The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco government’s Memorial Day closings

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The Pasco County government offices will be closed on May 31 in observance of Memorial Day and will reopen on June 1.

The county’s Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources’ offices, recreation complexes and community centers will be closed May 31, but parks and beaches will stay open to the public from dawn to dusk, according to a county news release.

Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) will be closed, and bus and paratransit services will not run on May 31.

Pasco County Libraries will be closed May 31.

The Pasco County Animal Services Administration Office, Adoption Center, Intake/Reclaim Shelter and Field Services will be closed May 31, and an animal control officer only will be available for emergencies.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III, and the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to the public on May 31, but will be open to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices also will be closed, May 29 through May 31. The offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on June 1, for normal business, according to a news release from Fasano’s office.

Published May 26, 2021

Infinite HD — Experienced Home Remodeling

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Experienced partners at Infinite HD, Jarred Howard (left), Rob Howard and David Rodriguez.

By Kelli Carmack

Rob Howard got his start in the flooring business 35 years ago as a teenager, when he was working at a grocery store and his manager asked if he could finish the store’s floors when a contractor failed to show.

Rob agreed to help, discovered that he enjoyed the work, and has been in the flooring business ever since.

Over the years, Rob has expanded his skills to include painting, tile work and other skills needed for home improvements, and today works in both remodeling/restorations and new construction.

In 2014, Rob added new partners — his son, Jarred Howard, and longtime colleague, David Rodriguez. The men named their new business Infinite Home Designs, which they abbreviated to Infinite HD.

Infinite HD has grown into a full-service home repair and installation company, with a focus on bathroom and kitchen remodeling, as well as flooring.

A recent trend that Rob has observed is that many people are calling about back porch installations.

“It makes sense. People who are off for the summer, or working from home, want a relaxing spot to unwind. Plus, with it being summertime with mosquitoes and gnats running around crazy, having a back porch makes your summer experience much more enjoyable,” said Rob.

Home repair shows, such as “Fixer Upper,” often inspire people to do their own home repairs, but David Rodriguez stresses the importance of hiring a licensed professional for most home repair needs.

“We have a saying in the business — ‘Cheap labor isn’t skilled, and skilled labor isn’t cheap,’” said David. “It truly matters who you hire.”

Infinite HD has seen its share of cases where people try to do their own home repairs, or hire unqualified people, and end up having Infinite HD finish the job.

“Those clients end up spending more money, time and stress by trying to do it on their own,” said David.

Infinite HD recently moved its office to Odessa to keep up with the company’s growth. The location is convenient to its customer base in Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Rob is excited to watch his company continue to grow and expand.

Infinite HD continues to operate as a family business, which Rob is reminded of every time he steps into the office, because his grandchildren helped install its floor. Having both his son, Jarred, and daughter, Janann, work for him is something Rob deeply treasures – a sentiment his son, Jarred, shares.

“It’s always nice to make those memories with my dad,” said Jarred.

For more information, or to book a free estimate with Infinite HD, call (813) 309-5211.

Published 6/24/20

Want to show off your favorite grad?

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We want to show off your favorite graduate, too.

Whether it’s a kindergarten graduation or if your loved one is celebrating a medical degree. We celebrate all graduates.

Please send us a photo, along with your graduate’s name, school, date of graduation and where it occurred. Also, please include your contact information, so we can reach out to you if we have questions (Don’t worry, your contact info won’t be published).

Please send your submissions by June 9 to .

We are planning a June 16 publication date.

Those fully vaccinated rarely need masks, CDC says

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President Joe Biden announced last week that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had issued new guidance on the wearing of masks, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden said those who have been fully vaccinated, in most cases won’t need to wear masks — whether indoors or out, in large crowds or small.

Specifically, the CDC’s updated guidance says:

  • Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
  • Fully vaccinated people can refrain from testing following a known exposure unless they are residents or employees of a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter.

CDC prevention measures continue to apply to all travelers, including those who are vaccinated. All travelers are required to wear a mask on all planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations, the CDC’s website says.

Those who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to continue wearing masks, to avoid becoming infected by COVID-19, or spreading it to others, CDC officials add.

While there has been a downturn in the daily number of people getting vaccinated, use of the Pfizer vaccine has been granted emergency authorization for those ages 12 to 15.

The CDC’s latest guidance comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order lifting restrictions imposed by local governments, with the exception of school districts.

The public schools districts in Pasco and Hillsborough counties both announced they would keep the mask mandate until the end of the school year.

Private businesses can decide whether to retain or drop their mask requirements, and so far, the response has been varied.

Also, while the pace of vaccinations for adults has declined, efforts continue to reach out to those who are hesitant about being vaccinated to answer their questions and address their concerns.

While fewer children have been infected by COVID-19, the CDC does recommend vaccination for everyone age 12 and older to help protect against COVID-19.

Published May 19, 2021

Local photographers win big at state fair

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Members of the Land O’ Lakes Photography Club claimed a half-dozen awards in the Florida State Fair’s annual contest.

This photo, by Lillian Cucuzza, won first place in the Color-Animals (Wildlife) category. She calls it ‘Sunrise Dip’ because the photo captures an American Avocet taking a drink in the early morning sunrise.

The prize-winning photographers shared their photos with The Laker/Lutz News.

Creative competitions have been part of the fabric of the fair since its beginning in 1904, according to the fair’s website.

“Competitors from every corner of the state have pushed the boundaries of innovation as they battled it out for the blue-ribbon prize in quilting, baking, painting, or other skills. That tradition continues today as our youth and adult artists & crafters, bakers, woodworkers, horticulturalists, needle artists, photographers, and more bring their best work to be judged at the fair,” the website adds.

This year’s fair was held April 22 through May 2 — delayed year because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published May 19, 2021

This image of a colorful array of umbrellas by Velma Herrig captured an honorable mention in the category of Color-Still Life & Things. It was taken in a Safety Harbor art shop that had decorated its ceiling with colorful umbrellas.
This photo, by Allen Craley, won first place in the Color-Scene (Land, Sea, Sky-scapes) category. It depicts a dramatic scene at an agricultural landscape off Route U.S. 301, in rural southern Maryland. The photo was taken last summer.
This photo, by Susan Hill, took home the first place award in the Color: Pets & Farm Animals category. It shows two canine brothers, Charlie, on the left, and Buster, demonstrating some good old-fashioned sibling rivalry as they spar over a toy.
Velma Herrig won an honorable mention in the Black&White-Scene (Architecture & City Scapes) for this photograph of Egg Rock Lighthouse. It was taken at Bar Harbor, Maine, during a boat tour around the bay and Acadia National Park.
George Capaz captured this image of the Amargosa Opera House Hotel, in Death Valley Junction, California. Capaz won third place in the Color-Scene (Land, Sea, Sky-scapes) category.

These gentle alpacas seem to enjoy posing for pictures

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Those traveling to the Sweet Blossom Alpacas open house in Dade City, had plenty of chances to be photographed with alpacas and take photos of the animals, too.

Just to prove that alpacas only have bottom teeth, Ms. Helen, left, a 15-year-old Huacaya, shows off her bottom occlusion, while standing with Cali, an 8-year-old Suri alpaca. (Fred Bellet)

There were also chances to feed and pet the alpacas, and go shopping for yarn, roving, hats, scarves, gloves, shawls, slippers and other items made from alpaca fiber.

People of all ages seemed to be having fun, while getting a look at quite a collection of alpacas and llamas at Sweet Blossom Alpacas, 37543 Pappy Road in Dade City.

Those gathered could also learn about the animals, could treat themselves to a wide assortment of sandwiches from a food truck, and simply enjoy an outing with the family.

Admission was free, but donations were welcome.

For more information about the farm, visit SweetBlossomAlpacas.com.

Published May 19, 2021

Brian Kauffman, of Sarasota, gets a snapshot of the artwork on display at the Sweet Blossom Alpacas farm.
Ten-year-old Mason Powell watches as Lyric Bellows, 11, reaches over the petting area fence to touch a male alpaca. They were at the open house with their mom, Charli Bellows, their brother Sawyer Bellows, 11, and their grandmother, Anne Weddel. They all live in Wesley Chapel.
One year-old Uvel Lane finds a safe spot on his aunt Desiree Peterson’s shoulder — preferring not to interact with the alpacas like the rest of the Wesley Chapel family.
Richelle Jones, 20, shows off her new T-shirt she bought in the gift area at Sweet Blossom Alpacas. She and her mom, Tonya Jones, drove up from Riverview to attend the open house. They also checked out the gloves, slippers, hats and other alpaca products.
Nine-year-old Sarah Witforth, right, of Spring Hill, chuckles as a llama nestles its head on her cousin, 6-year-old Lane Exum, also of Spring Hill. The animal had its sights on a bag of snacks slung over Exum’s shoulder. They were at the open house with their parents, Kim and Mike Witforth, and their grandmother, Linda Carter of Spring Hill.

 

Hillsborough citizens survey launches online

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Hillsborough County is asking residents to weigh in on what matters most to them.

The county’s 2021 Citizen Survey, launched May 14, asks citizens to share their opinions about quality of life issues.

The survey asks residents to share their opinions on a number of key issues, including: the local economy, public safety, life enrichment and recreation opportunities, self-sufficiency programs for individuals and families, and high-quality community assets, according to a county news release.

The survey is available in both English and Spanish and typically takes 15 minutes to 20 minutes to complete.

Every Hillsborough County resident, including those who live in the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City, are encouraged to take the anonymous online survey, the release says.

The survey will be used as a baseline for future surveys as well as to  gather information about the services residents think are most important in this community.

The county’s last Citizen Survey was conducted in 2019 and the results are available to view online.

For more information about the 2021 Citizen Survey and to complete it, visit HCFLGov.net/Survey.

Published May 19, 2021

Change would allow 11 more homes in subdivision

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a change that would allow 11 more single-family homes in the Orange State Grove, north of County Line Road, west of Livingston Road, in Lutz.

The request also received a recommendation of approval from county planners and no one spoke for or against the request at the Pasco County Planning Commission’s May 6 meeting.

The applicant is seeking a Small-Scale Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment to change the land use designation from three dwellings per acre to nine dwellings per acre, on approximately 2.32 developable acres.

The existing Orange State master-planned development permitted 206 residential units. However, with the additional 11 single-family residential units, a land use change is needed to support the additional density.

Planners say the amendment will allow five more units than the existing density would permit.

The request now goes to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning issues.

Published May 19, 2021

Avalon Applauds

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CONGRATULATIONS to Kyla Booker for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Booker is a senior at Cypress Creek High School (CCHS) and has made a tremendous impact during her time there.

For example, Booker was class president her freshman, sophomore and junior year.

“For me it was about building leadership skills and pushing myself out- side of my comfort zone,” says Booker. “I wanted to find a way to interact with my classmates and create relation- ships, while also serving my school and community.”

According to Booker, being class president for those three years allowed her to become a better listener and articulate broader viewpoints.

“I believe these skills are the foundation to great leadership,” says Booker.

Currently, Booker is a member of the National Honors Society and the Chick- fil-A Leadership Academy. She has always had a passion for serving the community, and wanted her extracurricular activities to reflect that passion.

“I come from a family of mentors and volunteers, so community service and volunteering are very important to me,” says Booker.

Through her involvement in the local leadership organization, Booker is able to give back to her community by providing necessities for area students who are in the foster care system.

Booker is also an Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar and is graduating in the top 10% of her class, which also happens to be the inaugural graduating class at CCHS.

“It is surreal that in less than a month, I will be graduating from the place where it all started. I feel like my class got to truly set the tone of the school. I loved being a part of this community and I am proud to be a Coyote,” says Booker.

One person in particular Booker would like to thank for the support throughout the years is her AP literature and language teacher, Cassie Adley.

“Mrs. Adley has pushed me to explore new opportunities, challenge myself and grow both academically and personally,” says Booker.

When Adley first met Booker during Booker’s freshman year of English, Adley knew right away Booker was a star student.

“Kyla is truly one of a kind. She is intelligent, personable and motivated. She is a student who does not give up,” says Adley, “I am so proud of the grace Kyla lives by and I know she will be successful in her future endeavors.”

After graduating from CCHS, Booker plans to attend Florida State University in the Fall. She will be majoring in bio-medical engineering.

Published May 12, 2021

Speed limit reduced on Mentmore Boulevard

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Following a speed study on Mentmore Boulevard, the speed limit is being lowered on the road — from Bexley Village Drive to State Road 54 — from 40 mph to 30 mph.

The Pasco County Commission approved the change on May 4.

The Florida Department of Transportation’s Speed Zoning Manual allows for the application of engineering judgment to establish the speed limit when needed, according to materials in the board’s agenda packet. As a result of the operational review of traffic conditions on Mentmore Boulevard, the judgment of the traffic operations and engineering services agreed that the speed limit be revised.

The reduced speed limit will take effect upon the posting of the speed signs, as required for law enforcement.

The cost to install the signs is estimated at $1,000.

Published May 12, 2021