The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Volunteers needed for oversight board

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The Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee (JEOC) is looking for new volunteers to participate in the committee that oversees the use of the Jobs and Economic Opportunities Trust Fund (JEOTF) portion of Penny for Pasco, according to a county news release.

The JEOC committee members are responsible for ensuring Penny for Pasco spending meets the requirements to promote projects creating new jobs and economic growth.

The committee consists of nine members, appointed by the Pasco County Commission, representing diverse knowledge and expertise from each of the following areas: finance/banking, agriculture, real estate, manufacturing and other private industries.

The committee meets at least once a quarter and presents annual updates to the Pasco County Commission. Selected members will serve a term of one year or two, depending on the industry.

The committee currently has openings for agriculture, real estate and industrial professionals, according to the news release.

Pasco County residents first passed the Penny for Pasco local government infrastructure surtax in 2004, to pay for county, city and Pasco County School Board improvements. The JEOTF portion, adopted in 2015, is estimated to generate more than $60 million in revenue to be used for target industry job creation and economic development projects designed to improve the local economy.

Anyone interested in serving on the JEOC is asked to submit a letter of interest and resume to Economic Growth Manager David Engel at .

Applications are being accepted through June 18.

Published June 16, 2021

WUSF named ‘Station of the Year’

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The Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists (FABJ) has named WUSF Public Media the “Station of the Year” in the radio division for 2020, citing exceptional work in broadcasting, digital news and podcasting by WUSF journalists, amid a year of pandemic upheaval and social unrest.

In all, WUSF won 17 awards – the most ever for the station – and the station’s first-ever “Radio Station of the Year” award for a wide range of news projects, public affairs shows and feature programming, according to a news release, sent on its behalf from the Tucker Hall agency.

The WUSF team collected six other first-place awards and 10 finalist recognitions in this year’s contest. The FABJ is a not-for-profit organization of professionals in commercial and public television, and radio stations, as well as those at college-level journalism operations, the release said.

The radio station won these awards on the heels of another recent award announcement: three Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. The honors were for digital projects and for coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 national election.

The regional Murrow award winners will vie for national awards, which will be announced later this year.

Published June 16, 2021

Celebrating their rites of passage

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Liliana Stephenson, Kids R Kids (Courtesy of Julianna Stephenson)

Their milestones sparked joy.

It didn’t matter whether they were wrapping up pre-kindergarten or picking up a master’s degree. They could have been moving up to middle school, or heading off to college.

Whatever they were celebrating, it was a moment of pride — and we thank their loved ones for submitting a photo to us, so we could share that part of their story with our readers.

Two of those pictured here — Roman Boukorras and Rylie Chisholm — are part of The Laker/Lutz News’ family. They are the nephew and niece of Katie Fernandez, an account manager for our newspaper.

Here, without further ado, we celebrate our “graduates.”

Check out all our readers’ submitted photos in the video on our website or at https://www.facebook.com/211702412202894/videos/495085661550698.

Nathan Reeves, Sunlake High School (Courtesy of Teresa Collins)
Evelyn Hernandez, Zephyrhills High School (Courtesy of Laura Barthle)
Roman Boukorras, Backyard Bears Day School
Rylie Chisholm, St. Joseph Catholic School

Homebound can get books delivered to them

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Pasco County Libraries has launched a new service called, “Front Door Books.”

The service is intended to help readers who can’t visit the library in person.

Those wanting to use the service can borrow up to three books at once.

At this point, the “Front Door Books” mail program is scheduled to run through Sept. 30, 2021, according to a county news release.

You can apply to take advantage of the service at bit.ly/bookbymail. A member of the county’s library team will set you up with a virtual library card that you can use by phone or online at: pascolibraries.org.  Books are shipped via UPS.

To return, ask UPS to pick-up the books or drop them off at any Pasco County Library or UPS drop-off location.

“Front Door Books” is a pilot program funded by a CARES Act grant administered by the Florida Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).  The program is funded through Sept. 30.

For more information about Pasco County Libraries, including the library catalog, e-content, programs, events and links to all Pasco County Library branches, visit:  pascolibraries.org.

Published June 16, 2021

Demand Rises For Home Health Services

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It’s been two years since Gulfside Hospice added home health to its medical services and updated its name to Gulfside Healthcare Services. And what an amazing two years it has been.

The need in Pasco and Pinellas counties for home health has been explosive, especially this past year during COVID, when so many people have been restricted to their homes.

“Because of COVID, some of the requirements for home health services have been relaxed, and more people than ever have qualified for help,” said Michael Griffiths, manager of business development for Gulfside Home Health.

Griffiths explains that his team’s number one goal is provide patients with in-home skilled nursing and therapies to help them recover as quickly and safely as possible, while keeping them out of the hospital.

“There are many advantages of taking care of someone in their home,” said Griffiths. “Patients are more comfortable at home, family is there for support, and no transportation is needed because our health care providers come to them.”

Griffiths adds that home care especially helps with patients who easily get confused in unfamiliar places, which is common toward the end of day when people with memory problems suffer from sun-downing effects.

“We plan our visits around a client’s schedule. Families choose a time that is best for them,” said Griffiths, who added that most appointments are between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Gulfside’s nursing staff provides wound care, injections, IV infusions, pain management and medication oversight. Other licensed professionals offer physical, occupational and speech therapies. At Gulfside Home Health, therapists are employees and not contract workers, which means patients typically see the same nurses and therapists throughout their care.

“It’s this continuity of care that sets us apart,” said Griffiths.

Most patients receive home health services for three to eight weeks, and typically are referred by physicians and assisted living facilities. Referrals also are accepted directly from patients and their families by completing a quick form on Gulfside’s website.

“If you complete our online questionnaire, which takes just a few minutes, we get back to you within 24 hours,” Griffiths says. “Our staff is cross-trained to assess whether the need is home health, palliative care or hospice, which means only one appointment is needed to get things started.”

Gulfside Home Health began accepting patients in the spring of 2019, and its caseload expanded quickly because of the outstanding reputation of Gulfside Hospice. It has doubled the number of home health patients in the past year, and anticipates seeing its census grow to 200 patients by the end of the year.

“Gulfside is the gold standard provider of choice for hospice care in Pasco County, and this high standard absolutely extends to its Home Health division,” said Griffiths.

Gulfside has outstanding results for its clients, much better than the national average. Most impressive is it 30-Day Re-Hospitalization Rate of 0%, compared to almost 13% nationally. An Info Box included with this story give more impressive comparisons.

Most costs are covered by Medicare or private insurance. Major insurance companies that Gulfside accepts, in addition to Medicare, are United, Humana and WellCare insurance programs. If cost or coverage is a concern, the Gulfside team also is available to work with patients on coverage options to ensure everyone who needs care, gets it.

When To Call Home Health
– Recent discharge from hospital or rehab center
– Multiple diagnoses, such as diabetes, cardiac and pulmonary
– Changes in medication that require management/education
– Patients who frequently call their doctors
Go to Gulfside.org/submit-a-referral.

Gulfside Home Health Compared to Nat Avg

30-Day Re-Hospitalization Rate

  • Gulfside: 0%
  • National Average: 12.9%

60-Day Re-Hospitalization Rate

  • Gulfside: 13%
  • National Average: 18%

Wound Healing Rate

  • Gulfside: 99.4%
  • National Average: 93%

Average Number of Weekly Visits the Patient Receives

  • Gulfside: 3
  • National Average: 1.5

Average Length of Time on Service

  • Gulfside: 37 days
  • National Average: 54 days

Published June 16, 2021

Hillsborough offers text 911 option

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Hillsborough County Fire Rescue has added a Text to 911 option to its emergency dispatch services, according to a Hillsborough County news release.

The feature allows residents to access 911 services when they cannot communicate by a telephone call.

Text to 911 could help residents who:

  • Can’t talk because they fear for their physical safety
  • Are deaf or hard of hearing
  • Are experiencing an emergency where they do not have adequate mobile phone service for a phone call to connect, but a text may still go through.

Text to 911 is as easy as texting friends and family, the release said.

The text message will be handled by a dispatcher who will have an open text dialog with the resident until the situation is resolved.

Calling 911 is still the preferred method, but the new Text to 911 option could be a lifesaver for residents who are unable to communicate over the phone with the emergency dispatch center.

Put simply, Hillsborough County’s emergency dispatch ask people to call in emergencies if they can and use a text, if they can’t call.

Published June 16, 2021

Front and center

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Eva Weiss, 16, played the part of ‘Maria’ during the play, “Lend Me a Tenor.” Connor Mirrop, 18, of Dade City reacts to Matia’s dialogue. (Fred Bellet)

Sixteen-year-old Eva Weiss assumed the role of Maria during the play, ‘Lend Me a Tenor.’ Actor Connor Mirrop, in the role of Max, reacts to Maria’s comments. Arts in Motion Pasco offered backyard performances due to COVID restrictions. See full story.

Work gets started on new home for military family

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Operation Homefront and Meritage Homes celebrated Military Appreciation Month last month, with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new home being built for a deserving military family.

During the ceremony, four military veterans on Meritage Homes’ staff, participated in the festivities.

Taking part in the ceremonial groundbreaking, from left are Stephanie Harris, veteran of the U.S. Air Force and administrative services manager for Meritage Homes; Steve Harding, Florida regional president for Meritage Homes; Gintas Urbonavicius, veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, and vice president of construction for Meritage Homes; Beth McGregor, program coordinator, for Operation Homefront; and Maggie Milana, U.S. Navy veteran and sales consultant for Meritage Homes. (Courtesy of Havas Formula)

The new, mortgage-free and energy-efficient home that will be presented to a deserving family on Veterans Day.

Meritage Homes hosted the event, which included remarks by Steve Harding, regional president for Meritage’s Florida division, according to a news release.

The event took place in Bristol Meadows, on Asher Moon Lane, in Zephyrhills.

Meritage Homes, the sixth-largest U.S. homebuilder, has again renewed its partnership with Operation Homefront, to place a deserving military family into a brand new, mortgage-free and energy-efficient Meritage home.

This is the eighth year Meritage Homes has built and donated a new home to Operation Homefront through the Permanent Homes for Veterans program.

Operation Homefront will select the recipient for the new home and keys will be awarded the week of Veterans Day 2021.

The Permanent Homes for Veterans program, formerly known as Homes on the Homefront, has placed more than 700 military families in mortgage-free homes and deeded over $90 million in home equity since 2012.

For more information about Meritage Homes, visit MeritageHomes.com.

For more information about Operation Homefront, visit OperationHomefront.org.

Published June 09, 2021

Housing development supports ‘independent’ living

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SVdP CARES, which stands for St. Vincent de Paul Cares, recently celebrated the completion of the third phase of its permanent supportive housing project, Ozanam Village III, according to a news release.

Festivities to celebrate the completion of the third phase of Ozanam Village drew a big crowd. (Courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Cares)

The completion of this phase brings the total number of units at the residential development to 99.

“These units will permanently house those that need a little extra care, including those with physical and mental disabilities, victims of domestic abuse, individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, or those who have aged out of foster care,” says the release, from Mary Burns, communications and donor relations manager for St. Vincent de Paul Cares.

Officials cut a ribbon to celebrate the project’s completion. (Courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Cares)

The event, at 7770 Ozanam Way, in New Port Richey, was attended by dignitaries, including New Port Richey Mayor Rob Marlowe; Pasco County Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick; representatives from Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ offices; residents and community partners.

Project partners include the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, NDC Asset Management, Bradley Construction and Ability Housing.

The Most Rev. Bishop Gregory Parkes, who presides over the Diocese of St. Petersburg, provided a blessing during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

St. Vincent de Paul CARES is a nonprofit organization committed to end homelessness.

It uses this tag line to describe its mission: “Making Homelessness Rare. Brief. One-Time.”

Published June 09, 2021

Meet Jaime Bryant, your local GEICO insurance agent

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Special to The Laker / Lutz News

GEICO, the well-known national insurance company that opened its doors to America in 1936, has opened

its first location right here in Wesley Chapel, with local insurance agent Jaime Bryant at its helm.

Bryant has over 17 years’ experience with GEICO. He joined the company right out of college in 2004 at its Lakeland office, where he worked in a management development program.

“And I just worked my way up from there,” says Bryant, who eventually was promoted to the coveted position of sales director for Florida, which he held for several years.

However, when the opportunity for Bryant to start his own office in Wesley Chapel presented itself last year, Bryant jumped on the opportunity.

“The fact that I was already living here in Wesley Chapel and this opportunity came — it was very intriguing,” says Bryant, “I really wanted this area because of the growth, especially in the housing market.”

The Wesley Chapel office, located in the Northwoods Shopping Center on Bruce B Downs, officially opened right after Christmas in 2020, and had its ribbon cutting ceremony on Feb. 12.

Traditionally, most GEICO members tend to do their business online — either through the company’s website, mobile app or traditional 1-800 customer service number.

But for the members who prefer to do business in person, Bryant and his team invite you to stop by their

office. “Some people want that human interaction and GEICO realizes that.”

The expansion of offices in the last couple years is to make sure we cater to all audiences,” says Bryant.

“We truly get to know you and ask questions to figure out your financial situation, type of protection you need, etc., and then we customize a package that works best for you.”

When you step inside Bryant’s office, you will see an aquarium with two real life geckos, a fun nod to the company’s famous mascot.

GEICO offers a wide range of insurance policies, with its most popular being automobile. However, there’s lots of other insurances the company offers including motorcycle, RV, boat and renter’s insurance.

“We can also bundle your auto coverage with renter’s insurance through the GEICO Insurance Agency, so don’t forget to ask us about getting a bundling discount,” says Bryant.

According to Bryant, the two main things that set GEICO apart are their customer service and competitive

rates. “With GEICO, you’re getting a really affordable policy with great customer service,” says Bryant.

Bryant is a graduate of the University of South Florida, where he earned his degree in Business Economics and his master’s in Business Administration. He is a proud active member of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, and is looking forward to getting more involved in the local community.

For information, call 813-953-4200 or stop by 1227 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel, FL 33544.

Published 05-26-21