The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Health & Wellness (12/10/25): Hospital opens renovated Cath Lab

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Community leaders joined hospital executives for a ribbon-cutting celebrating the upgraded facility, which enhances diagnosis and treatment of complex cardiac conditions. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth

Hospital opens renovated Cath Lab

DAVENPORT – AdventHealth Heart of Florida in Davenport has opened its newly renovated cardiac catheterization lab, adding advanced imaging technology to expand lifesaving heart care close to home. 

The renovated Cath Lab plays a critical role in interventional radiology and cardiac catheterization procedures, which provide insights into heart function, including the condition of heart muscles, valves and blood vessels. These procedures are essential for diagnosing heart disease and can also be used to open blocked arteries or valves, restoring healthy blood flow.

“With this completed renovation, AdventHealth Heart of Florida has now invested more than $5 million in the last year into our community to provide the best heart care we possibly can,” AdventHealth Polk Market President and CEO Tim Clark said.

 

Bilirakis seeks to provide certainty for Medicare patients

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and others have introduced the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act to protect seniors’ access to care by ensuring Medicare keeps pace with rising health care costs. 

The bill helps prevent doctor shortages in Medicare by making sure payments better reflect the real cost of delivering care, especially in rural, underserved and low-income communities.  

“I’m deeply concerned that our outdated physician payment system is contributing to reduced access and delays for seniors seeking the care they deserve,” Bilirakis said. “This important legislation will help create greater stability for older Americans by strengthening access to services and supporting improved health outcomes.”

 

Castor seeks to improve access to lung cancer screening

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) and others reintroduced the bipartisan Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act on Nov. 20.

The bill will help lower health care costs for families while expanding access to lifesaving cancer screenings and reducing barriers to preventive care in communities that have been overlooked.

“By making lung cancer screenings easier to access and eliminating surprise bills and insurance red tape, this bipartisan bill will help neighbors catch cancer earlier, stay healthier and live longer,” Castor said. “Together, with my bipartisan colleagues and with the help of premier cancer research institutions like Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, we can save tens of thousands of lives every year by expanding access to lung cancer screenings.”

 

VA connects homeless veterans to housing

BAY PINES – The Department of Veterans Affairs permanently housed 51,936 homeless veterans nationwide in fiscal year 2025, an increase of 4,011 over last year and the highest total since VA began tracking individual veterans housed. 

The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System accounted for 953 of those placements. The system serves veterans in 10 counties, including Hillsborough and Pinellas. 

In May 2025, VA launched the Getting Veterans Off the Street initiative, which moved 25,065 unsheltered veterans into interim or permanent housing through coordinated outreach at every VA health system. 

 

Get answers on Medicare

  1. PETERSBURG – SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas. 

Specially trained volunteers can assist with Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information.

They’ll answer questions at the following Medicare Basics programs: 

  • Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hugh Embry Library, 14215 4th St., Dade City. 352-567-3576
  • Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel. 813-788-6375
  • Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes. 813-929-1214

SHINE services are free, unbiased and confidential. Counselors do not sell anything. They can be reached by calling 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.

 

Better Together appoints leader for Tampa Bay region

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Joy Harris

TAMPA – Better Together has hired Joy Harris as executive director of its Tampa Bay region.

At Better Together, Harris will work alongside CEO Megan Rose to oversee, support and grow Better Together’s presence in the greater Tampa Bay area. 

She leads the development of Better Together programs locally and spearheads their growth by cultivating and building new relationships with donors, community partners, volunteers and churches.

The Virginia native is also a licensed clinical social worker who has devoted her career to seeing, serving and supporting those who are often overlooked and dismissed. She is grateful that her professional and volunteer roles have allowed her to walk alongside individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joy into this leadership role and watch her flourish as she serves families in the Tampa Bay community,” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. “We know her commitment to empowering others and strengthening communities will be invaluable in this role. We are confident that her leadership will help strengthen families and bring lasting change, and we can’t wait to see all she accomplishes with Better Together.”

Better Together helps parents who are going through a hard time to keep their kids out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so they can reunite as a family with the tools and support system to thrive. 

With the help of donors and hundreds of volunteers and church communities, Better Together builds lasting support systems that help families cope with hardships, such as job loss, substance abuse, homelessness and incarceration. It ensures that children are cared for in a safe home until the family can be reunited.

On the web: BetterTogetherus.org

 

Looking for work?

Better Together continues to expand its programs across the state and is hiring additional team members to join its efforts to help more families stay together and thrive. Visit BetterTogetherUS.org/Career-Opportunities for the latest career opportunities.

 

Pet therapy dog boosts morale at hospital 

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Handler Gabrielle Fink with Lily. Photo courtesy of BayCare Health System
Diane Sabel with Lily at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. Photo courtesy of BayCare Health System

LUTZ – It’s not uncommon for a patient staying in a hospital for a long time to make a special connection with a team member providing their care.

For Diane Sabel, 66, of Tampa, who was in Lutz’s St. Joseph’s Hospital-North for 10 days, her connection to a team member included one of the four-legged variety – a dog named Lily.

Lily is a 2-year-old female golden retriever and new to St. Joseph’s Hospital-North as in-house facility pet therapy dog. She works five days a week, eight hours a day, bringing love, companionship and joy to patients, visitors and staff. She is part of the hospital’s pet therapy team that includes eight other dogs, but those eight usually visit the hospital once a week for two hours.

“I was walking around the unit to regain my strength when I saw Lily and the dogs and they just made me smile and forget that I am sick,” Sabel said.

Sabel is a retired physician’s assistant with 36 years of health care experience who has seen professionally the benefit of pet therapy for patients. She had numerous visits with Lily during her hospital stay.

“It’s like Lily is my own dog,” she said. “Lily gave me a hug and even got in bed with me to give love.”

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North got the idea for a full-time facility dog from BayCare’s St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa where Revere, a male Labrador-golden retriever mix, has been a facility dog working with pediatric patients since 2023.

“We saw how positive our pet therapy program was for patients and team members and wondered what it would look like to have that higher level of interaction with a facility dog here five days a week for eight hours a day,” said Mary Partridge, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North’s operations director.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North worked with Michigan-based Paws With A Cause that places facility dogs in hospitals, schools, senior living and memory care facilities and other community settings. Paws With A Cause matched Lily with St. Joseph’s Hospital-North and began training for certification. Lily’s training to become a certified facility dog took about a year and was primarily in Michigan.

She moved to Florida in June to finish training at the hospital. Training and certification for Lily’s four St. Joseph’s Hospital-North handlers also began after Lily came to Florida. Lily’s training and certification were completed at the end of October. She’s been on the job full-time since then.

Lily’s four handlers are Gabrielle Fink, occupational therapist; Crystal Herring, care coordination manager; Kerry Hipple, nurse manager; and Hailey MacNealy, behavioral health therapist. Lily’s home outside the hospital is with  Herring’s family.

Visits from Lily happen throughout the hospital, including the emergency department, the infusion center and the hospital’s innovative behavioral health unit where she regularly attends group therapy sessions.

“I see a lot of patients who have a lot of anxiety, depression and pain,” said handler Fink, the occupational therapist. “Just having Lily present in the therapy sessions has made a world of difference in how patients’ outcomes are. It’s been nothing but a blessing.”

MacNealy has seen the impact Lily has had on St. Joseph’s Hospital-North staff. 

“Team members come to me all the time and tell me how much love and satisfaction they get from seeing Lily during a hard day at work,” she said. “The impact she has made on team members cannot be stated enough.”

“A lot of work has been done to see this project through,” said Partridge, the St. Joseph’s Hospital-North operations director. “To see the impact Lily has made on so many people is really special.”

From left with Lily, Gabrielle Fink, Hailey MacNealy, Crystal Herring, Kerry Hipple and Mary Partridge. Photo courtesy of BayCare Health System

Experts discuss Tampa Bay waterways

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The discussion was part of a series of panels hosted by Ocean Conservancy, a nonprofit that delivers evidence-based solutions for our waters. Photo courtesy of Ocean Conservancy

ST. PETERSBURG – Rising pollution, stormwater runoff and aging septic systems are putting Tampa Bay’s waterways under increasing pressure. 

Local experts and residents gathered Nov. 19 at Green Bench Brewing Company for Our Water, Our Future: A Vision for Florida’s Coastlines, a panel discussion hosted by Ocean Conservancy and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper to explore the region’s environmental challenges and potential solutions.

The conversation comes amid a recent investigation highlighting how weakened oversight and environmental enforcement are contributing to declining water quality, seagrass loss and algal blooms across Florida. 

Panelists explored how these broader trends are reflected locally and discussed what residents and policymakers can do to help protect Tampa Bay.

“Florida’s waterways are under increasing pressure from pollution and storm impacts,” said Jon Paul “J.P.” Brooker, Ocean Conservancy’s director of Florida conservation. “Events like this panel give residents and experts a chance to come together, understand the science behind these issues, and discuss practical ways to improve the health of our waters.”

“Residents can have a real impact through everyday actions, like reducing runoff or supporting local restoration,” added Justin Tramble, executive director of Tampa Bay Waterkeeper. “When people take responsibility for their waterways, it encourages broader change and helps Tampa Bay recover and thrive.”

Other panelists included:

  • Maya Burke, assistant director, Tampa Bay Estuary Program
  • Capt. Dustin Pack, captain, FlyTide Charters
  • Jack Prator, reporter, Tampa Bay Times
  • Katie Bauman, Florida policy manager, Surfrider Foundation

Attendees joined a Q&A session with panelists, discussing ways to address pollution and protect Tampa Bay’s waters. The conversation emphasized how research and local initiatives can guide decision-making and support the long-term health of the region. 

 

Leader kicks off tenure by serving community

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Jim Burkee and his wife, Hanen, volunteer and spend time with students at Sacred Heart Early Childhood Center in Dade City. Ray Reyes/Saint Leo University

 

ST. LEO – Close to 1,000 students, faculty and staff came together Nov. 19 to welcome Jim Burkee as Saint Leo University’s 12th president. The welcome coincided with a Day of Service, which mobilized volunteers across campus, throughout the Tampa Bay region and into communities nationwide.

“We are a university of service. But service is just the beginning. Service is the foundation on which we stand, not the ceiling to which we aspire,” Burkee said. “Today, at this moment in history, Saint Leo stands on the threshold of something remarkable.”

 

Saint Leo students, faculty and staff gather at the Wellness Center Gym to kick off the Day of Service. Ray Reyes/Saint Leo University

Service across the region

Local volunteers took part in hands-on projects at 30 locations across the Tampa Bay region and on Saint Leo University’s residential campus, while online students and those at the university’s five education centers served in their own communities. Projects ranged from environmental stewardship and campus beautification to supporting nonprofits, schools and care centers.

Burkee joined in throughout the day, beginning with gardening and light grounds work alongside the Benedictine Sisters of Florida at Holy Name Monastery. He later assisted with playground cleanup at the Sacred Heart Early Childhood Center and visited residents at Elevated Estates at The Edwinola in Dade City. On campus, he spent time supporting volunteer efforts at Saint Leo Abbey and other locations.

For Lucinda O’Quinn, director of the Sacred Heart Early Childhood Center, Saint Leo’s help was deeply appreciated. 

“The staff and I feel truly blessed by the work that the volunteer team accomplished,” she said.

 

Jim Burkee visits with veterans at Elevated Estates at The Edwinola in Dade City. Ray Reyes/Saint Leo University

A community celebration

The Day of Service concluded with a community reception at Saint Leo University’s Wellness Center Gym. Hundreds gathered to welcome Burkee, hear his vision for the university’s future and recognize the collective impact of the day’s work.

Bryan DePoy, Saint Leo’s interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, opened the program by expressing his confidence in the leadership Burkee brings to the university.

“Beginning his presidency with service rather than ceremony sets a tone that aligns with who Jim is and who we strive to be as a university,” DePoy said.

The Benedictine Sisters of Florida at Holy Name Monastery and the Monks of Saint Leo Abbey then offered a Blessing and Laying on of Hands, a Benedictine tradition symbolizing unity in faith and community.

Burkee followed with his presidential address, sharing his vision for Saint Leo’s next chapter.

“Imagine Saint Leo known not for wealth or prestige, but for sending a wave of servant-leaders into a world desperate for them, as we did today,” Burkee said. “This is our calling. This is our responsibility. This is our destiny. And that is why this Day of Service is more than symbolic. It is a declaration.”

 

Jim Burkee delivers his presidential address. Ray Reyes/Saint Leo University

Dude Perfect running it back with Squad Games Tour

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TAMPA – After a record-breaking 2025 tour, Dude Perfect is taking live entertainment to the next level with an all-new 360-degree arena layout during its Squad Games Tour.

Dude Perfect will stop at Tampa’s Benchmark International Arena at 6 p.m. Aug. 1 for an action-packed night of competition and trick shots, complete with new, larger-than-life challenges.

The arena floor will transform into a battle zone surrounded by fans on all sides, creating an immersive live experience.  

The new format captures the energy of a live sporting event as the Dudes face off against some of their favorite athletes and creators in high-energy games and over-the-top challenges.

The interactive Fan Zone also returns on a larger scale, featuring more iconic and new trick shot challenges to give fans a chance to step in as the “sixth dude” before the show.

“Getting to bring Dude Perfect straight to the fans is one of the best parts of what we do,” co-founder Tyler Toney said. “After seeing the energy and turnout from last year’s tour, we knew we had to go bigger. Squad Games is next-level Dude Perfect, giving fans an even better view of the competition and creativity that first brought them into our world. We can’t wait to go wild with the DP Fam and hope it inspires them to take that energy home and keep playing together.”

Dude Perfect’s 2025 tour drew more than 200,000 fans, raising its stock as one of the largest sports entertainment brands in the world. 

“This next iteration of the Dude Perfect live experience is completely reimagined, bringing fans closer to the action with a better viewing experience that will be more engaging and interactive all the way around,” said Brian Reese, senior vice president of produced content and the tour’s producer. “We’re so excited to bring the Squad Games concept across the country, and to continue creating lasting memories for families as only Dude Perfect can!”

 

Want to go?

Tickets for this event went on sale Nov. 19 at Ticketmaster.com. Advanced parking passes are available at ParkWhiz.com. Visit benchmarkintlarena.com or call 813-301-2500 for more information.

Growing hospital opens new tower

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​​AdventHealth Wesley Chapel leaders cut the ribbon on the newly completed sixth floor of the hospital’s North Tower, adding 24 patient beds to help meet the needs of Pasco County’s rapidly growing community. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth

WESLEY CHAPEL – About 200 people gathered Nov. 20 to mark another major milestone in AdventHealth Wesley Chapel’s multi-year expansion project. 

Hospital leaders, government officials and community members participated in a ribbon cutting for the fully completed sixth floor of the new North Tower.

Pasco County commissioners Seth Weightman, Ron Oakley, Jack Mariano and others were able to tour the fully built sixth floor with 24 patient beds. 

The remaining two floors are reserved for future growth and will eventually add an additional 48 beds.

Over the past year, the hospital has added more than 80,000 square feet of new space and renovated nearly 9,000 square feet. The expanded Graduate Medical Education program space opened in August for its Family Medicine Residency, and in October the courtyard infill project added an MRI, two CT machines and a new procedure room.  

“It’s truly a privilege to celebrate another exciting milestone in the life of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel which has grown right alongside our incredible community,” said Ryan Quattlebaum, president and CEO of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. “Since opening our doors in 2012, our mission has been the same: to extend the healing ministry of Christ through compassionate, whole-person care. This hospital was designed from the ground up to maximize healing, patient care and wellness.”

The new tower was scheduled to open to the community on Dec. 1.

Project partners include the AdventHealth Office of Design & Construction, HuntonBrady Architects, Smith Seckman Reid, Atwell and Batson-Cook.

Chalk Talk (12/05/25): Demand high for nursing degrees

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Christine Jackson, a nursing alumna at Pasco-Hernando State College found nursing to be a rewarding career. She said of her time at PHSC: “The seasoned and educated nursing instructors provide a wealth of resources to students.” Photo courtesy of PHSC

Demand high for nursing degrees

NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco-Hernando State College reports strong outcomes for its Nursing and Health Programs in 2024-25, highlighted by exceptional licensure performance and continued enrollment growth. 

The associate degree in nursing for registered nurses (ADN-RN) program achieved a 97.27% first-time NCLEX pass rate, above the national average of 90.63%, while the practical nursing program recorded a 100% pass rate. 

Enrollment totaled 409 students across PHSC’s core nursing programs, with ADN-RN tracks making up the largest share with 75.8%. Graduation numbers were strong at 195 students. 

The new academic year opens with 327 enrolled nursing students.

“At a time when the demand for skilled nurses and health care professionals has never been greater, PHSC is proud to prepare graduates for the field who are not only highly competent but deeply committed to patient care,” President Eric Hall said. 

 

Heritage Arts Center Association receives gift

DADE CITY – The Heritage Arts Center Association has received a $4,000 gift from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to fund four $1,000 scholarships to Pasco County seniors. 

Two awards will support top performers in the Spotlight on Talent competition. Two Nereim Fine Arts Awards will recognize visual arts students. 

The Heritage Arts Center Association was struggling each year to raise money for its goal of giving two $1,000 scholarships for the arts, so the association was thrilled to receive four scholarships.

Suncoast Credit Union founded its foundation to promote the education, health and emotional well-being of children. Each time a Suncoast member uses their debit or credit card, the credit union donates four cents to the foundation to fund local initiatives. The foundation has raised and donated over $55 million since 1990.

“We are pleased to be able to offer these funds to allow talented students to continue their educations and sharpen their skills,” said Jeff Kunberger, executive director of Suncoast Credit Union. “Our mission to serve children enables this gift and doing so through arts education infuses the communities we serve in important and transformative ways.”

 

Sen. Burgess wants to highlight Washington, Lincoln

ZEPHYRHILLS – Florida Senator Danny Burgess (District 23) filed Senate Bill 420, which directs portraits of American Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to be displayed in select classrooms.

Portraits would go in all classrooms in kindergarten through fifth grade and social studies classrooms in sixth through 12th grades.

“For years, Florida’s classrooms proudly displayed portraits of George Washington, our first president, and Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president,” Burgess wrote in The Burgess Bulletin newsletter. “These portraits weren’t just on display to echo civic lessons to our students; they served as a symbol of the foundation of America and our democracy. However, over time and as classroom designs and curricula evolved, these historic figures were slowly removed from classrooms.”

 

Tampa Theatre hosting 23rd annual WineFest fundraiser

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TAMPA – For more than two decades, Tampa Theatre’s WineFest has commemorated some of the most important moments in cinematic history with themes like The Vineyard of Oz, Caskablanca and The Grapest Showman. 

This year, the theater’s signature fundraiser goes down the rabbit hole with Alice and her friends in Winederland, presented by SouthEast Personnel Leasing, on March 6 and 7.

On March 6, it’s “off with their corks” for a two-tiered Wine Tasting, presented by Amalie Oil Co. Guests are invited to explore the historic 1926 landmark while sampling boutique wines from around the world and enjoying bites from Tampa’s top independent restaurants. There is also an opportunity to bid on premium silent auction items representing Bay-area retailers, restaurants, services and attractions.

The premium tasting starts at 7 p.m. with exclusive wines for a limited audience. Tickets cost $130 ($120 for Tampa Theatre members). Grand tasting ticket holders gain entry at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $80 ($70 for members).

On March 7, the Theatre’s Historic Duncan Auditorium transforms into a Tweedledee-mented dining hall for the Wine Pairing, presented by Quality Carriers Inc., from 6 to 10 p.m. The multi-course menu, created through a collaboration between Mise en Place and Metropolitan Ministries’ Culinary and Hospitality teams, will feature small plates paired with wines. The live auction includes trips, exclusive experiences and a wine pull. Tickets cost $500.

WineFest has raised more than $2 million over the past 22 years for the nonprofit theater.

“I wish we could just nibble a cake labeled ‘eat me’ and magically grow Tampa Theatre’s resources,” said Anna Molina, event chair and WineFest Queen of Hearts. “Instead, we are running around like the White Rabbit encouraging our patrons to support Tampa Theatre’s artistic, educational and community programming, plus the preservation of this landmark building ahead of its 100th birthday in 2026. It’s never too late, but WineFest is a very important date to make a difference.”

WineFest guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite character or come in a Wonderland-inspired costume. Attendance is restricted to those age 21 and older.

Get tickets at the Franklin Street Box Office and at tampatheatre.org/winefest.

Business Digiest (12/03/25): BofA donating to art nonprofits

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Selena Sanchez, of Pembroke Pines, signs copies of the 2026 Hooters Calendar. Sanchez graces the cover of the calendar. Photo courtesy of Hooters

Models promote Hooters Calendar 

CLEARWATER – Hooters fans can meet several 2026 Hooters Calendar Girls during a three-day signing tour Dec. 4 to 6 at Odessa, Brandon, Hillsborough, Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Clearwater locations. 

Calendar cover model Selena Sanchez, centerfold Ashton Johannesson, Miss June Gracie Chamberlain, Miss December Mikayla Flanagan and 19 additional local models will appear. 

The 2026 calendar, available for $15.99 at Tampa Bay Hooters restaurants, includes over $100 in coupons and can be sent to troops through Operation Calendar Drop. 

Calendar models will volunteer Dec. 5 at Metropolitan Ministries. 

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Hooters Calendar, which features 200 employees selected from thousands nationwide.

 

BofA donating to art nonprofits

TAMPA – Bank of America announced Nov. 19 a half-million-dollar investment in two of Tampa Bay’s leading arts institutions, Tampa Museum of Art and Tampa Theatre. 

Each organization will receive a $250,000 grant, bringing the Tampa Museum of Art’s expansion funding closer to completion and kicking off Tampa Theatre’s capital campaign for its restoration, expanded education programming and technology upgrades.

Tampa Museum of Art’s 51,000-square-foot building expansion will add a crystalline four-story cantilevered structure that expands the museum to the waterfront. The expansion will feature a 150-seat auditorium, multifunctional event spaces, a rooftop terrace, food services and dining space and new public art installations. Tampa Theatre’s $28 million capital initiative celebrates the venue’s centennial in 2026 with a full restoration and the repurposing of 3,600 square feet of space to create an education wing. 

 

Luncheon explores economic outlook

LUTZ – The Pasco Economic Development Council invites the community to the 25th annual Economic Forecast Luncheon on Jan. 14 at Hyatt Place Tampa Wesley Chapel. 

The event will feature insights from Phil Guarco, of J.P. Morgan, and Abigail Hall, of University of Tampa, Presentations will cover “navigating interesting times” and “the political economy of trade and the costs of protectionism.” 

The luncheon and presentations span from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with check-in beginning at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $40 with lunch included. RSVP by Jan. 7.

 

Bill proposes to fund Brand USA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps Kathy Castor and Gus Bilirakis introduced legislation to fully fund Brand USA, the nation’s public-private destination marketing organization.

The bill, titled the VISIT USA Act, would reinstate support by fully allocating Visa Waiver Program Electronic System for Travel Authorization fees, ensuring that Brand USA can continue its mission of promoting the United States as a premier global travel destination. 

Brand USA operates through a public-private partnership model, funded by nonfederal contributions from the travel and hospitality industry and matched by a portion of ESTA fees paid by international visitors, not by general taxpayer dollars.

“This bipartisan bill will help restore vital marketing capacity, expand economic opportunity, and keep Tampa Bay and communities across America open and welcoming to travelers who contribute to our shared success,” Castor said.

Bilirakis added: “Fully funding Brand USA is not just smart policy, it’s economic stewardship.”

 

Real estate pro joins EXIT Elite Realty

TAMPA – Joseph Bove has joined EXIT Elite Realty in Tampa. 

The brokerage, located on 13911 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. Suite 201, is part of EXIT Southeast’s expanding network of independently owned offices. 

EXIT Realty is a full-service franchisor focused on developing real estate entrepreneurs. 

On the web: exitrealty.com and joinexitrealty.com