service was singled out.

During his active ministry in the St. Petersburg diocese, Aubin served as Parochial Vicar of Corpus Christi Parish, Temple Terrace (from 1986 to 1987); St. Jude Cathedral Parish, St. Petersburg (1987 to 1990); and Light of Christ Parish, Clearwater (1990 to 1994).

He was appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, in Land O’ Lakes, on July 1, 1994, according to the Gulf Coast Catholic report.

He served at Our Lady of the Rosary for 27 years, until his retirement on July 1, according to a profile about the pastor published by The Laker/Lutz News shortly before Aubin retired.

In that story, the pastor talked about his time in the parish, which he led through two relocations, construction projects, rapid growth, the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.

During Aubin’s time there, Our Lady of the Rosary grew from about 830 families to more than 3,000. It reached its peak in membership before the Great Recession, when many families were forced to relocate to find work.

Beyond high-profile events, Aubin tended to the more intimate — and more regular rituals — of being a parish pastor.

The First Communions he distributed. The homilies he delivered. The marriages and funerals that he officiated.

There were the visits, too, to nursing homes, hospitals and to the jail — where Aubin offered words of comfort and spiritual guidance to others, in a time of need.

He also was involved in a variety of roles in the diocese.

Aubin told The Laker/Lutz News, shortly before his retirement, that his moments of greatest personal joy as a pastor came when three of his parishioners — Israel Hernandez, Kyle Smith and Bill Wilson — were ordained into the priesthood.

Apparently, based on the recent recognition bestowed by Bishop Parkes, Aubin’s work did not go unnoticed.

Published October 13, 2021

Dade City seeks public feedback on Seventh Street improvements

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The City of Dade City is accepting public comments and ideas for conceptual traffic and beautification improvement plans for Seventh Street.

The City of Dade City is seeking public feedback on traffic and beautification improvements along Seventh Street. Shown here is a rendering of alternatives for a section on Seventh Street from Church Avenue to Meridian Avenue. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

City officials seek to create a downtown area that’s attractive, walkable and bikeable, and will appeal to everyone visiting it.

To that end, the municipality has obtained the professional services of Johnson Engineering to develop a streetscape improvement conceptual plan along Seventh Street, from Pond Avenue to Florida Avenue. The type of improvements being considered along the corridor involve a complete street concept — including reconfiguring the sections for traffic calming, and to accommodate sidewalks, bike lanes, landscaping and lighting.

Johnson Engineering has prepared first-draft renderings of the possible configurations of each typical section of the corridor.

They have been broken down into four sections:

  • Florida Avenue to Church Avenue
  • Church Avenue to Meridian Avenue
  • Meridian Avenue to Martin Luther King Boulevard
  • Martin Luther King Boulevard to Pond Avenue

To provide feedback on the streetscape strategy and view renderings, visit DadeCityFl.com/news_detail_T1_R37.php.

For more information, call project manager Tina Mauriello at 352-523-5050, ext. 420.

Published October 13, 2021

A mighty load, for this little one

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(Courtesy of Fred Bellet)

Four-year-old Lincoln Hollingsworth, decked out in his skeleton costume, carried the scarecrow that he and his parents, Scott and Lindsey Hollingsworth, made at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village’s Scarecrow Festival. Lincoln’s 1-year-old sister, Nora, helped, too. For more photos from the festival, see full story below.

This festival scares up a good, old-fashioned time

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Hundreds of kids and adults used hay, old clothing and imagination to create scarecrows during The Florida Pioneer Village & Museum’s annual Scarecrow Festival.

Besides making their own seasonal Halloween decorations, event-goers could compete in costume contests, grab a bite to eat, watch blacksmith demonstrations, and do a bit of shopping, too.

Blaise Bubble Magic, of America’s Got Talent fame, put on a show, too.

The museum is located at 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, in Dade City.

Published October 13, 2021

One year-old Vivienne McAleenan notices as her mom, Ariana McAleenan, take her and her 4-year-old brother Declan’s photo. They’re sitting on a bale of hay that soon would become scarecrow stuffing. They were in Dade City, visiting their grandmother, Lisa Simon. (Fred Bellet)
Isabell Ayala, of Dade City, center, gets three bags of scarecrow wardrobe for her 13-year-old son, Ruben, left, and her 7-year-old daughter, Benito.
Pioneer Florida Museum & Village volunteer Alex Larkin, of Dade City, replenishes piles of hay for those making scarecrows.
Christofher Perez, of San Antonio, and Rosa Salgado, of Dade City, work together to create a scarecrow for Perez’s yard.
Thirteen-year-old Kenli Sparrow, of Ridge Manor, gets comfortable, using her scarecrow as a cushion, while waiting for her aunt, Paula Lasher, of Zephyrhills. Her twin brother, Kyle Sparrow, and Lasher’s great-granddaughter, 2-year-old Jacqueline Rene, were at the event, too.
After the children stuffed scarecrows with hay, they also could enjoy bubbles and suds filling the air at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village’s Scarecrow Festival.
Four-year-old Aaron Griffin, of Plant City, stuffs his scarecrow’s pants, one leg at a time. He and his grandfather, Randy Kreg, of Lithia, had fun at the festival.
With a serving of cotton candy that’s the size of a basketball, 11 year-old Lauren Kohl, of Riverview, prepares to enjoy it, one lick at a time. She came to the festival with her 9-year-old brother, Gavin. Their grandfather, George Wiggins, of Sun City Center, was treating them to a day of fun.
Six-year-old Myles Daley, of Zephyrhills, fervently gathers hay to stuff the pants of a scarecrow that’s being held by his dad, Alfred Daley. The pair was there with Myles’ older brother, 8-year-old Nolan, and the boys’ mom, Michele Daley. Myles named the scarecrow Gooseberg.
Scott Quick, owner of Cotton Kraze and maker of gourmet cotton candy, winds a cone with a huge globe of sweet stuff for a waiting customer.
Former Dade City resident, Nala Tookes, left, who now lives in Tampa, brought her 4-year-old daughter, Harmony Sylvester, “back home” to enjoy a Dade City seasonal celebration.
Four-year-old Aiden Trader patiently waits for a cup of lemonade, as his mom, Sabrienna Weldon, and friend Raymond Bouffier get beverages. They came to the festival from Inverness, to have some fun in the sun.
Dom Maug (in black T-shirt), of Dade City, stuffs the upper body of a scarecrow-to-be, as Billy Doty (grey T-shirt), of Zephyrhills, stuffs the head. The men planned to make scarecrows for their nieces and nephew.

 

Public service campaign targets human trafficking

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Law enforcement agencies and the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking have teamed up to launch a public awareness campaign to target human trafficking.

Three public service announcement videos highlight aspects of the problem.

One video focuses on traffickers; another, on sex buyers; and the third, on human trafficking victims.

The five law enforcement agencies in Pasco County — the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments in Zephyrhills, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Dade City — all joined in on the effort.

The videos feature Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco, Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer, New Port Richey Police Chief Kim Bogart, Port Richey Police Chief Cyrus Robinson and Dade City Police Chief James Walters.

The videos were set to be released on all participating agencies’ social media platforms on Oct. 7.

These PSAs highlight Pasco County law enforcement’s unified front in combating human trafficking,” Liana Dean, chair of the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking, said in a release.

“This crime will not be tolerated in Pasco, and if you’re trafficking or buying sex, law enforcement will track you down,” Dean said.

The PSAs also address human trafficking victims and survivors directly – assuring them that law enforcement cares about them and letting them know help and resources are available.

“The commission is honored to continue to work with our law enforcement partners on this project, and we are extremely grateful for its help and support,” Dean said.

To report human trafficking or to ask for help, call 911 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

Here are the links to the PSAs on YouTube.

Published October 13, 2021